Chapter 4 Archives - AK-47 Buyers Guide

Before you buy an AK-47 Optic

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.

Start with the Right Mount

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.

The co-witness concept

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).

AK Optics Shootout

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.

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.

2018 AK Optics Buyer’s Guide from Tim Yan

Several years ago while wandering the floor of the SHOT Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, I literally bumped into Tim Yan. It was a fortuitous meeting.Tim is a freelance writer and contributor to Shotgun News, Guns &Ammo: Book of the AR15, Guns & Ammo Handguns, Guns & Ammo: Book of the AK47, Be Ready!, and other publications. He’s also the resident optics editor for The Firearms Blog.

It should be noted that Tim runs an excellent website called Guns & Tech, of which I contribute to.

A five-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, he served as a marksmanship instructor in the 1st Marine Division deployed in Somalia and the Iraq.

He knows his way around optics and has some great suggestions on what to look for when purchasing optics and mounts for an AK. For anyone contemplating the purchase of an optic, this interview is a must read.

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Q: You did a major piece on AK mounts for Guns & Ammo magazine. What did you discover about AK scope mounts in doing the research for that piece?

A: It’s generally accepted that there are two suitable locations to mount an optic on an AK: the side mount on the receiver and the handguard/gas tube mount. (Not all AKs have the receiver-side mount. However, it’s relatively easy for a gunsmith to install one on a stamped receiver).

However, there’s technically a third location. Two Israeli companies make AK handguard with a long rail extension that hangs over the dust cover on the AK. Those were originally developed for the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) Naval Commandos for the requirement of co-witness mounting optic and night-vision on an AK. The CAA KeyMod handguard which is lighter, easier to install and has the new KeyMod modular interface is the newest version of this product.

The new CAA XRS74YG handguard, originally developed for IDF naval commandos, with a Browe BCO mounted on top. (Tim Yan)

Q: What do you think about the utility of the Texas Weapon Systems and Parabellum “Dog Leg”- style rail dust covers?

A: The Texas Weapons Systems and Parabellum dust covers and rear sights are OK for the recreational shooter.

Q: What about the rear sight replacement optic mount?

A: I have not tried to mount one but my observation is that most are flimsy with probably the exception of the Circle 10 AK and Saberwerk 13 mount. Both of those require some gunsmithing work to install correctly.

Q: If you were to recommend a couple of quick-detach-style scope mounts for the AK, what would they be and why?

A: Any of the RS Regulate modular models: the Arsenal SM-13; Midwest Industries’ AK side-rail flat-top; single and dual 30mm ring-type scope mounts will work. All of them, except for the Midwest Industries flat-top mount, offer very low-bore axis but still allow removal of the dust cover. (Editor’s Note: Midwest Industries has just come out with a Ultimak-style rail/gas tube combination).

The slots in the RS Regulate mount allow you to move the optic laterally so as to place it directly over the bore. (Robert Kay)

The RS Regulate design is the best because it allows adjustment for side-to-side sight alignment as well as front and back adjustment for eye relief and field of view.

The Arsenal and MI are made to fit the Russian- and Bulgarian-pattern side rail. They could be a little off for other AK variants.

Q: What about rail systems or handguards to mount optics? Got any favorites?

A: Krebs Custom, Midwest Industries, Arsenal and Manticore Arms are a good bet. The Krebs Custom UFM keymod handguard is nicely made and has a removable 1913 rail top that holds zero. The MI’s offerings come in many options in both the rail interfaces and the dedicated optic top pieces. These include modular, quad rail, keymod or M-Lock. The top half of the MI design is really the modular part with nine different optic-specific interchangeable top covers. This includes options for the popular Aimpoint Micro T1 and 30mm body and the standard 1913 rail.

If you prefer a solid quad rail, Arsenal’s billet handguard, which was originally made for a military contract, has an actual cleaning rod hole that allows you to keep the full-length AK cleaning rod on the weapon. (Billet means that the product was machined from a solid chunk of metal).

