how tight should M1 gas cylinder lock be?

[Flyboy73]

I was reassembying my M1 and I went to tighten the gas cylinder lock. I got so far by hand and backed it off to put in screw. I noticed then the gas cylinder and front hand gaurd where not fully tight, with a little play. Should i keep on tightening the lock, or is this normal? Should i get one of those gas cylinder lock tools to tighen the lock further?

Thanks
Brion

 

[Steve in PA]

There should be a little "play" between the front handguard and the gas cylinder. I don't know the exact specs, I'm sure someone like Swampy will be able to tell you.

Ideally, the lock should stop somewhere around the 6 o'clock position. Mine stops around 9-10 o'clock, but the rifle shoots just fine.

The tool isn't for tightening the lock, there for holding the lock in place while you tighten the screw.

 

[Houndawg]

The tool isn't for tightening the lock, there for holding the lock in place while you tighten the screw.

No it's not. It's for tightening and loosening the lock on match rifles where the lock is snugged down. There is no need to hold the lock in place while you tighten the screw.

 

[cracked butt]

There needs to be a gap between the gas cylinder and handguard otherwise when the barrel heats up all kinds of bad tension on the barrel is going to happen. You just tighten the lock as far as it goes, back it off and tighten down the gas cylinder plug. The plug will draw the gas cylinder back toward the gas cylinder lock and tighten it. If the cylinder is loose, you might have to shim or very lightly peen the barrel splines.

 

[Swampy]

The tool isn't for tightening the lock, there for holding the lock in place while you tighten the screw.

No it's not. It's for tightening and loosening the lock on match rifles where the lock is snugged down. There is no need to hold the lock in place while you tighten the screw.

Actually, the M1 gas cylinder wrench is a pretty good item to have for BOTH applications.

It works just dandy for loosening the gas cylinder lock on my match M1 for it's annual bath, but I certainly do use it MORE for just holding the gas cylinder lock on non-match M1's while I tighten-loosen the screw. Doing this allows more torque to be applied to the screw without transferring pressure to the barrel splines.

While the gas cylinder wrench may not be NECESSARY to tighten up the screw on an issue rifle, it sure does make the process easier and more secure.

BTW, Steve and cracked butt are right. You WANT the front handguard to be loose. It's designed to be loose. As long as there is some play between it and the rear ring of the gas cylinder, that's all that's needed.

Just my thoughts,
Swampy

Garands forever