Best scope for AK74 Saiga? (new to AK optics)

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

Nachtjager

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
4
Location
Norfolk, VA
Hey all. I just recently got myself an Arsenal SGL31 Saiga conversion in 5.45, and I am interested in acquiring a low-mag optic for it. Unfortunately, my knowledge of optics is quite limited, so I was hoping that someone could answer a few questions:

I have been looking at the POSPs offered by Kalinka, and I am unsure of the meanings of some of the specs on the scopes. Some of them indicate "independent focus"; what does this mean exactly? Also, I noticed that some of them have 400m rangefinders and some are marked for 1000m. Will both of these work well with 5.45?

And now for the super noob question: There seems to be a choice of 24mm or 42mm lens diameters. What are the advantages, if any, of the larger diameter?

I really want an optic that is designed to work with the AK side rail. Are there any options outside of the varieties offered by Kalinka? Any reason I should avoid Kalinka altogether?

If anyone knows the answers to these questions, your insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
Larger diameter lens means better light collection and better performance in low light.

Look at the Kobra if available. Those are the best for short barrel AK type rifles.
 
Wow, you waited a long time for that first post...

Forget the POSP scopes. Too heavy, changing power shifts POI, and getting them fixed might be a problem.

Simpler to get a light-weight, UTG quick-detachable mount and use any scope or red dot you want.

M
 

Attachments

  • UTG mount.jpg
    UTG mount.jpg
    12.8 KB · Views: 43
I have used 3 of the BP-02 mounts, but found them heavy and difficult to align optics. Ended up selling them....

The UTGs are light-weight, align optics over the bore, and I prefer them to anything else I have tried so far for my Saigas.

M
 
Thanks for your responses so far. I think I am going to go with a side weaver mount, so I will have the option of putting any scope I want on it.

I have some questions regarding the UTG and BP-02 mount. Do either of these sit high enough to still be able to use the iron sights? How well do they retain zero when removed and put back on?
 
If you're interested in an unmagnified optic, the best optic setup I'm aware of for AK's is an Aimpoint H-1 or T-1 (Micro) on an Ultimak forward rail. It is the only setup that preserves the standard cheek weld and allows cowitnessing of the dot with the irons (i.e. you can see the iron sights through the optic, allowing you to shoot using the irons if necessary without removing the optic).

I really like the Kobra, but at least the Gen-2 model has proven a bit delicate in my experience (the switch shaft broke in half on mine, which I thankfully managed to kludge back together with a longer screw and some epoxy, but this is a very common failure mode). The bigger issue with the Kobra is that it sits so high that a conventional cheek weld is not possible; you do more of a "chin weld" with a regular stock, and with some stocks you end up floating your head completely, which is slower. And if the optic quits, you have to remove the optic before you can use the sights.

The fixed-power POSP's are good optics, very clear and rugged. I am partial to the 24mm 4x24 for an AK; I think the higher magnification models are more at home on an SVD or PSL. The downside of magnified optics for the AK (and the reason I sold my POSP) is that you lose the ability to shoot quickly at closer ranges. If you are *only* shooting at distance and want more precision than a red dot can provide, then a POSP would be a good choice.

The over-the-receiver scope mounts are a very good solution if you have another model of scope in mind, but do be aware they sit kind of high to clear the dust cover.

I *think* my POSP sat high enough to theoretically use the irons under the scope, but all such arrangements have the problem that you are essentially looking through a keyhole. Shooting that way isn't a problem, but finding the target through the keyhole in the first place is the hard part (in my experience).
 
Nachtjager said:
Thanks for your responses so far. I think I am going to go with a side weaver mount, so I will have the option of putting any scope I want on it.

I have some questions regarding the UTG and BP-02 mount. Do either of these sit high enough to still be able to use the iron sights? How well do they retain zero when removed and put back on?
Click to expand...
UTG makes high mounts allowing iron sight usage, but you lose decent cheek weld. Okay for a fast handling red dot, but not so good for more precise aiming with a scope.

Yes they hold zero very well.

BTW, the low mount will still allow field stripping and cleaning without scope removal.

M
 

Attachments

  • STA60132.jpg
    STA60132.jpg
    174.5 KB · Views: 46
I was in the same boat, got the bp-02 from Kalinka, and have seen been told that it isn't a worthy setup for hunting?

I'm confused.

Yeah.. I have that BP-02 on a SAIGA with a $80 simmons scope.

I'm wanting to go deer hunting this season with it.

I am going to try to zero it in at the range next weekend, but have been told in another thread that its not going to hold zero...

I too am new to optics and sighting. the rifles I grew up with were sighted by my great grandpa.

What do you guys think?
 
The BP-02 should be fine for your purposes as long as you can get optics to align reasonably well. I had to use shims and washers to straighten out mine.

