US Palm Breakdown AK video from SHOT

WOW!!! Gunwebsites again at the US Palm booth. I noticed in one of the Quad Stack pictures floating around that the rear sight block was out of wack on one of the guns they were showing it in. I thought in passing that maybe it was a parts gun they used for T&E, now I realize that it was a teaser pic for their new breakdown AK! Very cool, to my knowledge nobody else has done a break down AK (now I'm sure there could be some out there, but this is new to me!)

Travis Haley's Adaptive Kalash

Magpul co-founder and former CEO, Travis Haley's new AK instructional DVD, Adaptive Kalash, seems to be off pre-order and closer to being available (although it is still out of sotck at Brownells). For those of you that like his and Costa's Magpul stuff, it will probably be a must see. It is on my list of things to checkout and will probably have some great stuff, but I must admit if I was going recommend only one AK instructional DVD to buy, it would be Sonny Puzikas' Beyond the Firearm 2. For the price you get almost 3 hours of great basic to advanced AK work. After that, the Suarez series of AK DVDs are great too. But it will be fun to see Haley's take on the AK for sure since he comes from a totally different background.

Midwest Industries Modular Handguard

Midwest Industries has a new handguard coming out. It is apparently named AK-SS, maybe for Smooth Side? This one is aluminum like there current ones, but has detachable rails, almost like a Aluminmum AK version of Magpul's MOE AR handguards. They are also offering it in the "X" version which extends out the handguard past the handguard retainer. This allows for a much further forward grip which is popular with a lot of new school shooters, like Chris Costa and many 3 gun competitors. Also, the option to mount things that far forward is a plus for those that run foregrips on their AKs since it will get the grip out of the way of rocking in the magazine.

Here's the Highlights:
"-No gunsmith install, Installs in minutes with wrenches provided in the kit.
-Modular side rails attach where the operator needs them for mission specific requirements.
-Three rail sections included two short ( 1.5 inches long) and one ( three inches long).
-Each hand guard features five anti rotation sling swivel sockets two on each side and one on the bottom.
-Extremely light weight . AK-SS model is 9.1 oz the AK-SS-X is 11.3 oz three rail sections add 1.6 oz of weight.
-Narrow design 1.730 about the same width as standard wood units.
-Available with optic specific top covers
-Constructed from 6061 aluminum hard coat anodized for a lifetime of service.
-Come in three colors BLACK ,FDE,OD GREEN
-100 percent MADE IN THE USA
-Lifetime warranty
patent pending
The highest quality most versatile AK hand guard on the market.
suggested retail MI-AK-SS $149.95 MI-AK-SS-X $179.95"

Overall, I've liked the concept MI's previous railed handguards, but like a lot of AK guys, I look at all that rail space and see extra weight and rough edges that I need to smooth over with rail covers since I generally only use one small rail to mount a light. The weight of their handguards are just slightly heavier than a normal AK handguard. This one might finally move me to buy one of these, especially if they can couple it with the optic specific top handguard.

RS Regulate to release new Micro Aimpoint side mount

RS Regulate is about to release their new Micro Aimpoint side rail mount to coincide with SHOT. In general, if you like to run a side mount, I think their mounts are the way to go if you are mounting a red dot (and maybe soon a ACOG or some other scope). They are high quality, light weight mounts that are adjustable for bore centerline and will co-witness on most rifles.

More Bumpski Bumpfire stock info

I saw the Bumpski guys today at the gun show and must say I'm really impressed with their work, especially when compared to the Slidefire AK stock.

I don't know if everybody will think the upgrades will be worth the extra $150 for the Bumpski, but I'm now a believer. I think I'm over my worries of hammer follow causing an OOB, now for me it is mostly a cost issue (ammo and stock). Comparing the two, the Bumpski is much more robust than the Slidefire and allows for use of what ever AK grip you prefer. Like the Slidefire, it allows you to lock out the bumpfire movement, but with three different positions similar to how an M4 stock works. On minor downside, is that both stocks are going to stop you from using your off shoulder if needs be, for now.

New US Palm Quad Stack

Several places, including Matt over at Jerking the Trigger, are reporting the new US Palm Quad stack mags are coming. Facebook pic here. Basically 45 rounders that are shorter than 30 rounders and look to be about as wide as the receiver, but at a MSRP of $99. Should be interesting, more info coming during SHOT Show.

Another Bump fire stock, the Bumpski

Saw it over at Says Uncle. This one is aluminum, but very little other detail besides it lists for $449.