I recently completed a 4 day practical rifle training course at Frontsight firearms training institute, outside of Las Vegas Nevada.
The equipment I chose to run for this 4 day course was as follows:
*Arsenal Saiga AK (7.62x39)
equipped with Ultimak rails, Magpul XTM two piece rail covers, CAA butt stock tube, Magpul STR butt stock. Krebs BHO safety lever, Hogue pistol grip, CSS charging handle knob
*Bulgarian Circle 10 magazines
*PMC 123 grain FMJ ammo (440 rounds)
*Primary Arms Micro Red dot
*Huskey Amentum slider sling from Ares Armor
*NSR Tactical kydex (HRP) heavy rifle pouch, specifically designed for Bulgarian Circle 10 mags
*ITW mag boots
The rifle, mags & equipment were going to be put through 40 hours of desert cold and heat, dirt, rocks and abuse.
Shooting would be done from no less than 7 different shooting positions including a lot of prone shooting from up to 400 yards.
Arsenal Saiga rifle:
This was one of those Sporter style rifles when it began its life. It was converted to the AK style rifle afterwards.
Through 4 days of shooting the rifle performed flawlessly with 0 (ZERO) malfunctions of any kind.
Accuracy was better than expected for an AK rifle.
With all the prone shooting we were doing, the guys next to me were kicking up loads of desert dirt with their muzzle brakes that literally covered my rifle. No matter, it performed flawlessly.
Ammo (PMC 123 grain FMJ 7.62x39):
Ammo performed flawlessly. 0 (ZERO) problems of any sort.
Mags:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/715220/arsenal-inc-magazine-ak-47-762x39mm-russian-30-round-polymer-blackBulgarian Circle 10 mags are renowned for their reliability and these didn't disappoint.
They were so smooth in fact, that my tactical reloads were faster than most of the guys running AR's
Again 0 (ZERO problems of any kind.
*NSR Tactical kydex (HRP) heavy rifle pouch, specifically designed for Bulgarian Circle 10 mags
http://nsrtactical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_22&products_id=11These kydex mag pouches were exceptional.
They had excellent retention while still being lightning fast to remove and insert mags.
The kydex is very solid and good looking.
It's actually two mag pouches but you're given the option to put them together or run them as separate pouches.
Primary Arms Micro red dot
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Micro_Dot_With_Fixed_Base_p/md-07.htmThe Primary Arms red dot was very inexpensive so I didn't expect much bit it held zero and performed flawlessly.
Huskey Amentum slider sling from Ares Armor
http://aresarmor.com/store/Item/aahuskey2ptThe sling was great. Fast adjustment and heed to stabilize shots. I'd recommend it highly to anyone looking for a high quality 2 point.
ITW Magboot
http://www.lapolicegear.com/itw-magboot-genii.htmlThese boots are designed to enhance grip, reduce mag damage from drops or if you, like I do, use the bottom of the mag as a monopod in the prone.
The mag boots did their job. Although they were designed for AR mags, they do work on AK mags as well.
Magpul XTM 2 piece rail covers.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319115812/magpul-xtm-modular-full-profile-picatinny-rail-cover-polymer-package-of-4I'm going to say these failed.
With the constant up and down, prone to standing and back, the rails panels started to come loose.
Occasionally I had to press them together to keep them from falling off.
Two times one of the panels actually fell off.
Ultimak rails
http://ultimak.com/BuyAK.htmI installed the Ultimak gas tube upper rail as well as the tri rail on this rifle and am 100% satisfied with how they worked. Extremely solid products.