Optic for Arsenal/Fime SGL 21

[Okiegunner]

Tomorrow I pick up an Arsenal/Fime SGL 21 from my ffl.

I have half a dozen Circle 10 mags and another dozen various manufacture magazines, plus 2 Chinese drums. About 2500 7.62X39 rounds stockpiled.

All I am currently missing is an optic.

Question...At this point, all I am missing is a quality optic. $$$ at this point I am a little bit tapped out. In your opinion, should I save for a "Kobra Red Dot", or is there another more cost efficient alternative?

It seems that there are not as many alternatives for the AK as there is for an AR.

Suggestions???

 

[Rob G]

Okie, there are lots of options in terms of different AR optics that can be mounted to an AK by way of an ultimak, MI rail, TWS dog leg scope mount, or some other such option. There are also a lot of quality combloc optics that are built like tanks for less money. For all things AK optics I'd like to refer you here:

http://russianoptics.net/

The gentlemen who runs this site has a huge collection of AK optics ranging from Combloc to Aimpoints on various mounts. I don't think you'll find a greater wealth of knowledge related to your question anywhere else.

 

[Okiegunner]

Rob G...

Wow!! Fantastic site. Thanks much.

I have had some sort of AK, well it seems like forever. I just never got into finding a quality optic for any. I knew of Kobra, but they have always (when you could find them) been so damned expensive. $$$ wise every bit the equal to Aim-point or Eotech, maybe more.

Any suggestions for a "decent" red dot type, that can be purchased without a 2nd mortgage on my home?

 

[Bobson]

Get a Kregs Custom Peep. Its about $65.

 

[stubbicatt]

I would redirect your inquiry on the Kobra unless what you seek is a fair weather only optic. I had one on a rifle one time and it snowed. Those big, fat, heavy, wet, snowflakes? They blocked the little window, which I could sort of wipe clean with my gloves, but then the little laser emitter was obscured by the snow. The optic was no longer useable at that point.

It dried out ok and worked fine so long as no snow.

I did not try it in the rain.

 

[Avenger29]

I suggest a different route...save for an Aimpoint and in the meantime, get real comfy with irons.

Lesser red dots are just that, lesser red dots. Buy quality, buy once, be happy rather than buying cheap stopgap junk.

 

[Rob G]

I don't know what your price is but on the combloc side the pko1-v is a very good optic for the money. They come in around $260, have great battery life, and sits low enough on an AK that it cowitnesses with the irons and allows for a solid cheek weld. Plus the side mount optics will return to zero if you have to take them off and put them back on again. Battery life isn't bad but no in Aimpoint territory.

If you want to go a little cheaper but still not waste your money Primary Arms sells the Ultimak rail for $100 and you could pair that with either a Bushnell TRS-25 for about another $90, which is a combo a lot of AK guys like. Or they have a package deal with the ultimak and their own 3 MOA microdot for $160 total, which is pretty good deal.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

For about $350, I'd suggest a 1-4x optic, the leatherwood CMR. I've got one on my SGL. Illuminated reticule, GREAT reticule by the way, and its quite high quality.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Kobras were worth it when they were cheap, but now they're pretty much collectors' items. For a good setup that doesn't cost a lot, try a micro dot like a Vortex SPARC or Aimpoint T-1 on an Ultimak rail. The Aimpoint is obviously more expensive, but it's a step up from the Vortex. There's nothing wrong with the Vortex, though.