Using Front Sight Hood As "Circle of Death"?

[HGM22]

I'm having trouble picking up my AK47 front sight against dark backgrounds in low light. I was wondering if anyone uses the front sight hood as a sort of "circle of death" as on the Eotech sights. In other words, instead of looking for the front sight post, just place the target inside of the front sight hood. The target should center automatically as with a peep sight, correct? Obviously this would be for close range (under 20 yards probably).

Would this work for an AR15, even without the circular front sight hood?

And before anyone says it, yes I do plan on mounting a light and red dot to the AK. However, I don't have the money for it and the AK is not a home defense gun, just a range toy.

 

[USAF_Vet]

At social distances, yeah, probably be ok. That's the one main reason I never got into AKs. The sights are abysmal.

Anyway, if you are at least putting the hood in the rear sight notch, you should be hitting COM targets at close range. But you'll see accuracy diminish quickly sighting this way as you shoot at targets further and further away.

Does anyone make a hi-vis replacement front sight post for the AK?

 

[briansmithwins]

I used an AK for 2-3 years at our local shoot & move rifle match. Using just the front sight hood (ignore the rear sight) for close targets is the best way I found to shoot the AK fast at 1~5 yards. A little further out, use just the front sight post. Even further out, start aligning the front and rear sight.

AK sights aren't bad, just misunderstood. Mauser V and upsidedown V sights are much worse.

BSW

 

[chipcom]

At social distances, yeah, probably be ok. That's the one main reason I never got into AKs. The sights are abysmal.

Anyway, if you are at least putting the hood in the rear sight notch, you should be hitting COM targets at close range. But you'll see accuracy diminish quickly sighting this way as you shoot at targets further and further away.

Does anyone make a hi-vis replacement front sight post for the AK?

I replaced my front sight post with this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GLFL0M?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

It reduces your long range accuracy because the front sight is thicker than the original, but I never considered an AK the right tool for long range precision.

If you want to replace the crappy stock rear sight while you are at it:
http://www.amazon.com/Meprolight-AK...hjz0X1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_

Some folks swear by the XS sights on the AK, haven't tried one myself.
https://www.xssights.com/Products.aspx?CAT=8273

 

[jmorris]

"Circle of death" sounds more evil than "spray and pray", "point shooting" or "area saturation".

 

[eldon519]

I think that is the gist for HK sights, but if I'm not mistaken, they adjust elevation from the rear so that the front sight post is always centered in the hood.

 

[Corn-Picker]

Do you guys shooting with the hood shoot one eye open eye or both eyes open? I had to remove the front hood from my CZ 527, it drove me crazy when shooting both eyes open. The side view of the hood from my left eye (non-dominant eye) really messed with my dominant right eye. The hood on the CZ is relatively long though.

What's the point of the hood anyway, it would seem to make the front post less visible in low light conditions.

 

[briansmithwins]

Keeps the troops from breaking off the front sight.

BSW

 

[AK103K]

I think that is the gist for HK sights, but if I'm not mistaken, they adjust elevation from the rear so that the front sight post is always centered in the hood.

Thats how the HK combat sights work. You use the "globe" and the big notch in place of the post, and fine notch in the bottom of the large notch. They actually coincide, if you slowly roll your eye down on them.


I never really had any issues with the issue AK sights. They really are no worse than anything else that comes with most rifles, especially in the dark.

I do have a couple of AK's with the Meprolight night sight sets on them. I have since removed the rear sight, and replaced the issue rear, as the dots on the lit rear, are to big, and fuzz out in the dark. The front sight works fine with the issue rear.

The down side to the larger front sights you get with the night sights is, they reduce the effective range of the gun to about 200 yards, as the blade with is to thick for any precision past that, and it can be a challenge at 200, but its still very doable. Up close, they work great.

Youre best bet is a good red dot on an Ultimak rail mount. You gain the same advantages as the AR's and any of the others with a red dot mounted. You get a 24 hour sight that works in any light.

 

[henschman]

AR sights are better for shooting contrasting color targets in good lighting conditions, like service rifle matches. AK sights are better combat sights. Peep sights are horrible for low light and targets that blend with the background. Notch sights have an advantage in that they don't require you to view the target through a little peep hole that robs you of your light. Yes, a front sight hood/ears can be used just as you describe for fast close quarters shooting.

 

[Malamute]

I ignore the globe or ears, the blade or post is all the matters.

The A2 sighs alleviate the gripes most seem to conjure up about aperture sights, a large ring and a fine one for farther/finer shooting or more light. I tend to look over most sights up close and in a hurry, much like I use shotgun sights (pointing, not aiming). Has been working to hit running rabbits and stuff of that sort for a long time.

AK sights are so-so ok for decent light, not very good in poor light. Valmet made very good night sights starting in the early 60's. Galil copied the idea. Both have vastly better sights than other AK types.

 

[denton]

What's the point of the hood anyway

If one side of your front sight is illuminated more than the other, your eye will incorrectly center the front sight vs. the rear sight. The front hood pretty much fixes this.

Mojo sights, http://www.mojosights.com/sample-page/ak-sks/, provide a very nice upgrade to standard AK and SKS sights.

 

[Malamute]

If one side of your front sight is illuminated more than the other, your eye will incorrectly center the front sight vs. the rear sight. The front hood pretty much fixes this.

Perhaps target sights or some sporting hooded sights would, but I cant think of any military sights that have much of a hood, or that give shade from most angles. I believe they are mostly to protect the sight more than anything.

 

[briansmithwins]

Perhaps target sights or some sporting hooded sights would, but I cant think of any military sights that have much of a hood, or that give shade from most angles. I believe they are mostly to protect the sight more than anything

Chicom SKS and AK, Swiss 550 series, HK G3 and related weapons, and FN SCAR come to mind.

BSW

 

[Malamute]

Chicom SKS and AK, Swiss 550 series, HK G3 and related weapons, and FN SCAR come to mind.

Come to mind in what way?

If you mean globe or covered sights that dont really do much to shade the sight post, then I agree, though in the case of the 550's, I have no experience.

 

[briansmithwins]

The HK G3 (for example) does have a complete hood around the front sight post. The hood does have some depth to it and will shade the front sight some.

I don't recall any modern military rifles that have a globe front sight.

BSW

 

[Malamute]

I've had a couple of them. They stuck out in my mind as particularly unfunctional as shade for the front sight post in most uses, unless the sun was somehow positioned pretty well right overhead. The large size of the circle works against it having much use as shade also.

Some AKs have a complete circle over the front sight, as do Galils and some Valmets. None seem all that great as shade. All also have holes in the top of them to adjust the elevation of the front sight post.

Truly modern designs, none that I know of have globes or rings, but Im not really up to date on that type.

 

[Jenrick]

You can also widen the rear notch, which helps with picking up the front sight at speed.

A paint pen from any craft store, or Walmart for that matter, also helps a lot. Give the front post a coat of white, let it dry then hit it with orange. Unless you're trying to engage a target that's burnt orange, you'll have contrast.

I don't find the AK's sights to be horrible, but I definitely prefer the AR's for anything further than about 75-100 yds. For CQB work I have zero issues with the AK's sights. Honestly IMO for the vast majority of HD/LEO work in the US, the AK is just as capable a platform as the AR.

-Jenrick