Optical options for my AK

[vegasHeat]

I am planning on putting a mount on my AK, but am not sure what type of optics to put on it...

A scope?
A HUD?
A Sight dot?

most of my shooting is within 100 yards or less and this is my SHTF weapon when all else fails. I plan on getting the dust cover with the rail built in, so perhaps i can buy all three and swap them out accordingly.

 

[H2O MAN]

May I suggest the UltiMAK gas tube rail and a Micro optic from Aimpoint.
You can co witness your irons with this light weight, compact combination.

 

[briansmithwins]

Dust cover mounts are pretty much worthless.

Ultimak or the standard commie side rail. I prefer the side rail. Either one can be retrofitted to an AK and will hold up just fine.

BSW

 

[vegasHeat]

hmm....

i was planning on something like this:



can that commie scope be mounted on this setup?

 

[hankdatank1362]

I have that exact mount. B-Square, I believe.

Evereyone told me it was worthless. That it would shift around and not hold zero. But notice the two set screws on the rear of the cover that tighten against the frame. (I've seen some without.)

If those are tightened all the way, then the mount is practically impossible to wiggle. I've got a cheap red dot on mine, and I deliberately mistreat my rifle, just to make sure it can take the abuse.

Never had a POA/POI shift once. I also like the fact that you can see your irons thru the mount if your optic ever goes down.

 

[vegasHeat]

Ive heard people say they were crap too. my dust cover doesn't move at all on my AK.

my ak gets beat up too so i am not about to drop $400 on a scope.

i am debating getting all three and hot swapping them because it has a rail...scope for longer range, dot and hud for more tactical, home defense stuff. i can also add a flashlight to it and eventually a laser.

 

[strat81]

100 yards or less? Get a Kobra from kalinkaoptics.com and mount it on an Ultimak or side rail. Do not get a dust cover mount.

 

[lions]

my dust cover doesn't move at all on my AK.

Ummm... yes it does! Watch the slow motion in the beginning of this.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G6BpI3xD6h0&feature=related

The AK is a stout rifle and if it shakes like that imagine how the thin little dust cover moves. I think there is a pretty good reason everyone keeps telling you not to get the dust cover mount.

 

[Coronach]

If those are tightened all the way, then the mount is practically impossible to wiggle. I've got a cheap red dot on mine, and I deliberately mistreat my rifle, just to make sure it can take the abuse.

Never had a POA/POI shift once. I also like the fact that you can see your irons thru the mount if your optic ever goes down.

How does one do a malfunction clearance with that mount set-screwed in place? How does one clean the gun with the mount set-screwed in place?



Mike

 

[MTMilitiaman]

On a budget, I would recommend a Kobra on the standard side rail mount.

The Ultimak/Aimpoint combo is very highly regarded, but costs considerably more than the Kobra.

Here is a Kobra EKP-1S-03M (AA battery) on my Rommie:

 

[grimjaw]

A red dot works great, the trick is getting it mounted.

The Ultimak is a good idea, but it gets pretty durned hot during extended firing strings. If you live in a primarily cold climate or shoot onesy twosy, then it shouldn't bother you, but your optic will become very toasty. I wouldn't run anything but an Aimpoint or Eotech on an Ultimak gas tube rail.

I could find few side rail mounted red dot options for AKs that positioned low enough to cowitness. The side rail option is better if you plan to properly maintain the weapon, IMO. No worries about heat, and it's easier to remove if the optic decides to die on you.

I can only see mounting a magnified optic there if you're planning to snipe and run.

jm

 

[Clipper]

I plan to occasionally use mine for deer hunting, and have a Dragunov-style buttstock and side rail mount with an old Bushnell 3-9 on it...

 

[jackdanson]

Don't get the dust cover mount, it doesn't work. I know first hand. Get an ultimak or a russian side mount. I second the kobra idea, they are made for this rifle.

I had an ultimak+aimpoint on mine, it worked fine, but getting the ultimak on properly was kind of a hassle.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Get the Russian side-mount. You can remove the scope and it still keeps its zero when you put it back on.

 

[guntotinguy]

Get the Russian side-mount. You can remove the scope and it still keeps its zero when you put it back on.

Thats what I did and it works good,less stress and more fun shooting!

 

[gripper]

Speaking of side rails,are the PSO-1's still available????They were pretty idiot-proof.

 

[rangerruck]

the side rail with the posp scope like Briansmithwins, is so the bee's knees, when you fire one of these, all else will pale...

 

[H2O MAN]

How much weight is added with the side mount, scope mount and optic?

 

[chris in va]

Just understand you won't get a decent cheek weld with the side rail mounts. They sit pretty darn high.

Krebs Custom has a very expensive mount that looks great, although they're out of stock right now. Someone else makes one too, can't remember the manufacturer.

Admittedly I'm liking the looks of the Ultimak the more I look for a way to mount a red dot.

 

[aka108]

Kobra red dot with side mount. They do great at the 100 yd mark. A optic sight will drive you nuts trying to get a good zero since the AK's are not tack drivers to start with.

 

[Matt Dillon]

My advice is to get a PK-AS side mounted scope. Rugged, Reliable, and the side mount allows me to switch out the Pk-AS with a 4X POSP scope.

 

[jjohnson]

Side Rail Mount

I'd want to go with the side rail mount and Kobra or POSP scope.

All politics aside, the SKS and AK series are pretty sturdy and reliable weapons, and you don't see any ComBloc countries putting gas tube or dust cover mounts on there for a reason. True, I have a dust cover mount on an SKS with the tightening screws on the back, and I can't complain for its performance, but then, I don't try to compete for accuracy against the M1A boys, either.

Kalinka's been around for a long while, and the original design rail mounts are pretty sturdy. I'm trying to figure out best way to retro fit a rail mount on my extra SKS so if you boys have any suggestions, let me know. I bought a rail from Kalinka but the poorly tranlsated instructions for putting it on the SKS left something to be desired.

Okay, sorry, not to hijack your thread - go with the same rail mount that our enemies like so much, you will be pleased. Don't worry about the added weight. If this is your SHTF weapon, you will be carrying lots of ammo and will be too pumped with adrenaline for it to matter to you anyway