The Operating rod goes in next. Before placing it on the rifle however - lubricate the area where the bolt lug will ride and underneath the 'flat' area just behind where the spring is inserted. This is the area that comes in contact with the bottom of the barrel.

Now gently insert the Operating Rod carefully into the Gas Cylinder. Hold the Oprod at the most shallow angle you possibly can in order to make insertion easier and to avoid any chance of bending it.

When the Operating Rod is in the correct general position turn the rifle right-side-up and hook the handle end of the rod to the bolt and into the receiver.

To do this simply slide the bolt to the rear so that the lug of the bolt is just barely under the forward edge of the rear sight cover spring. I then gently rotate the operating Rod up and into position.

To fasten the Operating Rod in - thread the bolt lug into the side of the Operating Rod and with a firm right, inward, and down pressure push the Operating Rod into the notch below the windage knob.

Then tilt the weapon forward and backward. If the Bolt and Operating Rod do not slide easily as a unit (using the force of gravity alone) then something is out of place.

Once the operating Rod is in position assemble the smaller parts of the mechanism.

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