NEA Handguard Install Question

[Dragonblade]

I'm trying to install an NEA upper handguard on my VZ-58 and am having trouble with the cross pin, it's very tight and I can't get it through at all.

Any help?

 

[Northern Rockies]

Mine is the same way the pin is a tight fit and won't go in unless I use an awl to get the hole to align.

 

[Charles Martel]

Try giving the pin a light sanding to remove some of the phosphate, the coating was really thick but will wear down over time.

 

[Stevo]

I'm trying to install an NEA upper handguard on my VZ-58 and am having trouble with the cross pin, it's very tight and I can't get it through at all.

Any help?

Lining the hole up properly is very important. I use a small rubber hammer to adjust it before driving the pin in.

 

[Dragonblade]

Well I've tried sanding down the pin and it didn't help. I've also tried lining it up and it seems to be lined up. I still can't get the the pin through. I don't have an awl, any other suggestions?

 

[Charles Martel]

i can send you a new pin.

 

[Stevo]

Well I've tried sanding down the pin and it didn't help. I've also tried lining it up and it seems to be lined up. I still can't get the the pin through. I don't have an awl, any other suggestions?

If you use a small-tipped screwdriver or something similar, you can feel around the edge of the hole to make sure it really is lined up. Sometimes it's difficult to see that it's off.

It may help to remove the push pin, line up the holes, then put it through.

 

[Dragonblade]

The pin will fit through each part separately, but not together. The parts seem lined up, but obviously aren't. I dont have an awl or a rubber mallet. I don't think the pin will fix it, but I'm willing to try anything.

 

[Charles Martel]

Take the pin right out and see if you can look through and line up all the holes........... get a feel for the postition of the hand guard to the gun with the holes lined up.

 

[Dragonblade]

Here's two pic's. It seems pretty well lined up to me.

 

[Travel240z]

How much force have you used trying to put the pin through. I had to tap mine into place. Used the handle of a screw driver and gave it a couple of hard taps.

 

[Dragonblade]

I've tried using a hammer to tap it in, I've given it a couple of good whacks, but it didn't help.

 

[Stevo]

It's not lined up right. It needs to come rearwards and up a little bit at the back end.

You can see where the end of the pin in peening the rear sight base. If you use a pick or small screwdriver you should not be able to feel a lip from the sight base through the rail hole.

 

[saskcop]

Mine is the same way the pin is a tight fit and won't go in unless I use an awl to get the hole to align.

x2. I also had to give it a wee bit of a tap with a small pursuader.

 

[Dragonblade]

I tried using a roll pin to push it rearward, it didn't help.

 

[Dragonblade]

I finally got it to work, I had to tap it in with a hammer.

 

[Travel240z]

Congrats on getting it together. Keep in mind that if you plan on cleaning your gun at the range you may need to tap it on the way out as well.

 

[Armedsask]

It's fairly obvious from the pictures it wasn't lined up. Now go out tomorrow and buy some damn tools if you are going to work on your gun.

 

[fat tony]

I am going to have to get one of these now damnit. - I would imagine if it's a sight base, I would want the damned thing to be tight as a nuns ***

 

[PerversPépère]

Try giving the pin a light sanding to remove some of the phosphate, the coating was really thick but will wear down over time.

Charles, how about lengthening that pin a silly 1/16" and give it a good 33 degree chamfer? That would help for insertion.
PP.