Problem with Ak-47

[Delphi]

Ok so I took the wood stocks off one of my ak-47's and refinished them. They look great but I've run into a snag... the lower handguard retainer lever will not lock into place fully... it only goes half way and sticks out straight up vertically instead of locking into place like it did before which keeps me from putting the upper handguard on.... I have not laminted any of the end parts on the rifle and the parts that fit into the retainer are just like they were after i took them out.... When i try to lock the lever into place with plyers but it looks like its about to start to bend... So somthing is wrong and i have no freaking clue what it is. Help would be greatly appriciated... kinda hard shooting an ak with a wobbly lower handguard.

[Wulf202]

love tap the retainer towards the receiver just a bit, loosen the lock completely first though

[hkOrion]

Yep - make sure the pin is lining up in the groove! Adjust the front guard as necessary. One of mine has some wobble in the handguard when it's lined up right.

[Delphi]

I'll have to mess with it some more and see what happens, I'll let ya know

thanks