Tips for latching manual gear?

[Johnnybgoode]

Congratulations on the new block and the adjusted weight and balance - here's hoping both pay dividends in the future!

[FloridaMan]

I'm late to the party on this one. I always twist the handle and do the fingernail check as one of my engine start / pretaxi items. I've found that sometimes the handle is hard to move if the plane sits for a couple of days and that twisting it helps. 

[N601RX]

I took a pic today of my latch. How does it look ? Thanks. Troy

You want to be able to see the inner surface that would be in the lower right hand corner of the picture you posted. Look for oval shaped wear and any taper.