Quad rails for a Saiga?

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JFtheGR8

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So I've done the pistol grip and flash hider and am now considering the forend. I have the Tapco hand guard with composite rails but I think it rattles a bit too much for my liking plus there's no top rail. I would like a good rail system to mount a red dot and a light. I do have the clamp on scope mount with a side rail so could use that however I cannot cowitness the irons with that setup plus it's really high over the bore. Suggestions? I'm budget driven so a combination of price and functionality are important. Thanks.


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I have heard Midwest Industries rail system is very good. They actually are what I am planning on putting on my new Saiga. That being said, I don't touch Crapco with a ten foot pole. I guess that the old adage "you get what you pay for" really is true.
 
If you get yourself a regular gas tube, you can get a Midwest Industries quad rail set. No need for the lower handguard retainer, since the lower portion clamps to the barrel, and the upper portion bolts to the lower. You just need a gas tube that it will fit, which is going to be your standard AK gas tube. I doubt the stock Saiga tube will fit.

If you tell us what optic you've got, we could possibly help you find a way to cowitness it.
 
Inebriated said:
If you tell us what optic you've got, we could possibly help you find a way to cowitness it.
Click to expand...

Don't have a good one yet. Using a cheap Tasco for now. Probably will get a Primary Arms or Vortex when I do.


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Well there are several options to let you cowitness with certain optics. Just depends on the optic, as to what the best way to mount it is.
 
SabbathWolf said:
Do you have a side rail, or no?
Are you set on mounting your optic on the gas tube?
Click to expand...

Yes, I have a side rail and a UTG quick release scope mount. The problem is that I can't use the iron sights with that mount as it totally blocks them. I wish to mount a red dot as close to the bore as possible and be able to use the iron sights in conjunction with it. A see through mount would be a possibility but I would rather be able to cowitness the sights.


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I can't speak for the PA 30mm dot, but a Vortex and Aimpoint 30mm dot WILL cowitness (lower-1/3) with the Midwest and RS Products 30mm side-mount. It's designed for them, and mounts as low as possible. I use a Vortex Strikefire and Midwest 30mm mount, so I'm 100% on that.

Look at these.
Midwest Industries 30mm Side Mount

30mm Upper Handguard for MI Rail (I'm 90% sure this allows cowitness, but you'd have to verify that)
 
@ JFtheGR8...

Here is a really quick, blurry, horrible pic. Sorry about that.
This is the RS Regulate mount on my rifle that Inebriated mentioned.
It "does" co-witness with your iron sights.
That's why I asked if you had a side rail or not.

001_zpsbbb75652.gif
 
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Thanks fellas. That's just what I'm looking for. I just need to decide on forward mount or over the receiver it looks like.


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JFtheGR8 said:
Thanks fellas. That's just what I'm looking for. I just need to decide on forward mount or over the receiver it looks like.


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Click to expand...
Keep in mind that the size and type of whatever red dot you eventually end up going with will be a factor in your decision. Or at least it "should" be IMHO.

A larger/heavier optic like my Aimpoint Comp in the pic for example, would totally SUCK being mounted in a forward scout style option. I mean, you can do it but...it makes your weapon a lot more muzzle heavy.
Micro type optics on the other hand, can go just about anywhere you want since they are smaller and weigh less.
Just some passing thoughts.....
Good luck with your project.
 
If you get yourself a regular gas tube, you can get a Midwest Industries quad rail set. No need for the lower handguard retainer, since the lower portion clamps to the barrel, and the upper portion bolts to the lower. You just need a gas tube that it will fit, which is going to be your standard AK gas tube. I doubt the stock Saiga tube will fit.
Click to expand...


This is partially correct. MI offers a saiga specific quad rail. Here: https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1029

If one wants to run some of their other handguards (like the SS extended, which is what would be my choice), then one needs to address the gas tube.

I've never compared them but I'm wondering if the only real difference is just that they only come with the railed top cover and it sits high enough to clear the extra piece of metal on the saiga gas tube. I wonder this since the saiga specific models they sale are not available with any of the optic specific top covers.
 
Hmm, haven't noticed that they have Saiga-specific handguards.

But looking at the pic, and looking at my standard rail, it "looks" like the screws mounting the upper to the clamp are a little higher up, than on the standard one. Also, the clamp would have to be different, to accommodate the increased diameter of the factory Saiga gas tube.
 
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