Best dot sight for AK.....

[Inebriated]

The only remaining issue I see with mounting an optic so far forward on the rifle is balance. Isn't it a little front heavy?

Not with a micro dot like I've got. And to AK103K's credit, many people have said that the 30mm Aimpoints don't throw the balance off either. I imagine an EOTech would, though. Also, the EOTech will add quite a bit of height over the bore, which makes for a more arcing trajectory. A lot of people do it, it's not a big deal, but worth noting.

But the Ultimak IS lighter than a factory gas tube without a handguard, and the micro weighs what, 3oz? It is incredibly light, and 100% reliable.

 

[kcmarine]

Is the Kobra in this class of sight, or am I thinking of something else?

 

[Inebriated]

Is the Kobra in this class of sight, or am I thinking of something else?

The Kobra is Russian-made, and generally more reliable than Chinese-made optics, but it's nowhere near the quality of an Aimpoint, Trijicon, etc.

They're for people who want as much authenticity as possible, not as much durability as possible.

 

[Auto426]

Depends on what you plan to use the rifle for. If you truly want something that's duty grade, or have the disposable income, go for an Aimpoint micro. If the gun is mainly for range use and you don't feel like spending $600 for an Aimpoint, the Primary Arms micro dots have a good reputation, and inexpensive, and will fit most of the same aftermarket mounts as the Aimpoint micros.

Is the Kobra in this class of sight, or am I thinking of something else?

It is, especially since it was designed for AK's in the first place. Trouble with the Kobra is that they cost almost as much as an Aimpoint and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of any type of warranty support for them here in the States.

 

[aka108]

Years ago I got a really great deal on a Arsenal SA M7S along with a Kobra red dot sight. Everything is still working just as it is supposed to do. Later on mounted another Kobra to Saiga.

 

[AK103K]

Most all the Russian stuff Ive come across, while maybe somewhat crude in appearance, has been well made. The Kobras are no different, but they are somewhat dated.

The couple Ive shot with worked fine, its just their design seemed like an afterthought, and they sit to far rearwards and to high, to be "naturally" effective.

I prefer things that allow a "normal" cheek weld, dont get in the way of my peripheral vision and general handling.

 

[WV_Gunner]

I have a tasco redot on mine. I still have to finish fitting my dust cover though. Accuracy isn't a high concern, it's just for fun and its an AK with red dot, how accurate can it be anyways? Plus mine is a pistol.

 

[AK103K]

its an AK with red dot, how accurate can it be anyways?

A lot more accurate than many give them credit.

The internet generated inaccurate AK myth, is right up there with the unreliable AR myths.

 

[WV_Gunner]

My idea of accuracy is different than most. Most people on gun forums that talk about accuracy use expensive guns with just as expensive scopes. And they talk about groups less than an inch at 100 yards. To me, shooting free handed at 100 yards and getting within a few inches is good enough. Unless I'm hunting I don't shoot past that. So when I say it's not accurate, I say it's not accurate enough to worry about buying a $400-$500 red dot for. The gun only cost me $420 new. The mount was around $20 and the my wife bought me the red dot and it was $50. My main reason for the red dot is I hate the AK sights. If I can hit a gallon jug at 100 yards consistently I'm happy. My next project for it is an adjustable trigger. I'm considering hunting with it.

 

[AK103K]

I dont normally shoot from a bench, and 99% of the time, shoot from field positions. My AK's with red dots mounted, shoot pretty much identically to my AR's with red dots, when shot the same way.

The AK's sights are far from "bad", and really no different than most factory iron sights you see today, and like most military rifles youve seen since the beginning. When properly zeroed, they will work fine.

This was shot at 200 yards using the (slightly canted) irons on my SAR1. Ammo was Wolf 154 gain SP's, which the SAR likes. The lower three round group was shot from a rest, to confirm zero, the upper group from a cross legged sitting position, and fired at a steady cadence. If you cant read the numbers on the rule, the "head" is 6"x 6".



As far as triggers go, most all of the AK's Ive shot, have had very nice triggers, even the ones with "slap". They were a bit painful, but still "nice". All were better than any of the standard" grade AR triggers Ive ever shot.

The only AK trigger I had an issue with, was the Tapco G2. I know a lot of people swear by them, but the one I tried, was crunchy, and would actually hang on take up, and if you didnt fire, the next time you touched it, it would go off with very little pressure, much like a "set trigger". I put the the US compliance parts back in and its back to right.

If you want a nice, tunable AK trigger, the Red Star Arms trigger is a good way to go. I replaced the crappy compliance trigger in my SAR, which had some bad slap, with a RSA, and never regretted it.


One other thing to consider.... the price of the dot vs the cost of the gun is meaningless. Its what you get with the comb that counts.

 

[EAJ]

I use an inexpensive Primary Arms Red Dot Optic (M4) on mine and its held up well.

 

[PabloJ]

Well, I didn't go with the best. I had Vortex SPARC II mounted & bore-sighted on my rifle. I will try to get to the range in next two weeks. It has good warranty, compact size not affecting peripheral vision, low weight, decent battery life, and can be mounted low on top of the rail. Being amateur shooter I just couldn't justify spending >$500 for the best option. With money saved I can buy good quantity of bargain priced Eastern-European magazines and some quality ammo. Thanks for your insights.

 

[dusty14u]

Please let us know how well the new red dot works.