Saiga Side Mount help please

[Remander]

I have a Saiga AK-style rifle that needs a quality side mount for scope or red-dot.

I bought a cheap no-name mount a while back and, despite all my adjusting per online instructions, it comes loose after several rounds. I am going to ditch it and start fresh with the best new mount I can find.

I am leaning to the Kalinka Optics-to-Weaver-Rail or maybe something from East Wave products.

Any recommendations for these or similar quality mounts? Yes, the Saiga is cheap, but I'm willing to spend a few $$ to get a good mount.

The weaver style rail is my preferred route -- to allow flexibility -- but I would be willing to look at rings-inclusive mounts, so long as they are good quality and reliable.

Thanks for any help.

 

[MartinS]

Yes, they can shoot loose after a few shots. Happened to me. I re-adjusted a little tighter and all was well. Rather do that than get it set too tight and bend/break something.

 

[clange]

I've heard kalinka = bad news.

Freedomoptics.com has a good reputation on AK boards, as does tantal.

Do you already have an optic to mount? If not, you might try an integrated mount and optic. I've got a PK-AV on my sar-1 and it beats the hell out of the iron sights. Much easier to use and faster. I also have a kobra sight in the mail. We'll see how that works. The PK-AS sounds cool, but pricey. The black dot/red dot may be worth it to you though.

Dont know much about scopes.

If you already have an optic..AK to weaver, low mount AK to weaver, high mount (lets you use the iron sights but places the optic higher)

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I ordered the low mount from East Wave not long ago and just recieved it. It locks up solidly and I'm not able to 'knock' it out of position. I have the .308 Saiga so we will have to see what it is like after a healthy range trip.

I chose the East Wave one based on reccomendations from the Saiga Forum . They have a fair amount of experience to draw from. I'd suggest going and reading through old threads.

Of course, the first thing you hear is stay away from anything that says 'Belarus' on the side. And what did mine say when I got it in the mail? You guessed it.. Hehe, we'll just have to see how it works out.

 

[Onmilo]

I use scope mounts from K-Var with no issues.
Well made but expensive and worth the money.
http://www.k-var.com

 

[Remander]

Thanks for the advice. You guys pointed me to some products I had not seen before.

 

[IM Rugerman]

Stay away from Kalinka,nothing but bad reviews for them.

 

[AK103K]

Skip the side mount and get an Ultimak mount that replaces the upper handguard. It works great, is rock solid, and gets the sight out of your face and way. You can also co-witness the iron sights with the red dot with some dot sights. If you use a QD mount, it really doesnt matter.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I heard mixed reviews about the Ultimak, AK103K, how do you like yours? Does it hold it's zero OK after removal from cleaning?

I'd like to try an actual scout scope on an AK sometime.

 

[AK103K]

Its attached to the barrel with "U" shaped clamps and really isnt meant to be removed for cleaning. I run wet patches through the tube until they are clean when I clean my rifles that have one on it. Whats nice is, you dont have to remove the sight or scope to clean the rifle. As far as liking it, I think its the only way to go for mounting dot sights or scopes on the AK. Of the two, the dot sight is really the way to go, although a scout type scope works well too. If you use zero repeatable mounts, you can have the best of both worlds. I like the dot sights the best. They are very fast to use and good hits, near or farther out are a breeze. Your deliberately aimed groups will also shrink.

This target was shot using the rifle in the previous post, offhand at 100 yards.

This one is was fired from prone at the same distance.

This one was individual 2 second snap shots at50(RT) and 100(LT).

 

[clange]

I've heard lots of great reviews of the ultimak. Negatives people claimed were it doesnt always hold a zero after removal, and it can get hot. I dont think the latter is that big of an issue, as i've already accidentally touched the gas tube on my sar and didnt burn myself. I doubt you'd have to remove it much either. I decided to go with a PK-AV though for a few reasons. Its combloc and i think it looks better on an AK, it cost (me) about the same as an ultimak and cheap bsa red dot, allows use of the iron sights without removal, doesnt need to be removed for cleaning, and lots of reviews said it was a good rugged sight. Only negative is it sits a little high, and the turrets exagerate that even more. Heres a pic below to add fuel to the fire.

Any of the russian patterns, an AK weaver mount with a good optic, or an ultimak with a good optic will be about the same i'd think. I wouldnt mind shooting an AK with an ultimak though, to see what its like. It looks like it would yield a better cheek weld.