slight wobble of brake affect POI?

[Bang]

Have a TAPCO muzzle brake on my AK47 that had a slight looseness.
Noticed that POI seems a little inconsistent and am suspicious of the loose brake not being the best thing for accuracy. Tonight I made a new washer for it, hand-fitting until all shake is gone when the sprung detent rod is engaged. I guess the next trip to the range will tell the tale.

[gold cup abuser]

If its that off then you did the right move to tighten and straighten it.

I had one on mine and I didn't notice it was a bit off. Well I did at the range when a round down the pipe hit it, and it shattered. Just glad I wasn't hurt and no one else was nearby.

Tapco was nice as could be when I called them about what happened. They sent a replacement and that is working nicely three years later.

Good luck

[Bang]

I had placed a rod of appropriate diameter into the muzzle bore and wiggled the brake. At no point was it touching. My concern is the varying gas patterns due to the shake of a loose brake.

Consider the theories behind crowning a muzzle. Perfection at the crown (and bore wear) is the goal in order for the gasses to act the same way and in an even manner between the crowned muzzle and the base of the bullet while the bullet is in proximity to the muzzle as it leaves the muzzle. It seems logical to me that a muzzle brake with "shake" would impart varying effects on the projectile. I believe the reason for crush washers is to eliminate that varying of brake position and thus gas patterns. I was just wondering if anyone had done any serious comparisons between tight and loose brakes.

[Lycanthrope]

Anything loose is going to cause issues in harmonics. On the other side, too tight at the crown can distort the muzzle. Many long range AR shooters will loctite the brake on at about 10-15 ft/lbs. A crush washer is about 30 ft/lbs and considered a bit too tight for max accuracy.

That being said, every rifle is a little bit unique.

I think I recall a group of CMP shooters playing around with this a few years back.

Lycanusesredloctite/peelwashersthrope

[Bang]

Hadn't considered the harmonics. Excellent point, thanks.

[Enfielder]

Try it without any brake on?

[Bang]

I think I did last year. That is what got me to realizing the rifle is capable of doing better. I plan on trying it sans brake next time out. I also plan on trying the stock slant brake. I kind of think the slant brake is designed to help control climb in full-auto, which is moot.