AK-47 Buyers Guide

The online version of the book by Robert Kay

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Choosing the right optic for your AK–an interview with ACSS Designer, Dimitri Mikroulis

September 30, 2019 By Robert Kay

Editor’s Note: Dimitri Mikroulis is perhaps the most influential reticle designers in the industry. His ACSS design, sold on Primary Arms, has proven to be the simplest, quickest method of ranging a human-size target, compensating for bullet drop, leading a moving target, and holding for crosswind. In essence ACSS fuses an accurate rangefinder into the reticle. No conversion from reticle measurement units to distance units is necessary. It merges range-finding and bullet drop compensation holdover marks so that the operator simply matches the target to the range. In short, Dimitri knows his way around optics from the inside out. His advice will be useful for both neophytes and long time AK aficionados.

Q: Before we talk about optics and mounts, let’s talk about your experience in designing optic reticles and testing scopes. You are credited for developing a reticle called ACSS that used in high end gear such as Trijicon models. What’s the advantage of your reticle and how do you use it?

The ACSS reticle for the Trijicon is adaptable to most scenarios

A: I have been involved in more than 40 projects and I’ve cut more glass then any other reticle designer. My designs entail different applications of fire ranging from CQB optics to long range precision. The advantage of the ACSS system is accurate bullet drop compensation that’s been calibrated for certain focal length–designed to not only for range estimate but hold for wind and lead targets. Essentially, it focuses on the most crucial aspects of CQB/Mid range combat shooting. 

The ACSS CQB reticle is excellent for close-in and mid-range combat work

Q: Let’s look at scope mounts available on the market these days. What mounts do you recommend?

A: For an AK-47 using a red dot I prefer an Ultimak rail the optic mounted all way to the back to avoid any kind of heat transfer. I also am a big fan of the Midwest Industry GEN Two with ACOG base for any kind of prism style optic.

The Midway Gen Two with the ACOG base makes an excellent side mount.

Q: Is it possible to co-witness on an AK given how high the optics are usually mounted?

A: There are two ways to co witness on an AK one is using an Ultimak and  red dot another is to use amount that lifts the Scope high enough that allows you to see your irons co witnessing that way. 

You can co-witness using the Ultimak system. Also an excellent choice.

Q: What should someone look for in an optic for an AK?

A: I think the key attribute to look for an optic for an AK would be durability or an optic design to work without electronics or batteries.

Primary Arms SLxP3 Compact 3×32 Gen II Prism Scope – ACSS-CQB 300BLK/7.62×39 is a great choice for the classic AK-47

Q:  What kind of optic should you buy if you like to shoot long distances—say to hit steel plate at 400 yards?  What about for close quarter combat? How much do you need to spend for both of the above scenarios?

A: I think a great optic to be able to do both would be the Primary arms 3x ACSS-CQB, Primary arms 1-6x , Trijicon 1.5x ACSS  or Primary Arms ACSS Cyclops. 

The Primary Arms ACSS Cyclops is one of the best inexpensive optic on the market for the AK

Q: Can you suggest some inexpensive red dot optics should a new AK owner should consider?  

A: I would say the Primary Arms line Holosun is another great choice if you have astigmatism then the Acss Cyclops.

Primary Arms Holosun is a great choice for a red dot

Q:  If money is no object, what do you think is the best all-around AK optic and why?

A: Even if money was not an issue I would say the Primary Arms 3x, 1X Cyclops or Trijicon ACSS TA44. Money doesn’t always solve the issues of range estimation, wind and lead ballistic solutions on the fly.  

If you have the resources, the Trijicon ACSS TA44 with ACSS is an excellent choice.

Q: Any other tips when it comes to buying an optic?

A: Avoid marketing hype and look for capability. If possible reach out to the experts and speak with the guys who use the type of gear you’re interested in, day in and day out. 

Filed Under: Chapter 4, Tips

Before you buy an AK-47 Optic

November 10, 2016 By Robert Kay

AK Optics Primer

Before you buy your AK-47 optic you’ll need to think about what your using your rifle for. Home defense? Hunting? Range toy?

