Tech Tip: Convert Your Ordinary AK Into an Alpha AK

Open up a tall beverage and grab some snacks because Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant is here to show us how to upgrade an AK rifle with the Midwest Industries AK Alpha Series components. AK Alpha components bring a new level of comfort, control, and versatility to your Kalashnikov. Caleb will be installing them on an old, totally basic Interarms AK-74. He walks us step-by-step through installing the AK Alpha Picatinny Stock Adapter, AK Alpha Gen2 Handguard, AK Alpha Optic Mount, AK Alpha Railed Top Cover, and the Alpha Stock.
TOOLS: Typical of Kalashnikov work, this process doesn't require a lot of tools. MI thoughtfully includes the necessary hex wrenches to install their parts. You'll also need safety glasses, a bench vise, nylon-head gunsmithing hammer, and Midwest's own AK Receiver Maintenance Block (vise block), which works on both 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 AKs.
SAFETY FIRST: Before you start actual work, Step #1 is to make sure the rifle is unloaded. Step #2 is to repeat Step #1.
OUT WITH THE OLD: Field strip the rifle to remove the dust cover, recoil spring, and bolt assembly. Remove the gas tube and upper handguard assembly. We'll be re-using the tube. Remove the lower half of the handguard - Caleb shows us the trick for doing it. If you're installing the Alpha Picatinny Stock Adapter, remove the buttstock and the pistol grip. A wood stock can be a bit stubborn about parting from the receiver. Caleb shows us the RIGHT way to apply some gentle persuasion with a hammer and punch.
The tail protruding from the rear trunnion has to be removed with a hack saw or a cut-off wheel in your Dremel Tool. Do this ONLY if you intend to convert your rifle to an M1913 Picatinny stock. Don't make the cut right up against the receiver. Leave a little metal standing proud of the receiver, and file it down perfectly flush. Test fit the Picatinny Stock Adapter as you work. If there's a gap between it and the rear of the receiver, file off a bit more material. When you're done, the hole in the top of the adapter should line up with the hole in the trunnion.
ON WITH THE NEW: Adjust the tension blocks on the Picatinny stock adapter so the fit inside the receiver is tight and requires a BIT of persuasion from the hammer. Torque the screw that goes through the top of the trunnion into the adapter to 35-in. lbs. To keep it from backing out, secures it with a dab of Vibra-Tite. Now you can reinstall the pistol grip.
Let's move to the front of the receiver and install the Alpha Series Gen2 Handguard. You will probably have to file off some material from the tenons on the rear of the handguard to get them to fit into the receiver. MI makes them oversized so you can achieve a tight, wobble-free fit. Test fit often and stop filing when the fit is still very snug. A tap of the hammer may be needed to seat the handguard, but it should be loose enough to remove it without tools.
Moving to the top of the receiver, Caleb shows us how to install both the AK Alpha Optic Mount and, for the maximum expanse of optic-mounting real estate, the Picatinny Railed Top Cover. Both anchor to the Alpha handguard. For the Picatinny top cover, you'll also replace the rifle's existing recoil spring guide with one that has a clip at the back for retaining the rear of the top cover. You'll have a "rock solid" platform that will not wobble and cause your optic to lose its zero.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:55 Tools Used
2:20 Stripping the AK
10:14 Installing the Stock Adapter
27:25 Installing the Grip
29:18 Choosing the Parts
30:45 Installing the Handguard
49:15 Installing Optic Mount
55:05 Installing the Railed Top Cover
1:04:10 Installing the Alpha Stock
1:06:23 Outro

[@KLAYCO47]

Great video. Don't know if I would have used this particular AK for permanent mods. That was a nice Bulgarian 74 kit 😢

[@pablofortain4945]

I was thinking the same

[@TeensierPython]

Why? Is it super rare or something?

[@KLAYCO47]

@teensierpython-4565 One of the best ways to have a high quality 74, all the Bulgarian kits are completely gone and have become extremely rare and expensive.

[@RockfordOrdnance]

Wrong gun to do it to! I wonder if the owner knows what it was worth before they destroyed it forever. 5.45 guns are bringing huge money and this is where the bubba with a Drexel comes in.

[@manganvbg90]

@@KLAYCO47but they wanted the best alpha ak…. So why not use a bulgarian? Its just a gun :p

[@HumbleWarrior7]

Not really interested in installing an Alpha kit myself, but I stuck around for this whole vid because you made it pretty enjoyable to watch and informational. Well done Caleb. I’d love to see some more full length smith videos.

