A very constructive response and greatly appreciate. It gives me additional insight, options and cautions.

When I inspected the Inland bolt I also examined the gas piston nut, if you can call the flower like thingie surrounding the piston a nut. I was uncertain how to check for tightness. I chose not to use a tool so I only did a finger turn to see if it was loose. There was no looseness. So I concluded it was not about to fall off and was "safe".

I'll continue to post my observations and progress.