As I've detailed in the review of the Element Vityaz Kit and Element FN-style Pistol Grip, I decided, after a trial fit-up to use the CM 035 as the base for my very own Vityaz AK.

The upper handguard was a straight drop-in with nary a shaving needed for installation.





The lower handguard needed some chopping to make the receiver tang go into its slot.




The pistol grip also needed some shaving. After that, it fitted like a pigskin glove, much better fitting than the stock Cyma grip.



There was, however, a bit of space between the inner surface of the pistol grip and the bottom edge of the motor cage. A bit of shaving off the top would not hurt here.

The trial fitting was good and tight -- good enough for skirmishing. Could not, of course, let it go at that. Am Vityaz, after all, so I had to go for something much more -- the best fit possible.

First task was to build up the inner walls of the ABS handguards. This would give additional structural strength as well as a heftier, more realistic weight to the handguards.




Next was a secondary layer of steel-filled epoxy to provide a darker base color for painting, smoother planes for final finishing, and a harder surface that can stand more-than-ordinary abuse.




After some curing, the steel-filled epoxy coat was dremeled to the proper shape and readied for the second trial fit-up.




Here is a close up of the receiver tang without the spring slot.




And here is how the handguards looked after some rough shaping with the dremel.




Looking good, if I may say so myself.


I then took the handguards down again to cut a slot into the built up rear side walls of the lower handguard.




The slots were quite easily done with a bit of handsaw maneuvering and careful use of carving and craft knives.


Voila ! The handguards with the retention spring it its slot.




Here is the final fit up with the retention spring in the lower handguard.

coming up: final sanding of the handguards.

next: shaving some material off the top of the Element FN-style pistol grip.

semi-finally: painting

and finally, some weathering?

Komrad, ganda =] good work!

I want to ask your advice, I need help in starting my own similar project. Like you I'm in love with the 'Vityaz'. I'd like to complete something similar to your gun and the gun I have in my sig, 'Fluffy'.

I don't want to hijack your thread though, so I'll start another one. Hope the AK masters of this forum can help a brother out =]

glad you like it, komrad Easy Tiger.

Fluffy looks good, though personally am not a fan of the Noveske.

Go get to your project, komrad. Welcome to the club.


We're all here to help each other so just ask if you need some clarification or some tips.

Hi komrad,

Need your advice =] I recently almost bought the kls vityaz - but when I got to the shop I had second thoughts. The powdercoating really put me off - it became apparent that it would not match the triangle stock which is more of a blued steel look. So I was thinking I might have to explore doing it your way.

Where did you order your element handgrips, and how much? Is the Cyma really the better fit over the KLS AKs74u?

Cheers =]