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Discussion: Modernizing your AK variant.
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oldannyboy37 |
Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 9:01 PM EST
http://militaryarms.blogspot.com/2011/06/modernizing-ak.htmlThe Military Arms Channel made this blog a little while back on how to update and modernize your AK with optics. The article covers a lot of options from side rails to fore-end/gas-tube mounts. It's a good read for anyone thinking about upgrading their AK. I like my Ultimak rail. It allows me to mount a tube style red dot sight low enough to get a lower 1/3 co-witness. It also allows me to mount a flashlight slightly ahead of the red dot sight on an offset light mount. The set up doesn't even add a pound to the rifle. MAC covers some other very nice options as well. I'd like to talk stocks and furniture as well. I eventually want to make a page on this topic but for now a thread will do. After I've got more data on hand I'll make a page for it. Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
AK
AK47
AK74
Kalashnikov
modern
red dot sight.
tactical
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Bleak_91 |
1. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 9:19 PM EST
Of course...the latest generation of AKs would be the AK-100 series inculding the saiga variants. I hear that they started a new experimental type-the AK-200, not sure if it's true or not....
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oldannyboy37 |
2. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 9:21 PM EST
Let's face it; the AK is reliable but ergonomically wise it leaves a lot to be desired. First off I'd like to talk about butt stocks. The standard Warsaw length stock that comes on most AKs is pretty darn short. If you're taller than 5 and a half you probably won't like it. Fear not there are a few great options out there. The choice I went with on my AK is a Nato Length stock. It's only an inch longer but that inch feels a lot more comfortable to me. Here's a link to one. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/997714/arsenal-inc-buttstock-nato-length-ak-47-ak-74-stamped-receivers-polymer-black If there's not what you like or if you want an adjustable stock you may look at some AR-15 conversion stocks. These generally change the angle of the stock a little as well and many find them to make the gun more shootable. Here's a good example from VLTOR. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=24522/Product/AK-47-COLLAPSIBLE-STOCK-ADAPTER Slap one of those on and you're ready to mount your favorite AR stock (Make sure it's a mil-spec stock or it won't fit). Maybe a folding stock would serve you better I don't know much about them but these ACE stocks seem to be pretty popular. Here's a few to choose from. http://riflestocks.com/store/page17.html As with the AR; there's a ton of different stocks available for the AK. These are just a few fine examples. Next we talk grips and fore-ends. Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
3. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 9:22 PM EST
"Of course...the latest generation of AKs would be the AK-100 series inculding the saiga variants. I hear that they started a new experimental type-the AK-200, not sure if it's true or not...."Those are cool guns. Russia just announced it was actually adopting a new variant called the AK-12.......It's ugly as sin but it looks like it's got some great improvements. The cheek wield still looks awful though; I guess Russians don't like a solid cheek wield lol. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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oldannyboy37 |
4. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 9:36 PM EST
Fore-end wise there are a lot of great alternatives to the standard wood that comes on most AKs. Wood may be a desirable choice because of aesthetic or even functional reasons as wood handles heat much better than most aluminum or polymer fore-ends. Ironwood designs and Tapco both make desirable wood stocks that you may look at if wood is what you want.Let's talk polymer fore-ends. Polymer fore-ends can lighten up the front of your gun as well as sometimes giving you an option for grips and light mounts. Polymer generally needs a heat shield in order to sustain heavy fire without melting. Here are a few common options. The Tapco intrafuse fore-end gives a decently priced alternative to a wood fore-end. With the heat shield in it also provides moderate protection from heat as well. The Fusion model comes with two side rails in order to mount a flash light and both come with bottom rails. The good thing about both of these is that they don't need any modification to fit flush with an Ultimak rail.The only negative is that it doesn't allow for the insertion of a cleaning rod most of the time This is the set up I have on my rifle. Here's a link to the Intrafuse. http://www.tapco.com/products/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=3 Arsenal also makes a great fore-end. This fore-end looks a little more traditional. While there are no rails this fore-end comes with a high quality heat shield and would be great with a lighter barreled gun to avoid an over heated fore-end. It needs some work to fit an Ultimak. These are high quality fore-ends for a decent price as well . http://www.tapco.com/products/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=3 There are a ton of other polymer fore-ends but most of them aren't nearly as reputable as the ones I listed. I'll talk Aluminum fore-ends next. Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
5. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 9:52 PM EST
| Post edited: Jan 26 2012, 10:03 PM EST