AImpoint H1 sits atop a Manticore Arms Extended Alpha Rail Keymod. (Tim Yan)

Manticore makes a very affordable, good-quality polymer handguard for the Yugo-pattern AK called the Renegade as well as for my favorite, the M92 short-barreled model.

I recently tested Manticore Arms’ new Alpha AK handguard and I was very impressed with it. It’s the only extended length AK handguard that can be installed with the stock front handguard keeper without the need if cutting it off. The modular version has a replaceable bolt-on panels at 3-, 6-, 9-o’clock that give you the choice of installing KeyMod, M-LOK or just textured polymer panel, or any combination of the three.

Manticore also offers an optional optic-specific top half designed for the Aimpoint T1 and the Burris Fast Fire type small red-dot sight.

Q: Is it really possible to get a bottom one-third co-witness with an AK scope?

A: Many optics using the MI top cover and the Manticore top half will co-witness with the stock AK iron sight — although in most of those cases it’s more of a lower ¼ co-witness. As for the receiver side mount, RS Regulate’s Aimpoint T1 and 30mm mount offer a true lower-1/3 co-witness. Midwest Industry’s 30mm-ring side mount also allows mounting an Aimpoint 30mm body model for a lower-1/3 co-witness.

Q: Can you suggest some budget, midrange and high-end red dots for an AK?

A: The best red-dot sight for AK is the Aimpoint Micro T1 or T2. It’s small and lightweight but a bit expensive.

The next down at $350 to $400 is the Aimpoint PRO. They are based on the older Aimpoint 30mm tube-size models.

Side by side from left to right: Hi-Lux MM2, Aimpoint T2, Aimpoint T1. (Tim Yan)

On the more budget end, I really like the new Hi-Lux Micro-Max B-Dot mini-red dot sight. It has flip-up caps and 2 MOA dot like the Aimpoint T2. Its battery life even surpassed the Aimpoint models, with 55,000 hours from just a CR2032 lithium battery, and it carries a spare one in it cap. It also has an Aimpoint Micro compatible screw pattern in its base to use with the RS Regulate direct mount. We have drop-tested and used this optic on the IWI Negev belt-fed machine gun and it has been tested in temperatures from -85 Fahrenheit to +180 Fahrenheit by Alexander Arms.

It’s also been recoil-tested by firing 300 rounds of .338 Lapua Mag while mounted on an Alexander Arms Ulfberht semi-auto rifle.

During a Big 3 Media event in Daytona Beach, Florida we mounted the Hi-Lux on a Rifle Dynamics AK owned by Bill Geissele and did mag dumps until the rifle was too hot to hold. The gas-tube rail was actually red-hot and the little Hi-Lux sight mounted on it was still working fine. Not bad for a $200 sight.

Tim thinks the Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot, priced at $170, is a good value for most end users.

I’ve also had good luck with the Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot (the 50k battery life version). It’s a bit cheaper than the Hi-Lux and doesn’t have as many features. The warranty is also shorter.

There’s also another new mini-red-dot sight coming to the market in 2017 called the 2SD C-8 MRAS. It’s made in South Korea and it has a 2-MOA dot size. Its built, tough with 25 meter submersible rating and it can withstand -40c to +50c temperatures. The battery life is 20,000 hours from a single CR2032 and it uses Aimpoint T1 mount. The MSRP is $299. I was very impressed with it in the short time I used the prototype at a training event. (At the time of publication it’s not yet available but keep an eye out).

I am not a big fan of the Trijicon RMR or other types of mini-reflex sights in that category, mostly due to their tiny field of view, especially if they are mounted on the handguard position.

Tim is keen on a new red dot import out of Korea called the 2SD C-8 MRAS with a price point of around $299. Stay tuned for more details. (Tim Yan)

Q: Can you recommend a good combination of red dot and scope mount for someone who is buying their first AK?

