Hey Guys, A few years ago I designed a flat-top rail system for an AK 47.
I did it mainly because I wanted one for my rifle and the multi-piece design available at Krebbs was around $400 at the time. I'ts not the best looking of designs ( kind of crude, I admit) but it worked quite well and when removed for rifle cleaning it would retain zero when reinstalled.I really like the flat-top AR's on the market as it is a nice platform for mounting sights and optics.There are short flat-top rails that mount from the rear sight back, but nothing going from the gas block back to the stock. ( no sales pitch here as I've shelved this project long ago due to lack of interest and the complicated parts necessary to make it "quick release ")
I've seen everything from forward charging handles mounted on the gastube, to kits for an empty mag bolt hold-open.
What kind of accessories do you find interesting for AK's? If you could have one feature found on other rifles, what would it be?
Or is the rifle good enough as is so leave it alone?
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They accessory I just threw down for was the Dogleg rail from TWS. The only thing I feel my MAK needed form standard miltary 100 style configuration was optics, front grip, and a light.
The forward charging handle, and mag hold open are nice features, but they are expensive, difficult to install, and don't dramatically overcome anything. If you are already trained with methods that use those thing then they are useful to you, but as a person not trained on any rifle, and training myself on the AK, the old "один два три" (1,2,3). Mag change and charge takes no appreciable time difference compared to forward handle.
I don't need or want my AK to be dripping with rails. It's a robust HEAVY rifle. I needed some light for dark places, a grip/bipod for help pointing/keeping the muzzle down/aiming off the bench or prone, and my choice of optics. With 2 rails added to the basic military configuration I cover everything I need out of a 7.62x39 rifle.
I went with the TWS rail for 4 basic reasons.
1. I couldn't get a side mounted rail for my Norinco, and overall the top cover rail is slightly better, IMO.
2. It hinges as one piece with the rifle, and replaces the dust cover, making cleaning/trouble shooting, more rapid than before.
3. I know it holds the zero because it mounts into the rear sight slot, making it secure.
4. It keeps my irons. Never give up your irons on a weapon that may defend your life.
I love the practicality of your rail, the sights and overall length are amazing.
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Last edited by BarryHalls; 09-16-2012 at 01:43 PM.
Barry, You mentioned "heavy robust rifle" . Do you feel its maybe too heavy and would like to have it lighter. I converted a Saige .223 and felt is was kind of heavy, especially with the Russian red-dot and front handgrip I had mounted out on the front handguard. I removed the front grip, lightened the front quadrail handguard and went with a side mount for my optics. Changed the whole balance of the rifle, alot more balanced now. About how much does your rifle weigh with an empty mag?
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I don't have a scale in that range. I love my rifle, and I can certainly handle it, but it's biggest drawback is the weight.
In my MAK, my "One go to rifle" I'll take the weight because it brings accuracy and strength with it. But I've been toying with they idea of a lightweight AK for a while. I'm thinking of something black and aluminumy. All of my ideas on that are WAY too expensive though.
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i have had the beryl rail with peep sight, for optics mounting, but eventually went back to irons and moved the red dot to the upper hand guard. i also have a forward grip. two things i would probably try out it available are an extended charging handle, and an extended mag release. theres tactical mag releases out there but they are for your thumb to release. i would like to see one longer, and not wider.
I don't have a scale in that range. I love my rifle, and I can certainly handle it, but it's biggest drawback is the weight.
In my MAK, my "One go to rifle" I'll take the weight because it brings accuracy and strength with it. But I've been toying with they idea of a lightweight AK for a while. I'm thinking of something black and aluminumy. All of my ideas on that are WAY too expensive though.
I just weighed my Saiga with out a mag and it weighs 9lbs 13oz according to my digital fish scale. WOW! I was thinking it would be around 8lbs or so. I to have been brain storming some ideas to cut down the weight, mostly with the furniture as anything else would involve some very carefully thought metal removal. I posted a couple of pic's a while back of a lightened bolt carrier, major machine work there, I'd just as soon keep it simple. It seems like the bulk of an AK's weight is between the rear sight and the gas block, all the major components there would be very difficult
to replace even if there was something as strong and lighter available.
Heavy or not, still a GREAT rifle I say.
__________________ Everybody's weird, they just hang out with like minded people to feel normal.
I just weighed my Saiga with out a mag and it weighs 9lbs 13oz according to my digital fish scale. WOW! I was thinking it would be around 8lbs or so. I to have been brain storming some ideas to cut down the weight, mostly with the furniture as anything else would involve some very carefully thought metal removal. I posted a couple of pic's a while back of a lightened bolt carrier, major machine work there, I'd just as soon keep it simple. It seems like the bulk of an AK's weight is between the rear sight and the gas block, all the major components there would be very difficult
to replace even if there was something as strong and lighter available.
Heavy or not, still a GREAT rifle I say.
My thoughts exactly, .
__________________
Get the largest caliber you can fire accurately, rapidly, in the largest gun useful for the purpose.
Weight and poor ergonomics are the two major flaws I see in the glorious AK design. The original stocks have too much drop to allow for proper cheek weld when using optics. I realize the AK is not going to place a bullet with the surgical precision of a bench rest rifle but neither will a standard M4 carbine. Yet the M4 gives a solid cheek weld and makes it feel as if you could. Personally I don't like the flimsy AR stock on an AK so I make do the best I can with the original style stock.
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Only thing wrong with my AK is that its not fully auto!
The weight of my brothers AK47 really bothers me when its fully loaded, which is why i much prefer my AK74.
Ive added a red dot, mostly for hunting at night time (varmint of course) and also because the iron sights are horrendous for accurate shooting even out to a hundred yards IMO
Also another thought, the weight of rails, grips and optics really pile up quickly. My aluminum ultimak mount probably doesn't weigh much more than the original gas tube. My bushnell TRS red dot is very compact and hardly adds any weight to the rifle. While its not as quick to find the dot, the compromise is well worth the difference in weight.
This is 10 pounds even with the full 30 round magazine in it, and not real sure where all the weight is coming from, ... you'd think that plastic wouldn't weigh that much! About the only thing that I'd prefer would be mag well that would eliminate the "rocking and locking" you get with the AK and get more of the AR "slap and tap" method of loading.
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This is 10 pounds even with the full 30 round magazine in it, and not real sure where all the weight is coming from, ... you'd think that plastic wouldn't weigh that much! About the only thing that I'd prefer would be mag well that would eliminate the "rocking and locking" you get with the AK and get more of the AR "slap and tap" method of loading.
Good looking Saiga, if its a .223 you can use an AR mag adapter and AR mags, I have one in my Saiga.223 and it works great.
__________________ Everybody's weird, they just hang out with like minded people to feel normal.
This is 10 pounds even with the full 30 round magazine in it, and not real sure where all the weight is coming from, ... you'd think that plastic wouldn't weigh that much! About the only thing that I'd prefer would be mag well that would eliminate the "rocking and locking" you get with the AK and get more of the AR "slap and tap" method of loading.
Never been a big fan of the .223 especially when I was issued it, so went with the 7.62x39 version. Overall very pleased with it, especially after doing the conversion. Have to say I've had no problems at all with it.
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Last edited by writerinmo; 09-20-2012 at 10:56 PM.
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