They should hold zero okay, but I would double check by running a few rounds downrange before I went afield for game hunting.

M
 
I'm guessing you had to use a shim on the back scope mount, and washers on the bottom screws that hold the top piece of the mount?
 
A friend's did. He had to add the washers to the back of the rail to get it level. Mine needed washers on the side screws to pull it back to the left a bit. Finally got it to align okay. All three of mine were a little different and each one took some tweaking to get them straight.

Then someone recommended the UTG mount. I gave one a try, liked it, and promptly ordered 2 more for my Saigas. All of them are interchangeable on each Saiga rifle and align well.

I suspect not all side rails are machined to the same tolerances or mounted exactly the same on all AKs. The UTG doesn't sit quite as straight on my Romanian SAR...

Good luck.

M
 
Last edited:
I want to thank everybody for their feedback; it was all very helpful.

I decided to order the UTG 5th gen quick-detach rail.

As far as a scope goes, for now I am going to go with a $90 Leapers 1-4x. I am not expecting this to be an incredible scope by any means; however, I am completely new to optics, so I figured I would go with something less expensive to start out with. And who knows, I could end up being perfectly satisfied with it. Most of the reviews for it seemed reasonably favorable, considering its price. So, we'll see how it works out. If it leaves me wanting something more, I'll jump up in price and try this out next: http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/18...-4x-24mm-illuminated-circle-dot-reticle-matte
 
Yes, I have had better luck with the UTG on my three Saigas than the BP-02.

M
 
I've been through the ringer with Kalinka. Scott is a nice guy over there, but I'm in the hole $96 trying 3 of his mounts, having each bore-sighted, and paying return shipping on all of them.

I emailed him, and hope he makes an honorable decision to refund my original amount, plus at least a portion of my expenses incurred trying to use the product, and sending em back.

He said they have better mounts like the MOLOT and VOMZ. They are more expensive, but I would be willing to take one of those and try it, and if it works, they have a customer for life. Otherwise, I'm mailing the charge-back paperwork to my card member services tomorrow.
 
So far he's only willing to refund the product price. No shipping, no bore-sighting.. not an offer for a free upgrade..

I'm about to write a bad review of this place.
 
Kalinka is now on my craplist, just FYI.

3 canted or otherwise uneven mounts. I am sending it for a refund in the morning.
 
If you're interested in an unmagnified optic, the best optic setup I'm aware of for AK's is an Aimpoint H-1 or T-1 (Micro) on an Ultimak forward rail. It is the only setup that preserves the standard cheek weld and allows cowitnessing of the dot with the irons (i.e. you can see the iron sights through the optic, allowing you to shoot using the irons if necessary without removing the optic).
Click to expand...

+1. After exploring and failing with several different options on several AK's, I have found the Ultimak with quality EER glass to be the only solution that holds zero. As a less expensive option to the T-1, the original Aimpoint 9000 is still being made and can be found freaquently on sale for around 2 bills. It is built for VERY hard use. It is a bit heavy, but I find that aids in rapid fire at least for my style of shooting. It is made for high-temp use, Mine works perfectly even with the gun near glowing hot, a consideration for a gas-tube mount, and you can leave it on for 3 years before replacing the batt.
 
Last edited:
My problem with the Ultimak is corrosive ammo. I really like to be able to completly strip the rifle and clean the gas block, gas tube, and under the rear sight base after shooting corrosive ammo.

My current solution is to run a Aimpoint Micro on a side rail. That lets me strip the rifle w/o disturbing the optic and having to rezero. I can also use the irons if need be.

The down side is it's higher than the stock optic and offset to the side. But so far, nothing I've found is w/o flaws.

BSW

Me shooting at 1:07.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hslUOjOVwMA&feature=related

Stills of the rifle:
IMG_0169.jpg

IMG_0171.jpg
 
My problem with the Ultimak is corrosive ammo. I really like to be able to completly strip the rifle and clean the gas block, gas tube, and under the rear sight base after shooting corrosive ammo.
Click to expand...

Not a concern IMO. I soak mine with #9 using a shotgun mop, blast through the gas port with some WD 40, clean patch it with cloth, boresnake the barrel relube and call it good. Zero problems.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
POSP 4x24 scope for AK-47 questions?
Replies
5
Views
2K
JWarren
J
M
  • Locked
in a saiga optics quandry...suggestions
Replies
4
Views
356
Vyacheslav
V
S
  • Locked
Optics for AK pattern rifles.
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
henschman
H
G
  • Locked
Kalinka optics.
Replies
11
Views
831
dprice3844444
D
D
  • Locked
Optics for Saiga 7.62x39
Replies
8
Views
2K
AK103K
AK103K
Back
Top