[warejr]

:thumbup1: the upper handguard relese lever on the rear sight block of my polish akm broke. anybody here ever change one out before? looks like the op side has a flange press and will probably have to be cut with a chisel or drilled out and am wondering how to either save the shaft or replace it. thanx jw

 

[scubadvr]

When I broke one I salvaged one off an old sight I had the one time inspiration NOT to throw it away. I filed down the opposite end of the shaft so that I could use a large punch and knock it out. Because I used a file instead of a dremmel (my favorite tool) there was enough metal to peen over to keep it (the replacement) in place. If you are looking for one, check Global Trades, maybe you won't have to buy a whole site block to get the lever and shaft. Jack

 

[Rhino_66]

AA-OK has replacement gas tube levers.

http://www.aa-ok.com/AK_Barrel_Section/Barrel_Parts.html

All you need to do is drive the old lever out with a hammer and punch. When you drive the lever out, the hole in the Rear Sight Block (RSB) will squeeze the flared end down so it will come out. You could try repairing the old lever, but it depends how bad the break is.

When you reinstall the lever, position the receiver with the right side (ejection port side) facing down and support the end of the lever shaft with a block of steel. Set a 3/8" or 1/2" ball bearing on the cup shaped end of the shaft and smack it with a heavy hammer. This will flare the end of the shaft like the original.