Gas Piston

[EddieM]

Hello Gents,

How tight or loose must be the M1 gas piston?

Thank you in advance.

[browningautorifle]

If you're using the correct tool, as tight as you can get it.

[EddieM]

If you're using the correct tool, as tight as you can get it.

Thanks again Jim,
I had seen different pistons, some move freely up and down and some stay inside, that depends on how tight is the nut?

[Garandy]

Regardless of how tight or loose the nut is, the M1 Carbine piston should be relatively free to move. Some are a little looser, some are a little tighter and are affected by things like rust, dirt and I wouldn't be surprised if using lead bullets could eventually gum up the works too.

[EddieM]

Regardless of how tight or loose the nut is, the M1 Carbine piston should be relatively free to move. Some are a little looser, some are a little tighter and are affected by things like rust, dirt and I wouldn't be surprised if using lead bullets could eventually gum up the works too.

Hey Garandy,

Thanks for your reply, yeah for sure rust, dirt, and lead would make a difference.
Regards

[browningautorifle]

Regardless of how tight or loose the nut is,

Agreed, I read this again and see you mean the piston, not the nut. I wouldn't worry about the piston as it'll do it's job regardless of whether it's moving with gravity. If in doubt clean it and then don't worry.

[EddieM]

Agreed, I read this again and see you mean the piston, not the nut. I wouldn't worry about the piston as it'll do it's job regardless of whether it's moving with gravity. If in doubt clean it and then don't worry.

Hello Jim,
Yeah I mean the piston thank you, btw besides the usgi nut wrench which other tool would be appropriate?
Regards

[browningautorifle]

the usgi nut wrench

That's the only one that works right. Anything else can cause damage.

[MGMike]

That's the only one that works right. Anything else can cause damage.

Amen to that!

(Or you can cut your own out of a wrench socket, but that's a job.)

[Bruce McAskill]

WARNING!!!! Do NOT try to tighten the nut like your King Kong. IN doing so you can crack the gas housing and no amount of welding or brazing will work. It will just continue to break. The barrel is considered to be gone then and a new barrel is required. Nice and snug, then stake the nut.