gas piston stuck in new Rock Ola

[colreed]

The gas piston was really gummed up, couldn't even pull out with fingers.
Removed the nut and freed it up some but the piston will not come out of the gas cylinder. Seems to hit an obstruction. Is there a trick I'm overlooking? I need to get it out to clean it up.
Thanks for your help.

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[Bill Hollinger]

No trick. You know how a piston makes a ridge in a cylinder? Thats kind of what may be happening with you gas piston especially if the gas nut was cranked down too tight. Soak it up good with Hoppes #9 or equivalent. Let is sit a day and then try it again. You may have to twist it while applying outward force.

[colreed]

Got 'er soaking

[colreed]

The piston nut had been cranked down so hard that it deformed (sort of rolled) the inside rim of the upper surface of the inner sleave that the piston rides back and forth in. Couldn't even come close to getting the piston back in after spending considerable effort to remove it. Once out, I dressed up that rim a little at a time. Runs free and easy now.
Don't know what I would have done without your tip.
Many, many thanks.
Reed

[Bubba-7]

But just to clear up one issue. The gas piston does not have to move with the fingers. Many times they will seem stuck but will fall if the side of the housing is tapped. Also when a shooting the carbine and it works, leave it alone. Remember 52,000 psi can move more than fingers. However as Bill said there can get a build up behind the piston and soaking is the easy way to go. I have also put it back together with out the nut and fired it. You will find the piston in the slide pocket. Once the piston is out, check the port to see if there is any metal partly blocking it. I have found soot, steel shavings, lead and brass in them. You will need a bit 0.070 inches or smaller.

[colreed]

Thanks Bubba,
It MAY have worked the way it was but was really fouled up. Couldn't get it to move in or out even with vice grips. I'm certainly no experience armorer. Just trying to make it perform close to the same as all the other ones I've had. Hopefully, I didn't screw it up. Next trip to the range will be interesting.
Thanks again for your info.
Reed

[us019255]

"...I have also put it back together with out the nut and fired it..."

Beats my idea of plugging barrel and using compressed air. Nice trick to know!

[Dan Shapiro]

Don't forget, back in the day (unlike now), weapons were designed with the end user in mind. Guys who could break an anvil with a rubber mallet!