Midwest Industries MI AK-SSK KeyMod Handguard: KeyMod Tactical Handguard/Rail system for 21st-Century Kalashnikov AK-47/AKM Weapons! (Video!)

By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com

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August 25, 2014

While we here at DefenseReview (DR) are primarily tactical AR guys, we also like our AK’s, particularly ones that have been modernized with the latest tactical handguards/rail system, pistol grips, buttstocks, optics, etc. So, we were very happy to view and handle the new Midwest Industries MI AK-SSK KeyMod Handguard at SHOT Show 2014, earlier this year. The MI AK-SSK KeyMod MIL-STD-1913 “Picatinny” railed tactical handguard helps turn any legacy Kalashnikov AK-47/AKM weapon into a 21st century AK.

Of course, in order to do that, we’d have to combine it with a few other tactical AK accessories like the Parabellum Armament AKARS Gen 3 (AK Adaptive Rail System Gen 3), an updated/upgraded version of PA AKARS railed AK dust cover/top cover, PA MARS (Mechanical Advantage Release System) magazine release lever and PA Ratchet Charging System (RCS) left-side/forward charging handle, all of which DR covered a little over a year ago, back in July, 2013.

The final necessary components are an AR-type telescoping/collapsible buttstock like the Ark Defense Enhanced SOPMOD Buttstock, B5 Systems Bravo SOPMOD stock, or Mission First Tactical MFT BATTLELINK Minimalist Stock NEMO Rapid Assault Team (BMS NRAT) Strap or MFT BATTLELINK Utility Low Profile Stock (BULS) (all of which were discussed in previous DR articles), an AR-type polymer pistol grip like the BCMGUNFIGHTER Grip Mod 1, Mod 2 or Mod 3, and a stubby vertical foregrip like the BCMGUNFIGHTER Vertical Grip SHORT. We also mentoned both of these BCM grips in our BCM KeyMod 14.5″ Upper piece.

Basically, the Midwest Industries MI AK-SSK KeyMod Handguard is the final piece of the 21st-century AK puzzle, bring the gun all the way up as far as it can go towards equaling AR (AR-15)/M4/M4A1 Carbine/SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) ergonomics in an AK-platform weapon. The AK will never quite match an AR in ergonomics/usernomics or accuracy, but will all of the above components and accessories, you get get it pretty close.

The following information on the MI AK-SSK KeyMod Handguard comes directly from the Midwest Industries website:

“- Keymod AK-47 forearm installs in minutes with the wrenches provided in the kit, no gunsmithing required
– Includes one KeyMod rail section (ADDITIONAL RAILS OPTIONAL)
– Features five anti-rotation QD sockets for push button swivel (OPTIONAL ADD-ON)
– Topcover features quality T-marked MIL-STD 1913 rails for lights, lasers and optics
– Lightweight, rugged construction of 6061 aluminum, hard coat anodized for a lifetime of service
– Weighs in at only 8.7 ounces
– The highest quality, most affordable AK handguard on the market
– Lifetime Warranty
– Made in the USA Quality – Don’t settle for cheap imports!

Company Contact Info:

Midwest Industries, Inc (MI)
W292S4498 Hillside Rd.
Waukesha, WI 53189
Phone: 262-896-6780
Email Contact Page: http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=33
Website: http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com

Parabellum Armament (PA)
Phone: 844-927-4327 (WAR GEAR)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.parabellumarmament.com

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