I went to
http://www.tko22.com to check out the muzzle breaks. I was looking through the photo gallery and saw this "drilled barrel band" thing and sent an E-mail to Mike Tiehen asking about its function. Here is his response: "The drilled barrel band cures what you mention later in your message. It will keep the barrel parallel to the airtube, helping accuracy because the barrel isn't "scraping" along the front of the tube at the muzzle. It also helps with scope mounting when shooting long ranges with the Discovery. Because the stock barrel band squeezes the the barrel and airtube together at the muzzle, you are actually causing "droop" to the barrel. You might find that your scope runs out of "UP" adjustment when shooting at 50 or more yards.
The last thing the drilled barrel band heps with is filling the Discovery fill cap after installing a TKO brake. Since the barrel is now parallel, there is plenty of room to get the fill adapter onto the nipple with the brake installed.
Installing an additional barrel band actually makes the situation worse....unless they are shimmed or drilled.
My drilled barrel bands are $24 each in bright alu or black. I won't have any more ready to go for about a week."
Since I'm very impatient, I made my own barrel band. I drilled and tapped two holes for the barrel and two for the air res. The set screws are angled so they hold the barrel and air res firmly in place at the extreme top and bottom of the band. The barrel is now parallel with the air res and is "rock solid". There is no droop and no movement what so ever. If you can spare $24.00 I quarantee you will consider it money well spent. I removed all tool marks and polished my band and it looks and works great. Check out his site.
