Custom AK grips

[xebec]

I am thinking about manufacturing aluminum frame pistol grips for AKs.
They will have the same configuration (geometry, attatchment points,
etc.) as the 1911 Government Model and would take all aftermarket
accessories for the same-- pearce and Hogue grip panels, wrap--arounds,
etc. This would allow one to install a U.S. part with great aftermarket
accessories.
Any interest in this?

[Eric 0]

It would be nice to incorporate a shorter screw and hollow grip to allow for storage. Your idea sounds good. I do like my FN-FAL style grip, but would be willing to give just about anything a try.

[Fargox]

Wasnt this allready tried with the AR15 rifle. Not many were sold.

Why dont you come up with a rear mounted peep sight system instead? Like the ones that Clearview Investments was selling, looks kinda like the rear sight on a Valmet or a Galil.

These would sell and there has been much interest on this board.

[Ripley]

I'm with Fargo, I'd pay good money for a good rear mounted peep sight.

[This message has been edited by Ripley (edited 12-09-1999).]

[RPG]

Brainstorming! Whats your dream? It's been said a camel is a horse designed by committee. We've got the whole electronic community available for ideas to improve AK. Here's a few of mine, toss yours in too.
Yeah baby on the Clearview peepsight, how about an adapter using M1 flip type peeps. Back to pistolgrips, AR15 has superior ergonomics, give me an adapter to use AR grips and such on an AK. Make it at both angles for individual choice and real close to the trigger so I can get second segment finger section and a slow trigger squeeze. Let me have a AK/AR stock adapter too. Fiber optic AK sights anyone? Jump in folks, make the products, they will sell. Ahh, another idea! Custom epoxy grips! Mix it up, squeeze around a grip screw in place and hold your trigger for a 5 minute set. Viola! Hey this is fun.

[xebec]

Good ideas RPG, you have obviously given this some thought. I think I will start a thread along these lines.
Question--Are you guys talking about a peep sight mounted where the AK rear sight is already located--like the Williams sight? Can any of you provide some sort of diagram of this "clearview" sight (or at least rough sketches)?
Also, I realize that the AR/Gvt model grip went the way of the Dinosaurs, but don't you think that this would be far superior to the plastic US POS currently available? (I do think that adjustable AR grip would be neat though--I'll see if I can come up with something).

[graaf]

how about a stock extension for us long armed western giants? these AK stocks are designed for short-armed midgets. don't like the fiberforce, which is long enough, and ACE stock is nice, but would rather have something that looked original.

[JA]

X,how about a buffer to keep the brass from getting dented on ejection?

[Packrat]

I've moved covers around, no problem. Might have to trim them a little.

There was a receiver cover made with a scope rail that had steel inserts at the rear, so they fit close beside the recoil spring guide. There was a thumbscrew through the right block, sticking out of the cover, so that you could tighten the cover against the guide. It seems to work well with the scope. You could try something similar with a cover with a sight on it. I was looking in the Gun Parts catalog, and they have several rear sights from discontinued guns. I thought about getting one that approximated the curve of the receiver cover and fastening it on. Most of them were about $15 or less.

I wish someone made a cheap, sturdy open collumator red dot sight that could be mounted on an AK without making the gun more fragile.

How about a serious laser in the forearm, with 4 to 6 AA batteries to power it, and a switch actuated by the trigger -- take up the slack, the laser comes on? Or a igh- intensity white light, same arrangement?

[JA]

The first type of AK Hunter imported had a piece sticking down on the rear of each side of the receiver cover. The receiver was drilled and tapped for a screw that went through the ears of the receiver cover and secured the cover to the receiver. This kept the receiver cover from shifting from left to right during firing.
The only rub I see with a laser is to be bright enough for use in direct sunlight it would be unavalable to unlicenced persons.
I have a friend that has the 680 nanometer laser on a pistol it is a lot brighter than the 635nm and you can see it in the shade. But still doesn't cut it in direct sunlight.

[RPG]

Regarding "Clearview" sights; they were Chinese mfg and Clearview Investments had them for sale a while back in SGN. I've seen one like it on a Norinco "Hunter" at a gunshow. At top rear of receiver cover, from side looks like low triangle, inside leaf-spring tensioned peep sight. Two position, L shaped piece flips forward or back with a peep hole for some degree of range selection. Peep sight is supposed to be easier for older eyes to sight with and rear mounted gives a longer sight radius for accuracy. Cover "tightness" would affect accuracy and L to R adjustment might help.
I don't know if anyone else might have or be able to get them. I also don't know how a Chinese cover would fit on a European rifle.

[Packrat]

I'm converting a Saiga, where the trigger has been moved back. Because of this, the trigger guard will be lost when the new trigger is put in in the proper place. I know it is a very limited market, but how about an aluminum pistol grip which incorporates the trigger guard? (The Saiga has a separate magazine release.)

Were you planning a 1911 or 1911A1 style grip?

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Packrat

[xebec]

Actually Packrat, my drawings (preliminary) just roughly reflect A1 lines-- mainly just so that all grip acessories will properly fit. A grip like what you want for your Saiga project is certainly not outside the realm of reason, but I would require precise measurements of that portion of your reciever.

[Operative1010]

I know this is an old thread..but back to the peep idea....i think if someone just combat readied the williams idea..and I can see ashley outdoors, inc. to be the ones to do it right.

I bought one of their rear peeps for my mini 14. prob one of the best accessory purchases i have ever made...the sight picture (I also have a choate shrouded front site replacing the factory front) is actually as good or better than an AR now or M1/M14...with a BIG peep that you can virtually ignore and maintain full situational awarness around in a tactical environment. I think if someone just made a damn big sturdy ring, even with the AK rears forward position, it may be as efficient. Wish i could weld well, cause ive already comptemplated welding up a washer on a spare rear leaf I have and just drilling that puppy out to acheive an equal ghost ring effect. My mini is the fastest open site system I have.

[Saiga]

How about attatching the rear peep to the upper stock tang. Perhaps an extension that fits in the groove on top of the tang and held in place by the rearmost screw. The mount would have to allow the cover to come off without removing the mount.

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Don't be a gun-safe queen. Shoot your gun. Parts wear, shit happens.