[@chupacabra5644]

Exactly!!!

[@davidmiller1938]

Tip: stuff a small cloth into the receiver during the dremeling/filing to prevent the metal dust and shavings from dropping into the receiver, fire control group and especially the chamber and barrel.

[@arielvega6344]

Compressed, or a shop vac will clear that stuff out pretty easily. Clothes have the potential to burn, it's a risk to be conscious of.

[@BobJones-fc3ef]

If you have any grease on those fire control parts for lube you will make grinding compound out of it! It will not simply blow out. You will have to detail strip and use brake clean or similar gun scrubber to get the grindings and contaminated lube out. Then relube it all again. A rag stuffed in there will be a major time saver!

[@WilliamCollins-sh6lm]

Instant rust spot if not removed... Easier to prevent than deal with later !!!

[@Emoboijeffrey]

I know these are long to film but man if you guys can do more smithing videos that would be awesome!

[@vladimirmihnev9702]

I am surprised that they get away even with this and don't get strikes from KZbin. They were giving them for people putting on suppressors... Don't say I like that, just saying they are one bud hurt idiot away from getting there channel deleted 😢

[@Emoboijeffrey]

@@vladimirmihnev9702 I totally agree. This was the exact thought I had while watching this

[@user-do1fq8oy9c]

Maybe because they are actually a business, they meet YTs guidelines

[@CalebSavant]

It helps that we don't monetize on YT

[@MrNgMichael]

@@vladimirmihnev9702 They don't monetize their content, because they're a retailer. If you're a content creator and you want money from advertisers, then you need to meet stricter content guidelines.

[@tyaj694]

Working on guns is like therapy, but when you don’t have a gun to work on, watching a 1 hr long video from Brownells is my therapy😊

[@Averagetactician]

I would also recommend if doing this installation to put some cold blue on the section of exposed metal and don't forget to use some oil and wipe off any excess oil before installing the rear 1913 Block. The cold blue will stop rust from occurring and the oil will neutralize the corrosive effect of cold blue. Same for the aluminum parts but instead you will use aluminum black followed by the oil and once again wipe off any excess.

[@carolwilson5348]

I was going to suggest some little dobs of black primer paint.

[@BillyBob-ov5ef]

It's an AK, its supposed to rust, it gives it that authentic finish.

[@Averagetactician]

@@BillyBob-ov5ef that's true but no sense in letting it rust early. Don't worry over time that will occur naturally

[@seijiroukikuoka5975]

​@@BillyBob-ov5efsave that sh!t for the memes. When you're out in the field, equipment failure is the last thing you need.

[@BillyBob-ov5ef]

@seijiroukikuoka5975 you are probably a lot of fun at parties. Equipment failure in the field, lol, what field are you talking about? The range, I hope. That stocks hinge is about as brittle as your sense of humor, the rust is the least of your problems. Let's stop pretending these range toys do anything more than the occasional trip to the range.

[@sslranch]

Caleb is such a good instructor. Very easy to listen to and follow.

[@CalebSavant]

I appreciate the compliment. Thank you.

[@chrisowen5497]

I couldn’t have said it better! Great video!

[@tedr.richardson4655]

The Teacher

[@macgriffiths2043]

And that hair is on point!

[@WaffleBomber]

Cool to see Brownells doing some AK stuff.

[@scotf.5893]

I love this. I wish the lords of KZbin weren't so illogically opposed to this type of content, I could watch gunsmithing videos all day!

[@Dave-nv5rv]

I remember buying full Romy kits (barrel included) for $59.99 back in 05 ish (even the WASR 10s were $289.00). I still have all of my build jigs, 20 ton press, spot welder etc but the prices on kits have just been insanely expensive for many years now. It was fun building many different AKs and experimenting with different furniture like this but it's too expensive for me now.

[@Yeedo420]

I’ve been a gun owner for only 7 years now and I missed when AKs were sub $300 and SKSs were $100 :( just barely got my first AK recently

[@Dave-nv5rv]

@Yeedo420 Oh man, Aks were so cheap. Even the top end, premium new ones topped out at about 600-650. Even the old Mosin nagants were 79 fresh out of the box of cosmoline never used, now they are 400-450. It's just crazy now

[@jonbarker2769]

Caleb instructs like he has done hundreds of these. All of his instructions are easy to follow and very informative like a real class instructor. You NEED to make more gunsmithing videos as I will be building my own from scratch from now on. I just finished my first AR with all parts selected/installed by myself including the PnW for the muzzle device.

