I had the old sureshot handguard, the one with just rails up front and that needed a lot of fitting because of how it was designed to clamp around the barrel under the sight block. It seems this new one is an updated design that is much easier to install and fit. Might have to give them a try again.
Interesting that they changed the clamp design. I heard a lot of similar stories from people mentioning they had fitment issues with the Sureshot chassis, but based on Sureshot's own installation video and my experiences here I thought I maybe they cherry-picked and I just got lucky. I didn't realize they changed the clamp design, but I haven't looked at the older clamp in-depth either.
Just installed mine on a SLR107 , all the little things you ran into were exactly the same on mine. Even the gap on the mounting piece. Overall it’s really good quality and stay solid after a couple mag dumps.
In fact, the MK3 dust cover don't hold zero. I guess they don't mention it on the US website, but the EU website mentions it specifically and only recommends it for things like magnifiers.
I didn't know about that. Yeah, they never mention it on the USA website but that's good to know and makes sense, I was skeptical since that rear rail segment seems to just be tension-fit to the main chassis.
@@Feldmutze Yeah, I double checked again. wording is different on the US website, but it basically says the same thing, "for mounting magnifiers." Which is fine, I just think the MK3 looks aesthetically better, I would probably never even use that rail section.
Thanks for watching! The MI Alpha system looks really interesting from what they showed at SHOT. I'll have a follow-up review on the Sureshot chassis in a few weeks, just want to get enough time with the setup.
I might have missed it in the video, but I didn't see you insert the screws that go diagonally into the mounting platform (into the two holes that are inline, and just ahead of the trunnion rivets). Thanks for the video, BTW! Really appreciate the detailed high resolution footage. Edit: I just watched the instructional video on their website, and they left those holes with no screws, just like you. It is rather odd, because I remember watching their old youtube installation video, where they did use those holes.
Thanks for watching, glad you liked it! Agreed, that's extremely odd that they still chose to still include those holes in the design but don't use them.
I installed 2.1 on my AK-102, and the only problem I had was that the M-lok slots around the gas tube are VERY tight, and I had to remove the rail system, install my Surefire and then re-install everything. I was worried the screws will push the gas tube offset and induce piston friction so I shaved down the excess screw length. I posted a video short of me doing a function test after doing all that.
I noticed that too, though in my case I wasn't able to fully seat anything into thos M-Lok slots surrounding the gas tube and so I assumed they were completely unusable.
Built a Mk3 and Midwest Alpha in the last 2 years (Alpha last year, Mk3 2022). I like them both but the Sureshot's price has gotten ridiculous. I thought I paid a lot at $585 for my Mk3, it's up to $700 now. The Alpha can be had for as low as $199 (for just the shorter version of the handguard) or up to $485 if you get the railed top cover and longer handguard. I opted for the longer handguard and optic mount which ran me $375 before tax (would be $400 now, optic mount has gone up $25 since last April). Functionally both are great but if I had to pick one I think I'd go with the Alpha. Not a fan of the railed dust cover on the Sureshot (the removable part), it's fits like shit and is useless for anything other than a red dot magnifier. I like the 2.1 chassis and Alpha better in that regard, being able to use a normal AK dust cover with the option to install a side mounted rail for scope/magnifier use.
Agreed. I do wish it still allowed the cleaning rod to be attached, but as far as the chassis itself, it has held zero so far in my shooting with it, and the fitment was excellent despite my concerns from hearing issues with the older versions.
great video. im shopping for zenitco alternatives now for a 105 build since they're so hard to get in the states now. do you mind linking that video you clipped of the mk3 install in the video description? i couldn't find that video. not sure why they don't have videos on the product pages.