Edited for double post. Aluminum: These metal fore-ends tend to be the choice of people looking to hang gear on their gun. They provide plenty of rail space but make the gun more front heavy. In return they allow for a scope/light/laser/fore-grip to be mounted. If you want to dress your gun like a Christmas tree; these are for you. Midwest-Industries/U.S Palm. If you search this fore-end set you'll notice there are two versions. One normal version and one version that mounts a scope to co-witness. You can choose an optic for either one but it might not co-witness (Check first with the company). This rail provides a ton of space and isn't very expensive. Krebs Custom also makes a high quality hand guard. Theirs is supposedly lighter and better made than the MI but won't allow for a co-witness. It is also more expensive. Ultimak: These simply replace your gas tube and upper fore-end. They can be mated with most wood or polymer fore-ends with some modifications. These allow for the mounting of a red dot sight or long eye relief scope. Using a low mounted tube sight like an Aimpoint allows for a co-witness as well. It's also possible to mount a light with an offset light mount. These mounts are solid but be fore-warned they will destroy a low quality scope with sustained fire.....and burn the living hell out of your hand if you're not careful. There only a few of the many options; there are many more quality options out there. Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
6. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 10:18 PM EST
PISTOL GRIPS!!!1111!!!! No really; the standard AK pistol grip is far too slim for most people's taste. Here's a few options that won't break the bank and make the gun a lot more comfy to hold. Tapco SAW pistol grip. This odd looking thing is a fatter grip with an internal storage compartment. It's nothing fancy but it's effective and normally doesn't cost $20 tops. The only down side is that the compartment isn't waterproofed. U.S Palm AK battle grip. U.S Palm is the Magpul of the AK world. This grip is wider and more textured than the standard grip and seems to be pretty squared away. The storage compartment inside seems to be waterproofed as well. These tend to be slightly pricy but not to bad. Houge make's an excellent pistol grip. If you like soft rubber over-mold grips than this is a real winner. These are comfy and for a few dollars more you can fit a cleaning compartment in them. Ergo AK pistol grip. This jewel is a great choice for people who like soft over-mold but don't like larger finger grooves. It also boast a seemingly water proofed storage compartment (I could be wrong). As with the other options there are many more options out there. These are just the ones I either have experience with or come from companies I have experience with. Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
7. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 26 2012, 10:37 PM EST
Muzzle-breaks/Flash hiders. These help with muzzle blast and muzzle climb. The best muzzle break that I can recommend for the money is a Tapco/Arsenal AK74 style muzzle break. This big boy is long and adds a little bit of weight to the end of your gun. The trade off? The 74 muzzle break dissipates most of the blast out the side vents and helps it a lot (Watch out for people shooting next to you; they'll get slapped with the blast). It also does a great job of mitigating recoil. There's a ton of great breaks out there but the 74 can provide great service for less than $20. If I find any other outstanding breaks I'll tell you though. Triggers. Tapco G2. These can be had in single or double hook to fit most guns. These normally come with a retainer plate that replaces the shepard's hook. The G2 can be had for less than $40 and provides a great trigger (Better than most AR triggers) for less than most of it's competition. Red Star Arms make's an adjustable AK trigger that can be customized by the end user. These cost a bit but allow for a degree of customization. I've never used one but I hear great things. Arsenal make's a U.S made trigger that's lighter than most stock AK triggers. I don't know a lot about it but people that don't like the G2 tend to like these. That's all for tonight but tomorrow I'll be back to talk about sling mounting methods. Do you find this valuable? |
KyanCross |
8. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 1:08 AM EST
haha olddanny boy pretty much described my person AK rifle. AK74 muzzle, Tapco SAW grip, Front quad rail, front pistol grip, red dot reflex sight, tac light ( i want a remote switch tho :( ), Tapco T-6 adjustable stock with recoil buffer, and of course the bayonett ( tho i have to unscrew my muzzle to put it on) I love my AK Do you find this valuable? |
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KyanCross |
9. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 1:13 AM EST
"I'd like to talk stocks and furniture as well.my rifle originally came with the wooden parts, but a friend gave me a Tapco folding stock and Galil style front end. It was nice but the folding stock wasn't my style and uncomfortable for my gf to shoot at the time. The Galil front lacked the grip that made me feel comfortable with so I switched them to the T-6 stock with recoil buffer and a Quad rail from UTG that i bought from a gun show. I love them both and never looked back to my old set up. I'd like to look into that new trigger set up to try to get rid of the "sting" it gives me when i fire at times. tho :/ Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
10. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 2:48 AM EST