There is a plethora of optics available for the AK platform. The most popular, by a long shot, are “red dot” sights which are lightweight and easy to use in a wide range of lighting conditions. They offer the advantage of rapid target acquisition — even if it’s a moving target. This makes them excellent for self-defense, hunting, plinking and shooting at paper or metal at the range.

the-red-dot-is-projected-forward-from-a-point-behind-the-objective
The red dot is projected forward from a point behind the objective lens and then is reflected off the back of the objective lens assembly toward the shooter’s eye. It’s not pointing out of the optic like a laser beam. (Courtesy Wikipedia)

AK-47 optics are available in a wide spectrum of prices ranging from $100 or less for products from Primary Arms to military-class gear from companies such as Trijicon or BROWE that will cost $1,000 or more.

Most red-dot sights are not magnified. That said, you can get separate optics from several manufacturers that will provide magnification, but they are not cheap.

There are several excellent, inexpensive red dots available from companies such as Primary Arms, Vortex, Burris and others that work very well with the AK. Or you can go high-end with Trijicon or Aimpoint.

The majority of red dot sights fall under the classification of “reflex sights.” This means the aiming reticle—whether it be dot, triangle or chevron, is projected forward from a point behind the objective lens (the lens closest to the object) and is then reflected off the back of the objective lens assembly toward the shooter’s eye. Although it seems like a laser beam is projecting toward your target, this is not the case. The reflex sight has no laser and does not emit a substantial amount of light towards the target.

browe-bto-optic
BROWE’s “BTO” optic is available with a 7.62×39 mm chevron reticle. It has an MSRP of $1250. (Courtesy Browe)

Holographic sights essentially use the same technology as the reflex sight in that a sighting reticle is superimposed on your view via a hologram. Without getting into the sordid details, I suggest you do a search for “holography” to get a better understanding. Holographic or holosights are popular with a lot of AK users and I suggest trying one out at a dealership to get a feel for them.

EOTech Weapon Accessories and Burris are well respected manufacturers in this space. Prices for holographic sights range from $50 to more than $1,000, if you combine them with magnifiers.

For further reference, UltiMAK’s web page provides an excellent explanation of the application and use of electronic sights.

Filed Under: Chapter 4, Resources

Start with the Right Mount

November 10, 2016 By Robert Kay

Choosing the Right Mount

If you’re going to invest in an optic and don’t have a rail or handguard system that will allow you to place it on your rifle, you’re going to need a separate item called an optics mount. These clamp onto a bracket located on the left-hand side of the receiver — assuming your AK has a bracket; most, but not all, do. There are a number of mounts on the market ranging from not-so-great stuff imported from China to well-made products from Russia or the U.S.

The engineering challenge for these devices has been to build something that will work with all — or at least a great majority — of the AK variants. This is a tall order.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The Arsenal SM-13 is a solid choice for the AK. (Courtesy Arsenal, Inc).

As I outlined earlier, there are inevitable discrepancies in the specifications among manufacturers when it comes to positioning of the rail, thickness of the receiver, and so on. Thus, obtaining a one-mount-fits-all solution is impossible. The lesson is that before you purchase an optic, be certain that the item you acquire will operate correctly with the mount and model of your AK.

There are some decent scope mounts out there. One I’ve tested is the SM-13 from Arsenal. It’s a rock-steady unit that is slung low — close to the dust cover. It will work with the VEPR, Saiga and Arsenal. The only thing it won’t do is allow you to co-witness. The ability to co-witness (see below) is not a must-have, but is certainly desirable.

RS Regulate Mounting System

The system favored by all the professionals I’ve interviewed is manufactured by a company called RS Regulate. It permits you to mount your optic very low (close to the barrel) while centering it over the rifle’s bore.

rs-regulate-scope-mount
The RS Regulate scope mount is a modular affair that clamps onto a standard AK side mount. It is well-made and accommodates a number of optics. (Robert Kay)

RS Regulate has developed a mounting technology that accommodates some of the more popular optics brands and will generally, depending on the optic, allow you to co-witness. It’s modular so that you can pick and choose an adapter designed for a specific optic.

The RS Regulate products are a bit more expensive than the competition, but work the best.

Filed Under: Chapter 4, Resources

The co-witness concept

November 9, 2016 By Robert Kay

Co-witness refers to the relationship between the optical sight and the AK’s fixed or iron sights. When you co-witness you’re able to align your iron sights in tandem with your red dot optic. Where the red dot locates in the optic (middle or bottom 1/3) is a matter of preference.

the-red-dot-floating-on-top
The red dot floating on top of the front post depicts a “co-witnessed” sight picture where the red dot rests directly above the post. (Courtesy UltiMAK)

The illustration above shows the red dot in a co-witnessed position resting directly above the post. This means that the two sighting systems are zeroed for the same distance and windage. Both the Aimpoint and the Primary Arms optics allow you to co-witness on a Saiga using the RS Regulate mount.

