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Posted: 6/19/2014 4:42:42 PM EDT
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I need to replace my lower handguard due to it being loose and wobbly. It appears to be missing what I think is called the "ferrule". I've considered just trying to buy one of these, but I don't know if it will actually fix the problem with the looseness of the handguard.
I was thinking that a poly might be better than wood since it might be more durrable, but then I was wondering about rails. I don't have any definite plans, I just want to buy something I'll like that will work and if I want to add a light or forend grip later I could. However, the wood looks pretty darn good as well. Any recommendations? |
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Hi Op,
Welcome to the forum. In order to give you the best advice, we will need to know more about your AK. Pics would help immensely. It is my understanding that ferrules on HG's are usually found on milled receivered guns. That said, if someone put milled style HG's on a stamped rifle, they tend to fit a bit loosely. So, we need to see if you are just missing the ferrule or if you have a goofy configuration. Apex gun parts, Robert RTG's website, and our own Equipment Exchange are all good places to hunt AK parts/accessories. |
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It's probably not a very good picture, but this is it. I think it's probably a "goofy configuration". The lower HG looks like it's missing something since there is evidence of old dry adhesive around the rear end of it, and the wood is cut in such a way that it looks like there should be a ferrule there.
http://s28.postimg.org/uofuadyy5/Prudence_3.jpg The lower HG looks a lot like this picture. You can see that it looks like something is missing from the rear side. http://cdn3.volusion.com/vawhb.dxcnr/v/vspfiles/photos/AK47-hg-set-wood-2.jpg It doesn't look like this one that obviously does not take the ferrule: http://aa-ok.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/k/ak366-1.jpg I'm considering ordering something like this to fix it: http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/212/212218.jpg |
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Yeah, I think that this is the part that I would need:
http://www.k-var.com/shop/images/d_696.jpg However, I went ahead and ordered the Bulgarian handguard set from AK-Builder.com. I might still order a ferrule (above) and see if it works. I do like the wood... |
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OP, you do indeed have a stamped rifle with a milled handguard sans ferrule. Since the Milled receivers are thicker, the corresponding HG's have a narrower tab fitting in the receiver. I don't think the ferrule will completely rectify the fitment issues. The K-var poly HG's are great quality. If you want to stick to dead tree product, I'd recomment a nice set of Polish laminated HG. They can usually be had for ~$35 and have palm swells and an attractive oiled finish.
ETA- your third pic down looks to be a Polish HG-FYI |
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Quoted:
Thanks Blitzkreig. Is the wood HG worth anything if I were to sell it w/o the ferrule? Welcome. Prob not too much as it looks well used and incomplete. Chuck in the parts bin or throw up an add in the EE for a few bucks. ETA- Who built the your rifle? The rivets look a little wonky in the pic, is it a screw build? |
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Quoted:
Yes, it's a screw build, and I don't know who built it as it was built when I bought it. What does it take (time and $$) to replace the screws with rivets? OP, I've never dealt with a screw build or tried to turn one back into riveted configuration. Based posts here over the years, it is my understanding that the trunions themselves are threaded and the holes in the receiver become over sized as well. So, you'd either need to scrap the receiver and trunions or get some over sized rivets. This may be cost prohibitive for you when you plan costs of having a smith do the gig. The problem with a screw build is that the bolts don't flex as a leaded rivet would and the bolts can shear. While I've never seen it, I would not want to experience spontaneous disassembly. g'luck, Blitz |
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