Curious what is your standard solution for mounting a light on a regular AK?
Also:
I converted a Saiga years ago. It runs great, and it groups well with Golden Tiger, but I've never done anything about optics or the stock handguard because I didn't want to add too much weight. I thought the MI handguard would be an easy solution for the handguard problem on a Saiga. Any advice for my specific situation?
I tend to carry my rifles over long distances in the wilderness more than I shoot extended sessions with a very high rate of fire. That's why I'm more worried about overall weight than most people who are predominantly shooting a high volume at the range and always using a vehicle to tote them around.
Some nice light mounts if you don't want a whole new handguard. I have the lower one and it tucks a 1" light tight against the gun nicely.
https://khybercustoms.com/accessory-mounts/
https://khybercustoms.com/akm-yugo-light-mounts/
Never tried the MI handguard myself. The Magpul Zhukov works well for a Saiga but it's not the lightest thing out there. I've seen lots of guys just bolt a piece of pic rail to a stock Saiga handguard.
That's me, and mounting it closer to my eye (as seen in pics upthread) cured the "looking through a dark straw" effect I get when mounting micros at the most forward end of AR receivers. I did just remove that T-2 for a new PDW (also now mounted closer to my eye), so I'm back to irons on the AK for now.
I do believe RS Regulate is the way to go, particularly for those who prefer to keep things light. I have a buddy that runs the MI mount (for MRO), and he hasn't had issues with it, but he has said he'll spend more for the RS mount on future AK's.
RS Regulate BM1 with Vltor/6P or Thorntail/Scout has become my default for a plain rifle. Now add an Mlok HG and I like the IWC SMC with a Scout.
So for an unconverted front end Saiga I would go for something from Carolina Shooters Supply. I ran this with an IWC Radial Mount/Scout combo. https://www.carolinashooterssupply.c...e-ar-slots.htm
http://instagram.com/p/BmBm9_QHRyt/
http://instagram.com/p/BltG1-nHF6v/
http://instagram.com/p/BltDmlvnpaG/
http://instagram.com/p/BeL63v_j830/
Picked this up today. Was obviously trying to get in and out ASAP. Looks pretty cool so far. I don't think I realized that the stock was adjustable. Nor did I know that it has that "bolt hold" notch where you can pull it back, ease it forward, and the bolt will stay open until you really rack it or it gets bumped hard. That was something I had completely forgotten about in AKs and didn't realize was a feature of this gun.
It included one mag of unknown pedigree. I'll have to get further into the box later.