Scope for an AK-which one?

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Hey guys-
Want to get a scope for my AK that I just picked up. It is an SGL-21, so I want to get something kind of nice.

The two mounts I have seen are the BP-02 and the KV-4. I have seen others but only these appeal to me. The KV-4 has the best aesthetic appeal, but it is twice the price of the BP-02. Not sure about that.

Then, the scopes.
1. Millet DMS-I love the red dot. The 1MOA red dot with the donut is very nice. The scope is about 230 dollars.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.net/53649-34.html

2. Kalinka Optics PU 3.5x22 scope (uses 1 inch 30mm rings like normal scopes) I do love the PU scope. Also, if I ever decided to convert my Mosin to a sniper, I could get the red dot for the AK at a later date and put that on.
http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/rifle-...ope-german-post-reticle-with-1-inch-tube.html

So what do you all think?
 
I can't speak to the BP-02, but the KV-04S mount locks up tight and feels very solid. It's not cheap, but I'd say you get your money's worth considering the amount of steel in it compared to other (non-AK) quality scope rings and bases that command a similar price. It's what I use on my SGL-21.

Of your two scope options, I'd go with the Millet so you can adjust the magnification to fit the situation. You can leave it on 1x and treat it like a red dot, but you also have a capable scope for longer distances. I use a Leatherwood CMR 1-4x24mm on my rifle and I think it's a great addition. From what I've heard the Millet is pretty decent, but if you can swing an extra $100 you might want to consider the Leatherwood. Trijicon TR24 would be the next step up, but that's going to cost twice what the Leatherwood does. Optics are one place where it pays to buy the best you can afford.
 
Effigy said:
I can't speak to the BP-02, but the KV-04S mount locks up tight and feels very solid. It's not cheap, but I'd say you get your money's worth considering the amount of steel in it compared to other (non-AK) quality scope rings and bases that command a similar price. It's what I use on my SGL-21.

Of your two scope options, I'd go with the Millet so you can adjust the magnification to fit the situation. You can leave it on 1x and treat it like a red dot, but you also have a capable scope for longer distances. I use a Leatherwood CMR 1-4x24mm on my rifle and I think it's a great addition. From what I've heard the Millet is pretty decent, but if you can swing an extra $100 you might want to consider the Leatherwood. Trijicon TR24 would be the next step up, but that's going to cost twice what the Leatherwood does. Optics are one place where it pays to buy the best you can afford.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback on the KV-4 rail. Ive been looking around for a while but just couldn't find anything!

My same philosophy for optics. You get what you pay for.
That being said...half of me says that, half of me says "Its a dang AK!"
But, in for a penny in for a pound as they say. That leatherwood does look nice. How is it in daylight, and illuminated? Ideally I want something I can use as a scope for when I take the rifle with me on hikes up in this section of woods where we have a cabin. Small game, and though this is an unlikely scenario, there are a lot of weed farmers in the area now, and they have been burglarizing cabins.



@DOUBLETAPDREW: I am very familiar with the PSO/POSP scopes. I personally think they are far too complicated for what I need-the reticles have sooo much stuff. Also, I have heard they are very hard to adjust. For my purposes, this is essentially a fun gun. I don't need a sniper scope.

The other reason I decided against those is that if I use the KV or BP rail, I can interchange scopes or use any scope. That way, I can justify to myself putting a 300 dollar scope on an AK that I could also use on another rifle instead of putting a 300 dollar scope on an AK that can only ever be used on an AK. Sorry-bit tired, probably doesn't quite make sense but I hope you kind of understand where I am coming from.
 
The illuminated reticle on the Leatherwood is visible in daylight, although it also has a standard black crosshair you can use if you're having trouble seeing the illuminated one. Mine has a green reticle, but they make a red one as well. It looks like this (green part turns black when the illumination is off):
AR_Leatherwood_CMR_Reticle_Illuminated_Ret.gif

Not sure if the Millet has a standard crosshair in addition to the electronic one.

I do hear you on the "it's a dang AK" part. The money I've spent on my SGL-21 is comparable to what most people spend on ARs. You can certainly get by with a less expensive setup.
 
Thanks for that picture...I really do like that reticle. Is that dot 1 MOA?

Ive decided that I'm willing to save up a bit more for something nice too, like that leatherwood. Honestly, its an AK...but its a damn nice ak. If I was willing to spend an extra 400 dollars or so to get it instead of a WASR, I can spend a bit more on optics.

Can you still use the irons with the K-VAR mount?
 
The two mounts I have seen are the BP-02 and the KV-4. I have seen others but only these appeal to me. The KV-4 has the best aesthetic appeal, but it is twice the price of the BP-02.
Click to expand...

I have the BP-02 on one my converted Saiga. It is absolutely rock solid. My scope never looses zero when it is removed for cleaning. The BP-02's biggest drawback is weight (~10 oz).
 
Hmm, that is a bit heavy, but not too bad. That is very good how solid it is.
The one thing I like more about the KV-4 is that you can adjust the rail section to help get a nice easy eye relief. The BP-02 does have that side rail for a laser or something though...ahh decisions decisions.
 
The center dot is 1 MOA on the CMR. You can see more info in this diagram:
leatherwood-riflescope-cmr-reticle.jpg


You can't really see the iron sights under the K-Var mount. That's both a good and bad thing. On the good side, it makes it easier to get a good cheek weld since the scope is mounted lower. On the bad side, you'd have to detach the rail to use the irons. However, it should only take a few seconds to remove it since the mount is quick detachable. Even if the batteries fail you still have an etched crosshair on the CMR though, so you'd only need to detach it if the lens gets dirty or it gets knocked off alignment in the field.
 
I personally don't see the need for a scope on the AK, if you miss with the first round you have 29 more chances before a mag change.
 
A good optic will let you take accurate shots faster than using iron sights. If you can't afford optics then certainly you can go without, but there's no reason not to get one if you can afford it.
 
I put a Sightmark 4X32 on my Saiga .223, mounted with the BP-02. Good combo that didn't break my budget and lets me reach the 300 yd. gong at my range with no problem. This is the only scope I have with a mil dot reticle, and since this is not a target rifle, I just need to be in the vicinity.
 
If you are interested in a red dot style optic, the best price-is-no-object choice seems to be an Aimpoint "Micro" H-1 or T-1 on an Ultimak forward rail, which is one of the only choices that allows cowitnessing of the optic and irons.
 
I don't really need co-witnessing and would rather not throw rails on the forend. Thats why I wanted to keep the scope back above the receiver.
Ideally I would like something with a little magnification. The red dot on the Millet and the Leatherwood is just an added bonus.

I really do find myself seriously considering the Mosin scope now though...not quite sure why, but the reticle is really appealing.
 
I run a 4X POSP on my Russian Arsenal AK74 and it works great. It holds zero when reattached and the glass is very clear. The cheek weld is not ideal though so i use a detachable padded comb.
 
I do like the looks of the POSPs. BTW do you know the difference between a POSP and a PSO equivalent, and why a PSO costs twice as much by chance?

I may have found a KV-04s rail for a good price too.
 
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