This second style of “co-witnessing”, shows the red dot floating high above the sight post. Where the red dot is placed is a matter of preference. (Courtesy UltiMAK).

Filed Under: Chapter 4, Resources

AK Optics Shootout

November 8, 2016 By Robert Kay

Aimpoint T-1/H-1 series and Primary Arms Micro Dot

The Aimpoint T-1/H-1 series and the Primary Arms Micro Dot with Fixed Base MD-FBGII look alike from a distance. Their size and weight are similar but the resemblance ends there. The Aimpoint, manufactured in Malmö, Sweden, is a top-of-the-line, military-grade optic that sells for more than $600. It is considered the ne plus ultra of the red dot universe. The Primary Arms model is a Chinese-made (Aimpoint) clone and sells for $79.

The attribute they share is that both may be used with the RS Regulate scope mount.

This style of optic works well with an AK because it’s so light. Keeping the weight down, plus getting the opportunity to co-witness, are compelling reasons to buy either one of them.

aimpoint-is-the-ne-plus-ultra
Aimpoint is the “ne plus ultra” of red dot optics. (Robert Kay)

Given the price disparity, is it fair to compare the two?

In the “micro dot” optics universe, there aren’t too many options.

The Bushnell TR 25 has the same internals and optics as the Primary Arms model. They are even made in the same factory. I believe the Primary Arms MD-FBGII is a good deal if you’re going to need a red dot for the range or other recreational activities.

The red dot will not be as crisp as the much more expensive Aimpoint system, but that’s to be expected. Sometimes the dot looks more like an elongated squiggle or blob, but this effect is in part due to one’s own eye physiology. You may find it kind of irritating at first, but paradoxically it becomes pretty much a non-issue when you’re shooting. I find that you can control his effect by keeping the power setting low. The lower the intensity power, the more precise the dot. 

Size-wise, the H-1 and the Primary Arms are the same length but the Primary Arms micro is 0.2 inch narrower than the Aimpoint. The Primary Arms is a fraction taller because its brightness dial is on top. The Primary Arms micro weighs about 20 grams more, but that’s negligible. Its fixed base permits mounting close to the bore and the 4:30 position of the emitter allows for co-witnessing.

 

Aimpoint H1 mounted on an RS Regulate AK-302 atop a Kreb’s AK74. (Tim Yan)

Windage and elevation adjustments on the Primary Arms product are made by turning tiny slotted screws. What I didn’t like was that the obligatory arrows that tell you which direction to turn are so faintly imprinted you need eyeglasses to see them.

I liken Aimpoint microdots to the ACOG series of scopes from Trijicon that everybody seems to want (whether they really need it or not). It’s no surprise. These are really well-engineered, precision instruments. Like the ACOGs, Aimpoint models are used by the military atop M4s and some light machine guns. They are battle-proven, sturdy, and waterproof.

Unlike the Primary Arms unit, where the brightness dial sits atop the scope, the H-1 has its adjustment control on the right side of the scope body. The dial is indexed with 12 levels of brightness whereas the Primary Arms scope has 11. The intensity knob on the Aimpoint is easier to turn than the Primary Arms model and stops at the “0” and “12” increments. Thus, you don’t even have to look when you’re turning it off. (The Primary Arms dial just keeps on turning).

the-primary-arms-and-aimpoint-optics
The Primary Arms and Aimpoint optics (left and right respectively) look similar and share one great quality essential for AK: light weight. (Robert Kay)

Windage and elevation adjustments on the H-1 are done with the actual dial covers. You simply flip them over and use them as keys to turn the dials. Unlike the nearly invisible arrow on the Primary Arms, the inside of the caps have a clearly defined arrow telling you which direction to turn. The engineers in Sweden clearly spent some time thinking about this stuff. By using the caps as tools, you’re also more likely to put them back on when you’re finished tweaking, and thus are less like to put them aside and lose them. (Well, that’s the theory …)

Interestingly enough, they both use the same CR-2032 coin battery but the Aimpoint’s life is five years (50,000 hours) vs. 1,000 hours for the Primary Arms.

 

Conclusion

The moral of the story is that not everybody needs a military-grade optic. The Primary Arms scope represents a good value for someone who wants the advantages that the RS Regulate system affords but doesn’t have the discretionary funds (or the need) for an Aimpoint.

Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot (50k hrs battery life) sits on a Circle 10 Scout Optic Mount AK. Manticore Arms Transformer AK lower handguard. (Tim Yan)

I’ve had a Primary Arms micro dot for years and it still works after plenty of abuse. It doesn’t have the refinement and durability of the Aimpoint, but it also doesn’t cost $600.

Ultradot, Vortex Strike Fire, Viper and Micro-Max B-Dot are also good options

There are several other choices that lay in between the $79 Primary Arms product and the $600+ item from Aimpoint.

One line of red dot optics that I’ve grown to like over the years is from a family-owned company called Ultradot. Their entry level product is the Ultradot 30, which is a compact, lightweight tubular sight that was designed for Bullseye competition. If you go to a match anywhere in this country, you’ll see a lot of Ultradot’s mounted on 1911s.

I happen to think any of their tube type sights are a great choice for an AK. At 3.9 ounces, the Ultradot 30 is really light.

The optics are also quite good — up to par with much more expensive glass.

ultra-dots-matchdot
Ultra Dot’s “Matchdot” model features adjustable brightness and variable dot size. It’s light, durable and affordable. The scope is affixed to an Arsenal SM-13 mount. (Robert Kay)

The 4 MOA red dot is surprisingly crisp and features an 11- position, adjustable brightness dial. The more expensive Ultradot models, such as the Ultradot Match, offer adjustments for light intensity as well as a separate dial to change the size of the red dot.

Engineered in the U.S., the Ultradot line is manufactured in Japan. Because they were designed to work with the hard recoil of a 1911, they are built to take a pounding. I’ve owned several of their models and have had no problems with them.

I mounted my Ultradot on an Arsenal scope mount using 30mm rings, but it also works with the RS Regulate system. Note that but because of its configuration (it’s about 5 inches long) it needs to be mounted with RS Regulate’s longer-railed AK-303 model and fitted with two 30mm ring mounts.

This new Midwest Industries Gen 2 scope mount was introduced at the 2017 SHOT Show and should sell in the neighborhood of $150 when available. (Photo courtesy Tim Yan)

At $190, including a lifetime warranty, the Ultradot 30 is a superb deal. If you really want to save money, check out the bulletin boards of bullseye shooters where you can pick up a used Ultradot for about $100.

Another inexpensive red dot optic that is favored by our optic’s guru, Tim Yan, is the Vortex StrikeFire II.

Vortex is a Wisconsin-based company but manufactures its products in Asia. The StrikeFire II is made in China. At $179, it’s not going to break the bank and the quality (plus its warranty) is quite good.

The first thing that strikes you about the Strikefire II is how robust it is. It’s built like a tank and screams “tactical.” The single-piece chassis is compact and weighs in at 7 ounces. It’s a little heavier than the micro dots and tubular models from Ultradot but reportedly can handle a lot of abuse.

the-strikefire-ii-optic
The Strikefire II optic (above) combined with an RS Regulate unit is the only optic I’ve found to co-witness on a VEPR. (Robert Kay)

It’s a snap to mount on an AK. It comes with a cantilever-type mount for an AR, but you’ll dispense with that if you use the RS Regulate system with their 30mm ring.

Unlike other tubular-type optics, the Strikefire requires only one ring, which secures the unit in the middle of its casing. You can make horizontal and vertical adjustments using the top of the plastic caps which have a ledge that fits into the screw tops. Aimpoint uses the same system and it’s a very thoughtful adaptation.

One of the most important points is the quality of the Strikefire’s red dot, which is surprisingly good for the price.

Another very big plus I discovered using this scope is that in concert with the RS Regulate mount it will co-witness with a VEPR. One cannot do this with an Aimpoint or any other micro dot that I’m aware of.

I looked at the red-only version, which Tim Yan prefers, because it’s brighter than the green-red version.

The Lithium CR2 battery has a life at maximum brightness of 300 hours. It also has an automatic 12-hour shut-off, which is very handy for people of a certain demographic (such as myself). As an optic designed for plinking, hunting and the range, it’s ideal, especially for the price point.

The Viper works very well with the Ultimak rail system. (Robert Kay)

As I have mentioned before, co-witnessing your red dot on your AK is the equivalent of discovering the Holy Grail.

It just doesn’t happen very often and when it does, it’s exceeding satisfying. For better or worse the geometry of an AK sighting system does not lend it self to easily co-witnessing with a red dot. That’s just the way it is. Usually the rails or scope mount on an AK are just too high. This is particularly an issue with tube type red dots such as the Aimpoint or other similar sights. However reflex sights can be mounted super-low.

