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Posted: 2/20/2013 2:18:42 AM EDT
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I've got a CAI Tantal (that somehow has no issues), and I'm trying to make it into an ultralight KISS carbine. Now, I know it's never going to be THAT lightweight, but what I'm looking to do is basically shave as much weight off as practical without sacrificing reliability or function. It's currently got the original polymer handguards and a black generic AK pistol grip.
Does anybody know how other handguards and pistol grips compare in terms of weight? Even though I know it's going to be at most an ounce or two, I'm still interested. I was looking at potentially swapping for one of the galil-style tapco handguards, does anyone have a weight measurement for one of them? |
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Well it's not really a weight saver I don't think, but I have found that an integrated gas block/front site set-up like some Vepr's and M10's and some others have, makes for MUCH improved balance in the rifle itself. The difference is startling when you are able to compare directly.
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Quoted:
Well it's not really a weight saver I don't think, but I have found that an integrated gas block/front site set-up like some Vepr's and M10's and some others have, makes for MUCH improved balance in the rifle itself. The difference is startling when you are able to compare directly. Sight radius takes a huge hit with the integrated FSB/GB. Don't get me wrong, that's a trade-off I've made willingly on a couple of my AKs, but on an ultra-light build where irons are going to see serious use, it's a problem. You can bypass it by going with a TWS dogleg peep setup, but then you're just putting the weight back on. Of course, you could start thinking about doing an SBR at that point... shaving a few inches off the barrel should get you a few more ounces all told. The lightest fixed stock I'm aware of is the RPB Industries polymer triangle stock. The lightest handguard I would go with would be the K-Var handguard with heat shield. Dump the top handguard to save a bit more weight. The muzzle device can be heavy, especially on -74s. Make sure you've got a really simple and light one. IMHO, it's less about weight than balance. I have a Galil SAR. It's heavy, but the balance is great, so it still feels comfortable to use. I've added heavier stocks on AR-15s because they were too muzzle heavy. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Well it's not really a weight saver I don't think, but I have found that an integrated gas block/front site set-up like some Vepr's and M10's and some others have, makes for MUCH improved balance in the rifle itself. The difference is startling when you are able to compare directly. Sight radius takes a huge hit with the integrated FSB/GB. Don't get me wrong, that's a trade-off I've made willingly on a couple of my AKs, but on an ultra-light build where irons are going to see serious use, it's a problem. You can bypass it by going with a TWS dogleg peep setup, but then you're just putting the weight back on. Of course, you could start thinking about doing an SBR at that point... shaving a few inches off the barrel should get you a few more ounces all told. The lightest fixed stock I'm aware of is the RPB Industries polymer triangle stock. The lightest handguard I would go with would be the K-Var handguard with heat shield. Dump the top handguard to save a bit more weight. The muzzle device can be heavy, especially on -74s. Make sure you've got a really simple and light one. IMHO, it's less about weight than balance. I have a Galil SAR. It's heavy, but the balance is great, so it still feels comfortable to use. I've added heavier stocks on AR-15s because they were too muzzle heavy. Is the KVar one actually lighter than the original bakelite? And I was thinking of dumping the top handguard already, which made me lok hard at galil-style lowers to give a little more grip room (though, I think that would negate any weight savings). Thanks everyone for the input so far, I'm planning on keeping the original FSB for the previously-mentioned sight radius concerns. I've still got the original tantal muzzle break on it which is a beast, what would folks recommend as the lightest muzzle device that still serves some useful purpose? Just out of curiosity, are there perhaps aluminum or titanium replacements available for things like the gas tube, dust cover, or even the bolt carrier or piston? I can see that making a noticeable difference. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Well it's not really a weight saver I don't think, but I have found that an integrated gas block/front site set-up like some Vepr's and M10's and some others have, makes for MUCH improved balance in the rifle itself. The difference is startling when you are able to compare directly. Sight radius takes a huge hit with the integrated FSB/GB. Don't get me wrong, that's a trade-off I've made willingly on a couple of my AKs, but on an ultra-light build where irons are going to see serious use, it's a problem. You can bypass it by going with a TWS dogleg peep setup, but then you're just putting the weight back on. Of course, you could start thinking about doing an SBR at that point... shaving a few inches off the barrel should get you a few more ounces all told. The lightest fixed stock I'm aware of is the RPB Industries polymer triangle stock. The lightest handguard I would go with would be the K-Var handguard with heat shield. Dump the top handguard to save a bit more weight. The muzzle device can be heavy, especially on -74s. Make sure you've got a really simple and light one. IMHO, it's less about weight than balance. I have a Galil SAR. It's heavy, but the balance is great, so it still feels comfortable to use. I've added heavier stocks on AR-15s because they were too muzzle heavy. Is the KVar one actually lighter than the original bakelite? And I was thinking of dumping the top handguard already, which made me lok hard at galil-style lowers to give a little more grip room (though, I think that would negate any weight savings). Thanks everyone for the input so far, I'm planning on keeping the original FSB for the previously-mentioned sight radius concerns. I've still got the original tantal muzzle break on it which is a beast, what would folks recommend as the lightest muzzle device that still serves some useful purpose? Just out of curiosity, are there perhaps aluminum or titanium replacements available for things like the gas tube, dust cover, or even the bolt carrier or piston? I can see that making a noticeable difference. I don't think so. I have a Tantal, and the bakelite handguards on it already weigh close to nothing. I'm not sure you could make the handguards on a Tantal lighter unless you removed them entirely. I would say the same about the folding wire stock. It doesn't weigh that much to begin with, and I'm not certain that replacing it would provide any significant weight difference. Perhaps if you used a polymer triangle stock or a very light (and probably cheap quality) wood you might be able to shave a few ounces off. I have about a dozen AK's and although I've never weighed them, my Tantal feels lighter than all of them. It might actually be lighter, or it might just be that the way the rifle is balanced makes it feel lighter. |
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