Can't get the receiver cover back on!!! ???HELP???

[REDSTAR]

I put a new wood pistol grip on my SSR85C from Arsenal USA and I can't get the receiver cover back on the rifle! I have the end lined up with the grooves perfectly, when I push forward and down to snap on, the damn "button" won't pop right back in. So I know I'm doing the procedure correctly. The "button part" is seated correctly; all the way back. I have never encountered this problem on any AK, they always just pop right in. I have a spare Hungarian reciever cover and it won't go on either! I'm at a loss, any suggestions???? I'm sure everything is in order, all parts where the should be...It came off easily. I have the saftey on and the rifle is not charged.

[REDSTAR]

Actually, I had the safety off. In any event, I gave it a good whack with a rubber mallet and it popped back on. Never had a AK that fit this tight. Haven't fired the rifle yet, maybe that's why.

[shamayim1]

Try this. Push the rear end of the op spring assembly out of the rear channel and rest the bottomedge of that rear piece against the top edge of the rear shoulder of the reciever. Hold the reciever cover in place with one hand, while you snap the operating rod back, as if you're cocking the gun. This should work. It's what I have to do with my Galil, which has a tab at the back twice as long as the average AK. That makes it a real bitch to get the top cover back on any other way

[REDSTAR]

Good idea, thanks

[Gearhead]

Dear Redstar-Whenever I have difficulty installing a receiver cover,I whip out the old BIC!Yup,just the classic,no click,ball- point bic pen with the blue removable cap.Put the cover on,insert blue cap through hole and depress the recoil spring end until it lines up with receiver cover hole.Press forward,down ,jiggle (Whatever technique works for the cover) to seat the cover and release pen tension!I keep a BIC pen because the plastic won't damage the metal and they're cheep!Kinda like my baling wire hammer spring manipulator,buttstock tool removal tool.Hope this helps! http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif-Gearhead.