Tapco Intrafuse Handguard for Saiga review

[jon_in_wv]

Recently I bought the Tapco Intrafuse Handguard for my Saiga. I wanted an Americal made part to replace my factory hand guard and It also lets air flow in around the barrel and gas tube a little better than the factory guard.
I find the new handguard much more flimsy than I had expected. The guard itself isn't that bad but the hardwear is just terrible. The nut that sits in the tab on the rear of the guard strips out with very little effort. The screw holding the front block in is way too tiny for it to be very tough. I ended up gluing the pieces with some strong epoxy to shore up the strength a bit and with a new quality nut and bolt for the rear tab it will be strong enough for most purposes but it still too flimsy for an AK in my opinion. I'm going to replace it in the near future. There is another 50 bucks down the toilet. If you wan't it for a range gun I guess it would be ok. If you want something that will really hold up to hard use, pass on it.

 

[rogertc1]

WoW...I no problem putting the Tapco Intrafuse Saiga T6 Stock Set and Handguard on my Saiga-12. Very solid. Everything went together just fine.
I used the Saiga hand guard screw to attach the hand guard and the screws and nuts included to install all 3 rails?

http://www.tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?Id=STK07320BLACK

 

[Expertowgunner]

crapco is crap simple as that and you get what you pay for thats why until i see a company that makes compliant parts for saigas that are affordable i wont get one to be converted

 

[EdLaver]

I dont know what Expertowgunner is talking about, Tapco makes quality products. I have never had an issue with any of their mags or furniture. Fit and function have been flawless in all the furniture kits I have installed on my own and friends AK/AR variant rifles.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I didn't say I had any trouble puting it together or that the fit was off at all. I don't know how you get that from what I said. What I said was the hardware was crap. The nuts and screws were extremely cheap and soft. They nuts were easy to strip out if over tightened. Also the entire construction of it was very flimsy compared to the stock unit. That is what I said. I also didn't make an inferences about any other pieces from Tapco. I plan on buying a few of the Tapco mags in fact.
There may be other pieces Tapco makes that are just fine. I was trying to choose between the Galil style and the intrafuse piece. I really wish I would have tried the other one.

 

[Expertowgunner]

just saying for serious use in carbine courses or for my home defense nothings got tapco stamped on it. ive bought their mags, side folders for aks, and foregrips and all failed miserably. Mags will break easily if anytype of stress is induced and there are better products for a few more bucks. if it takes standard ak mags get the REAL stuff such as surplus steel mags bulgarian arsenal mags etc. stands up to abuse much better. i work in a gunshop and see sks rifles with tapco gear that is worn out like hell (saw a sidefolder that wouldnt lock up you would shoulder it and it would unlock) saw the intrafuse handguard melt after about 120 rounds continous fire. i find it is better to pay more for something that you wont throw out or try to sell and take a loss on just a waste of money and wouldnt trust my life to it. you get what you pay for

 

[rangerruck]

check Dinzag for parts as well, and he has a few links to other dudes' stuff
as well...

 

[nulfisin]

Nuts and screws?

I didn't use a Tapco kit for my conversion, so please don't take offense. If you're talking about crummy screws, though, why can't you just go to Home Depot and get some better ones?

 

[jon_in_wv]

Well no kidding, but the review is of the TAPCO product NOT the nuts and bolts at Home Depot. Also for 50 bucks for a plastic hand guard I shouldn't have to run to the store to replace the cheap crap they sold with their product. If it was a lot cheaper I woiuldn't mind. But even with new hardware the hand guard itself is still much less sturdy than I had hoped.

 

[rogertc1]

Any nut will cross thread if one doesn't start the bolt right. Start them out by hand first then tighten with a screwdriver. Sorry but I have never had any problems with the hardware.
If you email Tapco they will send you more hardware for free.

[email protected]

 

[indie]

I was looking into the handguard options, i think ill skip the tapco. Might just get the stock bottom railed and vented

 

[jon_in_wv]

Oh I see. Its my fault because I don't know how to thread a bolt into a nut. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm very glad that if I contact Tapco, they will send me more inferior parts to replace the inferior ones that already stripped out.

No thanks. I'll go buy some quality hardware that wont' be so easy to screw up next time.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I like the ideal of the steel vented top guard and a bottom stock style guard. It looks cool and would no doubt be more durable.

 

[slchvac]

I bought tapco pistol grip, forward grip, and adjustable stock for my saiga 7.62. The forward grip was broke on arrival and looked to flimsy to install anyways. I didn't return it that is just a pita, but I will not purchase anything from tapco in the future.