In 2019 this author had a chance to review an AK handguard made by the Ukrainian company KPYK and was really impressed by the quality and design of that product. The company has recently announced an expansion of that AK handguard line with the addition of two new aluminum M-LOK handguards designed for the AKS-74U. Let’s take a closer look at the new KPYK Krinkov handguards.
KPYK @ TFB:
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CRC 1U044A
CRC 1U044B
The model names of the two new KPYK Krinkov handguards are CRC 1U044A and CRC 1U044B. The difference between the two is that the former has a top half that does not extend past the front sight, whereas the top section of the CRC 1U044B extends over the muzzle device matching the length of the lower handguard and providing additional M-LOK slots and top Picatinny rail section in front of the gas block / front sight block.
Comparison of top halves of the two KPYK Krinkov handguards
The overall length of the KPYK Krinkov handguards is 220mm (8 2/3″). Because they extend past the muzzle threads, they will overlap a suppressor mounted to the gun. Both handguards are compatible with suppressors with an outside diameter of up to 38mm (1.5″). These handguards are drop-in parts not requiring any modifications to the host firearm. Both KPYK Krinkov handguards are available in black anodized or Cerakote finish of Armor Black, Coyote Tan and OD Green colors.
The prices of KPYK Krinkov handguards in Ukraine are 4900 and 5500 Ukrainian hryvnias for the short and long models respectively which roughly equals to $130 and $150. The exclusive distributor of KPYK products in the United States is Legion USA which at the time of writing this article, don’t have the KPYK Krinkov handguards listed on their website.
Pictures by KPYK, www.crook.com.ua