Red dot for an AK?

[jhansman]

My converted Saiga .223 (yes, I know, I turned a "sporter" into an EBR) currently sports an inexpensive 4x scope that I use at 50 yds., and lately (couldn't have anything to do with age, I'm sure) it doesn't seem to to give me as visible a target, using an 8" Shoot N See, as I would like. I am considering moving to a red dot, but I don't have much experience with them. Can you all enlighten me as to any advantage this kind of optic provides and would it be a logical choice for this rifle at this distance? FWIW, I bought the rifle for pray and spray against the inevitable hoard, should that day come (and I'm not convinced it won't). So, some accuracy at 50 yds. is about all I reckon it will provide and all I would ask of it. TIA.

 

[trackskippy]

Ive had a red dot on a couple of AK's for about 20 years or so now. Just like an AR, nothing wrong with their irons, but the red dot takes things to the next level. It just makes things a lot easier.

Ive used Aimpoints (M2's/ML2's) and Ultimak rails on my guns and have had great results. The Ultimak replaces the top handguard with a low rail, and with the right sight and ring combo, will also allow you to cowitness the irons to the dot. With the sight up front and out of the way, it makes for more natural shooting, doesn't block your peripheral vision, and you can take the top cover off the gun without removing the sight.

With a low, forward mounted red dot, the gun shoulders and shoots just like it does with just the iron sights, and you get the same cheek weld. They are very fast and natural to shoot with.

I shoot mine out to around 200 yards with no issues and accuracy is similar to my AR;s at the same distance using the same M2 dot sights.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Get the Ultimak.

 

[jhansman]

Apparently, the only red dot carried by Ultimak is now discontinued. If the iron sights are not a must option, is there any reason why I can't add a red dot to my current, side-mounted rail?

 

[BreechFace]

SLR handguard with their railed gas tube is my preference. Red dot mounted low and right in front of the rear irons on the railed fade tube. But $$$

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Apparently, the only red dot carried by Ultimak is now discontinued. If the iron sights are not a must option, is there any reason why I can't add a red dot to my current, side-mounted rail?

ultimak.com/buyak.htm

This rail can be paired with a small red dot. Reid Henrichs and Jim Fuller use and recommend this setup.

 

[trackskippy]

Apparently, the only red dot carried by Ultimak is now discontinued. If the iron sights are not a must option, is there any reason why I can't add a red dot to my current, side-mounted rail?

You can use pretty much any red dot with the Ultimak, but with some, you may not get a cowitness with the iron sights. The reason I went with them 20 years ago is, they were the only mounts at the time that let you cowitness.

Once I got the first one, I realized it was really the best way to go for the red dots, and Scout type scopes. Getting the optic out of your face makes a big difference. It also places the optic out of the way of handling and maintaining the gun.

Depending on the rail mount you have, you should be able to add a red dot without too much trouble, as long as the mount has a "rail" that will accept it, which most of those Ive seen do. Whether or not they sit low enough that you can cowitness your irons, is a different story. Some are supposed to allow it, some dont.

Its not really a big deal if it wont, but if you're accustomed to shooting with the irons, the gun will shoulder and shoot more naturally and just like it did with the irons. The early, and some of the current rail mounts put the optic too high, at least for me, and they make shooting the gun awkward, and annoying, and with things back at the rear of the gun, it blocks a lot of your peripheral vision.

 

[jhansman]

Depending on the rail mount you have, you should be able to add a red dot without too much trouble, as long as the mount has a "rail" that will accept it, which most of those Ive seen do.

The mount I have uses the standard rails on the left side of the frame and allows whatever optic I choose to sit right over the dust cover. As noted earlier, I do not use the stock iron sights, so if I move to a red dot, it would just replace the 4X scope I have on it now. I have a cheap Simmons I can experiment with, but if I invest in a better quality RD, I'd like it to be highly visible in daylight and easy to get on target with. As we know, the Saiga (even with its nickle-coated barrel) is not a target rifle. If I can put a 10-rd. magazine close to center at 50 yds. in, say 10 seconds, I'll be happy.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I used a Midwest Industries QD side mount on my Bulgarian for a while. Liked it.

I also have an Ultimak that I don't use.

I'm not a huge fan of the forward mounted red dots, but that's just me.

 

[trackskippy]

The mount I have uses the standard rails on the left side of the frame and allows whatever optic I choose to sit right over the dust cover. As noted earlier, I do not use the stock iron sights, so if I move to a red dot, it would just replace the 4X scope I have on it now. I have a cheap Simmons I can experiment with, but if I invest in a better quality RD, I'd like it to be highly visible in daylight and easy to get on target with. As we know, the Saiga (even with its nickle-coated barrel) is not a target rifle. If I can put a 10-rd. magazine close to center at 50 yds. in, say 10 seconds, I'll be happy.

The red dots are easily adjustable for brightness, and you shouldn't have any issues seeing them.

If you can mount it as far forward on the rail, I think you'll be better off. The further from your face the better.

Ive owned a number of AK's over the years, and all of them shot about the same, around 3" or so at 100 using the iron sights, and with ammo the gun liked, even better. The exception being, the one US assembled gun from a kit. The guns made by the countries that issue them, all shot well, even the dreaded Century SAR's and WASR's. My Krebs converted Saiga shot well and right in there with the rest.

Dont fall for the AK's are inaccurate crap, they will shoot if you can. One equipped with a good red dot, will shoot very much like an AR equipped with the same.

 

[Steve in PA]

I have a side mount for the side rail on my WASR with a Bushnell TRS-25. Easy on and off. Aging eyes makes iron sights a bit difficult, but the red dot makes things a lot easier.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Mine is a Riley Defense AK pistol. I have a Midwest Industries side mount to a 30mm ring. Red Dot is a Vortex StrikeFire 2.
No issues with it at all