I recently acquired a WASR 10/63 with the side rail mount. I'd like to gather some suggestions for how to mount optics. I can't decided whether to utilize that side rail with some sort of contraption or get a bolt cover with a weaver mount on it.
AK-47 Optics Mounting Options
- Thread starter Ben86
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You want an Ultimak. Check out this vid. Guy has one installed on his AK. His AK is extremely awesome btw.
Ultimak on fully accessorized AK
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Ultimak on fully accessorized AK
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Ben, I'm kinda in the same boat, but I can't decide on using the side rail or a mount like the ultimak (I think I like MIs stuff better). I'm leaning to the side mount right now. I'm not a fan of the idea (never used one) of the rails on the dust cover, they dont seem that solid compared to the other options, and I don't really understand how they can hold zero reliably. I was a mounting solution as durable as the gun.
briansmithwins
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I'm using the side rail to mount an Aimpoint. The rifle holds zero and can be fully field stripped. Since I mostly shoot corrosive that's important to me.
The Ultimaks work too, and with a Aimpoint Micro can be co-witnessed.
The dust cover rails are utter crap. Buy lottery tickets with the cash instead.
BSW
The Ultimaks work too, and with a Aimpoint Micro can be co-witnessed.
The dust cover rails are utter crap. Buy lottery tickets with the cash instead.
BSW
The following are worth considering and have relative advantages depending on what you plan to mount and how you plan to use it.
Ultimak gas tube
Midwest industries hand guards and optic specific top rails
Midwest Industries mini dot mount
Texas Weapon System gen II rail. It is not your typical railed dust cover and overcomes the limitations of simply sticking a rail on a dust cover.
One can also use a side rail. It has its own set of limitations and I prefer the above.
Ultimak gas tube
Midwest industries hand guards and optic specific top rails
Midwest Industries mini dot mount
Texas Weapon System gen II rail. It is not your typical railed dust cover and overcomes the limitations of simply sticking a rail on a dust cover.
One can also use a side rail. It has its own set of limitations and I prefer the above.
Ultimak
View attachment 591225
MI top rail--this is available for a number of different RDS
Mini dot
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com...ategory_id=421&CFID=25443968&CFTOKEN=41973643
TWS
http://texasweaponsystems.com/id1.html
View attachment 591226
View attachment 591225
MI top rail--this is available for a number of different RDS
Mini dot
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com...ategory_id=421&CFID=25443968&CFTOKEN=41973643
TWS
http://texasweaponsystems.com/id1.html
View attachment 591226
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Rob G
Member
Not all of them.
Texas Weapons systems and Parabellum armamanet both make dust cover rail systems for the AK that are simple to install, allow an optic to maintain zero even after the dust cover has been removed for cleaning and reinstalled, and will allow for cowitnessing of iron sights with certain types of optics. The TWS rail even has an optional peep sight you can mount at the back of it essentially doubling the AK's sight radius.
In addition you can also buy an ultimak rail (as someone else already mentioned) or if you're looking to mount a red dot Midwest Industries has a mini dot mount that replaces your rear sight (and includes a new sight) and provides a low, reliable mounting bracket for a couple different types of red dots.
However, you should also take a look at http://kalinkaoptics.com and http://www.eastwave.ca/products/scopes.html
Both of those websites carry a lot of AK specific optics made in Russian (and various former republics) that are designed to mount on the side rail of the AK. Some of them are very cool and just as high quality as anything you'd find here. In addition there are magnified scopes that are specifically calibrated to the 7.62x39 round and it's rate of drop over distance.
I used the Leapers UTG 2nd or 3rd gen mount with good success from optics planet.
This after trying 4 mounts from kalinka optics...one broke...the others were high or low in the front...and not over the bore line. Scott really tried to please me, but the inconsistency in manufacturing just threw it off
the UTG mount is solid, CNC machined to tight specs, and is lighter than the Russian stuff.
Fora fraction of the price, too.
This after trying 4 mounts from kalinka optics...one broke...the others were high or low in the front...and not over the bore line. Scott really tried to please me, but the inconsistency in manufacturing just threw it off
the UTG mount is solid, CNC machined to tight specs, and is lighter than the Russian stuff.
Fora fraction of the price, too.
wnycollector
Member
I am using the MI side railed scope mount on my converted Siaga 7.62 for a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot. It is super low so I can get a consistent cheek weld plus it locks up as well as my BP-02 mount on my 5.45 Saiga. Primary arms has it for $110 with free shipping. Here is the link https://www.primaryarms.com/Midwest_Industries_AK_Side_Railed_Scope_Mount_p/mi-aksm.htm
briansmithwins
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Actually, I leave the side rail on for stripping and cleaning. The type I'm usin is offset to the side and allows enough clearance for disassembly.
I've found that the POI shift for the side rails is roughly 2MOA.
Which is too much for what I need to do with a rifle.
BSW
I've found that the POI shift for the side rails is roughly 2MOA.
Which is too much for what I need to do with a rifle.
BSW
Deus Machina
Member
Nothing wrong with the side mounts, but I find they stick the optics way too high for me.