"my rifle originally came with the wooden parts, but a friend gave me a Tapco folding stock and Galil style front end. It was nice but the folding stock wasn't my style and uncomfortable for my gf to shoot at the time. The Galil front lacked the grip that made me feel comfortable with so I switched them to the T-6 stock with recoil buffer and a Quad rail from UTG that i bought from a gun show.Awesome. I'm running a MAK 90 with a Tapco SAW pistol grip, Arsenal Nato Length butt-stock, Tapco Intrafuse fore-end, a 74 brake, an Ultimak rail with a Bushnell TRS-25 and soon to be Streamlight Polytac in an offset light mount. I've got a Tapco G2 trigger and retainer plate. I'm holding it on my shoulder with my old Chicom sling that I modded into a "Praticool" 2 point sling. I'm running an Eagle Chest rig with the mag pouches too. If you want a new trigger I'd recommend the Tapco; it feels like a match trigger. Do you find this valuable? |
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KyanCross |
11. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 3:44 AM EST
nice set up there man, always nice to meet fellow AK enthusiest. I was thinking of going with the butt stock you also have but the ability for adjustments on the fly is what drove me to go with the T-6. I kind of want a new sling as well, my 2 point sling seems a bit cumbersome at times. Also nice with the mag chest pouches, I totally forgot about that haha. Im currently in the market for a tac vest, def. should look into one with at least 2 mag pouches for my rifle. Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
12. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 3:56 AM EST
"nice set up there man, always nice to meet fellow AK enthusiest. I was thinking of going with the butt stock you also have but the ability for adjustments on the fly is what drove me to go with the T-6.I think Cheaper than Dirt is out of the Eagle vest I bought but if they get any more in stock I'll post to tell you. I got mine for a whopping $50 =p. If you ever get a change to buy an Eagle Rig for a low price I definitely recommend them over some of the other brands. 5.11 is nice too; my friend's 5.11 vest is pretty awesome. Check this out. It's selling for $72 right now. It's an Eagle rig designed to hold 6 AK mags. You can get it in a 3 mag version for a little cheaper if that's what you'd prefer. And......it's an Eagle so it's great quality with a life-time warranty. http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle-AK47-Chest-Rig-6-Mag-p/eag.572.htm Do you find this valuable? |
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KyanCross |
13. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 4:00 AM EST
Thanks man! I totally gotta check that out.
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oldannyboy37 |
14. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 4:06 AM EST
"Thanks man! I totally gotta check that out."Not a problem. If I can help anyone on here save some cash and get sweet gear in the process I'm happy =). Do you find this valuable? |
CyprusBill |
15. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 9:46 AM EST
I've got pics of my WASR on my profile, not sure how to link to them tho. I got almost everything you see from Sportsman's Guide, an EXCELLENT site for tricking out your AK variant.Also, I was wondering if anyone has heard about the "Slide Fire" stock for the AK? http://militarygunsupply.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1105 It allows for legal "automatic" bump firing of your AK. I gotta admit, I'm interested, just not sure if it's worth the money. Opinions? Do you find this valuable? |
LJ126 |
16. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 10:23 AM EST
I Tapco'd out my old WASR-10, and here's my opinion of it:The Galil handguard was very decent. Comfortable, stable, easy to get a good hold on, and it's shape facilitated the use of hasty sling. I did not like the six-position stock, and had nothing but problems with it. It wasn't the stock itself that was to blame - it was the damn screws that they supplied with it. I would get through about 500 rounds and the screw heads would break off due to the strain placed on them by recoil of firing the rifle. Tapco replaces the stock for free, no questions asked, but it's a real pain in the ass to wait a week for you to get a new stock, then ship the old one back. This could easily be remedied by purchasing your own thick steel screws or by using the originals from the wooden stock, but Tapco should take the initiative and get it right. Used a Mako pistol grip, was very comfortable and fit my catcher's mitt for hands a little bit better than the bakelite Romanian pistol grip. Well made, cheap, nothing but good things to say about it. Do you find this valuable? |
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oldannyboy37 |
17. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 1:59 PM EST
Thanks for the input guys. I'll make sure we record some of this and put it on the page. Here's something to answer Bill's question. MAC knows what he's talking about so if he gives it a good rating I'd trust it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFVUQru2THo&feature=channel_video_title Do you find this valuable? |
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KyanCross |
18. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 27 2012, 7:00 PM EST
"I've got pics of my WASR on my profile, "nice rifle you got there CyprusBill, I should post pics of mine this weekend :) 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
TreeLegs |
19. RE: Modernizing your AK variant.
Jan 28 2012, 12:56 AM EST
http://www.slidefiresolutions.com/ssak47xrs.phpGives you a selectve fire options. Semi, full auto and best yet...fully legal (well in the US anyway). Figured y'all would want to check it out. Do you find this valuable? |
