NEA handguards back in stock

[RSR]

*Forgot to mention -- SFRC/NEA are now shipping short screws w/ all their rails.

They sent me replacement screws when I asked -- haven't received them yet, but allegedly they are in the mail about a week now.  Got bounced from SFRC to NEA after a few bounces at SFRC...  No issues, they just weren't sure who should help me and responses took awhile and repeated followup to get them.  But again per both NEA and SFRC, all VZ58 rails ship w/ the short screws.

**And be sure to see my rail install instructions earlier in this thread!

[RSR]

Received what were supposedly the correct short screws the other day...  They were not in fact the correct sized screws.  Smaller shaft diameter and faster threading...  If you too received replacement screws, don't install as you'll only strip out the back/inside threaded plate. 

Additionally, they said they corrected the screws on all rails sold from SFRC...  So if they're sending the same screws w/ the rails, also use caution there. 

Left to right is the new screw they sent me.  Next to it are the old screws w/ correct threading/thread pitch.  Much slower...  Note that the longer screw will work in bottom rail location and run 17mm in overall length.  But the longer screw (sent w/ short rails) will not work in a side rail location as it bottoms out on your barrel...  The shorter, 14mm in overall length, was sent w/ my long rail and is the correct size -- what should have been issued with all. 



The 14mm screws allow the rails to be installed in any and all of the NEA rail holes, except the last two on the side that are prohibited by the receiver being beneath. 

I have notified SFRC/NEA today of the continued mixup and will loop back with updates.

[RSR]

Only update here is that I finally got the correct screws from NEA (after sending them pictures of what the correctly sized screws looked like -- contact was unsure b/c "they haven't produced VZ58 parts in quite some time" -- or something to that effect), but they only sent me half the # of screws I needed for the rails I've ordered/own and less than they said would be sent...  So the saga continues...  Two emails and no response from the NEA rep, so looks like I'll have to have SFRC and have them help get the follow to be responsive...

[RSR]

Came across this vid of the gas pedal I'm a big fan of.  They make a billeted aluminum version as well as polymer.  Polymer is much cheaper than aluminum though recommend aluminum on VZ58s due them being exposed to a lot of heat...

$16.50 polymer on sale right now: http://www.amazon.com/GoGun%C2%AE-Pedal%C2%AE-Thumb-Assist-Shotgun/dp/B00RY581IW/
$55 for the aluminum: http://store.gogunusa.com/AR-Gas-Pedal-Aluminum-in-Earth-Lava-Shield-w-Chromoly-Screw-GPRS-AL-LSE-CSS-115.htm

Black, Earth, and OD Green colors available.

Anyhow, here's the vid:

https://youtu.be/6G33QGT0nZU

[RSR]

Finally got the correctly sized screws in last week.   

They also included a free short rail -- though this was on/for orders of 4 sets of handguards and a dozen rails, so not a stellar deal but something.   

Also wanted to mention -- the way the backplates are threaded on these, there appears to be only one correct orientation...  So see which side allows you to thread in easily, and which won't.  Then ensure you install the backplate and screw correctly...  I leave one screw in the correct way and start the screw through the other hole before removing the initial screw, pushing the backing plate down, and then reinstalling the initial screw through the rail.

Remember, 14mm overall length screws allow you to install in side location.  17mm will not. 

[MariusVZ]

Agh - looks like the top and bottom set is no longer available!! Any idea where I can get a complete set?

[gwvt]

RSR, I also got two sets of the short rail with the long screws from SFRC. Where did you eventually succeed in getting your replacements from - NEA or SFRC? Thanks.

Finally got the correctly sized screws in last week.   

Remember, 14mm overall length screws allow you to install in side location.  17mm will not.

[RSR]

Contact SFRC customer service.  NEA sent them, but SFRC was the intermediary... 

SFRC is the NEA storefront, so they're one and the same -- but hopefully it won't take them until the third try (like w/ me) now that they should know what's going on/be familiar w/ the issue...

*You can also cut the screws, but at the price these rails go for, I refused to waste my time modifying and settle for that option...

[gwvt]

Oh, I didn't realize they were the same outfit. Thanks, I'll contact SFRC this week. I could cut the screws but even if I did, I would still want them to send me the proper parts, for the same reason you mentioned. For now I'm covered, since I only need one set of each size for the afg / thumb rest combo I want to try out.

[RSR]

Good deal.  With the short VZ58 handguard the AFG and thumb rest/pedal really help me with controlling and pointing the weapon...  Thumb forward also makes handholds/muscle memory more consistent from weapon to weapon.  Let us know your thoughts!

[gwvt]

Will do. I put the two rails on yesterday and am about to order a FAB PTK + VTS set. I'd been leaning toward the AFG2 but have decided the PTK might suit me better.

[RSR]

Haven't tried the fab yet -- mainly b/c their colors don't match magpul/my own notions of "ideal"...  Fab FDE is more of a sand/light khaki tan.  And their OD Green is more of a (brighter than OD) camo green...  Black is black, and I do have a fab od green grip on one of my rifles but will be switching it to a ronin's here eventually...  Keep hoping ronin gets his magpul fde tint together so I can order one of those too...  Ronin grips being the galil ultra ones.

[gwvt]

They have the FAB PTK + VTS set on Ebay for 22 bucks, so I feel like I have little to lose. I'll post my impressions once I get them installed

Yeah black and greys make mine easier to match. I'm very happy with my Ronin's grip but I have the smooth version.

I'm also very happy with the NEA set so far. I have yet to try an optic on it but it really enhances the usefulness of the rifle, not to mention the looks. I like the way the rails fit in the holes, also and they seem very secure. Also, at this point - after a lot of tweaking - I am able to remove and replace the upper HG with just my fingers but it is nice and tight and I no longer worry about yanking the pin all the way out and losing the spring and ball.

[CitizenPete]

They have the FAB PTK + VTS set on Ebay for 22 bucks, so I feel like I have little to lose. I'll post my impressions once I get them installed

Yeah black and greys make mine easier to match. I'm very happy with my Ronin's grip but I have the smooth version.

I'm also very happy with the NEA set so far. I have yet to try an optic on it but it really enhances the usefulness of the rifle, not to mention the looks. I like the way the rails fit in the holes, also and they seem very secure. Also, at this point - after a lot of tweaking - I am able to remove and replace the upper HG with just my fingers but it is nice and tight and I no longer worry about yanking the pin all the way out and losing the spring and ball.

Wow, good to hear you were able to adjust the top rail for QD field maintenance / cleaning.


The proper adjustment has been elusive here. After several attempts to find the sweet spot, it still pulls out completely or is too tight to remove, (or both), even dripping in lube. Perhaps after ore use it will break in and allow some tightening.

[gwvt]

Yeah, the upper hg pin is not my favorite part of the set and the whole thing did take a lot of tweaking. It took several sessions of shaving the inner part that mates with the sight block, then shooting it, shaving a little more, shooting it, etc... It's all still pretty tight but I can pop the pin, pull it back and then pry the hg off using just my fingers, which was the goal. For the pin itself, I did polish it real well and even polished the BB as well as I could.