Updated August 2024: Removed Amazon AK side rail mount, MWI railed gas block, MWI AKG2 handguard, Strike Industries featureless grip. Added RS Regulate side rail mount, MWI AK Alpha handguard, Arsenal Circle 10 magazines, & Wolverine suppressor.
We’ve tried a lot of the stuff out there. Some of it worked great…other stuff…not too much.
So, we decided to help you out by pulling together some of our favorite upgrades for the AK-47 platform.
While this list does not include every option out there, it’ll get you started as we span everything from furniture to optics mounting, triggers, and muzzle devices.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what you need to make your AK the best suited for your task.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best AK Scope Mount
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Best AK Handguard
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Best AK Stock
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Best AK Grip
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Best AK Magazine
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Best Upgrade for Suppressed AKs
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Best AK Suppressor
Table of Contents
How We Chose the Best AK-47 Upgrades
Our founder, Eric Hung helmed this article, but additional input also came from PPT’s editorial team. Together we have a combined shooting experience of 30+ years, including instruction, competition, and multiple shooting disciplines.
Various members of the team have time behind a multitude of different AK platforms and the accessories that go with them. We chose the items in this article based on the level of improvement they offer, their durability, availability, and value.
Best AK-47 Optic Mounts
1. Midwest Industries Side Rail Mount – Best AK Scope Mount
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
If your AK is equipped with a side rail, that means you take your AK to the next level by mounting an optic.
We like Midwest for all their AK stuff (and their AR-15 Handguards). There are a couple of different options.
It uses a very secure and adjustable quick detach method, although reading the instructions is highly recommended to better understand the disengagement system.
We have experienced pretty good return-to-zero when taking the mount and optic on and off to clean the rifle.
2. RS Regulate Side Rail Mount -Best AK Scope Mount
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
While the Midwest Industries mount is solid in its own right, some optic and rifle combinations can result in the optic being off-center from the iron sights. While this isn’t a functional issue, it can be very annoying, especially on non-magnified optics.
RS Regulate tackled that exact issue with their line of side mounts by creating a modular system that allows the user to adjust the front-to-back and left-to-right centering of the optic.
This is done by having a two-piece system, where the side mount is a separate unit to which the user can attach the specific optic mount of their choice. They make direct mounts for optics like the RMR, ACRO, ACOG, and others, as well as Picatinny rails to mount anything else.
3. UltiMAK M2-B Railed Gas Block
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Using a railed gas tube has been my personal optic mounting solution for quite some time.
Railed gas blocks tend to hold zero better than removable side mounts. It also places the optic a little farther forward, which gives you a great field of view but makes it a little harder to acquire the dot. This is not a problem if you have a proper cheek weld, though.
However, due to the optic being right above where the hot gasses flow, it can cause the optic to heat up during longer strings of fire.
If you go this route, you’ll have to either shoot a bit slower or opt for a quality optic that is tough enough, like the Aimpoint H-1 I have on mine.
As far as railed gas blocks go, UltiMAK’s version is the gold standard. I have been using this exact mount for over six years now.
Best AK-47 Furniture
4. Magpul MOE Handguard
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The original handguard for the AK works well, and there are those who find anything but regular wood furniture blasphemy. But I love my polymer furniture!
Magpul’s MOE handguard is the same length as a standard AK handguard but provides M-LOK slots for accessories, improved ergonomics, and does a better job dispersing the heat than metal handguards.
This is a great choice for those who want a little more modularity while staying on a budget.
5. Midwest Industries Alpha Series Handguards -Best AK Handguard
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The AK Alpha series of handguards from Midwest Industries adds a whole new level of modularity to the AK platform.
These handguards have M-LOK mounting slots, QD sling points, and an integrated Picatinny rail on the top handguard for further optics and accessory mounting capabilities.
They are available in both 6 and 10-inch configurations, with the 10-inch being our top pick due to the extra mounting space as well as the ability to have a longer, more modern grip style on the gun.
On top of everything else, these handguards are compatible with the awesome railed dust cover from Midwest as well.
I still use the older, discontinued Picatinny version of the Midwest Industries rail, and it has kept all my attachments secure, and the optic held has zero — a testament to the build quality of their handguards.
Keep in mind that these are not compatible with Yugo-style guns such as the ZPAP M70.
6. Magpul Zhukov Stock -Best AK Stock
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Our clear favorite when it comes to upgrading the stock is the Magpul Zhukov.
It is length adjustable, foldable, and has the ability to accept a cheek riser that easily clamps into place, which is useful for those considering using optics.
