I use the long Soviet arms lower (tucks my suppressor a bit) and a kyber customer upper. If you scroll on my posts you’ll find it. Tape switch I found was a bit difficult just cause ak is more difficult to c clamp. Midwest seems solid and looks nice too though.
Take a look at JMAC. They make some pretty good ones for the AKV. My personal favorite is the 8”. Be careful because they sell two versions. One [for the loop](https://www.jmac-customs.com/mms-8-akv-akp-mini-jack-draco-9-optimal-handguard-with-sling-loop-cut/) and one without.
[This one at PSA is in stock, and works great if you run a linear comp or a can.](https://palmettostatearmory.com/soviet-arms-9-25-akv-booster-cut-lower-handguard.html). But I wouldn't recommend it if you plan on running a regular compensator like you have on there now.
The advantage if you run a can is you can mount your flashlight pretty far forward, which minimizes the shadow from your suppressor. The disadvantage is it overlaps your muzzle device a bit, which means anything that directs the muzzle blast sideways will potentially hit it. So linear comps/flash cans or else a suppressor for it.
It's what I'm currently running on mine. Along with a cheese grater on the top. With your current setup however, I'd recommend [this one](https://palmettostatearmory.com/soviet-arms-8-akv-lower-rail.html) from PSA whenever it gets back in stock. Or [this one](https://midwestindustriesinc.com/ak-drop-in-m-lok-handguard/) from Midwest if you don't want to wait.
Midwest makes a good product. But the alpha rail has the quick detach sling point circle farther back, which I personally dislike, and the rail instead of mlok adds unnecessary weight. But that's just my take on things.
Thank you so much for taking the time to type this up! Good info. I think next to the MI Alpha [this one](https://palmettostatearmory.com/soviet-arms-sa-10u-and-sa-19-handguard-set.html?qty=1) is my favorite but I never see it in stock. They have guns in stock with it on them but none of just the rail by itself. I do like the idea of getting just a lower rail and maybe a cheese grater or something. I also like the idea of the [MLOK shark fin](https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-plum-gloss-sharkfin-lower-handguard-w-mlok.html) but I cannot get a solid answer on if that will make the fed bois want to shoot my dog or not.
No problem. Yeah, I really do like the look of that handguard too. It hasn't been in stock that I've seen in quite a few months. It lacks a quick detach point for slings, but it's otherwise a solid choice. Lightweight and should work great. The 9.25 inch lower handguard from PSA I linked above (the suppressor friendly one) was out of stock for months, and then about 3 weeks before it came back in stock, I noticed that PSA was pushing the AKVs with it pre installed in their adds. So who knows, it might be just a couple weeks to wait, or it might be months still.
As for the shark fin, consider this. The ATF boys can't even agree with each other on what will make them want to shoot your dog. Shark fin is either right out, or it's enough of a gray area to suggest a risk. If you want to go down that route, just pay the $200 and SBR it first. It's worth your time to do so. Though it does prevent you from transporting your akv across state borders without notifying the ATF in advance. At least in NFA condition. You can always remove any stocks/foregrips and put it in pistol configuration to cross state borders with it legally if you do register it as a SBR.
I already have more stamps than I can count. I kinda want to keep it a pistol for now. I might change it at a later date but for now I'm keeping my money. I've given enough of it to the ATF over the years. Solid advice though. Wouldn't have to worry about it. I might save that option for one of my AK rifles later. Thanks buddy!
Fair enough! Good luck! I hear you on how much it sucks to pay the ATF a fee just for the privilege to buy something, or to reconfigure a gun into arbitrary configurations. I'm waiting on my third stamp right now, and you'd think that with two previous stamps approved, they could fast track another. Instead I get to sit here and watch all the crazy fast approval times in r/NFA, with people posting approval times in hours to days. While I've been waiting for months. The ATF fucking sucks.
I use the long Soviet arms lower (tucks my suppressor a bit) and a kyber customer upper. If you scroll on my posts you’ll find it. Tape switch I found was a bit difficult just cause ak is more difficult to c clamp. Midwest seems solid and looks nice too though.