A: If your AK has a receiver side rail, I would recommend the RS Regulate AK300 direct mount for the Aimpoint or the Hi-Lux.

I prefer mounting the red dot as far back as possible for the maximum field of view through the optic. Scot Hoskisson from RS Regulate likes to mount the red dot just behind the rear sight for the best balance on the weapon.

If your AK doesn’t have a receiver side-rail or has a milled receiver, I would recommend the Midwest Industries’ modular AK handguard with the Aimpoint Micro T1 top cover for the T1/T2/Hi-Lux or the 30mm ring-top cover for the APO/PRO. I prefer the direct mount type because it’s solid mounting and fewer things to go wrong. (Editor’s note: RS Regulate’s newest lower (pictured in the photo above) is AK-309M is the AK-300 Modular Side Mount system, and is specifically engineered for the Century Arms new proprietary side rail, now available on the RAS47 and C39V2 rifles).

ak-309m_02 — Tipping the scales at 3 ounces, RS Regulate’s newest product is the AK-309M which mates to any of the AK-300 Modular optic uppers such as the AKM 30mm mount pictured here. Note the two slots with Allen screws to align the optic with the bore axis. (Photo courtesy RS Regulate)

Q: What about some hologram optics? Which would you recommend?

A: One projection type sight with large square sight ocular window is the Meprolight M5. The Meprolight uses a red dot-style LED projection instead of using laser on the EOTech, and has the battery life close to that of the Aimpoint. However, the Meprolight sights have the same height issue on the AK.

Also, check out the new Hartman MH-1 and the DI Optical EG1. Both of those are the new crop of red-dot sights that uses prisms as its optical element instead of lenses. The advantage is that there’s no empty space between the lens for leaks and the glass prism reinforces the structure of the housing making for very robust sights. Prismd allow for better optical correction and offer a clear, big viewing window.

tim-yan-preference-for-prism-scopes-is-the-ta33-3x30mm — Tim Yan’s preference for prism scopes is the TA33 3x30mm Compact ACOG (Courtesy Trijicon)

Q: Can you recommend any 1-4x prism scopes?

A: My favorite prism sight is the ELCAN, but like the EOTech they are too high and too heavy for the AK.

I also wouldn’t recommend any of the Trijicon ACOG TA31 4×32 models for AK because of their very short eye relief. The ACOG TA11 3.5x35mm model is better, but it’s big and heavy.

My preferred ACOG for the AK is the TA33 3x30mm Compact ACOG model with the 7.62x39mm bullet-drop compensating (BDC) reticle. If you have a 5.45x39mm caliber AK, then any of the 5.56mm M4 Carbine BDC models would work for you. The trajectory for both calibers are very close to about 300 meters. The only downside of the Trijicon is its tiny FOV of only 3.7-degrees.

There’s a lesser-known ELCAN Specter OS 3.0 3x32mm model that would work just as well as the Trijicon ACOG because it’s the only ELCAN that uses internal adjustment and features the M16 carrying handle-style mounting.

The ELCAN 3x32mm model offers significant bigger field of view and an inch more eye relief than the Compact ACOG 3x 30mm.

The drawback of the ELCAN is its busy reticle. It also lacks daylight illumination, not to mention it’s a good three to four ounces heavier than comparable optics. Note that the ELCAN OS 3.0 is being discontinued. Midway USA has the remaining stocks and they are selling it for $699 w/ free shipping.

For those on a budget Tim is a fan of the Burris AR-332 (pictured above) and the AR-536 which are priced around $300.

On the budget end, I have had success with the Burris AR-332 (3x32mm) and AR-536 (5x36mm) prism sight. Both are in the $300 price range. Both utilize a version of the Burris reticle that offers a very thick outer ring for fast target acquisition at close range and BDC dots for range out to 600 meters. Both models also have switchable red and green day-visible reticle illumination.

