Crush washer on Gamma 65?

[Bdlot]

Crush Washer crushed enough??
It's not a woodchuck joke, but as you can see in the pick, and this is my first experience with a crush washer, it seems like it is just tight.
Circumstances:
1) I used aeroshell 64 on the threads (Not Suppressed),
2) It took 1/3 turn to bring to proper alignment,
3) First build (Never used a crush washer before.
I want to say shoot and keep an eye on the alignment, but thought I would consult those who have dealt with this situation, if it is a situation. Please advise?

[BobinNC]

From the " for what it's worth department", I mount all my Gamma brakes with jam nuts. I don't use their supplied crush washers at all. It's easier to time your brake with a jam nut. It may not look as pretty, but it's more effective.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=5%2F8x24+jam+nut&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0IDtBRC6ARIsAIA5gWunb1onRYg33bYx3DGaIzS5B9Pg_TubeIdad67CebdUCDPA_fclagMaApbEEALw_wcB&hvadid=178133250664&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9009684&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6439561832335209815&hvtargid=aud-647846986281%3Akwd-199689392471&hydadcr=9655_9895491&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_5aypzc1c25_e

[Klem]

Sounds good.

Crush washers are designed to take a full turn if needed. If you did it up finger tight and then with a spanner 1/3 further to position it right - Perfect.

Just be aware they are not elastic, so if you take it off to service the crown at any stage you will have to screw it in a bit further next time for it to friction/bind. That means your Gamma will no longer be in alignment. They are only a couple of dollars each so if you have to take it off for any reason, discard it and use a new one.

[Bdlot]

Thanks for the information.
I will leave well enough alone for now, but will get another crush washer and shims to time it with at least 1/2 turn, but not more than 3/4, to go.
BobinNC, If this was strictly a range gun, I like the jam nut. I just don't want to deal with the gap, but it would definitely work.

[Klem]

Thanks for the information.
I will leave well enough alone for now, but will get another crush washer and shims to time it with at least 1/2 turn, but not more than 3/4, to go.
.

You don't need shims with a crush washer. As I said, they are not elastic so don't be fooled...while you might use more force when screwing them further into a full rotation they are not held with any more friction. If you want to prove this do one up a full turn then see how little effort it takes to unscrew it.

The only thing that will hold your device with more tension is some other bind like glue, a jam nut or a split washer. For example, KA uses Rocksett. Split washers are great if the device doesn't need timing as you can do them up hand tight (only) and take them on and off for cleaning.

[Bdlot]

You don't need shims with a crush washer. As I said, they are not elastic so don't be fooled...while you might put more effort into screwing them further into a full rotation they are not held with any more friction. If you want to prove this do one up a full turn then see how much effort it takes to unscrew it.

The only thing that will hold your device with more tension is some other bind like glue, a jam nut or a split washer. For example, KA uses Rocksett. Split washers are great if it doesn't need timing as you can re-use them.

Klem, that sounds good. I am going to leave well enough alone. I am still not sure that I will like the Gamma 65 so I will put some rounds through it and decide. Thanks again.

[A5BLASTER]

I would buy the accuwasher system and when you take the muzzle device off again for whatever reason change over to the accuwasher.

Much much better then a crush washer.

[lazyengineer]

FWIW, most of the tacticool kids besmirch crush washers. It won't always have a square alignment and can send a silencer flying with a baffle strike, apparently. Also (supposedly) 30 ft-lb of torque is enough to start to deform the barrel and affect accuracy (or so I'm told). And depending, a crush washer might need a lot to finally line up.

Most precision shooters and pretty much all silencer shooters run shim sets, which are cheap. Here's a set for $5 for your pitch threads.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrel-hardware/washers/ar-308-308-shim-kit-prod98456.aspx

Do I think it really matters a lot for simple muzzle break? eh... for their shorter .300 BO version that fits, probably not. For the longer 6.5 version.... maybe? Still in the probably-not range, but it's cheap enough to just throw on a kit, have more confidence it lines up square. And you can adjust your required torque by adding and removing pieces on your first install. That's what I'd do.

FWIW, my Grendel's are running crush washers right now. ... and FWIW, neither really shoots that great. I just ordered some .300 BO Gamma breaks, and will likely pitch the crush washers and switch to shims at that time.

[FLshooter]

Klem gave you proper instructions for installing a break w/crush washer.You hand tighten.Then you clock it.I installed that same break earlier on my buddy?s RAP.Took a 1/2 turn to Align.And it on there to stay.

[Klem]

I agree with the advice about crush washers and direct-thread suppressors. You need a suppressor to come up against firmly an absolutely square shoulder. Don't tempt fate by inserting anything in between, and that includes thread adapters (tolerance stacking).

As for muzzle brakes, there's a relative universe of space between the exiting bullet and any slight angle a crush washer might impart. Never heard of a brake being grazed by a bullet let alone one done up with a crush washer. A brake installed with a fair bit of run-out might affect accuracy by creating unbalanced turbulence in the wake but there won't be a strike.

Sure, shims are another way of timing a brake.

You'll be fine using that crush washer on the Gamma.

[ErikS]

I use a crush washer on my VG6 5.56 gun with zero issues.

[Popeye212]

Took the crush washers off my AR's and replaced with washers. Son came into town we took the VG65 off the Grendel. Washer wouldn't come off it was bent. We put the can on and that was a mistake because we got a baffle strike. Crush washer is still on the Compass because it shoots so well I am not going to mess with it. If I have to take it off I will replace with the washer system sitting in my parts drawer.