AK upper handguard spring?

[NVR SRNDR]

I have an AKT comming my way and it doesn't have an upper handguard over the gas tube. The guy that sold it to me said the early AKT-98's didn't come with them and the don't have the retainer part that will keep the handguard in place. My question is can I just purchase this part http://shop.hendersondefense.biz/pro...0&productId=36and
that should work in keeping the handguard on? Or do I have to buy a whole gas tube.

[NVR SRNDR]

Well I was searching further and found this:

http://www.impactglobalarms.com/Sales/Sales_Detail.php?g=sales1174203453&swg=true

Do these just snap on the gas tube? I'm thinking of just buying another gas tube since I found some for only $15. What do you think? Will any AK gas tube fit the AKT-98?

[TurboFall]

The upper handguard doesn't need a spring or retainer to stay on the gas tube. If your gas tube stays on the rifle just fine without the spring, ignore it.

The second item you found (the handguard retainer) is only used to retain the lower handguard. Unless you're lacking a lower handguard, you don't need the second item.

[NVR SRNDR]

Thanks for clearing that up TurboFall. So it doesn't need a retainer to stay on the upper? I don't have the rifle in my hands yet I'm only on myfirst day still of the wait period. I did ordered a furniture set so I'll see how good the upper handguard will stay. It looks like it would just slide off though because there is no lip to hold it in place. I never seen an AKT-98 w/o an upper handguard until the one I am buying. Is the seller right in saying the earlier versions didn't have an upper handguard? He could be right but for some reason I don't believe that.

Here is a picture of the AKT I'm getting. If you look at the gas tube it doesn't look like there is anything to keep the upper handguard in place. I could be wrong though because this is going to be my first AK.

[TurboFall]

I'm not too familiar with the AKT's, but your gas tube doesn't look like a standard AK gas tube. Here's a picture from my gas tube:


You can see the second curved piece of metal on the front end of the gas tube, where the handguard is fitted between. I don't know the proper term for that metal piece, so I guess it's a "retainer", just not the one you posted. Short of that piece and the spring, your gas tube looks normal.

You could find that thin metal curve and weld it onto your gas tube. Alternatively, if the AKT-98 uses standard AK gas tubes (can someone ring in and confirm?), it'll be much easier to just swap in a normal AK gas tube. I'll happily sell you mine for a very reasonable price

[69Mach1]

Congratulations on the new AKT-98. I'm not sure the statement that the early ones had no handguards on the gas tube is correct. From your picture it looks like someone replaced the factory one with an AMD AK47 gas tube. Here's what a factory AKT-98 handguard set looks like.


These handguards are specific to this particular .22lr rifle. You will have to buy a new AK handguard gas tube to install an upper handguard to get the original look. Also be aware that you may have to trim it down to make it fit onto the AKT-98. My WASR22 handguard gas tube is about a 1/4 inch shorter than my other AK gas tubes.

[JeffM]

The upper hand guard retainer that is circled in TurboFall's picture is what you need. It is spot welded to the gas tube. There are some tutorials floating around regarding replacing the piece on shortened gas tubes for home-built AK pistols.

Since your rifle didn't come with one to begin with, it would be best to either leave it or get a new gas tube.

IMHO, It looks like it would make a good AMD clone without the upper hand guard and a forward pistol grip.

ETA: 69Mach1 beat me to the AMD ref.

[vandal]

I really want one of those pistol grips!

[NVR SRNDR]

Thanks for the info everyone. I looked up those AMD's and I like that reverse pistol grip. AMD clone sounds like a fun idea but I already ordered the Romanian wood furniture set from henderson defense. So let me get this straight.. standard AK gas tubes are longer than AKT and WASR-22 gas tubes or is that just confirmed for WASR-22's only?

[69Mach1]

Thanks for the info everyone. I looked up those AMD's and I like that reverse pistol grip. AMD clone sounds like a fun idea but I already ordered the Romanian wood furniture set from henderson defense. So let me get this straight.. standard AK gas tubes are longer than AKT and WASR-22 gas tubes or is that just confirmed for WASR-22's only?

That's just in my case. Yours may be a bit different. I'm just saying that you may have to trim it a bit. By the way, here is what the new BDM mags will look like for the Romanian AK22's.


10 rounders hopefully to follow, and please update us when your project is finished.

[NVR SRNDR]

I think I'll give it a go and try a standard AK gas tube. Turbo check your inbox.

Thats the new black dog mag? Looks clean. When are they going to be available?

[69Mach1]

I think I'll give it a go and try a standard AK gas tube. Turbo check your inbox.

Thats the new black dog mag? Looks clean. When are they going to be available?

This summer hopefully, but we have to wait for them to tool up the 10 rounders.

[NVR SRNDR]

I'll be sure to post pics when I'm done swapping the furniture. Not sure if I want to refinish the furniture set. I'll decide that when I get it in the mail I guess.

[69Mach1]

I just went with OD polymer furniture. It needs a slant brake badly.


Something to look forward to.

[NVR SRNDR]

That OD looks real good. Nice video! You're teasing me. 10 days is too long to wait! Well now I have 8 more.