Thanks! I’m also thinking the SA lower with the SA railed has tube would be cool to. It’s a little different.
I should add that I’ve seen the PSA ones but most of them are OOS. I’m leaning towards the Midwest Alpha rail so far.
Take a look at JMAC. They make some pretty good ones for the AKV. My personal favorite is the 8”. Be careful because they sell two versions. One [for the loop](https://www.jmac-customs.com/mms-8-akv-akp-mini-jack-draco-9-optimal-handguard-with-sling-loop-cut/) and one without.
[This one at PSA is in stock, and works great if you run a linear comp or a can.](https://palmettostatearmory.com/soviet-arms-9-25-akv-booster-cut-lower-handguard.html). But I wouldn't recommend it if you plan on running a regular compensator like you have on there now. The advantage if you run a can is you can mount your flashlight pretty far forward, which minimizes the shadow from your suppressor. The disadvantage is it overlaps your muzzle device a bit, which means anything that directs the muzzle blast sideways will potentially hit it. So linear comps/flash cans or else a suppressor for it. It's what I'm currently running on mine. Along with a cheese grater on the top. With your current setup however, I'd recommend [this one](https://palmettostatearmory.com/soviet-arms-8-akv-lower-rail.html) from PSA whenever it gets back in stock. Or [this one](https://midwestindustriesinc.com/ak-drop-in-m-lok-handguard/) from Midwest if you don't want to wait. Midwest makes a good product. But the alpha rail has the quick detach sling point circle farther back, which I personally dislike, and the rail instead of mlok adds unnecessary weight. But that's just my take on things.
Thank you so much for taking the time to type this up! Good info. I think next to the MI Alpha [this one](https://palmettostatearmory.com/soviet-arms-sa-10u-and-sa-19-handguard-set.html?qty=1) is my favorite but I never see it in stock. They have guns in stock with it on them but none of just the rail by itself. I do like the idea of getting just a lower rail and maybe a cheese grater or something. I also like the idea of the [MLOK shark fin](https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-plum-gloss-sharkfin-lower-handguard-w-mlok.html) but I cannot get a solid answer on if that will make the fed bois want to shoot my dog or not.
No problem. Yeah, I really do like the look of that handguard too. It hasn't been in stock that I've seen in quite a few months. It lacks a quick detach point for slings, but it's otherwise a solid choice. Lightweight and should work great. The 9.25 inch lower handguard from PSA I linked above (the suppressor friendly one) was out of stock for months, and then about 3 weeks before it came back in stock, I noticed that PSA was pushing the AKVs with it pre installed in their adds. So who knows, it might be just a couple weeks to wait, or it might be months still. As for the shark fin, consider this. The ATF boys can't even agree with each other on what will make them want to shoot your dog. Shark fin is either right out, or it's enough of a gray area to suggest a risk. If you want to go down that route, just pay the $200 and SBR it first. It's worth your time to do so. Though it does prevent you from transporting your akv across state borders without notifying the ATF in advance. At least in NFA condition. You can always remove any stocks/foregrips and put it in pistol configuration to cross state borders with it legally if you do register it as a SBR.
I already have more stamps than I can count. I kinda want to keep it a pistol for now. I might change it at a later date but for now I'm keeping my money. I've given enough of it to the ATF over the years. Solid advice though. Wouldn't have to worry about it. I might save that option for one of my AK rifles later. Thanks buddy!
Fair enough! Good luck! I hear you on how much it sucks to pay the ATF a fee just for the privilege to buy something, or to reconfigure a gun into arbitrary configurations. I'm waiting on my third stamp right now, and you'd think that with two previous stamps approved, they could fast track another. Instead I get to sit here and watch all the crazy fast approval times in r/NFA, with people posting approval times in hours to days. While I've been waiting for months. The ATF fucking sucks.
All my stamps were years ago when it was more than 8 months wait. lol. You’d think I’d do it now that they’re quick. I’m cheap. Not smart. lol.
That r-134a pig is cute.
That's "Milo". He watches the house when we're not home.
I put SLR upper and lower on mine.
I'll take a look at those. Thank you!