I was experimenting with a Viper Red Dot which I had originally intended for a handgun review. I knew that the optic was suitable for a rifle and just to be thorough I placed it on a couple of AKs, fully expecting “geometry” issues. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to get it to co-witness on the forward rail of a Saiga set up with Krebs handguard and on another AK with an Ultimak Rail in a matter of minutes. It also worked perfectly on a mini-rail on my Krebs Custom rifle which is set over the dust cover. (It will also work on a side mount if you have the correct RS Regulate Scope mount).

Being able to use it on a forward rail is a huge advantage.

Unlike a tube type optic, Viper’s reflex technology will not cause eye relief problems if the sight is mounted far from the eye. In other words, mounting the sight on a rail over the gas tube, near the front sight, is not an impediment. You can easily see the dot without straining your eye in the least. In fact because the dot is further away from the eye, it’s going to look crisper than one mounted closer to your eye. You could use this sight closer to the eye, but in my opinion it’s just as effective mounted further away. With this perspective you also can gauge what’s going on around you rather than being focused on the optic.

I was able to easily co-witness on the mini-rail on this Krebs Custom. You can also use the RS Regulate mount.

Furthermore, because it’s so light, it’s not going to interfere with the balance of your rifle by making it “top heavy”.

The Viper has been out for a few years and Vortex has gotten all the kinks out. What I like about it is that there are the locks up front so that once you’ve dialed it in, you can nail down the windage and elevation.

Mine came with a 6 MOA arrangement which will work well with a rifle shooting at steel but not as well if you’re shooting at a bullseye on a paper target. Better to get the 3 MOA for precision work.

The left-side up/down power and illumination controls are easy to manipulate and the whole shebang runs on a CR2032 battery. It comes with a base that mounts on a pic rail. The only thing I didn’t like was that you have to detach the mount in order to replace the battery. The good news is that the battery will last up to 30k hours so you’re not going to have to do this too often.

If you need a lightweight red dot for your rifle, this will work just fine. At $229 on Amazon, it’s not going to break the bank.

Another one of Tim Yan’s favorites is the 2 MOA (minute of angle) Hi-Lux Micro-Max B-DOT. Call it a T-1 alternative or an Aimpoint clone; it’s a sturdy little red dot priced at around $200 with an impressive life of 55,000 hours (6.2 years) on a CR2032 battery. Thus it’s equivalent to the $700 Aimpoint when it comes to staying power.

Of course, you can use it on any mount that will accept an Aimpoint. The unit has 12 brightness settings accessible on a dial atop the aluminum housing. The lowest two settings work with night vision. The scope will automatically shut down after eight hours of use (with the factory default settings) but you can configure it manually for anywhere from between 2 to 12 hours.

the-micro-max-b-dot
The Micro-Max B-Dot, an Aimpoint clone from Hi-Lux, is among the best of the low to mid-tier red dots. It offers great bang for the buck. (Robert Kay)

The elevation and windage adjustments elicit positive clicks that move the point of impact 0.5 inch at 100 yards (1/2 MOA). Like the Aimpoint and the Vortex Strikefire, the tiny caps that cover the adjustment knobs have little flanges that can be inserted into the notch at the top of dial, so that you can tweak the elevation or windage without using a coin or screwdriver.

Two flip-up lens covers are included as well as an extra battery that resides inside the battery cap. This is a sturdy little beast. The finish on this product is also excellent

The quality of the red dot is crisp and shines intensely, even in bright daylight.

When you consider the Micro-Max B-Dot, along with the Strikefire II and Primary Arms scopes, which are manufactured in China, it’s clear that the Chinese have come a long way in improving the quality of their optics.

This scope is fully submersible and has been used at temperatures as low as -85 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 167 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s been tested with a semi-auto .338 Lapua, which has more than a healthy kick, and passed with flying colors.

I think this product is well worth a look.

this-primary-arms-1-6x-scope
This Primary Arms 1-6x scope with ACSS Reticle is configured for 7.62 x 39 rifles. It’s mounted on a RS Regulate 303 system with two 30mm rings. (Courtesy Primary Arms)

Budget Long Distance AK Optics

If you’re going to use an AK in the 100+ yards range and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, consider the Primary Arms 1-6x scope with the ACSS (Automatic Combined Sighting System) Reticle.

