Cooling slots in a saiga handguard?

[mostholycerebus 415]

Im seem to be stuck with the long polymer handguard on my Saiga-M, and im OK with that, I like the room for various grips. Id like to reduce the weight and improve the look though, so I would like to add the 4 cooling slots to the top portion of the handguard. Has anyone done a tutorial? Does anyone do this for $?

[imarangemaster 315]

I drilled 3/8" holes in one:

 

 

Also the Tapco Saiga works well:

[Grinderhead 1]

Did both of mine myself, once you remove the handguard, us a ruler an mark off with a pencil and the take a dremmel tool to it. Looks good and helps with heat dissipation but no real weight loss.

Edited October 19, 2014 by Grinderhead

[ChileRelleno 7,071]

Mod is easy to do, pencil, ruler, drill and/or Dremel, flat/round files and some sandpaper.
Measure out the vents, draw it right on the stock, then make it happen.

[imarangemaster 315]

I actually prefer the feel of the Saiga factory handguard over everything.  The Tapco handguard with an aluminum channel in it, does stay much cooler.  If I could get to my drill press, I may try drilling a Saiga handguard and putting the aluminum channel in it.  I would have to relieve the top of the Saiga HG, though, so I could use the Chinese tube and top handguard..

[mostholycerebus 415]

Chile, thats similar to how my Saiga-M is currently set up. Im considering switching that adapter for the Canis version though, which would raise the stock about 3/4"

[ChileRelleno 7,071]

Chile, thats similar to how my Saiga-M is currently set up. Im considering switching that adapter for the Canis version though, which would raise the stock about 3/4"

I put a Hogue front on it, & I really like it.

 

[Spacehog 2,218]

I use a drill press with a 1/4" straight router bit. After marking off the start stop points of the vents, you can set up a guide fence. Once you make the first plunge just slide the hand guard along the fence until you reach the end of the vent hole. Raise and go to the next marking and repeat. An entire hand guard takes 5 minutes to do. (Milling not marking). The vents are perfectly in line with one another, and very little clean up is needed on the vents with a file once done. Done three of them this way, two polymer and one wood. Works great.