Midwest Industries have added a new M-LOK aluminum handguard to their AK47/AK74 Universal Handguards family of products. The new handguard is called Drop-In. While other models in this line of handguards are arguably drop-in too in that they don’t require permanent changes to the rifles, they are installed by being clamped to the barrel. The new Midwest Industries Drop-In handguard is installed just like the standard AK handguards – without the use of tools or additional parts.

The Midwest Industries Drop-In AK handguard is made of 6061 aluminum and has a black hard coat anodized finish. Compared to other products in the company’s AK47/AK74 Universal Handguards line that come with a gas tube cover/upper handguard, the Drop-In is just the lower handguard. It is, however, compatible with factory upper handguards or aftermarket railed gas tubes such as those made by UltiMAK. The MI Drop-In handguard features three M-LOK slots on 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions, and two anti-rotational QD sling swivel sockets. This handguard is compatible with AKM-pattern stamped receiver rifles. Versions for other AKs will be added soon. The first-time installation may require minor fitting to the rifle which is normal in the case of AKs as they often have slight variances of certain parts’ tolerances. The length of the Midwest Industries Drop-In AK handguard is six inches (not counting the mounting tabs) and it weighs in at 4.5 oz.

The Midwest Industries Drop-In AK handguard is listed on the company’s website at an MSRP of $99.95. The simpler design and lack of the upper section are probably what allowed the company to have such a price tag which is $60 less than their comparable length clamp-on M-LOK handguards. The MI Drop-In AK handguards are made in the USA thus they count as 922r compliance parts when building a rifle from imported parts kits. These handguards are covered by Midwest Industries’ lifetime warranty.

Images by Midwest Industries Inc., www.midwestindustriesinc.com