Look out! It's a newbie with carbine problems!

[CrossedCannons]

I hoped reducing the port would help put more gas on the piston and increase function. I can easily open it back up when the new piston and nut arrive.

I don't follow your reasoning. Why would closing down the port put more gas behind the piston? Seems like such throttling would actually allow less gas into the chamber and so reduce the pison's "push".