Best red dot and mount for an AK

[spartanpride]

What do ya'll think would be the best way to mount a red dot on my AK? The gas tube rail deal or the side mount russian style, or the top cover style, or what do you guys think would be best? I just use it for plinking and shooting rabbits, stuff like that if it matters anyway.
Thanks!

 

[Avenger29]

Ultimak gas tube rail and Aimpoint H1 or T1 with a LaRue mount. Expensive, but quality. A standard model Aimpoint (M2, C3, M3, etc) can also be used, in a LaRue mount also.

The dust cover mounts are generally useless. There is one company- Texas Weapons Systems that makes a worthwhile rail.

The side rails seem to work OK, but place the optic pretty high over the bore, creating cheek weld issues. They are generally the most cost effective, however.

It comes down to how much you are willing to spend and what you are willing to settle for. For plinking, it doesn't really matter what you buy, but you said best. You definitley, however, don't want to go too cheap/gimicky, simply to save yourself frustration.

 

[NetJunkie]

What Avenger said. I had two of the Russian side-mount optics on my SLR-107FR and weren't happy with either. Just not good positions for cheek weld. I sold both and plan to do Ultimak + Aimpoint on a Larue mount.

 

[spartanpride]

Thanks! Looks like I'll go with the gas tupe set up!

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[Avenger29]

^^^

Don't listen to commies. A quality, reliable reddot in a quality mount is an advantage. It won't, however, come cheap!

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Ultradot is great for the price, accurate, reasonable price, works for me

 

[Kymasabe]

The Texas Weapon Systems Dogleg Rail is a great rail, very sturdy, good platform to mount a scope or red-dot on. The Burris SpeedDot 135 is an excellent choice without breaking the bank.
If you decide to go with a side mount, I'd recommend the Belarus BP-02, is a very low mount, really hugs the top of the dust cover and there are some very simple modifications you can do to the mount to drop the scope rail an addition 1/4 to 3/16's of an inch.
Personally, I don't like the gas tube mounts and scopes, it makes the gun too front-heavy and adversely changes the balance of the weapon.

 

[spartanpride]

Nice W.E.G! I think the same way, I'm not too into "tacti-cool" stuff, but I'm leaving my AK original, and putting the red dot on my converted Saiga just for a quicker sight picture on bunnies!

 

[Quiet]

I use a Midwest Industries AK rail and a Primary Arms Micro-Dot (Aimpoint Micro T1 clone) on my AK pistol.
The MI rail is really durable/sturdy and Primary Arms makes the best Aimpoint clones on the market.

 

[rizbunk77]

The best mount and red dot hands down, is the Russian Kobra. The only disadvantage with them is the coated lense, but this is common to almost all optics of this design. If you don't buy one fine, just leaves more for me!

 

[amprecon]

I have an Aimpoint CompC3 mounted on an Ultimak tube rail and it has worked very well for me.

 

[7.62x54mmR]

hahahaha!
i actually agree with this

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[rangerruck]

there is this; and there is everything else;
www.texasweaponsystems.com

it's ability to co-witness, it's ability to put a rear site, RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR EYE!!!!.... you can now get them with the windage/elevation rear peep site, the way it just latches down on the rear
lockpiece of your ak...
It's just better, period.

I think the ' armed society is a polite society..' was first said by Jefferson or Franklin, no?

 

[rangerruck]

plus with a 1 or 2 things cowitnessed, to the rear, the rifle won't be so
frickin' front heavy.... just a thought.

 

[-v-]

I'd personally still go with a Russian PK-A, PK-AS, or Kobra red-dots. Unlike the jerry-rigged offerings, its what was designed to go on the rifle. You do give up a 'cheek' weld in favor of a jaw-weld. Your irons are still usable. and as for mounting the optic too high, even with my PSOP scope on my AK, I find that it is just about the right height to bring the rifle up to shoulder and be looking through my optic from the get-go. Its surprisingly natural, No need to hunch your head down to get a cheek weld or any other such things.

And with a red-dot or other reflex site, I am not entirely convinced of the value of a cheek weld. As long as you see that dot, your rifle is on target, and there is no need to get your eye in strait-line with it, like you would with a rifle scope.

Plus, all Russian optics are quick-detach and will keep their zero's after being repeatedly mounted and removed, all with just the movement of a throw-arm.

 

[inherentical]

Avenger had it right in one. I've tried most other offerings on the market and they don't compare to an Aimpoint on an Ultimak.