MI AK Maintenance Block

Have you ever seen one of those specific products and thought: “Why the heck didn’t anyone think of this before?” Words like “Smart” and “Genius” run thru your head, and then you think how useful this particular product would be in your shop. Anyone else ever feel like that, or is just me? Well, that exact feeling shot thru me when I opened the most recent box sent to me by Tyler and the team over at Midwest Industries. I want you to understand something before I start this Midwest Industries AK Maintenance Block Review first though. “What is that?” I want you to fully understand just how hard it is to truly IMPRESS me. I’m a gunsmith and I have been at it for over a decade.

Kalashnikov love

I have always loved the Kalashnikov platforms. Throughout my life, I have handled and shot AKs from most countries. The various AKs I have run are Russian, Yugo, Bulgarian, US, Romanian, Egyptian, Hungarian, Chinese, Polish (It was a Tantal 5.45×39) and even variants like the Romanian PSL, Russian TIGR, Finnish Valmet rifles and Czech VZ58 variants, etc. As a Gunsmith, I have played with, installed, and used many of the accessories and upgrades for AK pattern firearms on the market. Keep in mind, I am by no means an expert, but I have my fair share (and likely YOUR fair share) of experience with the Kalashnikov system. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I am trying to give you a peek inside my head to better understand why this particular product impresses me so much.

Midwest Industries AK Receiver Block Rocks My Socks… Off.

So, what is it? The product is a simple yet brilliantly designed tool that no AK shooter should be without. The Midwest Industries AK Receiver Maintenance Block is set up to accept AK47s and AK74s. Previously, most of the AK owners I knew, myself included, just used an old-ass mag clamped into the vise to hold our AKs while we worked on them. Sometimes we didn’t use anything. Sometimes we just clamped that beast into the vise and went to work. I had always wished I had a better option. I have multiple AR15 maintenance blocks, and ways to work on AR15 parts. One of the reasons the AR15 maintenance blocks work so well is because of the AR15 magazine system and how the mags are inserted. These types of AR15 blocks are made by multiple companies and they vary in quality.

How Do I Do This?

It is extremely simple to just clamp the block into the vise and slide your AR15 or AR lower onto the block. But, as we all know, the AK47/74 magazine system doesn’t work quite the same. The AK uses the badass “rock and lock” motion to load the magazine into the firearm. Meaning, you cant just line up the mag-well and slide the AK down onto the block like you would the AR15. Right? (you don’t have to answer that, I am right.)

Midwest Industries Saw A Need…

But Midwest Industries must have realized this wasn’t something that could or would stand in the way of making a smart maintenance block design. They designed the block in an “L” shape to accommodate the mag-well of an AK47 and an AK74. Although different than an AR15 block, it is extremely simple to use. You just “rock and lock” the Midwest Industries AK Receiver Maintenance Block into the magazine slot, and THEN you clamp it into the vise. No Problem. (See Pics)

Won’t Melee Your AK In Any Way… OK?

There are more features to add in to this Midwest Industries AK Maintenance Block Review too. The block itself is made from polymer so it won’t scuff or scratch up your AK in any way. Granted, most AK owners don’t mind of their gun gets “battleworn”, but when you have a gun in the shop, it should be protected and well cared-for while it’s being worked on. (See Pics)

The Midwest Industries AK Receiver Maintenance Block can handle mounting the entire firearm on the block and allows for you to work on the entire AK system while it’s still assembled. (See Pics)

The MI AK Block also has cut-outs in it for disassembling the bolt of an AK47 and an AK74. The area where you do so is clearly marked and easy to use. (See Pics)

Product Info

The Midwest Industries AK Receiver Maintenance Block is thick and tough polymer, made 100% in the good ole’ USA. It is compatible with the 7.62x39mm AK47, as well as the 5.45x39mm AK74. It also has multiple mounting points so if you don’t have a vise on your work bench, you can still use it to work on your AK’s. This smart tool sports a Midwest Industries lifetime warrantee too.

The Wrap-Up

OK. I know what you’re thinking now. “Dane, I need this in my life. Where do I get it?” No problem. I got you covered. To get your own, simply head over to the Midwest Industries website, get out your card, spend $39.95 and get one. While you’re there, be sure to check out their other AK products too. I have multiple reviews coming up soon…. one of which will be on this MI Gen2 AK47 M-Lok Handguard.

If you have any questions or comments, hit me up. When you get a chance, check out my other articles on American Partisan.org like my AK-47 Selector Lever Fix article. I hope you all enjoyed this review. Until next time… Dane out.