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

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If you want a reliable scope and mount solution you have two options:
1. Give up on it and run it with iron sights.
2. Write a letter to Mother Russia and ask please bygolly please design an AK with a solid railed receiver top.

Having owned about a dozen different AK's and spent near $1000 on different mounts thats the best answer I have. My standards are high. If I am going to scope it I want to be able to have it bang around in the truck through a pasture without moving. I want to be able to clean the gun without messing with the scope. I don't want it to be so high that I need a step ladder or a tribal neck extension kit to use it. Thats the way I see it.
 
I've been happy with a 4X POSP on my russian Arsenal 74. It does however sit high so i've mounted a generic foam pad on my stock which provided perfect eye alignment but can't be used with irons. The scope itself is incredibly clear and bright for what i paid.
 
briansmithwins said:
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That lets me strip the rifle w/o disturbing the optic and having to rezero.
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Click to expand...
Brian, have you tried one of those UTG mounts? I have 2 and neither has lost zero. One holds a red dot, the other a scope. I remove them every time I case the gun. No issues ever. For irons I just pull the mount. Takes a second or so.
 
Ever removable side rail I've tried has had around 2-4MOA of movement.

Just haven't found on that worked for me.

BSW
 
2. Write a letter to Mother Russia and ask please bygolly please design an AK with a solid railed receiver top.
Click to expand...

Aforementioned product solves that. But I'm not so sure its necessary. I am going to try the leapers UTG mount and see how solid it is. The BP-02 flexed a lot. Kalinka told me the VOMZ and MOLOT were much better than the BP-02, but who wants to spend $129 or $159 on a product that still uses the same mounting principle, if you are that concerned, you can get the one posted in that video from texas weapons system for around the same price.
 
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The new TWS system relies on 2 or 3 spring loaded points of contact for securing the optic. Thats a far cry from 4 drilled and tapped holes, underlying a solid base. Anyone can see that. The siderail on an AK is an afterthought to the Russians. The side-rail was primarily designed for use with the SVD. If you notice an SVD siderail and PSO scope combo mounts perfectly low and with perfect eye relief. Not so on the AK. To me the best bet would be to get a solid mount for the side rail made of steel and aluminum where necessary to save weight and low and centered, and of the same attachment design as the PSO not the POSP. No such mount exists yet that I am aware of. The other option would be to use the PSO and get a different buttstock and live with the limitations of the scope.

Incidentally the limiting factor in how low you mount your scope is not the height of the rail above the dust cover. It is the objective of the scope hitting the rear sight base. You get the rail lower, you will just be using taller rings, unless you are running a straight tube scope.
 
I run a Kobra red dot on my Arsenal SA M7S. Seems to be durable scope and gets you about all the accuracy a AK type firearm is capable of.
 
I run a Kobra red dot on my Arsenal SA M7S. Seems to be durable scope and gets you about all the accuracy a AK type firearm is capable of.
Click to expand...

Just don't try to shoot in the rain or snow. Water gets on the emitter and you lose the reticle.

BSW
 
I would definitely go with a setup that sits low enough that you can get a cheek weld without rigging up a big cheek rest. That would mean, if you want a magnified optic, an Ultimak rail with a scout or pistol scope mounted in low rings. If you want to go with an unmagnified red dot (which for me fits the accuracy/max effective range of the AK the best), an Aimpoint or other tube-bodied red dot in low rings on an Ultimak rail; an aimpoint or other 30mm tube optic in a RS AKM mount; or any of the compatible mini red dots that work with the Midwest Industries rear sight mount.
 
Either of these will work...I don't agree with the texas weapon systems or the krebs custom style because you are basically optic dependent. The use of iron sights is pretty much non existent which is great for a bench shooter but the ak is more of a SHTF rifle. After personal tests I've noticed the the 2 side mounts below are the most practical and stable. Even with quick detach they hold zero very well and iron sights can be utilized by removal of quick detach. Just make sure you don't over tighten them. They are not as cheap as the leapers or promag but you get what you pay for.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/47...style-scope-mount-ak-47-ak-74-side-rail-matte

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16166&cat=381&page=1
 
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