Jump to content

Which full conversion do you prefer, tactical or conventional ?


Recommended Posts

I like my Midwest Industries handguard. Light, not very bulky, accommodates multiple optics, and sturdy. AND no handguard retainers necessary, which was great because I couldn't find a gas tube in stock anywhere. As for stocks, ehh... I'll take whatever, but the K-Var Warsaw-length stock is my favorite. Brakes, I like Primary Weapon System's J-TAC and FWS brakes. Used them on a few buddies' rifles, and they're good. I can't tell a big difference in recoil or flash suppression between them, so my Saiga is going to get the J-TAC, since it's $30 less than the FWS. Nothing wrong with the '74 brake either, though.

Edited by Inebriated
Link to post
Share on other sites

Conventional. Anything else on a AK just looks like it came from a bad B sifi movie. Like one with a budget of $500. I like to follow the rule of "if it looks stupid but works it isnt stupid" However in this case its stupid.

 

The only add on I do to my AKs is the red dot and even then I use a Russian side rail with an Aimpoint or Russian one peice siderail and optic. None of those side rails that have 4 more rails on them.

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Conventional poly handguards and side folding and collapsing stock is how i went about it. Optic on midwest scope mount. Id had a quad rail on an earlier one but decided it wasnt worth the weight, and if someone is desperate to mount a light or something adding m.o.e. rails is easy as hell.

Link to post
Share on other sites

post-49109-0-65194100-1395523069_thumb.jpgHaving just finished my first full conversion (today), I have to admit that I like the traditional look to keep it AK like. Used an IWD walnut set of furniture.

 

Many thanks to several on this forum for helping me manuver through this. Special thanks to Brian at Dinzag Arms for helping me with the upper handguard installation:

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't listen to the douche nozzle's that say adding things to meet your taste is "stupid".  It's this mentality that keeps me off of other AK purist type forums.

 

That said...  There is overkill.  Some of CAA's stuff is a little much for my taste.  So for the butt stock, if you like that then cool.  I'd prefer Magpul, but it's not my gun.  

 

I've had rails on a couple of Saiga's, and opted for a tapco forend on one of them just to save weight.  Yes tapco you ak snobs.  I liked the traditional "type" ak look, but wanted black.  

My current Saiga is sporting a magpul forend.  On my SBR pistol project, I'm going with a magpul butt stock, Ace folder, and if I do go with a rail, it will probably be a midwest industries.  Other than that, I'mma refinish the wood.

 

For mounting optics, my choice is Texas Weapon Systems Dog Leg.  I think this is hands down the cleanest optics setup for an AK out there.  From what I've read so far, they actually do hold zero.

 

As for brakes...  Whatever you like.  You can go mild, to wild.  It seems to me that in most cases you need to drop a little coin to find one that will have guys saying they actually work.

 

Bottom line, I like both forms of the gun.  I had an S12 that had everything but the kitchen sink on it and took all the shit off and was so happy to not have to warm up before safely lifting that thing.  Look at the picture threads here and see what parts you like best and go for it.  You can even do a mix.  If you like a collapsable butt stock like myself, then do the rear end modern, and the forend more traditional.  No matter what, build the gun to your taste.  Some will like it and some won't.  Most importantly, post pics when you're done.  We'll let you know if you did a good jobamazing.gif

Edited by Big John!
  • Like 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

Asking for input is good, just make sure you do your own thing...it's your firearm.  If on the fence about variations acquire more than one rifle so you can have the best of both (or more) worlds.  

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

I went with a quality adj. butt stock that has a pickatinny rail on the right side. CAA make a adj. cheek riser that really helps when using optics to steady your melon. With out the riser I can't get that cheek weld.

 

I have one of each conversion and get the most raves at the range from the quad rail  which is handy for night light and laser pointer. Both of which add weight.

 

Just finished another conversion today see below. But I have enough spare stock sets  and parts to change the look in no time. New triangle stock weight is 8 oz.

 

I'm going to do a upper & lower hand guard weight comparison soon.

 

post-48978-0-76351300-1395535147_thumb.jpg

Edited by SaigaFL
Link to post
Share on other sites

Well...  I go either way rolleyes.gif  LOL.

Self admitted Black Rifle addict, but I also like classic Walnut & Birch.

I don't however particularly care for most ComBloc laminate, but some commercial offerings are very nice.

Prefer to shoot targets over iron sights, but have optics on half my firearms.

 

But seriously, have you seen what Uncle Putin is doing with his AKs as of late?

Very tactical, with all the folding stock, rails everywhere and etc.

Good enough for him, good enough for me.

 

Do whatever you like and screw what others think.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I keep my stock handguards and vent them, bought a few spares as well just in case. While not conventional or tactical they work well and cover alot of hand area and is the lightest. Do most people like it maybe not but I do and thats all that matters.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Like mentioned before, its your baby....do what you like.

