I just got my AVS yesterday (huzzah)!

Looks great, love it... except, I'm having a difficult time inserting NES cartridges. They certainly are NOT going in easy. Not even close. Anyone else having this issue? Granted, I have not inserted an NES cartridge in years, yet I don't recall it being exactly the most challenging thing mentally or physically :/
I'm wondering if I could have gotten a defective AVS?
Thanks,
-avatar!

It'll loosen up a bit after repeated use. Keep in mind the connector is, let's just call it, virgin.

You set yourself up.  

Tight like virgin! Aaayyyeeee!!!!

Lol you guys are nuts. Yes OP I have the same issue and the guys are right it will loosen up for you over time .

Added to context thread  

This is precisely why I plan on purchasing several.
 

I only came here to see what Jerbs posted......good thing.

Oddly enough I tend to do the same thing, I feel like some groupie following my hero.

Similar situation with the AVS.

Maybe I should just make this my signature...

On a semi-separate topic, I had the chance not too long ago to use a NES that was used just a couples of times so it was practically new, and there was no resistance and absolutely no feedback when you inserted the cart.

My OEM 72-pin connector gives me some feedback even if I have never pulled the metal pins. I am wondering if it is age or the production date of the console (the "new" one was probably from the 1990s as its serial number was very high).

Yeah, having to force a cartridge in is NEVER a good idea. The "oh, it just needs time and it will fit in smoothly" excuse, while probably correct, is still an excuse. Could be an engineering fault, or possibly the AVS was made on the cheap, or both, although I would guess the later.  Don't get me wrong, the AVS is well worth getting despite this.
 

The pins on mine are tight, but not overly so. I really like the "chunk" that I get from inserting a cart. Very similar to a Genesis, in that way.

The connector is shallow, though. Games with short boards might not get a good connection with the pins all of the time.

Poly-game-ist.
Playah.
Cheater.

There is a new connector coming out in a few months that will fix that problem.

To be honest, the AVS doesn't really do a good job of guiding the cart into the slot. There are loose gaps on both sides. You have to make sure the pins are lined up right before you go pushing it in.