PDA

View Full Version : Midwest Industries AK Rail



Stickman
30 July 2009, 10:46
I've started to review the new MI Universal AK rail.

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=241



Questions, comments or anything else.....? Fire away, I'll answer whatever I can. I think this will also start a AK project as well for WEVO Staff.



http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/AK/0O2P0083-A-1024-Stick.jpg

sjohnny
30 July 2009, 16:51
That's a good looking piece of equipment and looks like good quality especially for the price. Definitely blows away the handguards that Tapco has out. I have been going back and forth on whether to put rails on mine or leave the wood but this piece has me leaning once again toward the rail side.

Thanks for the review and the information.


OOH I just looked at the linked website and saw that it will soon be available in green and flat dark earth. OOH OOH!

CCK
2 August 2009, 12:29
Stick,
can this be mounted to a saiga 12?

Chris

Stickman
2 August 2009, 13:13
Stick,
can this be mounted to a saiga 12?

Chris




Good question, I'm not sure and don't have enough time on the Saiga. I'll see if I can find out.

k_cheerangie
3 August 2009, 05:59
Would it be possible to see a sight height comparison with the Ultimak rail, possibly with an Aimpoint Micro series on it.

Stickman
3 August 2009, 08:44
I don't own an Ultimak rail, so thats not going to be possible from me. Another person might have one they can show.....

Custom-X_Sponjah
4 August 2009, 08:57
The ultimak sits alot lower, replaces the Gas Tube, is attached to the barrel, and allows for Co-Witness.
If Co-Witness is a moot point, and the top rail attaches VERY securely to something besides the Gas Tube, this rail seems like a winner for running optics.
The price is really nice as the Ultimak top rail is close to the price of this set of MI rails.
I'd like to see an extended lower rail and that's about the only cosmetic detail I'd change..
My only real worry is the Top rails mounting. If its not solid enough to hold a decent "zero" with Mini/Micro red dot..

CXS

sodak
21 August 2009, 21:36
Got a few questions. Have you had a chance to run it and see how well the optic holds zero on it. Also did you encounter any issues with the vfg being in the way during mag changes?

sodak
23 August 2009, 12:02
Had one more question Stickman. Does the method by which the handguard attaches to the gun look solid enough to prevent rotation? I'm a little worried that a whack to the optic or vfg could rotate the handguard and throw off the optic's zero. I'd like to get one of these, but I'm a little concerned about this until I hear otherwise.

sodak
27 August 2009, 17:47
Are you there Stickman? Sorry for the bump, I would just like an answer on this.

Talyn
27 August 2009, 18:00
There are two (2) anti-rotational set screws that adjust up against the gas piston tube to keep it from rotating.

I just installed 2 of these railed handguards on 2 SAR-2's. Nice unit.

sodak
27 August 2009, 19:14
There are two (2) anti-rotational set screws that adjust up against the gas piston tube to keep it from rotating.

I just installed 2 of these railed handguards on 2 SAR-2's. Nice unit.

Great! That's what I was hoping to hear. This handguard is the perfect solution for my problem with putting a light and an aimpoint on my wasr-10. I think I'll order one tomorrow.

Stickman
27 August 2009, 19:38
Sodak,

I'm sorry, I completely missed your reply, I'm glad it got answered.

Talyn
27 August 2009, 19:45
Make sure you reinstall the cleaning rod thru the barrel & gas block guides before you put the lower handguard on. I couldn't get mine to go in the whole way once I had the handguard all the way on. I had to take it back down once I gave up on trying to fiddle with it to no avail.

I don't use it because I use other bore cleaning tools but if you want to retain the "look" the rod has to go on & down the whole way before installing the hand guard IMO.

One other thing is that the unit will not allow you to use the factory forward sling mount thats built into the handguard bracket on a SAR-2 since the side rail came right up to the sling bracket. So I installed a CQD forward sling mount on the side rail.

