grouping to the right/could it be compensator?

[paulbradley]

I have noticed my AR always throws groups out to the right. On inspection the only thing I saw that may be to blame was the flash hider/compensator. It should have the openings at 12 o clock and the blank section at 6 which would help keep the recoil down. It has been over tightened and is off set so the holes are at 10 o clock. This would in theory push the muzzle to the right? Am I being too picky? A new crush washer is only 3 quid so It won't break the bank. Opinions?

[Sim G]

Until you time up the compensator, you can't discount it, IMO.

[paulbradley]

I have heard this phrase but I'm afraid I am not sure what "timing" it means. Any advice of how I would do that?

[Sim G]

Basically, get a new crush washer and tighten the compensator up so that the vents are positioned where they should be. Shoot it again. If still printing right, move your sights.... LOL!

[paulbradley]

Great. Thank you!!

[Meaty]

Take the flash hider/compensator off and shoot it and see if your groups have shifted back to where you would expect them to be-it would quickly tell if the compensator had any influence on positioning of groups. If you dont want to buy another crush washer you could reassemble with a smear of weak thread lock and let it set in exactly the position you want it.

[Individual]

+1 What Meaty says. Take it off and see if anything changes.

How are you deciding that its shooting groups to the right? What are you using as a reference?

Surely - by the time the gas is venting from the muzzle brake and having an effect on barrel position the bullet has already left the barrel and is in free space?

You might be anticipating the movement and pushing right - perhaps?

[snayperskaya]

A photo would help but I would say the openings would be at around 10 o'clock when viewed from the front so the muzzle would be pushed down and to the left when fired (compensators really only work with rapid semi/full auto fire and don't really do anything on a straight pull as the first round is long gone before the next ones down the pipe),thats how they are on AKs etc (funny thing with AKs is that muzzle brakes and flash hiders should actually be a little loose on them with some wobble) .Are you sure that it is square and you aren't getting a very light bullet strike on the brake and its throwing the round to the right.The other option is your windage on the sights may simply need adjusting, especially if it has always shot to the right.

[Tony-c]

could well be, I had a small home made brake on the front of my .22lr.

it moved the impact up, compared to without the brake.

[paulbradley]

It recoils to the right. I get a central group of 3 then the next 3 will group half inch right. I dial in the correction and a couple more shots it happens again. If I fight the recoil it improves the situation but I don't want to muscle the rifle like that. If the compensator is supposed to be offset then I'll work on my position. If it is an error on install then I shall try correcting it first. So now I'm confused.. 10 or 12 o clock for the central upper vent?