Help with AK gas tube

[smoke-wagon]

Hello, I recently purchased an PSA GF3 ak and I watched a video (it’s been a while since I’ve owned one) on how to disassemble the gas to and handguards. All was well until I tried to push the gas tube lever back into place. I’ve tried everything, If I take off the lower handguards the lever will secure the gas tube with no issue.

It seems like once the lower handguard is installed the gas tube is too far back for the flat area on the lever to engage it.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

[Calzonewdippingsauce]

The gas tube lever is a little bit different than other AKs that I have had. I have found with mine that if you angle the lever upward as you are pushing down on the gas tube and then slowly rock it down, at some point the gas tube will slide past it into position. As far as the hand guards go I would suggest checking placement again. Which hand guards are they?

[smoke-wagon]

Magpul moe for the handguards but I have a friend refinishing some WASR wood in Russian red. Those need a couple days to dry and I also need the retainers for them.

[DavidH]

The lever must always be pointed straight UP before putting gas tube/upper handguard on.

[smoke-wagon]

It seems either the lower handguard or gas tube is out of spec. I belt sanded some clearance on the magpul lower handguard and it now fits fine.