Ultimak vs TWS vs MI dot mount for AK sights

[epijunkie67]

Wanted to get some feedback from people who have hands on experience with these three sight systems. I have an Arsenal AK without a side rail I want to put a red dot on. I also want to be able to use iron sights as a back up. So far the best three solutions I can find are;

Texas Weapon systems dogleg mount
http://texasweaponsystems.com/

Midwest Industries red dot mount
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=421

Ultimak upper rail replacement
http://ultimak.com/

I like the idea of the TWS solution since it gives me the most rail and also gives me a rear peep sight. Does it maintain zero well? I've heard good things about the Ultimak but I'm worried about putting an electronic sight that close to a hot barrel. The MI option seems to be a nice simple solution but does require specific optics to function.

Thoughts, suggestions, experiences?

 

[TurtlePhish]

TWS- best of the three, most expensive.

Ultimak- fine with a dot that can take the heat.

MI- not worth the money.

 

[Girodin]

I'm not sure I agree that the TWS is per se the best, and I own one.

The ultimak is fine with the only optic I would put on one (and the one I'd use on any of the others as it has it), an aimpoint micro T1/H1.

I really wanted the TWS hand guard to be good so I could run micro troy BUIS and a T1. Sadly the TWS hand guard gets absurdly hot. For just running an aimpoint I'm not sure the TWS is really any better than, or even as good as an Ultimak. The ulitimak has the additional advantage that one can mount a light, the only two things you really need.

I personally don't like the TWS peep behind an aimpoint.

The Ultimak with a micro aimpoint is probably the most proven of the three. I'm interested in a MI SS extended handguard with a micro aimpoint top cover. I really wish the made a longer top cover that fully covered the gas tube. I'd be very interested in hear experiences with this hand guard.

 

[silicosys4]

I have the M.I. forearm with an Aimpoint comp m3, and I'm happy with it. Considering that it is both a mount and a railed forearm, it killed a few birds with one stone for me. It cowitnesses and is very secure. The rails can be taken off as shown in the picture for a more comfortable grip if you get the modular version. It is of high quality, and fits well. It was an easy install with all tools, and loctite included.
There are a few things I do not like about it. It leaves gaps between the square receiver and round handguard that are potential entryways for debris into the receiver. But hey, its an ak. It will happily turn gravel into sand and spit it back out again.
If I were to do it all over again, I might pick a different forearm and go with the Texas mount to get the aimpoint closer to my eyes and maybe get a little better field of view, but its not a dealbreaker for me, its very fast, and with the 2moa dot it's as precise as the gun itself is capable of.
It doesn't need specific optics, if you just want to have a red dot on top... there is a universal top rail included in the base package. The standard included top won't cowitness, but you have the option of being able to cowitness using a variety of specific top mounting options that will each accept a variety of different optics of the same mounting type.

I have not had experience with the others.

 

[epijunkie67]

Please check the MI link I provided. It is not a link to the MI top rail, it is a link to a red dot holder that replaces the rear sight.

I suppose I should expand my question to include both the MI rear sight replacement system AND the MI handguard replacement. So please feel free to give opinions on both.

 

[aubie515]

I personally like the sight mounts that replace the rear sights because you can still use the iron sights and the mount is in a great location if you are shooting corrosive ammo. I don't like the Ultimak because you have to remove the mount in order to clean the gas tube.

Attero Arms makes a mount similar to the MI mount. I've owned the Attero Arms mount and it's sold and the owner is awesome. He sent me a custom mount because the one I purchased wouldn't work for my set up for irons.

 

[TIMC]

Ultimak on mine, had it for several years with no problems.

 

[Girodin]

I don't like the Ultimak because you have to remove the mount in order to clean the gas tube.

I don't know that you really need to remove it to do perfectly adequate cleaning and maintenance.

As to the MI replacement for the rear leaf sight, I unfortunately don't have experience with it. I was interested in it for a 7.5" SBR build. I read at least some feed back that on that small of a gun it flopped about. IDK if that is really a concern. I may just have to try it. I'd also be interested if anyone has put that setup through any kind of harder use.

 

[henschman]

I would go ultimak, if for no other reason than that it is the lowest mount you can get. Nice to be able to keep the factory stock without having to build up a cheek rest or anything.