Heat from AK-74

[Dan983]

I just picked up an American made copy of the 5.45 x 39 AK 74. I owned versions of the AR 15 but never messed with the Russian stuff. It's quite a wild experience, especially firing the corrosive ammo. I'm surprised how incredibly hot the barrel/hand guard becomes after a 30 round mag. Mine has the synthetic black hand guard. I've seen YouTube videos of the wood hand guards catching on fire.

What can be done to mitigate this heat issue? Maybe fiberglass insulation or muffler-tabe?

Thanks

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Try slowing down so you can hit stuff.

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Heat from AK-74

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Try slowing down so you can hit stuff. </div></div>

Smartass answer:

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Serious answer: Wear gloves. I always do when I shoot an AK.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Heat from AK-74

All AK's get HOT quickly.

Move your grip hand back to a magazine grip and problem solved.

Note when transitioning to your "other side" make sure you keep your non shooting thumb down away from the charging handle. If you don't on the next trigger press you will quickly be reminded to do it.

 

[armydog]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Do you get "trigger slap" ? my AK47 is no fun to shoot, i have been told I can get another trigger to fix the issue.

 

[jheat308]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Are you just doing mag after mag as fast as you can? I would say just wait for winter and it will not be such an issue

 

[beretta682]

Re: Heat from AK-74

be a man and shoot the goddam thing . i shoot mine in three gun

 

[Travis S]

Re: Heat from AK-74

If the heats an issue I would slow down your trigger finger. If that's not an option, put either a grip with integeral handle or a rail/vfg on it.

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: Heat from AK-74

i put a MI rail on my AK and put some rail covers i had sitting around on the rifle. works very well.

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Heat from AK-74

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armydog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you get "trigger slap" ? my AK47 is no fun to shoot, i have been told I can get another trigger to fix the issue. </div></div>

People have been bitching that I don't contribute enough, so here, a trigger for you:

http://www.redstararms.com/index1.html

It's the first sales item on the page and much better than most stuff out there.

 

[phreakmode]

Re: Heat from AK-74

AK-74's with factory hand guards do not prove problematic with heat, even after several(4-5) rapid fire mag dumps, with 2 45rd mags dropped back to back FA the weapon is by no means un touchable. Either your hand guards do not have a heat shield or you are a bit de tuned in to the perspective on what "hot" is.

As far as the corrosive ammo comment, it's not ebola or mersa for your gun, shoot it.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Since the OP stated his rifle to be a US made copy of an AK I can safely bet its not an Arsenal.

Not saying they are the end all be all but my point being that some of the US made AK clones use pretty cheap ass hand guards.

Short of switching to something like the Midwest rail the Arsenal handguards (available through K-Var) have IMO the best heat shields. I have literally dumped 7 30 round mags as fast as I could without any discomfort...just be damn sure you dont touch anything but the hand guards.

BTW reason for the mag dumps was for function and reliability check of some mods that were done.

Dont sweat corrosive ammo get some Ballistol from Midway and you wont have any issues.

 

[slowkota]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Get a good pair of gloves.

I used to shoot without gloves, and ever since I bought a pair on Mechanix M-pacts... I'll never shoot without 'em!

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Heat from AK-74

find a set of handguard with a heat shield in it, the cheapo sets don't have one and do heat up fast.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Even original arsenal with heat shield will heat up, albeit a little slower, it's going to get hot relatively quickly. Add an ultimak rail and you'll burn yourself pretty quickly without a mag/receiver grip.

 

[2ndPanzer]

Re: Heat from AK-74

Nodal I believe makes a heat shield. I put one in the keinkov SBR and have had no heat issues. Brownells used to list ar15 heat blankets that I have also cut and used in an AK that worked very well. Gloves are of course always a good idea. I never thought so until the Army made me wear them all the time. Being aircrew it's mandatory, and once you get used to wearing them all the time, it's great. Any hand injury sucks.