rbernie
Contributing Member
Anyone tried the Ace folding adapter on their AK? I'm curious how well it works and how robust it is....
Ace AK folder?
- Thread starter rbernie
- Start date
- Status
MTMilitiaman
Member
I put a TAPCO Galil style on my AK and it went Tango Uniform on the first range visit. The cartoony "SPOING" it made as the plastic hinge mechanism came apart would have almost been funny, if I hadn't just spent $60 on it. I decided there had to be something better. I saw an ACE ad in a Shotgun News and visited their website. My bro and I each decided to give them a try. He got the standard length Galil folder and I got their six-position M4 style stock. The folding mechanisms are identical so I could switch stocks easily.
The basic principle involves cutting the tang--the rearward protrusion that takes the second screw on the standard stock--cutting it off, and sanding it flush with the reciever. An aluminum reciever block is inserted and secured via the one remaining top screw and the screw that holds the pistol grip in place. The folding mechanism is attached to the receiver block and can be done so to allow the stock to fold either to the right or the left at user preference. Then any of ACE's stocks can be attached to the folding mechanism.
The Galil style is made out of aircraft grade aluminum and seems nearly indestructible. The best set up I have seen is the one on my WASR. It is a folding M4 style stock. So I can fold it up for transport and it almost fits inside my range bag, and can adjust the length of pull to fit different shooters or needs. Both stocks are very high quality and lock up solid. But the performance comes at a price. I paid $160 for my set up and my brother's was a little cheaper. I think it is worth it because I have messed around with lower quality stocks and commited myself to buying a folding stock that was both asthetically pleasing and functional. The ACE does this very well.
I've posted pics around here before but can do it again if you can't track them down.
The basic principle involves cutting the tang--the rearward protrusion that takes the second screw on the standard stock--cutting it off, and sanding it flush with the reciever. An aluminum reciever block is inserted and secured via the one remaining top screw and the screw that holds the pistol grip in place. The folding mechanism is attached to the receiver block and can be done so to allow the stock to fold either to the right or the left at user preference. Then any of ACE's stocks can be attached to the folding mechanism.
The Galil style is made out of aircraft grade aluminum and seems nearly indestructible. The best set up I have seen is the one on my WASR. It is a folding M4 style stock. So I can fold it up for transport and it almost fits inside my range bag, and can adjust the length of pull to fit different shooters or needs. Both stocks are very high quality and lock up solid. But the performance comes at a price. I paid $160 for my set up and my brother's was a little cheaper. I think it is worth it because I have messed around with lower quality stocks and commited myself to buying a folding stock that was both asthetically pleasing and functional. The ACE does this very well.
I've posted pics around here before but can do it again if you can't track them down.
The ACE stock is awesome. Overall construction is about as good as anything I've ever seen on a folder. The lockup is rock solid. We use ACE folders whenever a customer requests a folder on an AK. We even use them on the 12 gauge Saigas, and they hold up to that just fine.
beerslurpy
member
Ace skeleton folder for the win. Very sturdy, great to use. Also pretty.
Cutting off the tang results in a gun with an oal of less than 26 inches, aka a Short Barreled Rifle.Illegal without the atfs say so.How has this issue been addresed by the manufacturer?I have seen conflicting posts on this subject.Some say that the tang must be cut off and some say that it doesn't.Can the tang be left on?
Anybody know why the ACE stock for the AK is different then the one for the AR? I'm talking about the stock itself. I realize the AR model needs to accommodate the AR's buffer\spring assembly but that shouldn't affect the issue I'm referring to. Let me see if I can explain this. Here's a picture of the AR stock...
Notice the top bar is one, uninterrupted, piece that allows you to use a foam cover over it for a more comfortable check weld. Here is the AK version...
There is a small bar welded in between the top and lower bar making the foam cover piece un-doable (without having to cut and tape it in place).
I'm just wondering why they felt the need for the extra bar on the AK version but not on the AR version? Seems to me the AR version would be more comfortable to shoot, even without the foam as the top bar is wider which should also aid in a better\more comfortable check weld?
I've thought about getting a Saiga 12 and converting it but if I do, I'm thinking that I would be better off getting an AR stock adapter with the ARFXe stock rather then getting the one designed for an AK? Am I missing something?
Notice the top bar is one, uninterrupted, piece that allows you to use a foam cover over it for a more comfortable check weld. Here is the AK version...
There is a small bar welded in between the top and lower bar making the foam cover piece un-doable (without having to cut and tape it in place).
I'm just wondering why they felt the need for the extra bar on the AK version but not on the AR version? Seems to me the AR version would be more comfortable to shoot, even without the foam as the top bar is wider which should also aid in a better\more comfortable check weld?
I've thought about getting a Saiga 12 and converting it but if I do, I'm thinking that I would be better off getting an AR stock adapter with the ARFXe stock rather then getting the one designed for an AK? Am I missing something?