[@1BXB]

Very useful video. I appreciate you showing how to do this rather than just showing finished products and describing them. Lots to learn here from a pro!

[@tonyv6815]

I really appreciate his patience with the file, I would have taken the whole thing to the bench sander for 10 seconds and called it a day

[@phamdevin]

Thank you! I really enjoyed watching this video. Very therapeutical.

[@bobsachlis2070]

Caleb, Outstanding video and instruction. Thank you for this!!!

[@feskymaloon1439]

I love watching your gunsmithing videos. So mellow and instructive. You are the Bob Ross of guns.

[@musician445]

Good gunsmithing and good demonstration Caleb, thank you sir. The Alpha series looks awesome in my opinion.

[@V8SKULLS]

Caleb, Thank you for your Clear and calm teaching on this video & its always a pleasure to watch and see your gunsmithing/teaching. I too have built AR's, and started on building AK's. And the more know-how & Information is Key. Thank you again. Be safe & take care

[@petesera3091]

I've watched 100's of gunsmithing videos and everyone is so heavy handed, they are very rough on guns, drives me nuts. I appreciate watching someone that is careful with all parts and how they are removed.

[@thundercats87]

That was really great to watch. Thank you for putting in the time.

[@208SledHead]

Another excellent video from Caleb and Brownells! Thanks man!

[@insomniahobbies]

Even though this is as simple as removing the factory stuff, then reinstalling new stuff "essentially" the same, just with a few extra screws.....i still like these long, in depth videos. We need more of these.

[@Albuqrazy]

You’re awesome man, very informative to the point, respectful and patient with your craft. I really appreciate that, no rushing making sure you’re points are clear enough for the people in the back to hear it clearly. Great tutorial! 🙏🏽💯🤘🏽

[@johnmerz1968]

Probably the best instructional video I have seen. Very detailed and the way he instructs keeps it interesting. His demeanor and humor is what makes an hour video worth watching the whole thing. His suggestions and methods are exactly the best way to do it. I just outfitted my AK-74 with each of these upgrades and I am impressed at how solid it made my AK feel. Love Midwest Industries furniture. I have several of their products on multiple firearms that I own, especially their handguard so if your thinking about doing this to your AK then this is the video you want to watch. It is an excellent video.

[@Cyberpunk-sk2gp]

Amazing job! keep up the good work!

[@1olddirtroad]

I really enjoyed this video. You make it interesting to learn.

[@mhicaoidh1]

Midwest Industries makes awesome AK accessories!! When filing where debris can fall into the chamber area, I stuff a rag into the receiver to block it off. For example, in the case of the rear tang, I would stuff a rag to the receiver just behind where the hammer assembly is. Once done filing, invert the receiver (filed side down) and remove rag.

[@medikpac7105]

Was interesting to see what decisions Midwest made versus something like Zenitco. I really like the extra tensioning screws Midwest added to the handguard, great idea. Thanks for the cool video.

[@bnag0525]

Great video! Love those Fix-It-Sticks too!

[@isaacrhodes4617]

Really cool video guys and informational. Caleb is a good presenter too

[@migratingcoconut4248]

Finding this video was super helpful and made the process of converting my own AK a lot easier. thanks a ton!

[@Loyal69]

Dude love the hair and style. Look forward to seeing you in more tutorial videos

[@tonypoepoe3150]

That is one nice ak after the upgrades , thank Caleb for this video , clear instructions , section by section break down and most of all … patience 😂 something I’ll work I. . 👍🤙🤣

[@therevolutionscript]

Thanks for doing long form instructional AK content, it can sometime be hard to find depending on what you wanna do.

[@illiniarmory3142]

More installation videos. Miss Steve. Also love Caleb. Great humor and comments from Caleb

[@printingwithpeek4897]

What happened to steve?

[@ETTP.S]

Fantastic video! Very well explained and informative indeed!

[@eddiejennejr4342]

That looks great!

