Your Browser is Outdated
The AK platform is an extremely versatile basis that a lot of rifles and carbines use, and generally, these firearms feature either a two-piece or free-float handguard design. Handguards are designed to reduce the heat felt from the barrel, protect the barrel from impacts, and allow you to equip accessories depending on the model. Selecting a handguard for your AK platform rifle can be difficult as there is no standardization amongst AK pattern rifles. The AR15 uses a Mil-Spec standard, making it much easier for handguards to work with all AR-platform rifles. Despite not being standardized, there are still simple ways to find a compatible AK handguard. 
When shopping for a handguard, you will notice certain fitment patterns and terms such as AK-47/74, AKM, Yugo, M70, M92/M85, etc. These terms refer to the model of AK they are designed to fit. You will also notice that some handguards specify fitment with milled or stamped receivers. There are also other fitment considerations, such as the receiver cap, barrel diameter, and gas tube. This guide will cover the different styles of handguards and give you some information on determining the correct fit for your rifle.
Are AK Handguards Universal?
To begin your handguard selection, you must know what type of AK you own. As previously mentioned, there are many AK variants that use different patterns specific to the manufacturer of the rifle, so AK handguards are not universal. You must choose a handguard that is compatible with your specific AK model. Common patterns include AKM, AK47, AK74, Yugo, Mini Draco, M70, and more. Most manufacturers will provide the pattern in the name or description of the rifle (EX: Century Arms BFT-47, Based on the AK47 platform). This is not always the case with every manufacturer and rifle (EX: Arsenal SAM-7R). If the manufacturer does not directly specify what the pattern of their rifle is, you can contact them directly for more information. Once you have determined what type of AK you possess, you can now begin to narrow down compatible handguards based on that information.
If you have a Yugo pattern AK, you will need to search for Yugo-compatible handguards. If you have an AKM pattern rifle, you will need to search for AKM pattern handguards. This is very important as handguard compatibility directly correlates with your AK pattern. For example, a Zastava ZPAP92 is a Yugo pattern rifle and would not be compatible with any AKM pattern furniture. Some AK models will require specific handguards, such as the Century Arms Mini Draco, which uses a proprietary design that requires its own style of handguard.
Are Milled or Stamped Receivers Better?
You will also need to determine whether your rifle has a stamped or milled receiver, which can also determine handguard compatibility. Milled receivers are machined from a solid block of steel and feature a large rectangular-shaped cutout (about 4” in length) above and in front of the magazine well. Stamped receivers are stamped from a flat piece of thin metal bent into the shape of the receiver and riveted with a center spacer with both front and rear trunnions. Stamped receivers can be identified by the much smaller indentation (about 1” in length) located on each side of the receiver above the magazine well.
You may have determined you have an AKM pattern rifle and found an AKM-compatible handguard. However, you need to ensure that the handguard is compatible with the type of receiver you have. The manufacturer of the handguard will typically specify if it is compatible with stamped, milled, or both styles of receivers.
What Else to Know About AK Handguards
While you may have found a handguard that fits your AK pattern and receiver style, you still may have to consider things such as the handguard cap position on your rifle, your barrel diameter, and the OEM length of your lower and upper furniture. The handguard manufacturer will typically provide these considerations in their specifications. In many cases, some modification is required to install AK handguards even when you chose a handguard that fits your AK pattern and receiver type. This is due to the lack of a standardized method of production and tolerances.
AK Handguard Styles and Options
Most handguards for AK platform rifles will be a two-piece design with a lower and upper half that fit the handguard cap of the rifle. One-piece designs are also available but are less common. There are many different materials, such as wood, polymer, and metal handguards, as well as various mounting methods for accessories, such as Picatinny, M-LOK, and Keymod. You can choose between standard length options that retain the factory handguard length or use an extended length handguard that extends past the factory length handguard to provide more rail space for mounting gun accessories.
Choosing the Best AK Handguard
To pick the perfect handguard for your AK, you must find one that fits your rifle pattern and receiver type. With those two pieces of information, you can find handguards that will be compatible with your rifle and narrow down the features you want, such as M-LOK compatibility, Picatinny rails, style, color, weight, etc. Keep in mind that many handguards will require some slight modification to fit perfectly to your AK. Other AK models are proprietary and are not compatible with most other AK handguards. If it is a popular AK variant, such as the Zastava M70 or Century Arms Mini Draco, then third-party manufacturers will produce specific handguards for those models of AKs.