This style of reticle which is designed for a 7.62 x 39 cartridge is generally what you’d find on a much more expensive scope such as a Trijicon or a Browe.  (Note that there are many variations of reticles, including dots, posts, circles, scales, chevrons or a combination of these).

The scope utilizes a battery to illuminate the reticle for low light conditions. If you’re shooting during daylight hours it’s generally not even necessary to switch on the illumination.

Eye relief, at up past 4 inches, is quite good. (Eye relief is the distance from the last surface of an eyepiece at which the user’s eye can obtain the full viewing angle. If a viewer’s eye is outside this distance, a reduced field of view will be obtained).

The 6x zoom provides a ton of flexibility so that you can engage targets at a wide-ranging distance envelope. The reticle offers a bullet-drop compensator and other nifty little tables that allow you to estimate the range and other variables such as the wind.

To set up the reticle properly, you’ll need to sight in the dot at the center of the horseshoe at 100 yards.

At 10 ¾ inches, weighing in at 17.4 ounces, this is not a small scope. If most of your shooting is off the bench, this won’t be an issue. If you’re going to be shooting long distances, you will absolutely need it.

Priced at around $280, this optic isn’t going to equal what you’d get with the expensive glass. However, if your plans entail shooting at the range rather than doing a tour in Afghanistan, this scope is perfectly adequate.

The 7.62×39 300 BLK 3x Compact Scope from PA is an excellent candidate for all-around best budget optic for the AK

7.62×39 300 BLK 3x Compact Scope

This new optic from Primary Arms is called the “7.62×39 300 BLK 3x Compact Scope” but don’t let the name confuse you. It’s ideal for the AK.

It uses the highly touted ACSS BDC which offers quick ranging, wind holds and moving target leads. The etched reticle requires no illumination and there are 12 brightness settings powered by a CR2032 battery.

It comes with a standard 1913 Picatinny mount. We’re told it’s quite  durable and is designed to handle 7.62 recoil and varied weather conditions. We certainly had no malfunctions during our rigorous testing. The finish on this scope is excellent and looks a lot more expensive than the $259.99 price point. (This includes a 3-year warranty).

unnamed
The high touted ACSS BDC worked like a charm.

We tried it out at our local 100 yd range and thought it a great value for all that it delivers.

We liked in particular its compact size, good optical clarity and eye relief, useful 3x magnification, adjustable diopter (used to accommodate different eyes and corrective eye-ware), and easy to see and use BDC reticle.

The wide field of view is nice too, and the battery that powers the red-lit reticle is commonly available from any drug or variety store.

After sighting it in, we were able to remove and replace the optic several times over the course of a week, and still retain zero.

It comes standard with flip caps, a very handy feature to assist in keeping the optics clean, yet ready for quick action.

We tested it on a Krebs AK 47 and a PWS upper in 7.62×39. One thing to note is that the optic is a bit on the heavy side. At nearly 1 lb it is twice as heavy as a Trijicon TA33-C-400123 (their 3x optic with 7.62×39 BDC) so it would not be your first choice for long treks in the field during a hunt.

The other point to remember is that it’s much better to mount the optic as close to your eye as possible. It’s not like using a red dot where you can mount it closer to the front sight and not suffer consequences. In this case eye relief, the distance from the last surface of an eyepiece within which the user’s eye can obtain the full viewing angle, is problematic. Thus you’ll need to make sure you either have a rail or better yet, according to Dimitri Mikroulis at Primary Arms, use a side rail AK mount to place the optic atop the receiver.

Our conclusion: If you need a reasonably priced optic for an AK, particularly if most of your time is at the range, this is the ticket. I think offers great value–one the best inexpensive AK scopes on the market.

 

Editor’s note: Much thanks to Tim Yan of GunsandTech for his photos.

Filed Under: Chapter 4, Product Reviews

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How to Buy an AK 47 cover Rob Kay
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Skip to a chapter in the book

  • Foreword–By James Reeves, Firearm Blog
  • Acknowledgements
  • Chapter 1: AK-47 Basics & Introduction
  • Chapter 2: How to buy the Best AK
  • Chapter 3: AK Parts Upgrades
  • Chapter 4: Optics & Mounts
  • Chapter 5: Parts Reviews
  • Chapter 6: Lubrication & Maintenance
  • Chapter 7: Where to Buy your AK
  • Chapter 8: FAQ & Glossary
  • Chapter 9: Online Resources

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