Garand detail strip help

[Seminole]

Having received my field grade Greek return Garand, I'm now in the process of trying to get it cleaned up. I got the gas lock screw valve off, but now I'm having a little trouble though, getting the gas cylinder lock off. According to the directions on the CMP site,

if you are taking the rifle all the way down then remove Gas Cylinder Lock by simply spinning it on the end of a finger in a counterclockwise rotation until the Gas Cylinder Lock comes loose.

Now that sounds very easy and the picture (http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/striphtml/detailstripgassystem3.html) looks easy as pie. The trouble is, the cylinder lock seems to be REALLY TIGHT on my rifle! Is there a secret to this? I don't want to break it by forcing it, but I really would like to get the handguards off to facilitate better cleaning.

 

[Gustav]

Try soaking the threads with a good penetrating oil and then after a while if no luck try a large crescent wrench padded with some kind of rubber or matting on the jaws.
See if this works.
Best of luck