Not only is it foldable, but it folds to the right side rather than the traditional left-side folding stocks. Folding to the right means this stock won’t interfere with any optics or mounts you have mounted on the left-side rail.
Plus, it looks super cool when combo-ed with aftermarket handguards. It really gives the AK a much more modern look.
However, if you’re in love with the way a specific AR-15 stock feels, you can get this adapter that allows your AK to use any of them that you like.
7. Magpul MOE AK+ Grip -Best AK Grip
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
This keep-it-simple-stupid grip fills the hand better than the thinner stock AK grip, adds some texturing to the front and rear, and has a storage compartment.
8. Hogue AK Grip
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
If you want to maximize the grippyness and like a more rubbery texture — I suggest the Hogue AK grip. The finger grooves and texturing provide an ultra-positive grip regardless of conditions.
Many people with larger hands also appreciate the Hogue AK grips for extra girth, as the standard AK grips tend to be very thin.
9. Magpul PMAG Gen M3
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
I love the old Bulgarian mags, but for new-generation polymer magazines, Magpul’s Gen 3 PMAG are where it’s at. The AK versions of the PMAG have the same reliability and durability that their industry AR-15 counterparts do.
10. Circle 10 Magazines -Best AK Magazine
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
We get it; not everyone digs putting Magpul stuff on their AK. For those who want to retain function while going for “form,” look no further than the Arsenal Circle 10 AK mags.
These are regarded as the absolute highest quality magazines you can get in terms of reliability, function, and fitment. But like most things with the Arsenal name attached to it, they sport a premium price. But if cost isn’t a concern, these are the gold standard.
Best AK-47 Performance Upgrades
11. KNS Adjustable Gas Piston -Best Upgrade for Suppressed AKs
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
An over-gassed AK can cause premature wear and tear on the firearm itself, not to mention it can increase perceived recoil. So, it makes sense to prevent this by installing a new piston.
It requires a little bit of “machining” with a drill to remove the old piston and then tapping in the KNS. Check out this video to see if you have the chops to do it yourself.
This is also a must-have for those who are considering suppressing their AK platform otherwise you get a TON of gas back in your face since AKs are normally over-gassed for reliability.
12. Dead Air Wolverine
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Speaking of suppressors, it used to be a big ordeal to suppress AKs because of the over-gassing issue (solved with the KNS Piston).
But also because the threads were different, you couldn’t count on them being concentric enough, and there’s the pesky muzzle device detent pin to deal with.
Enter the Dead Air Wolverine which came with all the AK flavors of threads with a collar and thread insert system. Plus, you can see below that it uses the detent pin for attachment.
And…it’s modeled after the Soviet PBS-1 suppressor for some extra clone points.
If your AK isn’t M14x1 LH, you’ll need to pickup the correct collar and thread insert combo. Then install the KNS Piston and tune it with the suppressor attached.
And be amazed at a fully suppressed AK!
13. Krebs Custom Enhanced Safety
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Finally, bolt hold open capability on the AK! This safety lever has a notch in the middle that allows you to flip the safety up when the bolt is held to the rear and lock it into place.
14. PWS Muzzle Brake
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) muzzle brake tames the AK’s native cartridge and makes shooting much more pleasant. I have an older PWS brake since I’ve run for years.
It tames the recoil and muzzle rise very well without adding too much mass or length to the end of the barrel.
15. Midwest Industries AK Blast Can – Best Upgrade for Short AKs
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Have a shorter-barrelled AK? How about a can that pushes the blast forward? These make it easier on the shooter, and your range friends will thank you too.
16. ALG AKT Enhanced Trigger – Best AK Trigger
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
We end with a super important upgrade…the trigger.
Getting a better trigger (especially on an AK) is probably the best bang-for-the-buck upgrade for immediate accuracy improvements.
On my AK, the ALG AKT Trigger brought my trigger weight down to 3.1 pounds and reduced the post and pre-travel — Amazing!
Plus, the installation was fairly easy.
The ALG trigger would also make a great addition to those running 9mm AKs, like the KUSA KP-9 (check our video review).
Remember, the best way to see how much of an upgrade your trigger really was is to measure the weights before and after. Check out the Best Trigger Pull Gauges recommendations.
What’s your take on the ALG AK Enhanced Trigger? Rate it below.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be real; customizing a gun is a very personal decision.
So, while these are some of the PPT crew’s favorites, this is by no means a definitive list. There are a ton of other options out there for you when it comes to upgrades.
