Reaction rods belong in the trash. When working on muzzle devices use a barrel vise.
Why do you say this about reaction rods?
Reaction rods have been guilty several times over for spinning off barrel extensions. That's why they make barrel vises. You run no risk of sheering off your index pin or loosening the barrel extension while installing a muzzle device or breaking it free
Reaction rods hold the barrel by the bolt locking lugs on the barrel extension. You can ruin a barrel by putting all the pressure on the barrel extension. Just not an ideal situation. I would not do it. That is one of the reasons I mentioned clamping on the barrel. Using a barrel vise as he mentions is the ideal way. I've done it my way many times but the barrel vise is the ideal way.
Yes and a big hammer.Adjustable Wrench ????
I guess I have been doing it wrong. I get the spacer shims to get the flash hider close (like a 1/8 of a turn) than torqued it down while in the vice held by the clam shell thing. I don't use Loctite and I have never had one come loose. Oh well, live and learn.