MTMilitiaman
Member
cgv69
Once you have the folding stock mechanism in place, you can mount any of ACE's stocks on your AK. In order to do the AR ones, you need a peice I believe they call a pig face because it is a threaded cup with two slots in one end. You attach this end to the folding stock mechanism, then screw the buffer tube of the AR stock into it. That is how I can do something like this:
If the foam peice means that much to you, well, it is foam. I am imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to cut to length. Or you could wrap the stock with paracord as someone else has done, or the wrap they put on bike handles, or intertubing...
Once you have the folding stock mechanism in place, you can mount any of ACE's stocks on your AK. In order to do the AR ones, you need a peice I believe they call a pig face because it is a threaded cup with two slots in one end. You attach this end to the folding stock mechanism, then screw the buffer tube of the AR stock into it. That is how I can do something like this:
If the foam peice means that much to you, well, it is foam. I am imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to cut to length. Or you could wrap the stock with paracord as someone else has done, or the wrap they put on bike handles, or intertubing...
Attachments
OP
OP
rbernie
Contributing Member
Looks like Ace decided to make the AK stock thinner since they didn't need to maintain the thick upper tube that houses the AR buffer assembly. In making the tube smaller in diameter, it looks like they decided to reinforce it with a cross-brace. The AR version doesn't likely need the cross brace since the upper tube is significantly larger in diameter.
MTMilitiaman -
Thanks for the info.
BTW - Sweet AK, thanks for the pic
Thanks for the info.
I don't really care that much about the foam and from what I understand it's not very durable anyway. I'm mainly just wondering why the extra bar in the AK? It's not a big deal but there has to be some reason why they take the extra time to add that piece so what is that reason? I do think the AR version looks cleaner without it and again, I think the larger top tube of the AR version has some benefit too.
BTW - Sweet AK, thanks for the pic
beerslurpy
member
Federal law measures with the gun unfolded. California law measures with it folded, but that isnt a problem because everything is already illegal there.
And yeah, saiga 12 + ace skeleton = win
Thin Black Line
Member
Michigan will consider your rifle a pistol (requiring a buyers permit, aka
registration) if it is between 26-30 inches when folded. If <26 it's illegal
to own.
registration) if it is between 26-30 inches when folded. If <26 it's illegal
to own.
OP
OP
rbernie
Contributing Member
Funny - that is *exactly* was I was thinking of doing, only in 20GA.
MTMilitiaman
Member
Beerslurpy, does that Saiga have a side plate? I think that would be the bomb with something like a Kobra on it.
There is no stock on the gun when the tang is cut, so it is an unregistered SBR.You are taking it below the 26 inch mark.
Quote:
Cutting off the tang results in a gun with an oal of less than 26 inches
Federal law measures with the gun unfolded. California law measures with it folded, but that isnt a problem because everything is already illegal there.
Quote:
Cutting off the tang results in a gun with an oal of less than 26 inches
Federal law measures with the gun unfolded. California law measures with it folded, but that isnt a problem because everything is already illegal there.
MTMilitiaman
Member
Not to sound like a third grader, but umm, duh. I imagine there is a lot of guns that are less than 26" with the stock off. Not to sound like a rocket scientest, but the obvious remedy is to put a stock on it. Since you are cutting the tang off specifically for this purpose, I don't see what the problem is.
Thin Black Line
Member
I can almost imagine someone at home right now with a hacksaw in
one hand and their ace stock block in the other.....but, they are petrified
with the fear of ninjas storming their house should a single tooth of their
hacksaw touch the dreaded AK tang.....
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the ace block is held in place by
a single tang bolt and the grip bolt? Seems like that might put a lot of
stress on those areas. Hope the heat treatment was good on those
1mm receivers that have been slapped together into rifles recently
with pins from the hardware store.....
one hand and their ace stock block in the other.....but, they are petrified
with the fear of ninjas storming their house should a single tooth of their
hacksaw touch the dreaded AK tang.....
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the ace block is held in place by
a single tang bolt and the grip bolt? Seems like that might put a lot of
stress on those areas. Hope the heat treatment was good on those
1mm receivers that have been slapped together into rifles recently
with pins from the hardware store.....
beerslurpy
member
Obviously dissassembling a rifle so you can convert it from one legal config to another is not illegal. For example, shortening the barrel to 14 inches so that you could add a permanent suppressor wouldnt create an SBS.
Just remove the innards of your AK when messing with the tang (you have to do this anyway) and dont reassemble it until you put the new stock on.
Just remove the innards of your AK when messing with the tang (you have to do this anyway) and dont reassemble it until you put the new stock on.
Actually it is illegal.ATF takes the position that you must remove the barrel then shorten it and then weld the flash suppressor or silencer on.Then reassemble. 8-(
Beerslurpy opines:
Obviously dissassembling a rifle so you can convert it from one legal config to another is not illegal. For example, shortening the barrel to 14 inches so that you could add a permanent suppressor wouldnt create an SBS.
Beerslurpy opines:
Obviously dissassembling a rifle so you can convert it from one legal config to another is not illegal. For example, shortening the barrel to 14 inches so that you could add a permanent suppressor wouldnt create an SBS.
FourTeeFive
Member
After cutting the tang my VEPR K (16.5" barrel with factory muzzle brake) it was still 26.5" long. And that was before I installed the ACE mounting block and other hardware.
- Status
