What is the best red-dot sight for an AK?

[ShootAndHunt]

I want to buy a red-dot sight for my AK. I heard about Kobra, and some buddy also suggested PK-AS. I have no first-hand experience on these sights, would you guys please help me on this?

Thanks,

 

[Kharn]

Do you have a siderail on your AK, or do you need a mount as well?

Kharn

 

[benEzra]

If you have a siderail mount, I think the Kobra is a very good choice. I am currently saving my pennies for one (transmission went out in my wife's van, or else I'd have it already). It's a holographic sight like the Eotech, and is parallax free.

There are different varieties of Kobras (two generations); some Gen-1 units take AA batteries, even. My personal preference after doing some research is the second-generation Kobra, the EKP-8-02 in Tantal's nomenclature:

http://www.tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/bstkobra.html (more photos at this link)

Has four different reticles you can switch between at the push of a button; one of them is a red dot, and the others are chevron, dot plus chevron, and post-and-bar.

Like the other Russian optics, these things are Russian milspec and hence VERY durable.

 

[af1acura]

Here are some pics of the Kobra, I only took a picture of one of the reticles. I usually use this one or the plain dot. The only problems i've had is I think I maxed out the elevation adjustment and the last time i went shooting one of the screws and a pin on the mount came off. Luckily I found it and fixed it. Other than that its been great. I have the AA battery model. Battery life seems good.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

A red dot sight makes a huge improvement on an AK. I consider it nearly a must for anyone serious about the platform. I opted for the PK-AS over the Kobra because a) it can be used without battery power and b) it looked a little more versitile in that the reticle allows for a good deal of precision in addition to being very fast. The pluses are that it is quick and easy to install, fast, and accurate. It seems to be very durable. The 1 MOA dot takes up very little of the target. I have shot it out to 300 yards and the small dot allows for easy hits at that range. The large circle is 44 mils and can be used as a rangefinder. It also is very quick and instinctive at close range, partially because it is used both eyes open.
The minuses are that the intial adjustments are akward, making the sight a PITA to sight in. This is especially true for the elevation adjustments since the screw that makes such adjustments in located on the bottom of the mount. Either the sight or the receiver cover must be removed to make adjustments as the included wrench can't reach the screw with the optic attached and the receiver cover in place. Other than that, the sight does sit too high to allow a solid cheek weld--at least the with stock I have in place. This is relatively minor since the both-eyes open style shooting this sight favors doesn't really require a cheek weld, but I will admit that it is still somewhat of an inconvenience. I should mention here that my PK is the "V" model that mounts directly over the bore, instead of slightly off to the left like the standard sight.
The Kobra appears to sit lower and might be slightly faster in CQB scenerios due to its tubeless, open HUD style construction. I haven't used it but from the reports I have heard it isn't quite as good at medium ranges as the PK-AS.
Regardless of which sight you choose, I should warn you. Stock up on ammo. If you haven't used a red dot before, nothing will prepare you for how much fun they are and being able to achieve such quick, accurate shots with the AK will make ammo seemingly evaporate.
Here's a pic of the view through the PK, taken from across my bedroom about ten feet from target:

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Thanks for the replies. My AK does have a siderail mount. I heard that Pk-AS is generally better than the Kobra, is that true?

 

[beerslurpy]

I currently rock the PK-AS as well and like it very much. It is pretty much a 0-400m/24 hours a day sight. I would feel comfortable using it indoors or out, day or night.

 

[armoredman]

I just mounted a SWAT force red dot to the WASR 10, have no clue how well it will work for me, used the CDNN $20 quick detach side mount, too.
Hope it works! Find out Friday...

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I would say which is better would depend on your needs. I have no direct experience with the Kobra. I hope to have one coming from Tantal within a week or two. The Kobra strikes me in general design and reports I have heard as primarily a CQB sight. It would probably work better than iron sights and maintain a good hit percentage out to 200 to 250 yards, but really isn't designed to allow precision as much as speed. Again, right now, that is just me theorizing.

The PK-AS may not be quite as fast as the Kobra at extremely close distances because it is a tubular style non-magnified red dot sight. It is parallax free but eye relief is a bigger factor. That said, it is still extremely fast--much faster than even the Mojo ghost ring sights will allow--both eyes open reflex style shooting is very easy. Like I said before, that pic was taken at across-the-room distances and such shots are still very fast with the PK. Where the PK excels though is that it allows better mid-range precision. It's reticle is designed to allow for this. The manual that came with mine said the Russians have had good results with it on the 5.45 Kalashnikovs out to 450 meters and my intial shooting with it on a 7.62mm Romanian AK indicates that 300 yards isn't terribly difficult. Also, don't forget with the Kobra if you run out of batteries, you're SOL and need to go back to irons. With the PK-AS, even if you run out of batteries, you still have a good day-time platform.

So if you are willing to sacrifice a few nano-seconds of target acquisition for some precision out past 200 yards, the PK-AS may be worth the added $20 or 30 it costs. If all your shooting is going to be done inside 200 yards and you are more worried about the absolute fasted target acquisition you can get, the Kobra is your baby.

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

I myself would go with the PK-A or the PK-01V. These sit lower on the receiver then either the Kobra or the PK-AS. I owned a Kobra for a year and I have no regrets selling it off. The PK-01V is also lighter and the sight adjustments are easier.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

PK-AS. Although I do not have one, I like the idea that it has a reticle with or without power. Very good thinking. Everyone raves about these. I trust that they are pretty good.


That's the only commie optic I'd put on an AK. The other choice would be side rail with picatinny top, then Aimpoint with the standard ring it comes with (since it is low). Aimpoint is the king of red dots, can't go wrong - but you pay a pretty penny.


I don't like rear sight replacement mounts, or mounts that fit on the piston tube. The way I rapid fire, I don't want my optic being damaged from the heat conducting through the mount, rings and then to the optic. I don't care what it is, it can't be good for the optic with that kind of heat. The best optics aren't rated for more than 140-150.

 

[ShootAndHunt]

PK-01A sounds interesting, any more words on why it is superior to Kobra or PK-AS? It is over bore, but still sit lower than the offset PK-AS?

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

I havent got a PK-AS right here to compare them, but I believe so, yes. If you look at the centerline of the tube on the PK-01V and the centerline of the PK-AS, the PK-01V sits just slightly lower. I can see the front sight in viewfinder and can use my normal cheek-weld. I'd love to find a mount that sits even lower, so that I could truely cowitness. Might even get an Aimpoint if I could find a good one. The CET technology is unbeatable. If you get the PK-01V, be sure to tighten the battery caps down really well. Mine has been know to cause the dot to fade in and out when it wasnt tightened down all the way. I understand this was also a problem with the early Aimpoints.

Another issue... the PK-01V will be cheaper then the PK-AS. Of course, if you intend to use this gun for "serious" purposes... Honestly, I'd go all out and get an Eotech or an Aimpoint as mentioned above. The Eastern Block stuff is OK, but there are better optics out there... much more expensive of course.

 

[Tokugawa]

The PK AS is a good sight. Typical solid Russian. For example, it is a modular design- you can get it configured as a center mount over the bore (high) a side mount so the irons can be seen, a weaver rail mount, etc. It has a no power needed black dot, and can be lit up on demand, leaving a black circle around a red dot. Much less wash out than an eotech, looking from a dim room out into bright light. There are no internal adjustments, the zeroing is all acomplished on the outside , between the tube and mount. This sight was made like an ak- simple, strong and effective. And you can buy two or three for the price of the US stuff. Look on tantals site for a lot more info.