I am posting this thread here, in hopes of getting feedback from other ar15.com members, and Atlantic Firearms, where I made this purchase.
Ever since picking up my new Z-5RS a couple of weeks ago, I have been baffled by its overly-tight front trigger housing push pin. I finally had a chance to play with it tonight, and here's what I found. The receiver's push pin hole isn't square with the receiver itself, which makes the push pin bind when it's about 2/3 of the way through the hole. I'm glad I discovered this problem BEFORE filing my SBR paperwork, since this particular one definitely won't become my SBR...
I installed an original German Heckler and Koch G3 steel trigger housing onto the Zenith receiver, to check the fitment. Unlike the Zenith/MKE trigger housing, the steel H&K housing will "swing down", and allowed me to graphically see the alignment issue. The pictures posted below should illustrate what I discovered.
Is what I am calling an "alignment issue" considered "normal" for these? The push pin is so tight in its hole that you cannot remove it unless you push it out with a punch. If this is normal, then I am pretty disappointed and frankly, pissed off.
I am really not liking the prospect of returning this pistol to Atlantic Firearms, if they will even take it back. For one, it will cost me about $80 to return ship it as an individual. It will also cost me another $30 to transfer its replacement through my FFL.
I'm pretty bummed out right now, and am just going to put it all back in its box and wait for feedback here. At any rate, here are the pictures. Any and all feedback is appreciated.
Factory Zenith/MKE trigger housing with pin installed:
Nice, straight Dewey pistol cleaning rod, pushed to rear of push pin hole (you can see it's not parallel with the edge of the picture):
Heckler and Koch trigger housing pinned to receiver, pushed to right of picture, showing "best" alignment:
Heckler and Koch trigger housing pinned to receiver, pushed to left of picture, showing "worst" alignment:
Underside of receiver/trigger housing, probably not showing much:
The following four pictures show the Heckler and Koch trigger housing, pinned in place and pushed against the Zenith/MKE receiver, to show the misalignment. This is as far "UP" as it will swing, without being forced:
At least now I know what the problem is. Any help, Atlantic Firearms?