AK rear sight options

[ultraperio]

I'm about the pull the trigger on buying a M10-762 as the price is right and has several features I would do myself (bolton style gas block sight, muzzle device, converted, etc. on a new manufacture gun) to a saiga without the headache or hassle.

Gun will be a SHTF/combat rifle with a low profile forward mounted optic and cowitnessed buis.

That said this will be my first AK and I absolutely hate the style and location of the rear sight which has left me looking for alternatives. So far it comes down to the techsights (adding more of a pain when field stripping) or a galil/valmet dust cover mounted solution.

Ultimately I'd like to avoid complicating the field strip and still have repeatable aperture buis mounted more traditionally at the rear of the rifle.

My question is what is different about the location of the dust cover on the galil and valmet compared to a typical AK that prevents it from flopping around and allows it to hold zero. As far as I'm aware both the galil and valmet are accurate rifles with their dust cover mounted sights. Is it possible to replicated the dust cover location on a regular AK or possibly use a galil/valmet style dust cover?

I'm aware the galil rear sight will not line up with the standard AK sight line but it is conceivably possible to remove the standard galil sight and mount a dust cover mounted rear sight like the velocity aperture sight that will line up with the AK's sight line.

I've removed the dust cover on a Galil before and remember it being tighter/more difficult but don't remember it being particularly different from a standard AK.

Anyone that could help inform me about the differences between a standard AK, Galil, and Valmet dust cover and their location, preferably with pictures, would be greatly appreciated. As would any help on why's, or why not's, for mounting a rear peep sight in a more modern location on an AK.

If it were easy to locate the dust cover there would be no reason for elaborate (and expensive) solutions like the TWS hinged cover or the dog leg over-the-dust cover solutions like the Krebs. But in my mind this cannot be that insurmountable if the Finns and the Israeli's were able to figure it out on their mass produced rifles.

 

[briansmithwins]

I have the stock sights on my AK. I understand that they aren't what most people are used to but they do actually work ok.

With some practice I get the same 4.5 MOA groups with the irons as I do with the Aimpoint. The whole reason I use the Aimpoint isn't that it's more accurate its that it's faster.

And since I use the AK at the local shoot and move rifle match getting hits fast is important to me.

BSW

 

[David Sinko]

I too have shot some of my smallest groups at 100 yards with the original rear sight. It just takes time and the target needs to be the right size and shape, since the original sights block out much of what you're looking at. I bought the overpriced Krebs rear aperture and found that it speeds things up considerably and allows me to do much better shooting out to 300 yards, since more of the target and background are visible in the aperture.

I am reluctant to put any kind of sights on the dust cover. I think you would be best served by keeping the original sight arrangement and using a good quick release mount on a gas tube rail like the Ultimak. A friend of mine uses this arrangement and I think it's the best arrangement if you want to mount any kind of optic up front.

Dave Sinko

 

[Quiet]

I like the Midwest Industries AK mini-dot mount + Aimpoint T1 combo for improving the sights on an AK.

 

[ultraperio]

Currently plan on a Primary Arms Microdot mounted on an ultimak for optics.

I just really wish there was a smart way to mount an aperture sight to the rear of the rifle and the galil/velmet style solutions interest me.

Anyone with a galil/golani mind taking pictures of the dust cover? Also, how does Red Jacket mount the sight when they do their Saiga>Galil conversions and other AK's with rear mounted sights? I'd assume they don't just have the sight or optics flopping around on a standard dustcover on $1500-3000 guns.

 

[6x6pinz]

I have the tech sights on my Saiga 223. Yes it is a little bit more work to get the cover off but come on pushing in two detents to remove cover is not all that difficult if you have half a brain. I use the tip of a bullet to push in one side slide it up slightly then push in the other side. All done, no big deal. The added accuracy is worth the effort. There are some 300yd gongs at the range which are now no problem to hit every time while with the stock sights it is a 50/50 proposition.

 

[ultraperio]

I understand getting the cover off is simple but afaik you have to remove the sight to get the recoil spring/guide/piston out. Is that true?

And for the sight to be consistent it has to be fit very snugly which makes removing/reinstalling it a pain adding considerably to the teardown of the rifle.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[AK103K]

Are you going to be able to get a cowitness with the rail on that gun? It looks like that rail is to high to me.

I have Ultimaks on a couple of AK's, and the rail is a god bit lower on them. Even then, you only get a 1/3 cowitness with a low ring.

Personally, I prefer the standard AK sights. They are low profile and work great as a CQB type sight. Even at 2-300 yards, they still do well if youre a capable shooter.

The problem I have with most of the aftermarket rear mounted AK sights is the placement of the sight and the way they mount them. The sight is usually right where your face/nose/eye are resting when the rifle is shouldered naturally. If you look at the Valmet's, the sight is mounted more forward to account for that.

The other issue with the rear mounted sight, as far as using it with the forward mounted red dots is, its sort of in the way. The AR's deal with that by using fold down BUIS, which makes for a much cleaner, less cluttered sight picture with the dot. The standard AK sights, while still there, are a lower profile, not as noticeable.

 

[6x6pinz]

There is an allen set screw that some will tighten up way too tight. I fitted mine so that there is no movement but still able to slide the sight forward and out of the rear trunion. People need to learn that you don't have to be a gorilla to put things together. Just tight enough is what you want, no need to try to strip the set screw.

 

[ultraperio]

Are you going to be able to get a cowitness with the rail on that gun? It looks like that rail is to high to me.

Will be taking the top rail off and putting on an Ultimak tube rail with the Primary Arms Minidot.

The rail that comes with it sits ~1/4 inch higher than the Ultimac from what I can tell and isn't an integral part of the fore end.

 

[briansmithwins]

Anyone with a galil/golani mind taking pictures of the dust cover? Also, how does Red Jacket mount the sight when they do their Saiga>Galil conversions and other AK's with rear mounted sights? I'd assume they don't just have the sight or optics flopping around on a standard dustcover on $1500-3000 guns.

Now why would you assume that?

BSW

 

[ultraperio]

Now why would you assume that?

BSW

Giving the benefit of the doubt I guess. Red Jacket was known for quality Saiga/AK conversions five years ago before they went 'hollywood'. I don't know if this still holds true but I'd like to believe they wouldn't be putting their reputation behind $3000 guns that won't shoot straight. It would be unfortunate if they were and if you know something I don't, by all means.

If they are still putting out quality firearms I'd like to know what sort of solution they came up with for the rear sight mounting. Guess I can call them and hear it from the horses mouth.

Is anyone aware if Red Jacket is active on THR?