Rearden Suppressor Alignment Rods

Precision in Alignment: Mastering Suppressor Accuracy with Rearden's Rods

Rearden Manufacturing's Bore Alignment Rods are precision tools essential for ensuring the correct alignment of suppressors in firearms. Designed for accuracy, these rods are crucial in verifying suppressor alignment, impacting overall firearm safety and performance.

Misaligned suppressors can significantly affect a firearm's accuracy and safety, potentially leading to dangerous scenarios.  Without proper alignment tools, you risk damaging your firearm or suppressor, leading to costly repairs and compromised safety.

Rearden's Bore Alignment Rods offer a reliable and straightforward solution, ensuring your suppressor alignment is accurate, enhancing both safety and performance.

Features and Benefits:

• Made of centerless ground 17-4 PH, ensuring durability and precision.
• Length of 15", facilitating thorough and accurate alignment checks.
• Variety of sizes available, compatible with a wide range of calibers, including 9mm, .308, and .223.
• Black Nitride Finish with 67 HRC Surface Hardness, offering longevity and resistance to wear.
• Atlas and Atlas XL Compatible, enhancing versatility.
• Includes shims for tailored fitting (excluding SR25/M110 models).

Rearden's Bore Alignment Rods stand out for their precision engineering and compatibility with various suppressor types. The rods are an educational tool as much as a practical one, allowing users to understand and rectify alignment issues independently. This not only ensures the correct functioning of your firearm but also educates on the intricacies of firearm maintenance.

The alignment rods are meticulously crafted, focusing on precision and durability. Made from 17-4 PH stainless steel, they demonstrate exceptional toughness and corrosion resistance, critical for tools used in demanding conditions. The black nitride finish not only contributes to its durability but also imparts a sleek, professional appearance. These rods are indispensable in any gun enthusiast’s toolkit, offering versatility across a range of firearms:

• 9mm Caliber Rod: Compatible with .357, 357 Sig, 38 Special, 38 Super, 350 Legend.
• .308 Caliber Rod: Suitable for a wide array of calibers including 308 Winchester, 300 Blackout, .30-06, and many more within the .308 range.
• .223 Caliber Rod: Designed for .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO, and other related calibers.

The variety in thread and bore sizes showcases Rearden's commitment to accommodating diverse firearms, making these rods a versatile addition to any gun maintenance setup.

Q&A:

Question:  Does the Nitride external finish increase the overall dimensions, notably the outer diameter of the rods?

Answer:  The nitride finishing on bore alignment rods, like those from Rearden Manufacturing, typically does not significantly affect the outer diameter of the rod. Nitride finishing is a surface treatment that enhances hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. It adds only a very thin layer to the surface of the rod, usually measured in microns, which means the change in the rod's outer diameter is minimal and generally does not interfere with the rod's intended function or accuracy. The primary purpose of this finishing is to improve the rod's durability and longevity under various conditions.

Question:  How are the rods manufacturered in such a way that we can trust the rod as a reference point?

Answer:  In crafting Rearden Manufacturing's Bore Alignment Rods, the journey begins with precision CNC machining, shaping high-grade steel into slender rods. Post-machining, each rod undergoes centerless grinding, a meticulous process ensuring uniform diameter and perfect straightness. Once shaped, the rods are adorned with a thin nitride finish, boosting their hardness and resistance to wear. The final, critical stage is quality control. Here, advanced tools like coordinate measuring machines and laser systems scrutinize every millimeter, confirming dimensions and straightness. Precision dial indicators then take center stage, examining the rods for any rotational deviations, ensuring they meet the exacting standards required for firearm maintenance.

Question:  There are other brands of rods available for the suppressor owner.  How does the Rearden compare to other brands?

Answer:  In comparing the bore alignment rods from Rearden Manufacturing, Surefire, and Griffin Armament, several factors come into play, including caliber options, materials, and brand reputation.

Rearden Manufacturing stands out for its use of centerless ground 17-4 PH stainless steel, ensuring high precision and durability. Their offerings include calibers like 9mm, .308, and .223, catering to a broad range of firearm needs​​.  Surefire's alignment rods are made from heat-treated stainless steel, and they offer a wider range of calibers, including .223 (5.56mm), .308 (7.62mm), 9mm, and larger calibers like .338. This extensive selection showcases Surefire's commitment to catering to diverse firearm types​​.  Griffin Armament, like Rearden, provides rods in common calibers such as .22 Cal, 9mm, and .30 Cal, but also extends to .45 Cal. Made from hardened tool steel, Griffin rods emphasize robustness and durability​​.

Each brand brings its strengths: Rearden and Griffin focus on common calibers with robust materials, while Surefire offers a more extensive range, reflecting their comprehensive approach to firearms accessories. The choice between these brands often depends on specific caliber needs, material preference, and trust in the brand's reputation in the firearms community.

Question:  Precision suppressor rods, be they from Rearden, or the other firearm brands, are much more expensive that buying a common steel rod.  Is it worth the extra cost?

Answer:  The debate between using DIY suppressor alignment rods and commercial ones like those from Surefire and Rearden Manufacturing is prevalent among gun owners. On one side, some gun owners advocate for the cost-effectiveness of DIY rods from general tool suppliers like McMaster-Carr. These O-1 tool steel rods can be cut to length and converted to the required caliber at a significantly lower cost compared to commercial rods​​​​. (see: Snipers Hide)

However, there are notable concerns with DIY rods. Users on forums like ar15.com have reported issues with the straightness of these rods, with at least half being bent enough to cause mistrust in their accuracy. The lack of guaranteed precision in these rods could potentially lead to misalignment, which is critical when it comes to suppressors. As one user noted, while these rods are suitable for short lengths or quick checks, they might not be straight enough for precise alignment needs​​​​. (see:  ar15.com)

On the other hand, commercial rods from manufacturers like Surefire, Geissele, and Rearden are precision-made specifically for firearm use. They are known for their accurate machining and quality assurance. These rods, while more expensive, provide a higher level of confidence in their straightness and accuracy. As a user expressed, the cost of a commercial alignment rod is justified as a preventative measure against potential suppressor damage​​. (see:  ar15.com)

In summary, while DIY rods offer a cost-effective solution, their reliability and precision are often questioned. Commercial rods, though more expensive, provide a higher assurance of accuracy and safety. The decision between the two often boils down to a balance between cost and the level of precision and reliability required by the user.

Specifications Table