 

I am conventional. I have one in wood that is stained combloc red. Standard AK74 FSB and muzzle brake. No optics, just iron sights. Looks alot like the top picture on JoeAK's post.

 

The conversion I am doing now is going to be poly. Standard poly handguards with a Hogue pistol grip. The stock will be DPH skeleton stock. May add side folder later....maybe not. Bulgy FSB and zig zag muzzle brake, just like the other. Basically like the middle picture on JoeAk's post but a skeleton stock.

 

I really like the Texas Dog Leg thing, but man it is pricey. I do plan on putting an optin on this conversion, so I will probably break down and invest in the TWS rail. I hear great things about it.

 

I save the "tacticool" stuff for my AR's. Even with those, I am pretty modest in my tacticooling. But I like the AK simple and clean. To each his own though.

Edited by Semper299
Link to post
Share on other sites

The traditional look is fine, for a show gun in a collection. You wont see it fielded anymore though, except in the hands of 3rd-world militaries. Function > Form, and believe it or not, some advances have been made on the last 75 years.

 

very little tacticool going on with the Russians in Ukraine right now.

 

I suppose you could say Russia is third-world if you wanted to - if by that you mean one of only a couple third-world countries that could turn the USA into glass

 

2WU0Kca.jpg

 

I bought my Saiga as a means to get the closest thing to an AK-101 which is what I wanted at the time.. I don't really care for the over-accessorized look

 

 

gallery_36884_1001_177801.jpg

Edited by mancat
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

The traditional look is fine, for a show gun in a collection. You wont see it fielded anymore though, except in the hands of 3rd-world militaries. Function > Form, and believe it or not, some advances have been made on the last 75 years.

How's that go about opinions?

Here is mine....

I see no use for heavy bulky cumbersome uncomfortable tri and quad rails, to mount even heavier lights, lasers, foregrips, lions, tigers and bears omy

 

My opinion and likes are traditional AK utilizing the oem side rail.

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

The traditional look is fine, for a show gun in a collection. You wont see it fielded anymore though, except in the hands of 3rd-world militaries. Function > Form, and believe it or not, some advances have been made on the last 75 years.

How's that go about opinions?

Here is mine....

I see no use for heavy bulky cumbersome uncomfortable tri and quad rails, to mount even heavier lights, lasers, foregrips, lions, tigers and bears omy

 

My opinion and likes are traditional AK utilizing the oem side rail.

 

 

+1

Only AK that departs from this is a 21" 308 that got a TWS for a long sight radius which really does make a difference but it adds no weight and wont snag on anything.

Link to post
Share on other sites

 The beauty of the AK design is that it is simple, rugged, and usable with gloved or bare hands in all weather and terrain. The wooden or plastic hand guards keep fingers from freezing or burning. So far I have not seen any tri- railed hand guards that can do the same,and none that do not add weight.

Link to post
Share on other sites

If it aint practical, it aint tactical. I challenge anyone to find a conventional conversion that is lighter than this. This is just under 6lbs, my plain jane SGL-21 is right at 6lbs. Even with the couple extra ounces for a comp, this is going to be lighter, if not approaching the same weight, but this balances much better than the SGL, and has an Aimpoint on top. To add an Aimpoint to the SGL would require a side mount (to keep it conventional), which will add several extra ounces. I'm sorry, I love conventional AK's, and there's a reason my SGL still looks like a conventional AK, but it's just no longer optimal. I could lighten this up STILL if I used MI's Keymod handguard. That'll shave another 2oz off. So if you're going to complain about AK's not being conventional, fine, but if you're going to make the claim that anything with a rail is heavier, then that's just not inherently true.

 

13491700864_12953b1c8e_b.jpg

Edited by Inebriated
Link to post
Share on other sites

Since I'm not a member of any tactical team, I don't want my rifle looking like something from a wannabe convention.

Conventional.

 

My firearms are tools, not Barbie dolls.

Edited by patriot
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...

I went for Ironwood birch stocks, but I'm running the Magpul grip, the Manticore night brake, a Krebs safety, and a couple other items that add to the ergonomics. I installed a narrow front sight post for the irons, and the Primary Arms 1-6x on an RS side mount. There are many awesome ways to setup a Saiga.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I got ADHD/OCD sometimes so my mind changes.. heres some thoughts..

 

Heres my 308 in 'drag style'..

 

IM000009.JPG

 

Heres my 54R VEPR after modding to be new styled..

 

RifleAmmoCrate.jpg

 

My Saiga Trio after some more changes.. (308) back to semi norm state..

 

trio1.jpg

 

And the S-308 just before I sold it..  :(

 

Saiga308NDOA.jpg

Edited by YWHIC
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Chatbox

    Load More
    You don't have permission to chat.
×
×
  • Create New...