The AK-47 is one of the top small arms platforms in the world. It’s reliable, cheap to produce, hits hard, and functions in sand, snow, and mud. However, it was designed in the late 1940s, so it lacks many of the features we have come to enjoy on modern firearms. Its wooden handguard has no provisions for mounting lights, lasers, or handstops. The heavy buttstock is nonadjustable, and the smooth dust cover and rounded gas tube have no interface for mounting an optic or a red dot.
This has all changed with the introduction of Midwest Industries’ Alpha Series of AK parts. The lineup consists of a strong, machined aluminum, M-LOK covered handguard, an optic riser, a 1913 rear trunnion adapter, a railed dust cover, and an adjustable folding stock. After seeing the AK Alpha Series on display at the 2023 SHOT Show, I ordered the whole suite. When the box arrived from Wisconsin, I reached into the back of my gun safe and got out a high-quality AKM from Rifle Dynamics that was still in stock configuration. I took it to the workbench and spent an hour tricking it out with Midwest parts. The resulting firearm is high performing, good looking, mission adaptable, and more shooter friendly.
AK Alpha Series M-LOK Handguard
I have used Midwest Industries’ handguards on ARs for years now, so it’s no surprise that their AK Alpha Series Handguard is strong, ergonomic, and professional. It’s offered in two lengths, 6 and 10 inches. I chose the longer version for more mounting surface, so I could extend my support hand further out and because it looks badass. It was simple to install after removing the old handguard and gas tube then tucking tabs into the front of the receiver. It’s finished up by locking onto the handguard retainer and tightening a few bolts. M-LOK runs down both sides and along the bottom, while the top of the rail incorporates a row of 1913 for the forward mounting of sights or red dots. A heat shield inside protects your hand when you’re emptying magazines.
AK Alpha Series Optic Mount
Midwest designed an extended red-dot riser that gets the dot back closer to your eye while still keeping it low enough to allow for the use of stock irons. It’s an easy and strong installation that bolts to the handguard with no fewer than 10 bolts. They offer two versions; one has an Aimpoint T-2 interface that keeps your dot as low as possible. The other has a 1913 railed interface that allows the attachment of just about anything. I mounted a SIG ROMEO5 on the T-2 interface and could not believe how much of a difference it made shooting my AK at the range. I am faster, more accurate, and it’s easy to aim in low light. This is a much better way to mount a red dot than on a blazing hot railed gas tube. The Alpha Series optic mount is designed specifically for and only works with the Alpha Series Handguard.
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Rear Trunnion 1913 Adapter
The rear trunnion on an AK is strong and cheap to produce but limits other stock options. Midwest’s 1913 adapter allows for the mounting of any stock with a 1913 interface. Installation of the adapter is straightforward and simple, especially for something in the AK world, which often requires beating on it with a hammer, grinding, or welding. It took me about 20 minutes to clamp my rifle in a vice, cut the rear tang off with a Dremel tool, then clean it up with a flat file. The 1913 adapter then slips in and is secured with a couple of screws. Just like that, my AK is vaulted into the 21st century, and I had a place to mount the Alpha Series stock.
AK Alpha Series Foldingstock
I was happy to get rid of the soviet era stock on my rifle. It’s heavy and doesn’t fold or fit me well. MI’s AK Alpha stock is adjustable for length of pull, cheek riser height, and buttplate height. You can use these adjustments to achieve a perfect fit when wearing body armor, to dial in your sight picture, or to adjust to your body type. There are three QD cups for easy sling attachment and specific mission configuration.
The Alpha stock can be adapted to fold left or right and makes an AK extra compact and maneuverable. The piston system of an AK can fire while the Alpha stock is folded. It’s a work of art that’s strong, simple, and easily adjustable. I noticed that it helped tame recoil by directing it straight rearward. This allowed for faster, more accurate follow-up shots. Its flat shoulder interface doesn’t dig into my shoulder like the old stock either.
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AK Alpha Series Railed Top Cover
This isn’t the first railed dust cover that I’ve ever seen, but it’s the best. It’s extremely rigid and attaches directly to the Midwest Alpha Series Handguard (It’s not compatible with other companies or other generations’ handguards). It still allows access to the bolt for maintenance and, combined with the adjustable comb height of the Alpha Series stock, makes for a great low power scope or thermal mounting surface.
AK Light and Laser Mount
This is one of the simplest and best AK products I have ever seen. It simply clamps over your barrel and gas block to allow the mounting of lights, lasers, etc. without any modifications to your gun. Its low profile doesn’t distract from classic AK lines, and it is affordable.
Conclusion
It was fun to modernize my AK. With the addition of the Alpha Series parts, it’s much more effective, ergonmic, and adaptable. What was a relic of the USSR is now a modern, good-looking, high-performing rifle. There are no corners cut or cheap materials used on the Alpha Series, and their quality shows Midwest’s technical skill and legacy of design and manufacturing excellence. The Alpha line is an easy way to upgrade an AK or a great foundation for a custom build. The AK Alpha Series is made in the U.S. and carries a lifetime warranty.
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