Gas Cylinder Lock Screw-Tight!

[AKA Hugh Uno]

stick screwdriver tip in gas screw. take adjustable wrench and tighten it on the square shaft of the large screwdriver. push down on screwdriver handle with one hand while siumlatenously turning the screwdriver shaft counterclockwise with the adjustable wrench with other hand.

I actually have an old beat up op-rod that I filed the actuator handle/tip down to fit the slot which works great and has plenty of leverage. The secret is to never torque a gas screw in harder than firm hand pressure.

[bd1]

Maybe it's counter to the "run dry" design, but years ago - all the way back to when we started out in Highpower shooting a club loaner Garand - I learned that a dab of shotgun choke tube lube on the threads keeps the screw secure and enables easy removal.

[Bat Guano]

Hey--I LOVE my anti-seize! Anything that will let me unscrew exhaust system nuts years afterwards gets my vote.

Putting lots of torque on stuck gas cylinder screws is just not one of my favorite things.

[cmichini]

Good suggestions on how to get it off after it's locked on pretty tight.

I thought I'd chime in on possible cause (to prevent in the future). Obviously going hog wild with a screwdriver/combo tool will do it. Also, if you notice after shooting, while the barrel/gas cylinder are still hot, the screw feels loose because the metal has expanded and enlarging the threaded hole. If you screw it in tight while hot, look out 'cause you're probably going to have a problem getting it loose while cooled.

This situation happened to me once and the large screwdriver with an adjustable wrench on the square shaft provided the necessary leverage without excessive torque.

Cheers