I'm in the opposite boat. I hate shims. They're just an absolute PIA. I use them for suppressor mounts, but often opt for a mount that doesn't require timing, like the AAC blackout or Brakeout 2.0.
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Accuwashers are the best investment I've made regarding muzzle device installation. Made aligning my EFAB painless.
Much better than the AAC kit I originally used to time my original muzzle device.
I agree and never use them. As to tight exit clearances, I've never owned or installed a brake where it was that tight and don't really see the advantage. OTOH, I don't see anything magic about muzzle devices in general and have a pretty simplistic set of expectations for the ones I use. Tight exit clearance isn't one of them, especially if I have to use shims to maintain concentricity. Just my opinion. I'd change it if I had a good reason, but a good ol' BattleComp and a crush washer works just fine for me and I don't feel compelled to chase the magic muzzle device of the week.
I prefer crush washer over all another options. But for brake? You absolutely have to have stiff fresh crush washer for that but using shim and rocksett are safer and ideal for muzzle brake.
I hate jam nut because they strain few thread feel very dangerous to me (stripping the thread) meanwhile muzzle device strain multiple threads evenly.
When you get near 90 degree from perfect timing after tighten and loosen, tighten in one turn then get more slowly and careful as you get closer and closer.
Be rational, careful, and have plenty of patience. Go at it slowly.