For some, the most ticklish part of detail stripping this assembly is removing the Operating Rod. Sometimes its good to be a bit paranoid about bending the rod.

Note that the Oprod is naturally bent a little bit anyway, so if you happen to notice the rod in the pictures having a little bevel to it that is natural.

Anyway, to accomplish this step free the Operating Rod from the Bolt. To achieve this draw the Oprod and bolt back to where the Oprod handle is just a tiny bit forward of the rear sight's windage knob. In that area there is a small cutout milled into the receiver which allows the rod to move up ever so slightly.

To free the rod - firmly pull on the Oprod Handle with a slightly right and upward rotating motion. This action should free the Oprod from the bolt as shown in the photograph below.

Be careful not to put any undue pressure on the Oprod.

It is now time to remove the Oprod from the rifle. To do this invert the weapon one more time and pull the Oprod almost as far back as it will go then and gently angle it up from the rear. Pull the piston end of the Oprod out of the Gas Cylinder and lay it aside.

The final step in this process is to remove the bolt.

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