The Ultimaks are the usual go-to, but again I personally don't like the optic so far forward.
Most of the railed dust covers are crap. There are ones that replace the rear sight and then bolt onto the stock tang that seem perfectly stable, but make it a pain to field strip. They may loose zero when you do.
I did just receive a second-gen Texas Weapons System cover, and even with the pin that holds it in the front sight block not fitting (My gun's fault, not the rail's), it's solid as a rock. More expensive than any of the others, but the best option IMO.
The Ultimaks are the usual go-to, but again I personally don't like the optic so far forward.
Most of the railed dust covers are crap. There are ones that replace the rear sight and then bolt onto the stock tang that seem perfectly stable, but make it a pain to field strip. They may loose zero when you do.
I did just receive a second-gen Texas Weapons System cover, and even with the pin that holds it in the front sight block not fitting (My gun's fault, not the rail's), it's solid as a rock. More expensive than any of the others, but the best option IMO.
henschman
Member
Another one nobody has mentioned is the RS AKM mount. It is a 30mm ring mount that attaches to the side rail. It puts a 30mm tube optic low enough for a co-witness. It is designed to work with the tube-body Aimpoints.
I would go with either the Ultimak, the MI co-witness mount, or the RS AKM. The Ultimak if you want to run a T1/H1 or regular 30mm tube body sight or a scout scope, the MI if you want to run one of the red dots that it goes with, or the RS if you want a 30mm tube body RDS.
I would go with either the Ultimak, the MI co-witness mount, or the RS AKM. The Ultimak if you want to run a T1/H1 or regular 30mm tube body sight or a scout scope, the MI if you want to run one of the red dots that it goes with, or the RS if you want a 30mm tube body RDS.
Inebriated
Member
I'd say TWS Dog Leg cover. It removes your rear sight, but you get a nice rail that is securely attached, and you can get a rear peep sight for it, which doubles the sight radius of the rifle, in addition to the optic you decide to run.
Parabellum also makes a nice top-rail. Similar to a TWS dogleg, but only requires rear-sight replacement. Plus the rail system has a built in notch rear sight, so you dont have to get a rear sight like with the TWS dogleg. They are rather back-ordered right now though.
http://parabellumarmament.com/pashop/zcshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18
One up-side to consider with side mounts is that they are almost all quick detach in case of optics failure, and as far as quality ones like a BP-02 or MI AK rail offer excellent return-to-zero with remounting. Own multiple of them, and you can rapidly change from a RDS to a magnified optic.
http://parabellumarmament.com/pashop/zcshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18
One up-side to consider with side mounts is that they are almost all quick detach in case of optics failure, and as far as quality ones like a BP-02 or MI AK rail offer excellent return-to-zero with remounting. Own multiple of them, and you can rapidly change from a RDS to a magnified optic.
Rob G
Member
Just as an FYI if you're interested in the TWS rail they're about to release a new one that incorporates a standard rear AK site (nonadjustable) right where the original one was before you mounted the new topcover. From what the designer has said the new covers are in production right now and should be up for sale in a week or so.
7.62x51NATO
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I have a WASR 10/63 as well and mine, personally, has been great. I installed a 4x POSP scope from Kalinka Optics and it works like a charm. The scope slides on and once locked down, stays on tight. The rifle can be field stripped and cleaned just fine with the optic on as well as allowing you to co-witness the sights (however many optic mounting options allow that) Optic is built just as tough and rugged as the rifle itself. My groups also got tighter when I switched to the optic, the sights are really limiting IMO. Just my .02$
Deus Machina
Member
Just got my TWS cover mounted, after making a new retaining pin for it. Works perfectly now.
Going to add a peep sight to it, and already have one of those crosshair front sights. I think it's going to feel like cheating.
Going to add a peep sight to it, and already have one of those crosshair front sights. I think it's going to feel like cheating.
W.E.G.
Member
henschman
Member
I don't think "co-witness" means what you think it means. It is not where you have your scope mounted so high that you can see your irons under it, like with a POSP... it is where you use a non-magnified optic and have it mounted so low that you can actually line up your iron sights through the field of view of the optic. It obviously wouldn't work on any kind of telescopic sight.
It is nice because if the optic craps out, you can just start using your irons through the dead optic without having to remove it, or flip up your sights, or anything... but probably the main reason I like co-witness-capable setups on the AK is that it keeps the optic low enough that you don't have to add any kind of cheek riser to get in a proper shooting position with the optic. For one thing, cheek risers can sometimes be awkward... and also, they defeat the purpose of a quick-detach optic, unless the cheek riser can also be removed quickly.
wally
Member
Hmmm. I regularly switch out a PSOP 4X scope and a cheap red dot on a cheap side rail mount and I don't notice any significant POA/POI shift on my converted Saiga 5.45x39 when switching between them.
I also still try to get in a little practice with the irons, but the AK rear sight and my old eyes don't really get along too well -- a $20 Williams rear aperture sight helps but the TWS rear peep is the best iron AK sight for me.
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