Gas tube release lever not moving down.

[Kenyon]

I recently swapped out my wood handguard (upper and lower) for a plastic one. The gas tube release lever moved fine with the wood parts, but now that I have my plastic ones installed, the lever WILL NOT MOVE DOWN. Is it safe to file down the angled part of the lever so that it moves?

[Full Otto]

Aren't you supposed to move those "up".
I wouldn't go filing anything I know I used to use pliers to persuade them a little

Unless I'm misunderstanding you
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ss/ak47_fieldstrip_6.htm

[Kenyon]

Yeah you move them up to remove the tube, but I'm trying to close it.

[imanaknut]

Welcome to the group !!! :welcome:

Make sure the gas tube is actually in the correct position. I have more than one AK variant that if I don't have the tube exactly where it likes to go, it will not drop into the slot in the rear sight assembly. Most just require some wiggle to get them to seat properly, but I have had one that I took a file to the part of the lower rear of the gas tube that fits into the slot at the bottom front of the rear sight block. (if that description doesn't get you dizzy, you are nearing certification as an AK-nut!)

If the gas tube is all the way down in the back, I have also had to file the top of the rear part of the tube that the half-moon shaped lock clamps against. Take off a very little at a time because if you take off too much, the tube would be loose, which is not a problem, just an annoyance.

First though (yes I could cut and paste :) ) does the lever move easily with the tube out of the rifle? If so, leave it. If it is very tight with the tube out of the rifle, you can VERY very very carefully bend the lever out sligthly. Be VERY careful as some people have reported breaking that lever because they bent too far. So far I have been lucky, but I worry every time I bend a tight lever.

Amazing how such a little part in a simple area can be such a pain!!!

[Full Otto]

Oh OK, sorry and welcome.
I know that I sometimes have to adjust the lever forward or backward slightly till the tube slides in place. Watch the little cam inside from top view and you'll notice the gap widen or shorten. It should find it's way home at the right spot.

[Full Otto]

Or you can just read nuts post

[BISHOP]

I have one AK that I have to lift the gas tube up a bit to push the lever down.

http://thegunner.net/khxc/media/gbu0/prodlg/ak_clean_kit_tube.jpg

See that slot on the bottom of the tube? The gas tube lever goes right in that slot and you then have a tool to help you move that lever.


BISHOP

[Kenyon]

I found out it was the handguard that needed to be filed down. Thanks for all the help and the welcome!

[Full Otto]

Glad it worked out for you.
So what kind you got?

[Kenyon]

Romanian WASR-10. Got it as a typical Century Arms screw job but I put lipstick on my pig and polished her up and fixed all her flaws... As a first AK, I love her. I'd post a picture but I'm on mobile and I don't know how :b

[Full Otto]

I don't think a file will fix that, but if you figure it out we'll be glad check her out

[Tom]

Yeah, this post is useless without pics!

What if I say "Please!"? We love pics! I gotta get mine posted also!