Talyn
27 August 2009, 19:59
I also installed Magpul XTM panels on the side & bottom rails. I put 2 panels on coming from the back end on each which give you a good hand-hold position. I put ladder rail protectors on the remaining front portions of the side & bottom rails (except for the left with the CQD sling mount) for other attachments like a light mount & vert grip.

The XTM's barely snap shut on the rails and are tight. The rails must be at the upper end of the Picatinney specs.

My .02

Smilodon
28 August 2009, 09:02
Can you use this on a Yugo underfolder?

Talyn
28 August 2009, 14:51
I don't have a Yugo so I don't know if it needs any special handguard.

sodak
28 August 2009, 21:47
Hey Talyn, did you use locktite when attaching the rail?

Talyn
29 August 2009, 10:59
Yes. Just a touch of "blue" on the screw threads. Not too much.

sodak
29 August 2009, 16:16
Last question(hopefully) Talyn. Did the XTM panels add much size to the forend? I'm debating between these and ladder covers with the XTM winning because of price and they look like they would shiled my hand from the handguard better if it got hot.

sodak
30 August 2009, 16:20
Well, I went ahead and ordered one from midway(they have them at a good price too). I got it in FDE along with 2 sets of xtm panels. Hopefully it gets here on friday so I can check it out labor day weekened. Just got to get a FDE surefire G2 to go with it now.

Talyn
30 August 2009, 19:06
Last question(hopefully) Talyn. Did the XTM panels add much size to the forend? I'm debating between these and ladder covers with the XTM winning because of price and they look like they would shiled my hand from the handguard better if it got hot.

Sorry for the late reply. The XTM panels added on are just fine. I have med/karge sized hands and the subsequent grip with the panels on is just right. Starting from the back end of the handguard I put 2 complete panels on at 3-6-9 oclock and it gives me a very nice grip area with suffcient room ahead for accessories.

sodak
4 September 2009, 22:36
I got to look at mine today and I'm pretty happy with it so far. Instalation was easy and midwest is nice enough to include the needed locktite and allen wrenches for assembly.I haven't got to shoot my gun with it on yet, but I hope to change that tomorrow.

As others have said, it looks to be of good quality and for the price it would be tough to beat. I can't think of any other accessory that offers both a railed handguard for a light and vfg, but at the same time allowing the mounting of a red dot. Seems like a good deal to me.

I have seen a few things I don't care for on the rail though, but these aren't really the fault of MI. It's more or less the nature of a railed handguard and the reality of putting optics on an AK. I found that sticking a surefire G2, a bunch of xtm panels, and an aimpoint 9000sc does add a lot of weight to the gun. The gun has gotten pretty heavy and it's all up front, which isn't great. I would guess that a lighter flashlight and something like an aimpoint micro would help cut down on the weight quite a bit. Since this was kind of my budget-ish build, I'm just going to live with the heavier aimpoint since I got it pretty cheap($200 new from midway) and this isn't my main go to gun at the time.

I wish I could cowitness my red dot, but it sits too high on the handguard for that to happen. To solve this I might get some QD rings to I can romove my aimpoint if it goes down so I can use my irons.

Talyn I should have heeded your warning on the cleaning rod deal better. I can't get mine back in either. I guess it's catching on various edges on the receiver or something. It's not a big deal since all I had it on there was for emergencies(think getting something stuck in the barrel), but I might still ry and see if I can get it in there.


So all in all, I think it looks to be a good product MI has put out on the market. However, I still have to reserve my final judgement until I can get out and shoot the thing. Hope I can get to that soon.

sodak
5 September 2009, 19:13
I got to run about 120 or so round through it today and things went pretty good. I sighted it in at 50 yards from a prne position so I wasn't able to get it perfectly on with my less than great shooting, but I think it's pretty close.

I did encounter some forward and back shifting with the rail. I would say it went ahead 2-3mm and then went back:confused:. I did notice that the barrel clamp screws weren't completely tight, so I tightened them down some more. I'll have to see if that helps. Hopefully I'll be able to give this setup a tougher test at the end of the month when I go to a local gun shoot.

