If you decide to go with aluminum forend rails, be aware that not many will work with the ultimak mount (except ultimaks).
I was asking about the same thing concerning the MI rails, and got this in response:
To all those concerned,
I was interested in your M1-B optics mount for the AK, but was wondering if anyone has ever used tri rails alongside, other than the ones made by ultimak.
I ask because I own a set of Midwest Industries rails, which clamp to the barrel. Judging by the pictures the first U-shaped clamp of your optics rail would clear the
barrel clamp on a MI rail, but not the second. I figured that if I could move the second barrel clamp on the M1-B 1 1/4" closer to the muzzle, it would also clear the MI rail clamp.
From what I could tell, the screws for the M1-B just slip through machined slots in the top part, and the threaded bit is on the U-shaped clamps.
So, If I could machine two vertical slots in the top part 1 1/4" closer to the muzzle it would all work out. Is there anything else in the M1-B design that would prevent me
from doing this? I would be interested in hearing from you.
Lyle Keeney
to me
Hi,
The mount is countersunk both top and bottom. The countersink on top is round, to accommodate the screw head. Underneath there is a rectangular pocket that accommodates the block-shaped, top, threaded portion of the clamp. Moving a quarter inch would be possible, though the countersinks would overlap. Hence, without a milling machine, or the very skilled use of a Dremel, you’d be making a mess out of a nice optic mount. It might make more sense to move a clamp on the forend rail (I haven’t looked at it) or simply install an UltiMAK forend rail.
Cheers,
Lyle Keeney
UltiMAK, Inc.
Got a response in less than a day, was very impressed!