Brian M1 50 Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 I finally found out what everyone else talks about when it comes to the stock Saiga forend retaining heat! 100 rounds at the range today, and after about 80 rounds the forend was so hot it could not be held (had to keep switching hand position and giving it "cool downs", which didn't work so well). Yes, I can confirm... this handgard COOKS when firing a decent amount of rounds! I still like the looks of it, so will be retaining it, but definitely see others points as to it getting hot! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saiga545 47 Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Yep even the milspec wood guards get toasty. The K-var handguards with heat shield seem to stay cooler long, but you need a HG bracket and new gas tube to use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swells08 128 Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) I have a bent sheet of aluminum in the hand guard with holes drilled in the had guard and after 1-200 rounds the forend isnt bad its the barrel and gas tube that will scart your hand or face if touching it. Edited July 3, 2012 by DJ Big Dog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ImperialArt 29 Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I just put a galil style handguard on mine, haven't shot it yet, but hoping that takes the heat down a bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike U. 51 Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 I have a bent sheet of aluminum in the hand guard with holes drilled in the had guard and after 1-200 rounds the forend isnt bad its the barrel and gas tube that will scart your hand or face if touching it. Now, this looks like a fairly easy, common sense, approach to this problem. Do you think layers of Aluminum Foil (heavy duty) would work for budget constrained folks? I'd try it myself, but, my next range day is still a couple of weeks away. dammit... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 A small roll of aluminum flashing is pretty cheap, and just the right thickness. Get it at the roofing section of your local big box hardware store. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swells08 128 Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 I have a bent sheet of aluminum in the hand guard with holes drilled in the had guard and after 1-200 rounds the forend isnt bad its the barrel and gas tube that will scart your hand or face if touching it. Now, this looks like a fairly easy, common sense, approach to this problem. Do you think layers of Aluminum Foil (heavy duty) would work for budget constrained folks? I'd try it myself, but, my next range day is still a couple of weeks away. dammit... It may but mine is a piece of sheet aluminum and the holes add airflow it looks good and not many rattles if it is positioned and bent right. Layers of heavy duty may be better if it adds a layer of air in between each fold and it is more pliable for initial install as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike U. 51 Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Drilling vent holes is a really good idea. The Aluminum sheet or flashing looks like the way to go here. I'll have to stop by Lowe's later today. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SgtRaven 531 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 I lined up my Draco LHG with thin stainless steel (SS) sheet, available from Lowe's/Home Depot, and it helped a bit. But on Saiga I went with vented guard (Fuglystick) and since then I forgot all about. Also, it serves as a platform for whatever else you want to securely hang on your masterpiece (Harris bipod for me, and laser in the near future). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
liberty -r- death 1,445 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 I got the Galil hand guard for mine and it does help. Fugly stick is a great option, and looks so fugly it's nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ImperialArt 29 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Just put 300rnds through mine with the galil style handguard. It helps... But oh man, that baby still cooks. Must wear gloves and hold the mag to avoid the heat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skiluvr03 24 Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Mine got hot as hell too and that was stopping to load 10 round Mags since I didn't have bullet guide yet and using the stock fore-end grip. My question is, how did they deal with this on the battlefield when they had full-auto and high cap mags? Didn't they have to worry about the barrel warping on them too? Before someone says these are dumbass questions, they are, but I'm just trying to learn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SgtRaven 531 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 (edited) Mine got hot as hell too and that was stopping to load 10 round Mags since I didn't have bullet guide yet and using the stock fore-end grip. My question is, how did they deal with this on the battlefield when they had full-auto and high cap mags? Didn't they have to worry about the barrel warping on them too? Before someone says these are dumbass questions, they are, but I'm just trying to learn. Most of the battlefield firefights consist of short bursts (2-5 rounds), mostly 2-3, and average firefight is lasting minutes, not hours. You might fire more ammo in given time at the local range, than AK-armed trooper, ambushed around his FOB in Khost or Kandahar. Service grade AK handguards lined up with SS heat shield. Sure they heats up, but not to the skin-burning point under the lead-showering conditions at Joe's range in the boonies. Funny thing is that you might be pushing the envelope well beyond the General Kalashnikov's and his crew's design specs. Edited July 13, 2012 by Sgt. Raven Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skiluvr03 24 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Mine got hot as hell too and that was stopping to load 10 round Mags since I didn't have bullet guide yet and using the stock fore-end grip. My question is, how did they deal with this on the battlefield when they had full-auto and high cap mags? Didn't they have to worry about the barrel warping on them too? Before someone says these are dumbass questions, they are, but I'm just trying to learn. Most of the battlefield firefights consist of short bursts (2-5 rounds), mostly 2-3, and average firefight is lasting minutes, not hours. You might fire more ammo in given time at the local range, than AK-armed trooper, ambushed around his FOB in Khost or Kandahar. Service grade AK handguards lined up with SS heat shield. Sure they heats up, but not to the skin-burning point under the lead-showering conditions at Joe's range in the boonies. Funny thing is that you might be pushing the envelope well beyond the General Kalashnikov's and his crew's design specs. Thanks, sounds like a good answer to me that makes great sense! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
captzeno 5 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 I have a CSS aluminum buckshot hole forearm on mine and if you stay back towards the reciever it's good. If you reach out towards the gas block.........ouch! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FingerStyleFunk 6 Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 One of the guys on here put a pseudo galil together using an old norinco 223 sporter ak, and he used what looked like a 24 oz tallboy beer can to line his tapco galil handguards. I may have to get a couple, for prototyping of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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