Part of my Garand came loose

[RavenVT100]

Specifically, the Gas Cylinder Lock Screw Valve, i.e. that little plug that screws into the front below the barrel to lock the Cylinder Lock against the Cylinder. As I was cleaning my Garand tonight after firing approx. 100 rds of .30-06, I noticed that this part was loose.

Did I just not tighten it enough the last time I did a full strip? This has never happened before. Could anything have gotten damaged? It screwed back into place fine and I tightened it very hard this time.

How can I ensure that it stays put without hurting anything?

 

[cracked butt]

Tighten her down real tight.

 

[Dienekes]

A caveat: Consider a gas cylinder wrench from Brownell's when tightening so as not to put too much torque on the barrel and gas cylinder splines. Use some judgement as to how tight to make it. (The official chamber cleaning tool has a blade that fits; a large screwdriver will work also.) Better to have it loosen slightly a couple of times until you get the feel of how much to snug it down than to overdo it. Personally I put a little anti-seize compound on touchy, fine-threaded things like this to prevent future misery.

Once you find out the right tension, you might mark the plug and gas cylinder with a white line, scratch, or whatever so you can tell at a glance if it is loosening up on you.

Mine is well trained and stays put nicely until and unless I want to remove it.

 

[NEtracker]

I use the Garand multi tool with the brush & screwdriver. Works for me on three CMP M1's.

 

[nbkky71]

I know that I'm going to hear shrieks of horror when I say this...but don't forget Loctite blue.

I've got a CMP H&R where the gas cylinder plug would not stay tight. I tried all the above mentioned tricks with no success. Even my gunsmith couldn't get it to stay tight either. A drop or two of locitie blue on the threads did the trick.

I would recommend using this as a last resort though.