Sighting a new Arsenal AK

[69Chevy]

I just got a new Aresenal AK and I went out shooting. Its consistent at 100 yards, but shoots low and to the left by about 8-10". I was aiming at the top right hand corner of a foot by foot target and it was hitting on the lower left hand corner. I thought these things were suppose to be sighted from the factory? I just bought a sight tool to adjust the sight left to right and I have an elevation tool so I will try and get it sighted this week, but is this fairly normal or should it be better?

 

[Spencer]

I don't know, but I think the manual says not to mess with it unless you are a professional or gunsmith because it could seriously screw it up.

 

[jlbraun]

It's difficult to adjust the AK for accuracy because one turn of the front sight moves the POI about 8" at 100m. Additionally, the rear sight isn't windage or elevation adjustable. Try getting a rear that's adjustable, and it's a lot easier. I gave up mucking wiht my front sight altogether and just centered it within the front sight shroud, then got an adjustable rear sight and went from there.

Red Star Arms has some, you may want to start there.

 

[69Chevy]

I don't know, but I think the manual says not to mess with it unless you are a professional or gunsmith because it could seriously screw it up.

Man, ain't no one professinal enough fo dis AK4-BANG!

Sorry, couldn't help it. I seriously doubt I am going to damage it by adjusting adjustable sights. They give you the tool to adjust the elevation but not the drift and unfortunately I like a brand new $850 gun to shoot where I am aiming, not 8" to the left.

jlbraun: Thanks for the input. It looks like I need to give it one good turn hopefully.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

My SLR-101SG was pretty much on, but my SA M5 needed a couple of turns on the front sight for both windage and elevation, IIRC. If you have the tool it's no big deal.

 

[grimjaw]

69Chevy, I don't know which version you had, 7.62, 5.45, or 5.56. I have the 5.56 model, and it has adjustable front and rear sights. Mine was very close from the factory, and I've only had to muddle with it when I change ammunition types (62gr to 55gr, etc).

jm

 

[69Chevy]

Its a 7.62 and I noticed it shoots left with both Remington and Wolf ammo. Its consistent if I aim at one spot. I don't care if I have to sight it as long it shoots conisistent accurate groups. I dont think mine is adjustable, but I did notice a tab looking thing to the right of the leaf. Not sure what that is and I dont have the gun in front of me to check it out right now.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Lordy... just adjust the front sight with one of those tapco sight adjustment tools. It adjusts the front sight for windage and elevation. Forget getting an adjustable rear sight. You have an AK, not a damned sniper rifle.

http://tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?id=1a7b1e9a-dec6-4eb0-90be-b1e29b62794b

I have one. Used it on my Maadi. I can hit targets at 200+ yards. No, not exact bullseyes, but centered enough that it would mean a "kill" in the real world.

How can you ruin a gun by adjusting the sights?

If you ruin an AK-47, you don't deserve to own firearms.

 

[Dave R]

When I was a rank newbie, I adjusted the windage and elevation on my AK. I'll admit, it took some preparation to adjust the windage. I built a little support from wood, to support the front sight base. Then I used a large-ish punch, with a 9mm brass underneath it, to drift the front sight. The result was satisfactory.

 

[Husker1911]

When adjusting front sights, remember to "chase the bullet impact." '69, since your rifle is shooting to the left, you need to move your front sight left. Don't even consider the physics involved, or you'll go cross-eyed. But remember with the front sight, you'd adjust it opposite what you'd adjust the rear sight.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Yes, I had a brand new Arsenal x39 and had to do some major adjustments
as well. This was despite reading how they were suppose to be laser sited
at the factory in Bulgaria --twice. My had the usual American "re-build"
but IMHO this should not have affected the original barreled action & sites.

I've sited a lot of AKs and SKSs over the years and it's best accomplished
by using the C-clamp style tool. Just watch your notch.

You have an AK, not a damned sniper rifle.

True. BTW, my Arsenal ended a site-in at 1 MOA with a Russian 3.5 scope.
The only limiting factor was the x39 cal itself

 

[Prince Yamato]

Don't even consider the physics involved, or you'll go cross-eyed.

So true. If I even thought about it, I'd freeze in adjusting the sight..."ok, the manual says move the front sight TOWARDS where I'm shooting... ok... but that doesn't make sense..." This is probably why most people don't adjust the sights on AKs... but once you do, they are decently accurate.