One side note. When I had to tighten down the barrel clamp screws, I was pleased to learn that I could get at those screws with the supplied allen wrench through the vent holes on the handguard with no dissasemlby needed. I don't know if that was an intentional design feature or just luck, but I'm glad I can check the tightness of the barrel clamp without taking the handguard apart.

Talyn
6 September 2009, 19:14
On the cleaning rod take the rail unit off & put the rod thru the barrel guides. Then reinstall the lower handguard & the rest if the unit. You'll have the look.

BTW - Cowitnessing the red dot is over rated. Just know where your irons and red dot are sighted in for.

Glad you like the unit like I do.

sodak
6 September 2009, 19:22
I don't really want to remove the rail so I doubt the cleaning rod will be going back in anytime soon.

I just like the idea of cowitness so that in the event my aimpoint goes down I can just go back to my irons. That and I'm one of those people who doesn't care to leave their aimpoint on 24/7 so I wouldn't mind having irons in case I have to grab my rifle for immediate use and my aimpoint is off. The last part isn't a big deal since this isn't my go to gun though.

Bryant
26 September 2009, 22:34
Just one thing I'll add, it's a nice looking rail but would not work for someone using an AK 74 or shooting corrosive ammo. You couldn't return to zero after removal to clean the gas tube. Would be nice if it had two throw levers to mount the upper rail to the lower- such that it could easily be removed and re-installed for such cleaning.

If the lower rail was mounted to the barrel then the throw levers would allow the upper to be removed and re-installed back to zero for cleaning.

Talyn
28 September 2009, 18:56
Just one thing I'll add, it's a nice looking rail but would not work for someone using an AK 74 or shooting corrosive ammo. You couldn't return to zero after removal to clean the gas tube. Would be nice if it had two throw levers to mount the upper rail to the lower- such that it could easily be removed and re-installed for such cleaning.

If the lower rail was mounted to the barrel then the throw levers would allow the upper to be removed and re-installed back to zero for cleaning.

#1 I have a SAR-2 which is a 74 & it works fine on mine.

#2 I don't have to disemble the handguard to clean the gas tube. Take out the bolt/piston assembly. Squirt in some windex & then swab out with cleaning patches till your satisfied. Clean off the piston with what windex or whatever else you use to neutralize. Reassemble & your good to go. You've kept your zero.

Bryant
27 September 2010, 15:57
Can someone please tell me if the lower rail can be mounted WITHOUT the top rail? I have zero desire to secure the gas tube to the lower since I run corrosive ammo and need to clean the tube out.

TripleBravo
27 September 2010, 20:51
I recently installed one of these, unfortunately Bryant, the answer is no....it is a two piece design and both the upper and lower piece are required.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/WASR%2010%20460%20conversion/right-on-white01.jpg

Keebsley
27 July 2011, 15:04
For those of you running these rails, do you have any issue with heat transfer to your optic? Debating on a T1 or a RMR on the top rail but am worried about heat transfer to the optic frying it.

Thanks!

tac40
28 July 2011, 19:24
Good question, heat transfer? Price range?

d90king
3 August 2011, 14:35
For those of you running these rails, do you have any issue with heat transfer to your optic? Debating on a T1 or a RMR on the top rail but am worried about heat transfer to the optic frying it.

Thanks!

Both the UM and MI get pretty damn hot if you are running an AK hard in my experience. I have gotten a T1 riding on a UM hot enough that you couldn't touch it and the optic was still functioning perfectly. I have come close to doing the same on a MI equipped SGL. For that reason I am confident recommending a T1 but VERY cautious doing that on the RMR.

BobbyB
3 April 2012, 08:31
I know this post has been dead for awhile but i just bought the Midwest AK rail. When i was putting it on yesterday i noticed two things that i cant find that have been addressed.

1. When i start to clamp down the handguard it starts to slant towards the receiver making it look crooked. Any Ideas? They look like they all do this.

2. The original clamp piece that holds down wood handguard is now loose because its not used for the midwest handguard is there anything anyone has done to stop it from moving around.

I Have WASR/10