Installing a Compensator on an AR-15

[Graham Smith]

I have seen references to the need to "clock" a break or compensator when installing them. What does this mean?

Is it different than aligning or "indexing" the break correctly?

[Dan Burwell]

it does mean to align it, but more specifically not aligning it straight up and down but on an angle the best suits the individual shooter.

[Patrick Sweeney]

You "clock" it to angle it against the sideways movement of the rifle trying to pivot around you. How much, if any at all, is a completely personal matter, depending on your load, stance and the comp.

I need almost no clocking on a 5.56, and only a little on .308s, but my stance is not very bladed at all.

The only way to know, is to try.