Polish Tantal Handguard Help!!

[Noah]

I need help!

Got a new Polish Tantal a week or two ago. I installed a wooden Bulgarian lower handguard, and after about 20 rounds, the handguard retainer came loose. Shooting later that day and 2 range sessions since, every handguard I've tried has come loose after 5-25 rounds. A Tapco Galil cut down to fit the upper HG, an Interarms railed polymer, a Bulgarian '74 poly HG, the wooden Bulgarian '74, and of course the OEM Bakelite.The handguard retainer is working its way loose and then the handguard pop off as I shoot. Not good. And infuriating. :banghead:

What can I do to fix this? At this point I'm just more interested in replacing the HG with something that doesn't use the handguard retainer. My brother is strongly recommending I install a Saiga forend. He makes it sound like an attractively priced and permanent fix. A little shop work, but no big deal. Thoughts?

My rifle is pretty much out of commission, and I'm near broke, so cheap and quick is good. But so is high quality and permanent... help!

 

[WardenWolf]

Have you considered just doing something to make the handguard retainer's locking pin stay down, like putting a bit of blue Loctite in it?

 

[Ro1911]

Polish tantals are not normal AKs, they are made to use there own parts, put the original hand guard back on and learn to like it, also if I understood your comment correctly the little screw that holds the hand guards in place keeps coming loose? I would look into locktite if possible but if I recall correctly it isn't so much a screw as a screw head replacing the traditional lever, so the screw is just turning a lug into a groove and if you use Bulgarian or etc hand guards then the lug and groove don't line up and will never lock in place.

 

[Noah]

I really like the original handguards.

Other lower handguards fit Tantals fine.

The original Polish Tantal handguard has the exact same problem. The problem is the handguard retainer. I think the lug is worn down, the screw tab stays in place but the whole retainer works itself loose. Guess I just got unlucky with my Tantal.

I am installing a Saiga handguard tomorrow, more handspace, sort of free floated, and doesn't need the handguard retainer.

Drill a hole for the screw in the receiver, cut off the handguard retainer, and grind down the hole/tab for the cleaning rod. Put on the Saiga handguard. Problem solved for $40 and I now have possibly the world's one and only Polish Tantal de-evolved into a semi converted Saiga.

 

[Noah]

The handguard "locks" in the proper position, I carefully checked this. The lug appears to be worn down. The cutout in the barrel looks fine.