Basic red dot sight for an AK-47

[Merad]

Looking for a simple red dot set up for my AK. I'd prefer something that will let me still use the iron sights, and if possible keep the original wood furniture intact.

I've been looking at this side mount: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/990...nt-ak-47-matte
What do I need to check to be sure that it's compatible with my rifle (Nodak Spud receiver)?

And any suggestions on a basic, reasonably priced red dot? These seem well reviewed on Amazon, but I have no experience with them:
http://www.amazon.com/Leapers-Golden...=ION55SAKOFOX7
http://www.amazon.com/UTAC-Tactical-...I31CMI337NZOQR

[Fishbed77]

Avoid the el-cheapo junk red dots you've linked. They will rattle to pieces on your AK.

Your starting point should be one of the Vortex optics (Strike-Fire or SPARC).

Primary Arms also sells some Aimpoint clones that are pretty well-regarded, but I have no personal experience with them.

http://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_A...se_p/md-07.htm

If you are really serious, though, you should be looking at the Aimpoint PRO or T1/H1, or even a PK-A (which will mount directly to your AK rail).

.

[Uncle Malice]

I can attest to the Primary Arms micro red dot durability. I have one on my Daniel Defense and one on my Mossberg 590A1. Great little optic for the money... and Primary Arms has a good warranty, so if it does flake out, they'll replace it.

[AK103K]

Avoid the el-cheapo junk red dots

If youre cheap, this is the best advice.

Cheap stuff just costs you more in the long run.

Ive had two Aimpoint ML2's mounted on 2 AK's on Ultimaks, for about 12 years now, and they havent once missed a beat. I dont ever turn them off either, and only replaced the batteries 12 times in those 12 years.

If I had back the money I wasted on cheap red dots prior to switching to Aimpoint, Id have a couple more Aimpoints.

[SR420]

Experience & Wisdom

If I had back the money I wasted on cheap red dots prior to switching to Aimpoint, Id have a couple more Aimpoints.

http://www.aimpoint.com/us/products/...opies/16-tips/

[TheFineLine]

The Bushnell TRS-25 ($90) on a Texas weapon system dog leg rail ($165 with peep sight). Has held zero for 1000+ rounds and multiple cleanings. The bushnell has a 3moa dot reticle with good brightness adjustments.

[MagnumWill]

Red dot sights are tough, you kind of get what you pay for.

For the AK with the original furniture, IMO almost any red dot sight just looks out of place- I would go with something like a 1P63 Obzor sight. It's big and clunky, but they're supposedly rock solid, and I like the look.

Check out kalinkaoptics for a bunch of different Russian red dots. They're a little on the expensive side, but I think they look awesome on an AK.

[TheFineLine]

Not everybodys bag but I like it.I wanted to keep the original look while making it more practical.

[Merad]

After some research I'm probably going to get a Primary Arms micro dot and Ultimak mount. I'm sure Aimpoints are amazing, but I'm sorry, it's just ludicrous to me to pay almost as much as the rifle is worth for scope that just displays a red dot.

[AK103K]

it's just ludicrous to me to pay almost as much as the rifle is worth for scope that just displays a red dot.

Ive been told that putting an Aimpoint on a SAR that only cost half as much as the sight is silly. What cost what is irrelevant, its the total package that works as one, and continues to do so without fail, that counts.

If the Primary Arms, fits that bill, and the batteries have a decent life, then you may be onto something. Only one way to find out.

[Boomer58cal]

I have 3 bsa red/green dot's. All over 3 years old and I've never had one fail me. I paid less than $100 for all 3 at a gunshow and have had them on 22's, 30-30's, 7mm mag, 12 ga, muzzleloaders, etc.

[Fishbed77]

After some research I'm probably going to get a Primary Arms micro dot and Ultimak mount.

Just a thought, but by the time you pay for the Primary Arms sight and the Ultimak mount, you could get a PK-A for another $50 or so. The PK-A is the Comblock equivalent of an Aimpoint. The battery life isn't as long, but it's just as bomb-proof and has a built-in mount for the AK side rail. That, and it was MADE for the AK (so it looks pretty bad-ace ) :

https://www.texasshooterssupply.com/...a48e361168d10e

http://kalinkaoptics.com/rifle-scope...k-version.html


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[Merad]

Just a thought, but by the time you pay for the Primary Arms sight and the Ultimak mount, you could get a PK-A for another $50 or so.

I'd have to pay someone to put the side rail on my receiver, so it kinda kills that option.

[RC20]

There are some dust cover mounts that work and you can sort of see through under them though not great view.

Bushnell has come out with a new replacement for their previous copy of the EoTech at around $200 I think

There are some expensive dust cover types that are solid but expensive. Krebs I think and one other.

AK is a hard one deal with, never intended for and can't adapt like an AR could with a new milled top. The design is locked into with the open top dust cover inherent.

[SR420]

It's hard to beat the UltiMAK gas tube rail for mounting an RDS on an AK.

[Ridge_Runner_5]

Kkkkkobraaaa!!

[SR420]

T56SHTF

[Ben Dover]

I have the gas tube mounts on both my AK-47 and my AK 74. They work quite well and are stable, unlike the dust over mounts.

I recently replaced the extended eye relief scopes with the Aimpoint P.R.O, Red Dots on both.

[TheFineLine]

There are good dust cover mounts. TWS, Krebs, and Parabellum armament all make solid ones. Granted they're $135+.

[Fishbed77]

I'd have to pay someone to put the side rail on my receiver, so it kinda kills that option.

Gotcha. What type of AK do you have?

I'm with you in that I would probably go with an Ultimak rather than any of the dust cover mount systems, which all seem to fussy to me. Another option could be a Midwest Industries railed forearm.

[Steve in PA]

Bushnell TRS with a Midwest Industries mount.

[Venom1956]

it's just ludicrous to me to pay almost as much as the rifle is worth for scope that just displays a red dot.

that's the wrong thought process. Proper optics often cost more then the rifle they sit on.

[Fishbed77]

hat's the wrong thought process. Proper optics often cost more then the rifle they sit on.

I think this is true for many rifles... but not for 7.62x39mm AKs.

Not only because of accuracy limitations, but because AKs themselves aren't exactly cheap anymore.

I think you reach the point of diminishing returns pretty quickly with optics on an AK, and I would focus on ruggedness before anything else. One you move pass the $250-$400 price point (occupied the Aimpoint PRO, PV-A, Kobra, POSP, etc), I don't think your money is buying much more useful performance for the AK platform (though I can understand the allure of the Aimpoint Micros).

[AK103K]

I have Aimpoints on both AR's and AK's, and they shoot very similarly. Ive shot both out to 300 yards, and there wasnt a whole lot of difference in the hits on the targets.

As far as your AK accuracy concerns, this was shot with my "cheap" Century SAR1 at 200 yards using its "slightly" canted iron sights. All my other "foreign" made AK's shoot about the same. My US made guns didnt.



That lower group was shot from a rest to confirm zero, the upper from a cross legged sitting at a steady cadence. Just for reference if you cant read the rule, the head on that target is 6" across.

Again, its not what costs what, its what you get out of the package.

[spacecoast]

Yes, they do go together... stock iron sights...

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