My Magnum too was very tight but it is beginning to loosen up after about 45 minutes total running time. I didn't know you could do that to the piston, but anyway, that's not something I would feel comfortable trying. After reading other Reactor owners' comments, I didn't even try the gear in the stock position since ours is a grass field. I guess since I never saw the plane with the gear in the stock position (only in pictures), mine looks completely normal to me in the "backwards" position. Anyway, none of the other guys at the field noticed anything about the lg and they all liked the plane, even without the cowling. I will post some pictures later.