{"id":933,"date":"2024-03-07T22:39:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T22:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=933"},"modified":"2024-03-07T22:39:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T22:39:39","slug":"check-once-fire-lots-suppressor-alignment-rods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=933","title":{"rendered":"Check Once, Fire Lots: Suppressor Alignment Rods"},"content":{"rendered":"<div> <!-- image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\">\n<figure> <noscript><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-feature-768x496.jpg\" alt=\"Check Once, Fire Lots: Suppressor Alignment Rods\" title=\"Check Once, Fire Lots: Suppressor Alignment Rods\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">You want your alignment rod to be as centered as possible when you check things, because that gives you the best alignment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-author-highlights-the-importance-of-using-a-suppressor-alignment-rod-a-simple-piece-of-steel-that-will-save-you-heartache\"><strong>The author highlights the importance of using a suppressor alignment rod, a simple piece of steel that will save you heartache.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The best\u2014and simplest\u2014tool you can own for your suppressors is an alignment rod or gauge. Yes, a simple steel rod, straight and clean. Why? Because a baffle strike is no joke, and it can be expensive. Even a baffle glance. (That sounds like a line in a mystery novel: \u201cThe dame gave me a baffle glance over her shoulder.\u201d)<\/p>\n<p>The first ones I saw came from Geissele. I had to have them, so I got them. At that time, the company made them for only 5.56 and 7.62 bores, but now he offers the full range of rods, from .50 down to 5.56, with 9mm and the oddest one, 5.45, in the lineup as well. (So much for my search for the correct-diameter rods at industrial sites a few years back to make sure I had rods for all the sizes I\u2019d need.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-strike.jpg\" alt=\"suppressor-alignment-rod-strike\" class=\"wp-image-292742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-strike.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-strike-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-strike-768x481.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-strike-696x436.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-rod-strike-670x420.jpg 670w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Oops! This is what can happen if you don\u2019t check alignment, and the alignment isn\u2019t up to snuff. This won\u2019t buff out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Using them is easy. Make sure the rifle\/pistol is unloaded, install the rod and push it until one end is flush with the front cap exit hole of your suppressor. Now look.<\/p>\n<p>Is the rod perfectly centered in the exit of the cap? Life is good. Is it closer to one side but not touching? Well, you can probably get by\u2014as long as you don\u2019t use a bullet that\u2019s too long for your twist. Then, life will be not-so good. (The too-long bullet might yaw really early in its travel, once having exited the muzzle, and by the time it gets to the endcap, it might be angled enough to hit the cap.)<\/p>\n<p>Is the rod touching the edge of the endcap clearance hole? You\u2019re done here; this suppressor can\u2019t ride on this hoist until the problem is solved.<\/p>\n<p>No\u2014I mean it.<\/p>\n<p>Something is wrong, and it\u2019s probably that the threads are off-center or tilted, or the bearing shoulder of the muzzle isn\u2019t perpendicular to the axis of the bore. You need a gunsmith with a good lathe or a machinist who understands the problem to solve it for you.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder.jpg\" alt=\"suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder\" class=\"wp-image-292740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-768x481.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-696x436.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-670x420.jpg 670w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder.jpg\" alt=\"suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-292740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-768x481.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-696x436.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-alignment-bearing-shoulder-670x420.jpg 670w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The bearing shoulder on your barrel is a small area to depend on, so you should check alignment every time you screw on your suppressor. \u201cGood last time\u201d doesn\u2019t guarantee this time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I\u2019ve seen combos where the alignment rod scraped along the edge of the cap when inserted. <em>Ouch<\/em>. That\u2019s a \u201cnever gonna get shot\u201d combo, and it might not be solvable.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve invested in a suppressor alignment rod, use it. If someone wants to try your suppressor on their rifle, you gauge it. If it doesn\u2019t pass, they don\u2019t get to shoot\u2014not even \u201cJust one round, please?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You can tell them I said so.<\/p>\n<p>Every time you install your suppressor on your own rifle, be borderline OCD and gauge it. Sometimes, a bit of grit might get onto the fit and tip the suppressor. I do that every time I screw on a direct-thread suppressor, but I don\u2019t when I\u2019m using a QD mount system. The QD mounts have enough bearing surface and self-alignment that a bit of grit won\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes.jpg\" alt=\"suppressor-QD-mount-brakes\" class=\"wp-image-292741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-768x481.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-696x436.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-670x420.jpg 670w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes.jpg\" alt=\"suppressor-QD-mount-brakes\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-292741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-768x481.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-696x436.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/suppressor-QD-mount-brakes-670x420.jpg 670w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The various QD mounts offer enough bearing surface that they won\u2019t be bothered by a small amount of grit. I\u2019m not OCD enough to check alignment every time with these.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But the tiny bearing shoulder on most barrels, well, that can be problematic. That\u2019s just me. If you don\u2019t want to do that, that\u2019s fine \u2026 just don\u2019t blame me later.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, they cost, but what\u2019s $75 to $125 compared to a blasted suppressor? As I\u2019ve said many times before, this is America: You get to decide.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Editor&#8217;s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0This article originally appeared in the 2024 special suppressor issue of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gundigestservice.com\/customer\/subscribe.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gun Digest the Magazine<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>More Useful Firearms Tools:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-29\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<div style=\"border: 2px solid #e5e5e5; padding: 20px; border-radius: 10px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #333; text-align: center;\">Next Step: Get your FREE Printable Target Pack<\/h2>\n<p>Enhance your shooting precision with our 62 MOA Targets, perfect for rifles and handguns. Crafted in collaboration with Storm Tactical for accuracy and versatility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter<\/strong> and get your downloadable target pack sent straight to your inbox. Stay updated with the latest firearms info in the industry.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- AI CONTENT END 1 --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You want your alignment rod to be as centered as possible when you check things, because that gives you the best alignment. The author highlights the importance of using a suppressor alignment rod, a simple piece of steel that will save you heartache. The best\u2014and simplest\u2014tool you can own for your suppressors is an alignment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tactical-gear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=933"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":935,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933\/revisions\/935"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}