[@mikedague7733]

AWESOME video... excellent job explaining exactly what to expect and reiterating being patient with fitting. I really miss my Fix It Stik set, unfortunately my garage was robbed and the thieves got away my most valued smithing tools. FIX It Stik makes it so much easier when working on your guns. Keep up the great work and videos

[@TouringOx]

That sucks but the nice thing about an Ak is that you dont need expensive tools to work on it. I did the same job for a buddy with cheap hand tools from home depot. I remember the first time filing down the furniture and thinking about how badly I didnt want to ruin his new gear. Hope you can recover your tools.

[@hylomane]

Protip: Cover the vice jaws with painter's tape to prevent scratching any part clamped in the vice.They won't hurt grip.

[@Misfitk85]

I also use painters tape and cover areas that I don’t want to dremel, so if you accidentally mess up at least you can try to have a buffer

[@larrymarsico4059]

I LOVE these type of video's buddy! Keep 'em comin' plz!🙏💪🤙🇺🇸

[@pierreb03038]

very well explained. thanks! pls more like this one.

[@MiGallagher]

Awesome 👏🏽 not often we get to watch AK disassembly

[@skynetupbracknielson590]

Wow that was priceless, that you can do something like this. Wow. Thank for the break down

[@markrivera1872]

You are the bob Ross of guns nothing. Love it!

[@jasonnichols7813]

Very cool video guy...thanks!!!

[@letaz77]

Awesome job, Caleb. No wonder you get paid the big bucks. Keep up the good work, sir.

[@sahzookey]

I appreciate all the tips. I never thought about a file going one direction.

[@GmoTopShotter]

Yeaa that was the one tip I learned too lol cuz I sholl go forward n back when I file 😭🥶

[@StrongholdArmory]

That's an old piece of advice that I learned too in gunsmith school. Turns out, at least with modern files, it's no longer true. Fireball Tool built a machine to test this and the results were essentially the same between push and lift vs push and pull. It's a great video that you should check out. I've stopped lifting files on the back stroke except when I want a cleaner finish.

[@sahzookey]

@StrongholdArmory interesting. Most of my tools, all the files, have been passed down to me so they are probably old school. Good to know!

[@themastermason1]

@@StrongholdArmory Good to know. I simply don't put any downward pressure when pulling the file back.

[@frozenninja4030]

I have beautiful Nutmeg furniture on mine so I don't think I would ever convert it like this, but I really enjoyed watching the process. Very well presented. If I ever find myself in possession of a spare AK, this would be a cool kit to throw on.

[@ninjazx6100]

Amazing! Very good job ! Congrats !

[@JP300blkout]

Great, easy to follow upgrade video. I want to see you shoot it now

[@briandcheever]

Absolutely love this type of content. Keep it up. My only critique of the install is leaving the bare metal under the 1913 adapter. If you live in a humid area that will start to rust pretty quickly and it's not an easy thing to see once it's assembled.

[@ratagris21]

Rattle can can fix that or alumahyde.

[@baker90338]

Honestly I’d just do a magpul folding ak stock instead, as that’s likely more available

[@ratagris21]

@@baker90338 less weight, as well as less expensive too.

[@baker90338]

@@ratagris21 that said, that rear weight might help balance it out somewhat, and that stock is highly adjustable.

[@FrankSanchez505]

I was looking everywhere for a video a couple of weeks ago. I bought my first AK and got the complete Alpha setup. I really love the stock the most. But I had to watch this to see if he did it differently.

[@JK-zq9vw]

I’m not an AK person but the way you did the instrumental video made me want to check out the whole thing and look for other gunsmithing videos of your. Good work young man!

[@theycallmefono]

A great vid, Caleb. It helped me with my own install, malo! 🤙

[@CharlesConover]

some really slick mods I love the look of that zenitco copy stock.

[@mavrikmavrik3032]

Great video! I hope to convert mine this weekend.

[@TalhaMalick101]

didn't really liked the alpha stock but watched the whole video in regard of your perfection. Respect man

[@Thedrizzle1000]

Learned a lot watching this. Thank you.

[@goodDEEDs556]

Well done caleb. Extremely helpful

[@saifmo3259]

As a guy born and raised in Iraq glad to see this AKs 47 upgrades, our AKs used to be bear bone, inaccurate and beat up . Thank you Caleb for demonstrating these installations .

[@ac-Lukesbiggestfan]

Love the At-4 on the backdrop

[@erndog1971]

great video!

[@comesignotus9888]

A cool video! Not that I need an Alpha kit or an AK myself, but having a real technical video on this platform cannot be underestimated :) (Though I think a gas tube locked in place forever is not a good thing for an AK, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the video). It was just a pleasure to watch how Caleb was getting the job done!

