AK Rear Sight Options

I've seen AK-47 rear peep sights, much like AR-15 style, but I forget where. Maybe it was on an episode of "Sons of Guns." I can't believe I still watch that show.

Derek Grebner/Tex Grebner/Guy that shot himself has a review on it. They look like a great option. I've been thinking about one for a while.

You can also look at a railed dust cover (Texas Weapon Systems makes a great one), and the Texas Weapon Systems peep sight. It lets you put the rear sight as far back as possible, making the sight radius basically double it's original length. The TWS rail/cover is a little pricey, though (about $130).

Mojosight

I have a set of XS Big Dots on my AK that work well. Fast and pretty intuitive to use. They also sell a night sight version with tritium lamps.

Take a look at Tech-Sights too.

Yes, Tech Sights are also an excellent option.

I like the standard rear sight just fine.
For close range fast use, I just place the front sight hood on target, and center the front sight base between the ears on the rear sight base (where the rear sight hinges at the front).

I'm also in the same boat as OP, will have to check out these options, thanks all.

Hizzie said:

Take a look at Tech-Sights too.

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I have been looking at Tech Sights for a while. People really seem to like them. I would also suggest the TWS with the rear peep sight. If I had to choose one, I'd probably go with the TWS because the take-down on the Tech Sight setup is definitely not a simple as a standard AK field strip. Another thing to consider is that the TWS rail can take on optics. The tech Sights can not. In my opinion the Tech Sights are limited. Both will increase your sight radius when shooting irons.

Peep sights work best when the apeture is close to the eye. This makes the TWS cover the superior option. For me (YMMV) Krebs and Mojo sights sit too far forward for snap shooting with an AK.

Fair enough the sight radius is important but so is the cost. That said I would pick the TWS or Krebs over the tech sights and to save money one could use a mojo sight with an optic mounted to their existing side rail.

If you dont like the issue sights (and even if you do), then a good red dot is the way to go. They outperform anything else. If youre going to spend the money, might as well do it right.

I have Meprolight night sights on a couple of AK's, and they have both larger sight posts and rear notches. They work well for fast closer work, but tend to limit your range to 200 yards and in. I actualy found I prefer the rear sight unlit, and repaced one set with the original rear sight. I was thinking it would be to narrow, but it really isnt, and works fine.

You might also look at different makes of issue sights. There is some variation in size of the posts/notches, and you may find something you like better.

I have to check, but I don't remember mine having sights....

Just some writing that says "This side toward enemy"

+1 on red dot, especially if you have the side mounted rail.

I had a buddy make me a custom peep-sight from an RPK rear sight. Even has a tritium "night-sight" on it. It's a one-of-a-kind, and it's pretty cool. It's easy to make, if you ever want to attempt it. All you need is an RPK sight, and some fabrication know-how.


Unfortunately, the gun it's on hasn't been shot since 2007 or so...

InkEd said:

I would like to know of any other good options .

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A krebbs rear mounted AR15 type peep site.
http://i29.tinypic.com/2isdus6.jpg

could file the rear sight a hair wider to help

when I installed a tritium front sight it was so fat I had to file the rear even wider and that really helped me see quickly

I also put soot on the rear sight to cut down on glare from a zippo lighter

On some AKs, I've turned the front sight post down to about half the original thickness, and tapered it to a very fine point on the end. This basically gives you a zero-budget NM front sight post. It will do more for accuracy than anything short of an optic.

I'm also running the stock sights on the AK. They can be increadbly fast if you use them right.

For really close up just get the ears of the front sight protector on target and press the trigger. You'll get a hit.

A little farther out, get the front sight on the target and fire. Bullets will hit even ignoring the rear sight.

Out past that, go from rough aligning the front and rear to fine alignment. It's reasonable to expect to keep all your rounds in a 12" circle at 300 yards.

I'll take the flat top front and rear sights of the AK over the inverted V and V notch sights of a Mauser any day.

BSW

I have Tech Sights on mine and like them a lot. It gives you nice easy 1 MOA clicks for windage and elevation, and just about doubles sight radius... plus the benefits of an aperture sight over a notch.

+1 for tech sights.

If you want to run an optic I can highly recommend Ultimak rails as a mount. Primary Arms is a great budget optic.

tech sights or red dot are perfect for the ak

I used to have a tech sight on my sks. It mounted securely to the back on the receiver and was amazing. It felt like it increased the sight radius by about two feet!

For those who use the Tech Sights (or any of them that put the sight in the same place), how do you shoulder and shoot the rifle properly with the sight sitting where your face/eye normally would be?

It looks to me it would either be painful to shoot with, and/or would force you to hold your head unnaturally away from the receiver, like some of the optics mounts.