Thanks for the reply George. FYI the headspace is good, the op rod and bolt cycle under their own weight with spring removed. No binding or unusual wear patterns that I can determine. Do you know what the proper recoil spring length is for this rifle? If my next step is to open up the gas port some more, by what increment and where do I stop for a max diameter? Also the gas cylinder/piston is larger than the normal Garand .525 and I can diassemble by hand. Is this too loose a fit on the barrel? Thanks again, rezman.