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.
Not all of them.The dust cover rails are utter crap.
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$
I've found that the POI shift for the side rails is roughly 2MOA