I am going to buy handguard with picatinny rails for my SLR 95.  I want to mount a Truglo red dot reflex sight on it. I would also like to be able to mount a four power scope on it. There are a lot of after market handguards out there. what experience have people had with handguards in regards to ease of installation ?  Eye relief I think would be a problem when mounting a four power scope on a handguard.  I would appreciate some pointers on what handgurd to buy.  Thanks  Norm

Installation isn't hard at all, as a general rule expect for some fitting needed to be done but nothing some light sanding, a lil filing or a dremel at the very most couldn't solve. For mounting a red dot you are gonna to want something that is very secure so that it will retain zero. I would suggest either an utimak or the optic specific handguard from Midwest Industries.

A better choice and setup for the 1-4x would be a Dog Leg Scope Rail from Texas Weapon Systems. It'll bring the scope closer and give you more options as there aren't many with that far of an eye relief. You could also scrap the front handguard and just use this for both the red dot and 1-4x but that would be up to you.

I personally like the ultimak upper handguard coupled with the TWS Dog leg rail and have been thinking about setting one of mine up like that

Thanks for the reply.  I like the Utimak and Dog Leg except for the price. In your experience and knowledge of the many handguards out there will none of them keep a good zero ? I ordered the Truglo Red Dot yesterday. Still considering what I will do for a mount. The Dog Leg looks like the best choice except for the price.  Thanks   Norm

I don't have as much experience with all the various types as I would like. I suggested these because they are made to a high quality standard, have been reviewed more thoroughly than some of the others and are ran and used on some of the best built AKs by some of the best AK builders IMO. I think when looking at others and these it is important to look at how they are mounted though. These 2 HGs clamp on to the barrel and the dog leg utilizes spring tension, a self centering feature and a cam lock to keep them in place and return to zero

Again.  Thanks for the reply.  I am sorting things out.  I do think the Dog Leg is the best bet. Don't really want to pay that much though. I have a reciever cover with a weaver style base on it and a four power scope mounted.  I will put the new Truglo on it for now until I can make my mind up. Delivery date for the Truglo is Monday.  Won't get to the range for a while but I can mount it on the rifle and look through it in the house.