Quad Rail for Mini Draco

I am ordering a quad rail for my Mini Draco, which I will SBR soon. I saw some have cut down the Midwest Industries AK quad rail and others have used the UTG. I think I want to order the MI, but I am not sure which one.

On their website they have 3 versions. Should I get the Universal AK version or the Saiga version made for installation without a lower handguard retainer??? It would seem I should get the Saiga version because the Mini does not have a retainer and uses a screw into the FSB, but I am not sure...

MI AK rails

IMO, neither....

I'm planning to buy a mini and put this rail on it from MI: http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=410

I've already called MI and spoken with tech to get some exact measurements.

The lower hand guard is 4.625" long and the upper is 3.8". IIRC, you will have to cut approximately an inch off the upper hand guard closest to the front trunnion (NOTE: PLEASE MAKE APPROPRIATE MEASUREMENTS YOURSELF BEFORE BLINDLY FOLLOWING THAT ~1" NUMBER). From what I measured before....it should fit and looks like everything lines up at the front near the front sight post on the top and bottom hand guard.....the rear portion of the upper hand guard that you'll have to trim (back by the front trunnion) is the part that may look off as you may wind up having to cut through one of the vent holes (leaving a half hole). You may also be able to just trim around the trunnion and not really cut any length off the upper hand guard....I won't know until I have both the rail and gun in hand.

If I could find a mini in stock that wasn't way over what I'm willing to pay....I'd have already tried this. If you want to wait....it'll take as long as it does for J&G or someone to get them back in stock for around $400. Obviously, I'll have to test fire it and make sure it functions 100% before modifying anything.....but once that's done, my next step will be to buy the MI Krinkov rail and mate it to the mini.

One other thing....I may have to weld a retention plate to the front sight base to keep the hand guards from moving forward on recoil. I know some people with UTG rails on their minis have had this problem. Just something to keep in mind with any rail on the mini....there's no lower hand guard 'cap'.....(they use that screw that screws through the wood hand guard up into the front sight base)....so you may have to improvise something to keep the hand guards from sliding forward on recoil.

HTH,
Sean

Thanks for the info Sean. I may wait and see how it goes for you with the Krink version. Tim McBride posted in here with pics of and info about his modified MI rail on his Mini. I wonder what version that was and if it stayed in place or moved ( like the modified UTG rail ) while firing?

It was the standard AK47 MI rail.

You're talking about this one, right?



Sean

***EDIT*** I'm almost positive that the rail pictured is for the AK47, not the Saiga but you might want to send a PM to Tim_McBride to ask to be sure.

the idea i had was to use the crapco galil style for a saiga that comes with the clamp style retainer. if you add a muzzle device such as an extended AIMS flash hider or tantal brake the retainer should be able to clamp onto the brake in front of the FSB. just a bit of trimming to allow the site post to come through the vented top and it should be good to go. this was just an idea i had but as stated above, without the mini and hg in hand don't quote me if it actually measures out correctly.

Yes- any idea if that is a standard universal or the Saiga (for no lower hg retainer) model? I would like to hear from someone if those stay in place- particularly with a VFG mounted to it....

This fix will work for HG retention. If you don't like round, shape it square or ovid.


My rough first attempt, and a thick washer... You can use a smaller lighter one.

Great idea.

No idea for sure....but, as I said, I think it's the MI rail for the AK47, not the Saiga....you should PM Tim to find out for sure.

HTH,
Sean

Why stainless?......the gall problem is enormous, especially on something that will see heat cycling like a gas block/sight post.

I chose stainless because it will release from tension easier after long periods installed, and it has better shear strength. Gall is not a consideration in normal use. This gun might someday see two mags dumped. But I would be hard pressed to put a drum or cylic amounted of ammo thru it at the range. If you have not solved the problem in 1 mag, you are hosed.

It is nolonger a battle rifle. It is a pistol. I don't plan to smoke the handguards regularly.

Gall is frictional transfer. I would be impressed if this tiny screw developed enough gall to warrant replacement in the three times it will be removed over the next year.

I disagree....but everyone has a right to their opinion.

Awesome drawing. I bet you're always on the winning team when you play Pictionary.

it is much easier to describe with art.

Thanks...glad to help.

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