Thanks! The link to Sureshot's video is Sureshot-USA .com/install-manuals (just remove the space before .com, I put it there since RU-vid is shitty about links to gun sites)
ya, i've got a 104 and a 105 now, so 7.62 and 5.45 covered. i've considered getting a 5.56 chambered ak, but i think i'll stick to other platforms in that caliber. i ended up using SLR rail on one with factory folder and suprisingly, airsoft zenitco knockoff rail and pt-1 stock on the other. so far no1 has noticed lol. so they're real enough for me for $100 vs $1000 @@Myemnhk
I'd love to see this in tarkov. I don't have the budget to build guns, I shoot pistols on the range sometime and that's it, but I can build cool looking guns in tarkov.
Do they still use the shortened gas tube? If so, I'm curious what your thoughts are regarding the risk of debree entering the action. Also, how did you make that paint pattern on the rifle? Looks very "natural"!
Yes, the gas tube is a little shorter. I'm not too concerned about debris entering the action as it's only a little shorter and there's so much material around the gas tube with the chassis that the chance of anything getting in there is really slim. Even if anything gets in that area it's very likely get blasted out of the way when the piston reciprocates. The pattern on the rifle was done by my local gun store when I had it cerakoted. I'm unsure on the specifics but they mentioned they used a sponge to get that pattern.
Thanks! I'm actually still able to get a good weld on this height of red dot. I use a cheek riser but even without it, it's not a problem. The red dot height makes it a lot more comfortable to shoot so I'm not crunching my neck down to get a sight picture and it's the nearly the exact same height over bore as an AR with a Unity riser.
I'm curious what'd they change on it? I just think it'd be odd for them to completely change the mount, especially since their website still shows installation with the same type of mount I got and showed in this video.
I think so too. Having the cleaning rod on the gun itself is great for clearing bore obstructions. Although you can always carry the cleaning rod separately (something I tend to do anyway), I would still prefer to option to have the cleaning rod available on the gun so it's just a grab-and-go without needing to get other parts.
I am currently looking to get a MK.3 Chasis system for a Saiga .223. The Saiga rifle is unconverted, but I am looking to get it completely converted to standard rifle configuration. That being said, the rifle at the moment does not have a lower hand guard retainer. I would have to source one. Do you think it's better to install the Sureshot Chasis with or without a lower handguard retainer?
I'd recommend installing the Sureshot chassis without a lower handguard retainer. The cuts in the chassis to accomodate a lower handguard retainer are just so you don't need to remove/file it, and it doesn't hold anything itself. Overall, it should make the installation a lot easier without a handguard retainer.
Thinking about picking up the Mk3 chassis for my Riley defense AK. I’m wondering if there will be fitment issues, but after watching this video, I’m hopeful. Curious to see if it retains zero after shooting a fair amount of rounds through it.
I did a review at ~1,000 rounds here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O9fZKUwL5fs.html and I plan to do another follow-up review on it eventually. So far I've shot about 2,000 rounds with the chassis on and it's still holding zero.
@@Feldmutze I’m more than likely going to pick one of these up in the near future. I’m juggling the idea of getting the Zenitco set up though. I’ve been watching your videos and I’m not sure how I feel about the unusable mlok sections. Kinda decreases the value in my opinion. I contacted SAG support asking about fitment issues, but I haven’t checked mine out yet to see if it will work. I’m assuming it will but I’ll will have to be sure. Thanks!
It's still holding up really well. I did another review at three weeks and six months (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cwzSi1g0ZBU.htmlsi=QwEAk46GsSrR3xQg). Although I originally liked keeping the handguard retaining ring intact, the sling attachment point actually burns the hand quite bad as that part heats up a lot and is exposed, so there is an advantage to removing that entirely if someone wants to run it that way. Removing and reinstalling the BCG is more awkward now too but workable with some technique.
I'm using an Armacon index finger safety lever. Works great though did require some fitting. I did a video on it a few years back which has more info if you're interested ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eDKtlNqXFHQ.html
Dang, that sucks to hear yours took so long. What problems are people having with the dust cover variant? I heard of issues with the fitment of Sureshot's barrel clamp, are there other fitment issues with the dust cover specifically or is there something else I haven't heard of?
