Cut gas cylinder

The gas cylinder on my SA (5,485,xxx) has a vertical cut, through the dovetail under the front sight. Does anyone know of a good explanation for this?

This was my first Garand that I bought before joining CMP, and I didn't notice the cut gas cylinder until much later. I have not tried gauging the cylinder.

At first I thought maybe the gas cylinder had previously been stuck to an old barrel, but the placement of this cut would not appear to aid removal of anything. I'm just curious, maybe someone can tell me the reason for it.

There was an early run of barrels that the diameter where the gc fits that was a few thousandths undersize. Rather than scrap a whole bunch of otherwise good barrels, the armorers were instructed to put that cut in the gs's to tighten them up. There's nothing wrong with your gc.
Jon

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gifHere is a photo I have of two of them.

Great pictures. I think the 90 degree cut came first and then the thinner diagonal cut.

A WWII modification. Belongs on a WWII Garand. Not common anymore, either.

I have sold lots of these gas cylinders to target shooters.A tight on the barrel splines gas cylinder reduces group sizes and it is a case of the tighter the better.

In the case of the sawcut gas cylinders you remove the gas cylinder that it on your rifle and then remove the front sight and stacking swivel.Install the stacking swivel on your sawcut gas cylinder and place it on the barrel.Next you put the front sight on the gas cylinder dovetail and position the gas cylinder correctly with regard to clearance etc.

THEN you take a long handled Allen wrench and tighten the front sight screw just as tight as your strenghth will permit.You NOW won't be able to budge that gas cylinder with a 5 pound hammer.When you want to clean your rifle at the end of the shooting season you slack off the front sight screw and remove the gas cylinder.Easy peasey !

Should any of you need/want a sawcut gas cylinder please get in touch with me OFF FORUM at robertsonyvr@telus.net and we'll go from there.ALL of what I have are US Army Ordnance repacks from Raritan Arsenal in 1953 and are graded as being in "Condition One"(New or as new).

I have installed sawcut gas cylinders on a few of my own shooter Garands and I can attest to the fact that they DO reduce/tighten up groups.Another relevant point is that since this is a GENUINE US Army Ordnance modification you CAN shoot a JCG match with a sawcut gas cylinder.

Cheers,

JR

In addition to what John wrote, I would add that tightening up a saw cut gas cylinder will often cause a barrel to shoot a bit higher. This sometimes requires a full height front sight or even one of the newer made special high post front sights.

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Originally Posted by Coal Burner

The gas cylinder on my SA (5,485,xxx) has a vertical cut, through the dovetail under the front sight. Does anyone know of a good explanation for this?

This was my first Garand that I bought before joining CMP, and I didn't notice the cut gas cylinder until much later. I have not tried gauging the cylinder.

At first I thought maybe the gas cylinder had previously been stuck to an old barrel, but the placement of this cut would not appear to aid removal of anything. I'm just curious, maybe someone can tell me the reason for it.

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CB,

Just be aware the saw-cut gas cylinders are not part of original new assembly at SA; it's a rebuild issue in the event you are restoring it. Otherwise, you have gotten good information.

I have a barrel that is badly corroded arouond the chrome pads (in fact they are eaten away). Would a cut g.c. help? I'm having failure to pick up the next roound due to gas leakage. Anybody have one to spare?

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Originally Posted by dryheat

I have a barrel that is badly corroded arouond the chrome pads (in fact they are eaten away). Would a cut g.c. help? I'm having failure to pick up the next roound due to gas leakage. Anybody have one to spare?

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It may work and may not. No one can guarantee it, especially without looking at your barrel.

John R has some that were cut and are basically excellent to NOS except for the cut. You might want to send him a PM.