AMD handguard swap question

[bpittman]

not to offend the die hard AMD groupies out there, but can i buy an AMD parts kit (since they're more in abundance, and easier on the wallet) and remove the handguards and put regular AK wood units on? the AMD look doenst do anything for me, but parts look similiar. if it can be done, is it a matter of removing and installing? or will there be modifications that need to be made? :small_gri


thanks in advance

[bsn]

The only change you will need to do is buy a longer grip screw for the new grips, the AMD screw is shorter, a regular AK grip screw will work. One of the distributors out there has a pretty nice amd 63 kit with the wood grips but I cant remember where I saw it.

[Adirondack1]

Centerfire Systems has them.

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/picgalleryAMD63.html

[bpittman]

im not sure i understand, im not worried about the pistol grip, the barrel hand guards is the subject. i noticed the gas tube looks different, and i didnt notice if the forward HG retainer on the AMD kit would work on normal AK handguards. is the gas system in the same places? (see attached pics) i hope these pics come out

[krummlauf]

http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152036

I don't really like the pistol grip forearm either.

[justashooter]

the gas tube on an amd 65 is shorter, but the handguard lower section is interchangeable.

[Packrat]

Some of the SA2000M single-stack rifles were made from (some) AMD-65 parts. The short gas tube still used the same upper handguard as the standard AK handguard; however, it doesn't look like the lower handguard (forearm) would attach the same way the framework for the front grip does. If you try it, let us know what works and what doesn't.

[bpittman]

krummlauf,

thanks for the link, looks like im not the only one....and looks like i might have some work ahead of my.....the guys on the OTHER forum had taken a look @ the retainers and found them to be different on the lowers...how hard is it to remove the front sight and gas block, and is there replacement retainers available for the standard handguards?

[Packrat]

In putting standard AK forearms on Saiga rifles, one person took a standard retainer, cut it vertically, put it on the barrel, and MIG welding it back together. And yes, the retainers are available from several sources.

[leper]

kvar offers new lower handgaurds for the hungarian's, i got my front sight and and gasblock off with a vice..you'll need three hands to knock out the pins though. i shortened a standard gas tube..i didn't check the links to the other site yet, maybe they did the same thing

[Badintermod]

I used to own a hungarian FEG SA-2000m. it used the shorter gas tube system like on the AMD and used the same lower handgaurd retainer as well.

If you can find a sa-2000m gas tube, you will be able to have a upper hangaurd. and with 5 minutes and a dremel you can modify any lower handgaurd to work on the amd.

[Packrat]

Now there's a call-sign for all of us: "with 5 minutes and a dremel you can ...". That's as good as the redneck death cry: "Hey fellers, look at this...".

[garybob]

The wooden lower handguard will go right on with the existing collar with a little work to the inletted part of the handguard. Takes 3 minutes. The AMD collar has two points in the collar to help hold the metal lower. Sand a little on the wood to miss the points and your home free.

[beer jager]

The lower HG's from my SAR-1 fit the AMD-63 perfect. Dropped right in.
The gas tube from the SAR was about a 1/8 to long to fit on the AMD.

Don't know about the AMD-65's as they are quite a bit shorter set up.