broken lower handguard lever on an AK rifle - replacement?

[atilla]

i recently acquired an AK-47 copy and the only thing that is wrong with it is that the lower handguard lever that you rotate to secure the lower handguard is broken, the lever has snapped off of the pin that goes through to the other side.

has anyone successfully replaced this part or does anyone have any solutions as to how i can hold the handguard in place better? i figure if the thing was put in there once it has to come out for replacement, right?

thanks in advance! looking forward to messing with the rifle when i'm feeling better.

edit: added picture of part in question...

 

[PSS]

mark,
i'll take it off your hands broken np

 

[LoginName]

It's an AK... why worry about it... there's supposed to be some slop.

However, if you're as anal as I am about these kind of things, K-Var has a replacement lever...

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16762&cat=313&page=1

I have no idea how to replace it, but it appears to be a simple drill out the old and peen in the new part.

If that's not worth your time or effort, an alternative would be to use some thin brass shim stock (hobby/modeling/arts and crafts stores usually carry it), and somehow form a wedge to keep the handguard in place.

 

[SKS Ray]

If it does wind up falling out you can always put a thin, long machine screw and nut to hold it in place. The barrel is notched for that lever to lock in place and if its holding, its most likely in the correct position and usually takes a little force to move it free to allow the retainer to slide forward.
If you wind up going with the screw and nut, you'll have to bevel one side of the screw to allow for barrel clearance. Even though there is a notch cut in the barrel, its not very deep.
Like I mentioned in PM, you have to remove the front sight block and gas block in order to replace the entire handguard retainer. Your AK should have both of them held in place with pins but If you're not used to how an AK is put together, I wouldn't advise removing them yourself.

 

[Finalygotabeltfed]

Here's where to get a replacement.

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16762&cat=313&page=1

Drill the old one out on the side where its peened and put the new one in and use a small ball bearing to peen it into place. When drilling, you only need to drill just enough to remove the very end that is spread. It is kind of rolled so just go enough to remove that portion of the retainer.

I broke one on a new Krink kit I built and used one of these replacements and it fit perfectly.

To avoid breaking the new one, you might need to file the handguard a bit so it seats deeper into the receiver and allows the retainer to move back a few thousandths. Just work it slowly until the new piece starts to lock into place a little before you apply alot of force to seat it and lock it back.

They are only 4 bucks, you might get a couple in case you have a problem peening it and keep a spare or two.

 

[atilla]

reps for both of you guys, thanks!

definitely not used to the rifle pattern as it's my first one but i would eventually like to fix the part.