All of the above sights use Trijicon’s ACOG mounting screw pattern and could be used on an RS Regulate ACOG mount for the lowest sight height on an AK.

The new Vortex Spitfire 1x prism sight. (Tim Yan)

Now let’s talk about the lower magnification prism sight such as the ACOG 1.5x16mm and the new Vortex Spitfire 1x. Those are great red-dot sight alternatives for those of us who have bad eyesight. By featuring an etched reticle on the glass, those lower-magnification prism sights have a couple of advantages over a red-dot. The reticle will be still useable if the battery dies and it allows for BDC and other shapes in the reticle design.

The etched reticle forces the shooter’s eye to focus on it, which works especially well for those of us with astigmatism.

the-meopta-meotac-1-4x22mm-rd-model — The Meopta MeoTac 1-4x22mm RD model is a top-notch optic at a competitive price. (Courtesy Meopta)

Q: I see a lot of 1×4 scopes out there. Can you recommend a high end model?

A: On the higher end, I recommend the Meopta MeoTac 1-4x22mm RD tactical scope. Don’t let the price of $999 shock you. The Meopta tactical 1×4 scope is actually at the same level as the Swarovski and Schmidt & Bender in terms of optical performance and daylight reticle illumination, plus it offers a true 1x magnification at the lowest setting.

I think Meopta is the best-kept secret in the premium Euro optics. The Meopta’s BDCs are calibrated for the 5.56mm NATO, so it will work just fine with 5.45x39m AK74.

For the 7.62x39mm caliber, since the Meopta’s BDC hash marks are not named, it’s easy to figure out the hold-over for each of the 3 small chevrons. (Meopta has the 7.62x39mm ballistic BDC info available but it’s just not on their USA website).

There’s a new mid-end 1-4x on the market and that’s the new Steiner P4Xi with a street price of under $600. It has daylight visible illumination, true 1x, and it uses German Schott glass for its lens.

Tim believes the Steiner 1-4x24mm P4Xi 30mm Tactical Riflescope, which uses German-made glass, is a terrific value at under $600.

Q: You did a review several years ago of the CMR (Close-Medium Range) model from Leatherwood Hi-Lux. Would you still recommend that scope for an AK user?

A: I think that is still the best 1-4x scope for the AK.

Leatherwood Hi-Lux is now offering two tiers of the CMR models. There is the original and the CMR4 model with a better grade of glass. The latter has capped turrets with the MIL-MIL adjustment, and the windage turret is relocated to the left side.

Both AK models of CMR have a reticle BDC out to 900 meters for the 7.62x39mm. I actually tested that out to 1,000 yards (914 meters), with a Noveske AR in 300 Blackout, which the ballistic matches on the 7.62×39 mm. This one doesn’t have the best optical or build quality. However, it’s very affordable and the ACSS reticle is a good design.

How to use the reticle for the Primary Arms Primary Arms’ 1-6x scope w/ ACSS

Q: What is your impression of the Russian-produced optics for the AK? Do you recommend them, and, if so, which models do you like?

A: The Russian military uses a variety of combat optics on their AK. Some of those are not available to the commercial market and most are not available in the U.S.

The Russian red-dot sights are, in general, not very good. Most are heavy and have a short battery life. That’s why the Russian special operations forces use Aimpoints and EOTechs.

On the other hand, their prism sights are surprisingly good. For example, the Russian Kashtan 2.8x prism sight has an impressive 13-degree field of view. The PSU model 1x/4x switchable sight I tested is the only alternative to the ELCAN Specter DR.

Keep in mind that if you acquire a Russian optic via mail order, the biggest issues you will have are the warranty and customer service. If anything goes wrong, you may have to ship the item back to Russia for repair.

I don’t trust the Russian postal system and there may be U.S. government restrictions regarding sending weapon accessories to another country.

If you go this route, I would recommend only that you buy optics made in the NPZ (Novosibirsk Instrument Plant) factory for top-quality Russian-made optics.

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