Holographic Red Dot for SKS

[rswartsell]

With the intent of creating a low cost assault rifle package in 7.62x39 I bought an unissued Romanian SKS. I put a cheap Tapco replacement stock on it with pistol grip, adjustable buttstock and rail on the heat shield just forward of the issue folding sight.

It's OK for what I have in it, not entirely happy with the Tapco unit, but seems rugged and suited for the application. Nothing about this setup has precision shooting in mind. The folding bayonet is still there to perfect the anti-zombie ambience.

I want a red dot for this that keeps the cost profile in mind. My grandaddy had noting but contempt for $50.00 saddles and $10.00 horses. I want the open profile for quick acquisition and the length of eye relief that will be necessary considering where the rail is.

Is this even possible? I am trying to research the reviews on the Tru-Glo and BSA alternatives and find a common complaint in my price range is that they won't hold zero for high power rifle applications. The reviews are all over the board from waste of time and money to five stars.

Am I on a fool's errand? I know I get what I pay for.

What is your advice and experience?

 

[WVleo]

SKS with Primary Arms red-dot

SKS with Primary Arms red-dot......WVleo

 

[rswartsell]

Yup, that's it. So, give. What did you spend, how is it working, do you recommend, etc.?

I do note yours is the barrel configuration as opposed to the open frame. Are open frames too fragile?

 

[WVleo]

Google Primary Arms web sight. Yes I recommend as this one has held zero through 2 dear seasons and a couple years of plinking . I believe I paid $69 and it came with the low mount. Am waiting for Marsh's Company ( Primary Arms ) to get in there Red dot that takes AA battery ( as mentioned on ar-15.com EE section ) for My S&W MP15-22 . Was due sometime in August but He seems to be still waiting for shipment, I believe the price quote was $69 or somewhere around that ! Check it out. I personally have no experience with the open frame models. The gas tube is a new Tapco that I hand filed to just ( just, stone finished LOL ) lock into place, that I believe is the key to it holding zero. ....WVleo

 

[rswartsell]

Now that was helpful, thanks!

Any other opinions?

 

[Sky]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=608749

has many red dots the guys have used here that seem to work.

 

[Motodeficient]

An un-issued romanian SKS is a nice rifle. Its your gun but I think it would be best to leave it stock, and find a Norinco or something to bubba. They are more reliable with the stock magazine configuration. An SKS is not an Assault rifle, or even a clone of one.

 

[WVleo]

My Tapco Sino-Soviet SKS goes bang every time with the Tapco 20 rd mags so I cannot agree the reliability stuff . I also did the bolt mod so I can load a magazine on a closed bolt, did the 8 to 4 chamfer of the chamber so hollow points ( or so far any round ) feeds fine. These things are not museum pieces and millions were made and make a nice platform for a Urban assault carbine. Mine has been going bang everytime for 3 years running ! All 4 Tapco magazines have been flawless. And anyone who says they can load/shoot stripper clips ( 10 rounders ) faster than I can load/shoot the Tapco magazines 20 rounders is using fuzzy math. If You want to keep Your SKS stock, fine do so , but don't spread false rumors based on hearsay from years ago about that which You obviously don't know. Tapco and some others have engineered some nice mods for the SKS. I also installed a Scythian Extended Mag Release so I'm not searching for the magazine release for reloads. Another flawless aftermarket part for the SKS. Who wants a AK-47 ? Owned one and sold it as it didn't fit My needs. This carbine now does for about $400 total......WVleo

 

[jim243]

Just replace the dust cover with a railed one and mount whatever you want.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/skssetrmosyn.html

Jim

 

[rswartsell]

Thanks Sky, the link was helpful but I still have questions about the open vs. barrel types.

Motodeficient, I must admit that the very thought had occurred to me also. I'm not familiar with the heirarchy of desirability, nor am I really informed about proper usage of assault rifle, battle rifle terminology so lets stick with cheap semi auto rifle in major caliber (I'll probably now get in trouble with the major caliber part). The issue stock is far nicer. So you think a Norinco SKS is a better candidate? Maybe I'd be better off just to break down and purchase an AK.

Doesn't answer the Red Dot questions though. I'm really hoping for an education on the myriad of choices of Red Dot Holographic sights for 7.63x39 rifle applications. Open frame vs. "barrel", at what price do you get durability. Min MOA that is useful for what app. etc.

 

[lexjj]

I'm not necessarily recommending these, because I don't own any of them, but if you want an inexpensive optic, the ones to check out seem to be:

Vortex SPARC http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-SPARC-Red-Dot-Scope/dp/B0038VG5UC

Vortex Strikefire http://www.amazon.com/Vortex%C2%AE-StrikeFire-Rifle-Scope-Suitable/dp/B001Q8GEWS

Burris Fast Fire http://www.amazon.com/Burris-FastFire-Red-Dot-Reflex-Sight/dp/B0023MHTJ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347243655&sr=8-2&keywords=burris+fastfire