AK optics help

K

KaNcEr

New member
I have an slg-21 with a krebs rail mounted on back (see pic). I opted for it since I wanted a rear mounted optic and the krebs rail sits slightly lower than a side rail. Also, it has the M16a2 rear flip sights built in, which takes care of the dreadful AK rear sight problem. If I had known about it sooner I would have gotten the TWS Dogleg rail with the attachable peep sight. The TWS rail sits about a half inch lower than the krebs rail. But the krebs rail was so difficult to get on and attached so tightly that 1: Im not sure if I can get it off, and 2: Im kinda afraid to try.

I bought an Eotech 512, stuck it on there and went to the range. I can sport the AK like a pro with the enhanced sights on the krebs rail, but I just couldnt shoot as accurately during rapid fire with the EOTech. I came to the conclusion that it was due to a WEAK cheek weld (more like a chin weld). I will soon be getting a VLTOR collapsible stock adapter along with a Magpul CTR with 3/4" riser. Ive read that even with that set up its going to be a pretty weak cheek weld (even with the TWS rail).

Im not very well versed in the optics area, I would like a quality optic such as EOTech, Aimpoint or Trijicon, but it has to mount low, much lower than to co-witness with an AR. I would like to think money woulndt be an issue, but... its always an issue. Id be willing to spend up to $600 for quality.

My first thought was a microdot mounted on the front end via Ultimak gas tube. Although I havent tried it, Im pretty sure I wont like it. But I am willing to try it if there are no other viable options.
 
I think a Trijicon or a Eotect are probaly out they just weren't designed to mount low, but a Aimpoint that uses standard 30mm scope rings you should be able to mount low with low or med rings.
 
Ive had real good luck/results with Aimpoint M2 series red dots mounted on Ultimaks on two of my AK's. Havent tried any of the "newer" models (havent felt the need, yet :)), but they do look pretty good too.

With the dot mounted low and up front on the Ultimak, the rifle shoulders and shoots like it does using the irons. You get the same cheek weld as you do with your iron sights and the dot cowitnesses the irons too. It makes for a fast, natural shooting combo.


This is my Krebs AK13K with the set up on it......
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I know you said you wanted a 'quality' optic (EOtech, Aimpoint, Trijicon, ect...) but the AK presents issues with these optics. I tried an EOtech myself and had the same issues you described. I also mounted a Vortex, and an Aimpoint before I stuck a Bushnell TRS25 on there. Bottom line, for me at least, it works the best since I can actually maintain cheek weld (albeit with an underfolder...) and fire relatively rapidly and accurately.

IMAG0601.jpg
 
I think the biggest issue is the mounts. Most dont sit low enough to allow you to get the sight where it belongs.

Up until recently, the Ultimak was the only one that did so. I believe there is now another, but I cant remember whos it is, as it just came out (there was recent article in SGN or Gun Digest on it).

Even then, youre still pretty limited in what dots will work to cowitness with the irons due to how the sights are made, and/or the rings needed.
 
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