Garand Gas Cylinder Affects Accuracy?

[mmattockx]

A while ago I saw a thread where it was suggested that cleaning the gas cylinder would possibly improve accuracy on a Garand. I have a couple of questions on that:

1) Why would a fouled gas cylinder have any effect on accuracy?

2) Should the gas cylinder be left dry or oiled/lubed after a cleaning?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[purple]

The gas cylinder is stainless steel, so there is really no issue with corrosion if using non-corrosive ammo. I don't believe that a badly fouled one will actually affect functionality because a tight fitting piston is a good thing. When cleaning I just wipe dry and leave it that way after using bore solvent.

The biggest effect that the gas cyl has on accuracy is from looseness on the barrel which causes the front sight and sight picture to shift. This is why people often peen/deform the edges of the barrel splines to get a tighter fit for the gas cyl. Competitive shooters try to minimize the frequency of stripping the rifle for cleaning. The gas cyl can be cleaned from the front after removing the gas cyl lock screw.