I'm running a TRS-25 mounted on my front handguard, IMHO this or over the rear leaf sight is the best spot for an optic if you don't want any interference with strippers.
I went cheap, found a used Tapco railed upper handguard on ebay.
This is also where I mount a TRS-25 on my VZ-58 and all my AKs.
The AKs use a Hogue railed upper handguard, the VZ took some DIY but I bolted an aluminum pic rail to the factory handguard. Filing the back of the pic rail to match the curve of the handguard was easier than grinding down the back of the nuts to clear the piston. But that's been over 10 years and it still holds zero.