AK Side Mount

[montstar]

I think I got this in the right forum. In short I'm looking for a side rail mount for an AK-47 that allows for the lowest axis of the iron sights to be viewed above the rail. Anybody know of such a product or have experience shooting with sights mounted forward of the receiver.

[MrParker]

So you want to place an optic on your AK and still be able to us the iron sites? The AK is not very well suited for that. You can look around and find side mounts that will allow you to add a scope, haven't used it so I can't say if it is over the iron sites or off set so you can use both. Then again I bet that they have both. I did look into the Reflex for my AK. It sits forward of the rear iron site so you will not be able to use the iron site with it but then again the Reflex does not have any zoom ability.

Though the AK is not a weapons system like the AR 15 has become, people devoted to the AK have been making it more versitale by making those after market parts. You might just have to surf the net and look around.

Edit: I did a quick search. There are a lot more modifications for the AK now. Trying to get up there with the AR. They might be a few mounts that you are looking for in this link. The only thing I see wrong is that most scope mounts place the eye piece is set very high...especially with the rail systems.

http://www.thecountryshed.com/ak47_scope_mounts.htm

This site seems to have a lot of info.

[montstar]

I was taught that if you can't shoot iron sights then you can't shoot, so I don't want to obstruct the iron sights. I'm really just looking at a reflex or red dot sight, nothing with zoom. Just to give a clear line of sight in different lighting conditions and both eyes open shooting. I have searched for hours and think I'm going to have to go with the gas tube replacement rail. Thanks for the link they have some stuff I haven't seen.

[MrParker]

No problem,

A while back I was looking at getting a Reflex. My pal had one on his M4 and it was just the best thing ever...I didn't have my M4 at the time and only the AK. I looked at it but I just wasn't willing to penny up the $$$ for it then. But I don't think that you will be able to use the iron sights with the reflex anyway...the AK is just a hard gun to fancy up easily.

[montstar]

I don't want to be able to shot iron sights and optics at the same time, but be able to remove the optics and still be able to shoot iron sights without the rail being in the way. If you get me. The reflex runs on batteries, so if the batteries die then you should want to be able to take the sight off and keep shooting, or so I've been told. But it is true a good reflex cost more than the rifle itself.

[MrParker]

http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/parts_new.cfm?categoryID=8

It was my understanding that reflex sights were 'self-illuminating' so you don't need batteries. I don't remember my buddies needing batteries. Any way, I understand what you mean. That's why with M4's, (I am working on building this one up) you get the flat top upper and you have a flip up rear site, flip up front site, and you have your optic on. If you lose your optic, pop it off and flip up the sights and you are good to go.

[montstar]

I've never seen that type of reflex that was self illuminating. I guess I assumed they all needed batteries. I was recommended this low cost red dot and think I'm gonna give it a try.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leatherwood-hi-lux-optics-1x30mm-red-dot-tactical-sight-es1x30tp.html

[MrParker]

OK, yeah that is an Aim Point. Those are different then the reflex sights. The Reflex are newer in their design. It does not block as much of the field of view, very low profile. Both fine, just shooter preference.