Whether you want to mount an optic affordably or fully trick out your AK to bring it to the 21st century, there’s an upgrade for it. But hopefully, we’ve helped you narrow down the list a bit.
Anything else you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’re looking at a new (or first) AK purchase, check out our Best AK-47 post. Or, now that you’ve got an optic mount, see our Best AR-15 Optics (since they are pretty much the same for AKs).
43 Leave a Reply
re: RS Regulate Side Rail Mount -Best AK Scope Mount
It's a bit disingenuous to say that the whole mount is $127 when that's the price for a single piece of thebtwo piece system. I'm not knocking its quality, it's definitely the gold standard of mounts. But I want to let the buyers beware.
For AK optic mounts, was curious if you had an experience with a read sight replacement mount? Midwest Industries makes one: “Midwest Industries AK Alpha Series Mini Dot Mount Picatinny”
AK Master Mount is solid. Clamps tight and returns to zero every time I reinstall.
I have both a CMC trigger and an ALG. The CMC has a light crisp trigger with a short reset but installation was way more difficult. I actually prefer the ALG, not quite as light but I think it will hold up better in adverse environments and just last longer without having to fiddle with it from time to time
A real “noob” to AK-47s b/c I refused to buy mil-surp / used Soviet bloc junk. Times change. My *new* “furniture ready” Palmetto State Armory GF5 AK-47 is 100% American-made parts - zero 922r questions! - including the hammer-forged Fabrique Nationale-Herstal (Columbia, SC) “machine-gun steel” barrel and a hammer-forged 4340AQ trunnion / bolt / bolt carrier from ToolCraft (Marion NC). FN-Herstal has the current DoD contract for ALL M4 / M16 / M249 weapons and ToolCraft is the top O.E.M. of AR bolts / bolt carriers.
But the AK parts that always bugged when I shot one was the horrible trigger! Installed an ALG-AKT “combat” trigger group with their high-energy Chrome-Silicon spring instead of that twisted thing standard to AKs … and there is zero “creep”, zero “gritty” feel … just a 3-1/2 - 4# “glass break” release. My earlier disrespect for any AK-47 is no more. Ready for some range time - with a smile on my face.
"Soviet bloc junk" isn't just "noob." It's dumbass. We now know that PSA isn't properly dimpling the receivers into the trunnions, nor are they using the proper swell neck rivets. We now know that PSA bolts and bolt carriers are deforming due to poor barrel timing and bad heat treatment. We now know that PSA firing pins are peening out the firing pin hole and piercing primers, etc. The cheapest WASR 10 is superior to any American AK yet made. FACTS.
Struggling to find a place to ask this but is there a combo sight mount to mount both a red dot and a scope on an AK74? Scope mounted up top and red dot canted? Personal preference and I have no rationale other than I appreciate the look and utility of it.
You just need a canted picatinny attachment. It connects to your top rail and give you a small 45 degree rail for a red dot. In run this configuration on an AR. I think both would fit on the midwest industries rail, but you might need a foregrip rail as well.
Nyet, rifle is fine.
Thoughts on Sabrewrks KOP?
The AK is inferior in every way to the AR. The AK's only advantage was cheap Russian ammo. Now that the government has banned import of cheap ammo, the AK has lost its mojo and indeed its raison d'être. In ~2004-2005, the opposite was true. Cheap AK parts kits (with barrels) were flooding the market and cheap Combloc ammo was everywhere, but 5.56 and 7.62 NATO ammo was impossible to find, allegedly due to the "Global War on Terror." As a shooter, I hate the fact that the government can manipulate the market so easily and whipsaw customers. What's the solution? Buy it cheap, stack it deep, and have something for every major caliber, which is an unnecessary and unreasonable burden on shooters.
You have been abducted by a cult. But, hey, FREE KOOL-AID!
Huh? I don't understand your comment.
I used to hate AKs but per my earlier post, times change. They’re decent for <100m plinking but if someone is simply in love with the 7.62 x39 cartridge for some reason … now that cheap steel supplies are dwindling, a Ruger Mini 30 is a better weapon. Or, just “throw in the towel” on a - what? - +75 year-old rifle and ammunition spec? - and go with an AR in .300 Blackout. Net difference is “macht-nichts” and the same basic .30 caliber slug from the AR will be sent FAR more accurately down-range than the AK. I just find my brand new 199% American AK …. amusing. Still pretty crude. But amusing.
Please price
Dang, the alg trigger has doubled in price since this article
What about a underfolder? Is there a specific stock?
I have a question, I want to get a magpul Zhukov stock for my ZPAP Serbian m70, and I want to make sure I get the right one, one of them is a regulak stock the other is a yugo stock.