[@xMrPaintxx]

10/10 on the hair, that shit is straight glistening.

[@ddoherty5956]

Ak Elvis, doing a great job 👍

[@fullmindstorm]

Step 1 and 2 👏🏼😎 safety first and the mark of a responsible savvy gun owner.

[@leviclark4305]

Great video, I'm looking at getting the handguard setup for my 74

[@cipherzero1115]

That was an absolute joy to watch. Super cool! More more more! Lol. Gunsmith an AK bayonet lug onto a AK that didn't come with one on the gas block. Like the Yugo M70 where they didn't come with the legit gas block with bayonet lug and nade launcher sight.

[@laf43777]

Beautiful!!

[@tomsmith2209]

Excellent video, thanks.

[@rhodie33]

I appreciate the video.

[@midnightanimal4598]

Great video.

[@matthewriegner5180]

Ok that's pretty rad. Kind of want an AK now...

[@carolwilson5348]

Really great video!

[@user-sindbadtito]

Great job

[@bgcal50cal]

Like the video. I do hope you normally have a handle of some kind on the file tang. Without one, the tang can be very dangerous! Especially when using on Lathe etc. That kit install was very thorough. Thank you.

[@oljimmy7.62]

More stuff like this please!

[@jjh9355]

The MWI top cover is amazing.

[@MudLakeRanch]

Sweet looking rig

[@PantsuMann]

Cooking with AK Elvis. Awesome job man.

[@GrippinTheGauge206]

I wonder if Caleb knew how much these old AK74s go for on gunbroker before he cut off the stock tang… might’ve wanted to do that with a WASR instead. Ouch

[@1olddirtroad]

It won't be a safe Queen. It will be carried and shot and enjoyed. I hear what you are saying but when you die you can't take it with you.

[@andrewdunagan4491]

You talked about doing a whole video on filing. I got a whole semester of filing for two hours a day with a Holland & Holland repair shop gunsmith for an instructor. “Flat & square lads” is permanently engrained in my memory. I rarely pick up a rotary tool theses days.

[@roypoulos1378]

Excellent video

[@SneakerHead9544]

Great video, better than the install video from MI, thanks!!!

[@JamaniusFreebone]

You best be careful of those dremel sparks around that all that hair grease 😂

[@iPervy]

Dang good job I'mma have to dig into this one later haha.

[@jeffhuntley2921]

Great video. Thanks

[@assman9092]

The folding dust cover was a nice upgrade. Dont really care for the stock. Great video guys.

[@jackuber7358]

Pretty damn cool!

[@darezi]

Nice video. I would love to see this type of conversion done on the Zastava M70.

[@TuckerDale89]

You can always shove a rag in the open receiver to keep out a majority of the debris and an empty casing to plug the barrel

[@timothybarber9849]

The hair…and build quality is top notch 🤙. You sir, give us bubba’s proof that it can be done properly 👌🏼🏴🦍

[@claytondennis8034]

For my KR-103 side folder, I had to relieve a small portion of the upper handguard cover to make room for the sling mount. About 1/8" x 1/8". I also had to fit the recoil spring locking tab to fit the rear trunion. It was about 0.003" too thick.

[@CalebSavant]

Thanks for sharing!

[@pfrvintage]

For anyone cringing like myself at the dremel work, which I know is necessary at times.. Midwest makes a version now so you dont have to cut the tang in the rear to gain your pic rail. Grabbing that one myself, the handguard just came in and im waiting on my dust cover from optics planet! Cant wait to do my swap, great video Caleb! 👍

[@stevechewning7741]

Nicely done.

[@MillenniumRainBow]

Great 👍 keep up the good job. I wish if you are able to make a video of shortening the Ak47 and how to color plating it. Thanks

[@RawTravis2112]

PLEASE DO A VIDEO ON FILEING!!! Cover it all! People really have no idea there are tons of different files. But most importantly, it's an absolute art to use one correctly.

[@jorgedomingo1735]

Paciente y excelete explicacion. Muchas gracias. I'm a new friend.

[@Kyrazlan]

Man those torque wrench T-handles are sick.

[@justinjones9042]

Cool I actually have that dremel . My only complaint was it to bulky for precision surgical use . I didn't know that accessory was a option or avaliable. Now after the video I'm pricing one . Cool AK upgrade. I'd love to Try this modification. Looks awesome.