Components for building a tactical AK

[midnight rambler]

For starters, one needs to improve the ergonomics of the safety -

Choice #1, Krebs Custom enhanced safety (I have one of these, makes all the difference in the world) -

http://www.krebscustom.com/RawPhotos/3-21-10/MkVISafety.jpg

or choice #2, a custom ambi safety available here http://vtsupply.com/ak47-ambidextrous-safety-ambi-ak-47.html -

http://vtsupply.com/images/ambisafety011.jpg

[midnight rambler]

For a quad rail, I went with the Midwest Industries rail, seems like a good value. The Krebs Custom quad rail looks nice and solid, however pretty pricey at $265. Found my MI quad rail on feebay for $125 shipped.

After installing the MI quad rail, I installed a Krebs foreend grip adapter with a Tango Down short grip, and on top of that a Vltor scout flashlight mount with a SF G2X 200 lumen light, similar to this (although I have the SF mounted far enough back that the button is flush with the rear of the foreend grip adapter) -

http://www.krebscustom.com/RawPhotos/1-20-08/gripadapter.jpg

[midnight rambler]

Now, for your buttstock upgrade there's the Vltor buttstock conversion tube (unfortunately only available for stamped receivers, and no Yugos or M70s) which, according to which one you get, accepts either standard Mil-Spec or commercial AR/M4 buttstocks. The Vltor conversion tube installs with no mods to your stamped receiver. I went with the Vltor Imod buttstock.

http://www.vltor.com/images/AKsmall-600.jpg

Of course there are also a number of options available from Ace buttstocks, although I find the info on their website confusing. I've dealt with the folks at Ace/JT Distributing and they treat ya right. I've currently got one of their push button buttstock hinges along with the pignose for a AR receiver extension and so far I'm very pleased.

[midnight rambler]

I've utilized a single point sling mount located behind the receiver where the buttstock conversion tube makes a provision for a sling mount. I use the Magpul MS3 sling along with a Magpul MSA sling plate mounted at the leading edge of the top rail (for those times when a quick change to a two point sling with the MS3 is necessary) right in front of an Aimpoint T-1 on an A.R.M.S. #31 mount. Going to try to mount the Magpul ASAP sling plate to the single mount location.

[midnight rambler]

As an optic mount alternative to the quad rail, one that seems much more solid than other options, there's the Texas Dog Leg, available with an optional rear peep sight (I've got one of these although I've not installed it yet) -

http://texasweaponsystems.purehost.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/TWS/PIC_0028Rev.jpg

[midnight rambler]

And I almost forgot to mention the single best improvement I made, a Hogue AK pistol grip, I don't think you'll find a more comfortable grip, it's awesome -

http://www.hoguestore.com/bmz_cache/3/327cfe0b55f5d2ca55d7977008b6bea3.image.433x650.jpg

[Horn]

Like the pistol grip.

As far as the stock, smaller the better IMO.

Optics & AK never seem to mix well for me. Was always more concerned with delivering more ammo down field easily to cover up the mistakes.

A belt with multiple clips that was easily slung around the body, yet the clips themselves being easily removable was something needed.

Its the ergonomic banana problem.

Don't get me wrong, the banana itself is much preferable for ammo delivery.

[steyr_m]

Too bad we cannot own AK's here in Canada.....

[hoarder]

I tend to steer away from any gun gadget touted as "tactical", so my AK is plain. The only add-on I might consider is Tech Sights. http://www.tech-sights.com/
Anyone tried them? I have them on my Marlin Model 60 and love them. That doesn't mean they're a good idea for AK's.

Military rifles are made for young people with good eyes. A longer sight radius would help me a lot. Us oldsters have a tough time with open sights, we need all the help we can get.

[midnight rambler]

I tend to steer away from any gun gadget touted as "tactical", so my AK is plain. The only add-on I might consider is Tech Sights. http://www.tech-sights.com/
Anyone tried them? I have them on my Marlin Model 60 and love them. That doesn't mean they're a good idea for AK's.

Military rifles are made for young people with good eyes. A longer sight radius would help me a lot. Us oldsters have a tough time with open sights, we need all the help we can get.

FAST safety, comfortable pistol grip which gives better leverage and therefore better, faster handling, foregrip with 200 lumen Surefire, (NV compatible) Aimpoint red dot for fast target acquisition, (you did say you could stand some help for your older eyes), quality sling* QUICKLY convertible from 1 point to 2 point and back, buttstock adjustable in case you've got heavy clothing and/or body armor - you don't know what you're missing.

* Magpul MS3 sling -


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcYsl1XrsNc

[hoarder]

Aimpoint red dot for fast target acquisition, (you did say you could stand some help for your older eyes)Yeah, I might go Aimpoint on my next (flattop) AR build, don't think I would like one on an AK. Military rifles were not designed for scope mounting.

[midnight rambler]

Yeah, I might go Aimpoint on my next (flattop) AR build, don't think I would like one on an AK. Military rifles were not designed for scope mounting.

A .308 such as a M1A/M-14 cannot reach it's full potential without optics. Having actually experienced a gen-u-ine shit blizzard I want ALL the 'unfair advantage' I can possibly get. You may not like having an optic on an AK, but I love mine.

[hoarder]

A .308 such as a M1A/M-14 cannot reach it's full potential without optics. Having actually experienced a gen-u-ine shit blizzard I want ALL the 'unfair advantage' I can possibly get. You may not like having an optic on an AK, but I love mine.More examples of military rifles built for young men who can see...IOW not designed for scope mounting. I concede the advantages of the 308 and the aperture sight with long sight radius, but I ain't carrying a 10 pound rifle with a fat clumsy stock.

I carry a rifle for hundreds of hours in the mountains hunting elk every fall. One thing it taught me is that a rifle (aside from being light) should have many ways of being carried, and that a rifle with a fat stock requires a powerful grip to hold it.

"Full potential" should take into consideration quick target aquisition. I think this is why most military rifles have aperture sights. Just as the skilled elk hunter always carries with his scope set on minimum power, soldiers carry their rifles with the large aperture flipped ready for quick close shots.

[Horn]

Maybe I'm not practiced enough,

but optics always seemed to me liked they would get in the way of hitting close range moving targets.

Though, I like to throw at least 3 or 4 rounds in succession at anything. :)

[midnight rambler]

soldiers carry their rifles with the large aperture flipped ready for quick close shots.


optics always seemed to me liked they would get in the way of hitting close range moving targets.


Actually, the vast majority of USGIs use optics on their rifles these days, mostly ACOG scopes (averaging at least $1k each) and EOTech (the only true holographic) sights ($500 and up) with some Aimpoints thrown in the mix. They wouldn't use them if they weren't giving them the speed advantage. I know on my Benelli shotgun that my Aimpoint T-1 micro is a hell of a lot faster than the ghost ring sight. Still working with the T-1 on the AK, may end up going with the EOTech there. EOTechs are damn fast.

[midnight rambler]

Adding a Magpul RSA sling mount to the front of the quad rail for a sling mounting point for quickly transitioning to 2-point sling with the MS3 sling.

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