For those keeping it simple with iron sight, you should check out the Tech-Sight adjustable aperture rear sight and replacement top cover. The sight mounts at the rear of the receiver where it belongs, increases the sight radius. Outstanding addition to an AK truck gun.
so now that its been established that a $750 to $1500 ak requires at least $200 to $250 in additional parts for it to do what any bare bones plain jane ar 15 does right out of the box...
here is the list i compiled of the best ak add ons by far:
1 bear creek arsenal ar 15 complete upper chambered in 7.62x39 with mlok rail - $250
2 palmetto state armory ar 15 complete lower with enhanced polished trigger $200
And your still stuck with a jam matic poodle shooter instead of a real rifle.
SLR and J-MAC make the sexiest stuff for this platform IMHO. Great content as usual!
SLR GOR THE WIN!! I went with SLR hand guard and gas tube, FAB defense receiver/dust cover. It’s super sexy and functional as a mfer.
Article is great! I've gotta know what kind of camo pattern you used on the top AK.
Thanks Eric. However, the featureless pistol grip photo is for an AR not an AK.
this is article garbage except for the brake and trigger.
this article is*
I've got a Norinco MAK90 from back in the 90s. Shoots as smooth as butta. Never liked the hardware though. I'm seeing plenty of items out there, but seem to always get tripped up by the upper receiver attachment for stocks. Any recommendations out there? (Already own several USA products, thank you)
What happened to item 7?
How do the Midwest rail systems stand up to heat? Have to wear gloves? The Russian Molot AK grip is popular for those with large hands (if you can find one). I'm running the RS Regulate scope mount and it seems to work well but it is almost too adjustable. It is a two-piece affair with a bunch of screws that must be perfectly aligned and then Loctited securely. The add-on which seems to be getting the most press lately is the KNS Precision Adjustable Gas Piston. I have one on order. Allows you to custom-tune the gas settings and is essential for those running suppressors. I tried a Texas Weapons System top cover and found the aluminum too soft. Very delicate piece of kit that is easily deformed on installation (don't ask me how I know). The TWS product is not sufficiently robust to run on the AK platform. Stick to the side scope mount. I run a standard AK-100 side-folding stock and the length of pull is perfect for me. While the triangle side-folder looks way more cool, the full stock is far more comfortable to shoot.
Everything is upgradeable and its mostly a matter of preference but my top picks are 1. CMC trigger 2. Texas Weapons Top Cover 3. Iron Claw Tactical Magwell 4. KNS Precision Adjustable Gas Piston and 5. Krebs MKVII Safety Selector. I have upgraded other things but I think these are what make my AK what it is.
Anyone ,Im looking for barrel clamp on mossberg 930 spx.So far Im not sure what choice I have.
Eric, why do you think the full-length Magpul Zhukov handguard is "too long"? Is it an aesthetics issue or something else?
RS Regulate blows Midwest Industries junk out of the water. MI scope mount is garbage and unusable on any AKM - won’t fit due to rear sight or sits back too far to view.
There’s a lot more out there than what’s listed and feel this is luke warm at best from an informational and practical perspective. TWS products are nice but I’ve experienced shift in zero so can’t recommend them. Longer sight radius is offset by loss of range adjustments.
Troy and VLTOR handguard options are sweet and rival MI. Troy also makes a railed gas tube option.
Thanks for the recs!
I am a bit disappointed with my 2 piece drop in Mlok handguard from Midwest Industries on my AR upper. There’s a bit of play and rattle, and I know the upper is good. It’s not terrible but I am a bit ocd and it’s enough to bother me at times. The Magpul MOE was much tighter (pain in the butt to take off without the handguard tool actually). I don’t want to make this upper low profile for free float either.
I have a MI mount on PSA AK with 1x6 ACSS scope. No problems whatsoever. Returns to zero every time. Works fine, last a long time. Added a .75 in cheek riser to the Z MOE stock.
Great article, definitely look into the Texas Weapon Systems Dog Leg Rail, Gen-3 - AKM, AK-47 / 74. I have it on two rifles and it is rock solid when mounted and makes mounting and getting a good cheek weld really easy. Not really added bulk/ weight and you can easily swing your dust cover up and off to field strip without any difficulty. No crazy drilling holes required either!
Will do thanks for the recs!
Best upgrade to the commie AK? An AR, you're welcome. America, love it or leave it.
Lol, best comment yet
Definitely loving the increase in AK related articles.
We'll keep em coming!