Questions about new Saiga

General Firearms Other Semi-Automatic Rifles
1

I picked up my AKM today. It’s a converted Saiga, but it doesn’t have the AK handguards or a threaded barrel (it has the stock FSB that covers up to the end of the muzzle).

The first question is how sturdy are the stock Saiga handguards?

Are there any real advantages to traditional AK style handguards?

If the stock handguards are kept, would it be wise to add holes for cooling?

Likewise, would there by any way to mount small pieces of rail to the stock handguard?

Also, what is the best way to go about having a muzzle device installed? I can’t seem to find a local gunsmith that seems competent enough to remove the current front sight post and thread the barrel (or install a front sight post with threading).

Thanks!

2

If you’re delicate with a dremel, you can cut the portion of the sight that is over the muzzle by cutting around the circumference, then one or two times lengthwise and then peeling it off.

This will leave the factory sight in place and give you solid barrel metal to work on threading. I don’t recall the size it ends up after peeling, but I wanna say something like 13mm is around the window.

If you’ve got the factory ‘sporter’ handguard like shown below, you’ll likely find that it makes your fingers get real hot and uncomfortable like.
Also seen more than one of that type randomly break off at the protrusion it has that goes into the receiver.

The railed one below is just an example of one of the many types and brands out there.
And FWIW, it doesn’t have a rail, though could be fitted, but the Tapco ‘Galil’ for AK/47 will go right on there if you want something with a bit more space between your hand and the barrel.

Sporter:

Aftermarket railed:

Tapco Galil (shown on shotgun) :

3

I’ve seen the Tapco offerings before. I’ve heard so many negative reviews about them, that I was trying to avoid them.

4

Understood, just getting it out there :slight_smile:

I wanna say someone out there even has an aluminum handguard with quad rails, but its been so long since I actually looked that I can’t even really be sure where to begin spooking for it.

5

I’ve finally found a decently priced bolt-on front handguard retainer. I think I’ll just order that up with some traditional AK handguards then (from kvar).

I just moved and didn’t bring my tools with me. So cutting the front of the sight off would only be an option if I find a gunsmith that I trust enough to do it.

6

I removed the front sight Base on one of Mine years ago that I had to sell:( and added all the Correct Parts .
New threaded front sight base and I cut a Notch in the barrel for adding the Lower hand guard retainer and Just swapped the Gas tube for One that had the upper hand guard installed If you take your time and research It can be done

7

You can cut off the barrel shroud with a pipe cutter, sometimes there are already threads underneath and sometimes not. I haven’t got around to looking under mine.

8

Well whattya know, found a Midwest Industries and a UltiMAK offering after plowing through a bunch of UTG stuff first.

There are other makes yet of course.

Midwest Industries

UltiMAK

9

It’s really that soft? Now I’ve gotta find some with a pipe cutter to borrow.

10

Carolina Shooters Supply and Surefire Gun Magazines both make railed saiga handguards.

11

Dinzag Arms has a ton of stuff that might interest you. LINK

12

There are lots of threads on how to do it in the 7.62x39 section of the saiga12 forum, also some youtube videos on it.

13

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve decided to go with the MWI Saiga rail (I didn’t want to dress the AK up, but it’s actually cheaper than putting traditional furniture on with the whole handguard retainer deal). I’m also getting a Palm battle grip, and Palm magazines.

Thanks for the help everyone!