hello to all my first SAR/AK

[datruth]

need ideas for some additions tapco ive heard makes a good forehand grip in synthetic and maybe a foulding stock any ideas god bless,hooah

[dglockster]

You can thread the muzzle and add a slant brake or other type brake.
You can install a Blackjack buffer.
You can install an notched safety lever in the event you are at a range that require bolts be locked open.
You can add a Russian red dot sight - http://tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/collimator.html
You can visit www.dpharms.com to see what else catches your interest.
You must visit: http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml for great information on the AK style rifle
You must buy several cases of ammo while it is still available.

[Auburn]

There is a good chance that your rifle already has a threaded barrel, though it is also probably is covered by a welded muzzle nut. The nut can be removed pretty easily by cutting through the weld with a dremel tool. There is a little spring-loaded pin that pushes in...then the nut screws off to the right. Once its off, you can buy a muzzle break or birdcage flash supressor that will thread on to make the rifle look more authentic.

If you decide to keep the wood stockset, consider refinishing it. It makes a world of difference. There is a pretty good tutorial on the gunsnet link posted above. If you want to replace it, check out www.k-var.com.

[MTMilitiaman]

The Blackjack sucks compared to the Buffer Tech. So if you want a recoil buffer, skip the Blackjack and get the Buffer Tech.

I bought a TAPCO Galil style folder and it busted on the first range visit. Apparently they redesigned the locking mechanism to make it stronger, but I still would rather spend my money on the ACE Ltd. More options, all of them as functional as they are asthetic. Or you could go for an actual AK side or under folder. Either of these options will be better than the TAPCO unless you want something that just looks cool.

Can't speak for the TAPCO handguards. I have their M249 style pistol grip and it is nice. TDI makes a nice synthetic rail system that is about half the price of the rail handguards if you are interested in adding accessories or a vertical foregrip. Ulitmak, Krebs, B&T, Surefire, and TDI (again) also make aluminum quad rail systems but they get spendy. If you don't see the need to accessorize, I would just get a mil-spec synthetic handguard set from Kvar or Tantal. They have heat shields and are the real deal.

I strongly recommend you at least try the Mojo ghost ring rear sight. It only costs about $40 and requires no permanent modification to the rifle so if you don't like it, you can take it off. Most find it drastically improves the sight picture.

Finally, I second the Russian optics. I have a PK-AS on mine and it rocks. The Kobra is also popular. Both are Russian mil-spec and very durable, highly quality units that would probably cost twice as much with a Western name on them.

[graveman]

Originally posted by Auburn
There is a good chance that your rifle already has a threaded barrel, though it is also probably is covered by a welded muzzle nut. The nut can be removed pretty easily by cutting through the weld with a dremel tool. There is a little spring-loaded pin that pushes in...then the nut screws off to the right. Once its off, you can buy a muzzle break or birdcage flash supressor that will thread on to make the rifle look more authentic.

I beg to differ ..... all SAR's have bald muzzles, most have enough "meat" on the barrel to take 14x1 LH thread, some don't. Some older CUR1 and MK1 Romanian AK's DID in fact have a nut covering the threads and spot-welded to the FSB, some had the nut pressed in place over the bald muzzle.

If you want a folding stock, get the ACE Ltd or a Romanian wire-folder. About the only good thing that TAPCO makes is the G2 fire control group, and that's someone else's product ( Gordon Technologies, which they bought out ? ).

The best thing about the SAR is the military receiver ( with dimples on the magwell ) which has less bugs and is more durable in the long run than the current WASR. Those are single-stacked civilianized rifles with the mag-well ( and front trunnion ) opened up to take "normal" double-stacked mags.

While you visit K-Var, it would be good to see if they still have adjustable rear sights; if you really want to dial in your irons, these allow for finer windage adjustment than whacking the slider on the FSB around. I have the RPK one which is calibrated for 20" barrel but will work on AK as well, it takes quite a few rounds to get it right though :frown: .

Also, K-Var makes outstanding polymer furniture for the AK. It is a direct copy of the Russian/Bulgarian except it has "US" embossed on it . I like my stuff original, so when I went plastic I got them ( handguards and pistol grip ).

Good luck and shoot the hell out of it !

:50cal: