Been a while since I've done one of these!

Snagged a 5.45 Ace to mess with, I overpaid MSRP but not by much. Oh well, got one that's all that matters. What drew me in was a platform that used 5.45 mags, has optic rail, and already threaded 1/2x28. Doesn't hurt its IWI/IMI and a factory gun.

I've got more 5.45 in the stash than anything so why not. SLR's are $2500+ and SGL's peaking into $3000+, so this seemed like a good deal.

Took it out this morning for its first run, out of the box the irons were a fart off at 50y (assume factory set for 100m), a few adjustments and I was on. Repeated for the aimpoint on a LaRue lt661 mount. The mount sits a fart higher than what I'd consider 1/3 co-witness (rear won't line up) - it's qd so doesn't matter.

Good:
- Sights 100% improvement over any AK option, excellent
- Zero issues through 300 rounds of 59g Golden Tiger and 210 rounds of 1977 7n6 (270 arsenal)
- Zero issues with a mix of ((10)), ((21)), ((25)), Magpul, and commercial Bulgarian mags
- I like the trigger. The shape and 2 stage is nice.
- Stock is actually nice and adjust-ability is solid. VERY tight lockup.
- Safety is outstanding vs traditional AK
- CHF, CL, and threaded 1/2x28 barrel - excellent


The to be improved:
- Handguard sucks, knew this going in so no big deal. Will be replacing with MI or RS rail - as soon as one is in stock.
- Sling mounting points are not ideal. Wish stock had a QD provision or at least 1" slot for sling. Have to use paracord. Factory mounting points are on stock hinge and fsb/gb. Will be fixing with blue force loop and QD mount on soon to be handguard.
- As known going in, these are overgassed. Will be getting KNS piston to dial it in - once in stock again.


Other notes:
- I didn't like the plastic magwell so I chopped it. There are replacement kits from KNS that use AR grips, but I actually like the grip so chop it was. Galil receiver lines are sexy.
- It's a porky one - but - the weight is correlated to the build quality, it is a very nicely built stick.

Shooting observations:
- I'd have to say its recoil is on par with other 5.45/5.56 AK's. The rigidity of the milled receiver transfers more of the pulse than a stamped AK would, but nothing to worry about. I'm tempted to use my YHM brake on it, see if it flattens it out some.
- Iron sights are a hoot to use. 3/4 steel IPSC plates were easy at 100, 200, 300. Lord they are good to have on a "AK" platform.
- With the dot I ran the plates again no issue. Zero'd to the 50/200 method which I do on all the 5.45/5.56's.

Looking forward to getting a few cases through it over the next month or two.





12/6 - round count 510

Out of curiosity, why does the handuagrd "suck"? Is it too wide a grip?

It's fat and short.

Think a KAC RAS with rail covers on.

If it were thinner and 1-2" longer then it would be OK.

I love traditional front AK handguards and these are meh in my opinion.

Thanks for the response. I am on the fence about these, and will follow this thread to see how you (and others) modify them. I assume IWI will import these again, but not for a long while.

I agree, the factory hand guard is too short, and fat, I'm also eagerly awaiting RS Regulate to get back some back in stock.

My SBR, with KNS Precision plastic delete kit, Tango Down reduced angle grip, Lage folding stock with the 1913 mount, on the KNS 1913 end plate.

Nice!

Fin,

You gonna leave that "lower" like that, or you gonna go ahead and replace the PG and mag release too? I've never liked the look of the ACE "lower" and always said I'd convert it to old school style if I ever got one.

At some point yes, I’ll change it up. It’s secondary on the list as I do like the factory grip.

Have you grouped it yet?

outside of establishing zero no.

50y was nice and tight.

Didn't want to wait for "all cold" to hang paper as the "long range (100-1250y)" went hot when I walked over. So shot about 150 rounds at the plates.

Hopefully I can sneak out one day this week at lunch or weekend after next to group it.

Also, can't agree with this

You know I think highly of you, but this is unacceptable

heretics I tell ya!

I've actually kinda sorta really been wanting one of these, but this last year has been a bitch money wise for me. Maybe soon.

Does 5.45 hand guard uses two screw like 5.56 to hold in place or one screw like the 7.62?

Two screw

Sitting here messing with this while on perpetual zoom meetings it seems.

Oddly enough while this is an evolution of the AK-47 > Rk.62 > Galil, I'm feeling a lot of FAL DNA in this as well.

Hard to say what it is besides the left side charging handle, but its like the ultimate mashup of AK and FAL in short.

Sweet rig, I've always been interested in the Galils, not quite sure why I never jumped into one. Maybe I'll have to look for one seeing as I have more 5.45 than anything else!

Dammit man, now you're talking mah language. Xmas bonus is next week.......

Great thread, subscribed! Really love both my rifle and pistol.

How has your accuracy been?

Im looking forward to shooting groups. Limiting factor will be ammo. Just have 7n6 and Golden Tiger.

Might seek some hornady out.

I've had the best groups in my AK105 with Hornady Black, you ought to try it

Have only just fired at steel in the desert, but seems very accurate. I'm waiting on a shipment of diverse 5.45 to arrive, and plan on doing an accuracy test.

Right now I have Wolf Mil Classic, Wolf Polyformance, RAS 69gr, Barnaul poly, RAS 59gr, 60 and 65gr Silver Bear, and Golden Tiger. Waiting on a bit more, including Hornady Black.

Hopefully I can get to a bench range to group them soon.

Excellent - please share in here when you do.

I realized I do have some the RAS 59g made by Vympel - pretty sure its just repackaged Golden Tiger.

I swear to god I must have monster hands or something, I love the width of the Handguard

When I shoot with normal AK handguards and irons I have to keep my hand in more of a U or else my fingers wrap around in front and block the front post

That said I’m not sure why the didn’t extend the handguards up to the FSB/GB combo

Finslayer - what mag carrier is depicted here?

Regards

Looks like a Ford F-150 to me.

UW Gear

great kit - long wait - worth it

@ironhandjohn it’s a different vehicle now

+1 to UW gear, they make excellent stuff

++1 excellent stuff. Good guy too

Anyone know the wait times? I really like the look of his bandoliers, if anyone knows of a similar bandolier set up with the waist strap I’m all ears (eyes, w/e)

Mine was 6 months.

IWI had RS pistol handguards in stock today, for a hour or so.  Even though I signed up for their email restock notification, I never got an email.  They were long gone before I even knew about it.

I've given up on getting an RS handguard in any reasonable amount of time, and I really wonder if MI will run some any time soon, with all the demand for their other stuff.

The more I mess with the factory handguard/rails, the more it totally sucks.  

I did get an ALG AK trigger to work in it though.

I know dammit. I really need an MI handguard or an RS, an extra couple of inches would be so nice.


What'd you do on the ALG trigger?  @Dr_Nimslow


Here's my contribution of a pic too

Attached File

I had to remove some material from the rear of the trigger assembly, where it was interfering with the rear of the cutout in the receiver, then it went in fine.  If you look at an ALG galil trigger, the body above the bow is square in the front and back, on the AK trigger, It's tapered.  Basically, I just squared it off.


Is that a V-project magazine?  Does it run ok?  I've got a few laying around that don't work that well in my SGL.

Yep, I have 3 or 4, work great in the Galil and my friend's Bulgarian 74 built by/for Atlantic Firearms. 1500 ish rounds through mine at this point. Beat the hell out of one to see if I could break it too and it's fine. A hair loose lock up in the Galil though.


I guess I'll have to try out the ALG trigger then

On 22 October MI told me via email they would have their Ace rifle handguards in 8-10 weeks and the pistol handguards in 10-12 weeks.

I just got a short 5” RS  regulate model for my rifle, it’s perfect, handles like a completely different weapon with all that weight gone from the front handguard, plus it looks great, I’d wait if at all possible

They are great handguards, but at the rate RS is able to get them out, we will probably be waiting a very long time.

I'm going to state the obvious: these rifles look better with the factory bottom polymer on them. The receiver has too many angles to be aesthetically pleasing in their absence.


Apologies to all of you that disagree.

Lol yeah I disagree with you. I think it's better without it.

That and magwells on AK patterns always mess with me getting the mg hooked in.

First off, I respect your opinion. But I have a feeling like I am right and you are wrong. Therefore, in the tradition of the internet, we must go back and forth three or four hundred times trying to convince each other of our respective positions.

(or we can just agree to disagree).

LOL!

You are the first person I have heard say this.

You can’t come to my birthday party.

lol. What's the timeline on the new handguard Fin?

RS is supposed to have blems out soon.

MI is supposed to be soon as well.

RS for sale in EE - $500

soonTM

I've been bugging them here and there for the last few months since getting mine at Kalashbash. My 5.45 ACE is nearly in the same boat right now. Im just waiting on the F1 to return so I can chop mine down to the GB.

@soflanick RS has 10” blems for $185.

ETA: in the other products section.

Just snagged one - 24 left in stock.

My man! I managed to snag one myself! Thanks for the heads up!