The AK rifle was designed at a time when optics were not common on the battle rifle. Like most rifles designed for the battlefield in the last century, the AK was equipped with iron sights. Today’s shooters demand a more modern set up like optics—low power scopes, reflex sights, and red dots. Here are a few optic choices and the mounts for the AK to make it happen.
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Midwest Industries AK Mini Dot MountEach Mini Dot Mount is design to fit a specific red-dot optic—Burris Fast Fire, Leupold Delta Point, Trijicon RMR, Aimpoint T1, and others. The mount easily installs on most AK-47 and AK-74 rifles with a standard rear iron sight. The mount weighs about 2 ounces and has a Melonite finish. It also allows removal of the top cover without removing the sight. |
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Aim Sport Reflex SightMade of aircraft-grade aluminum, the Aim Sport Reflex Sight is a compact optic that offers four different reticle-pattern choices: crosshair, dot in circle, dot or circle, and crosshair. The reticle color can be changed from red to green, and the brightness of the reticle can be adjusted. It is fogproof and shock resistant and is attached via an integrated dovetail mounting system. It weighs slightly over 5 ounces and is 3.25 inches long. |
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Strike Industries AK Rear Sight RailStrike Industries offers an AK kit that converts the rear sight into a 1913 Picatinny rail for mounting low-profile reflex and red-dot sights. It can be adjusted for elevation and windage. Manufactured from 6061 aluminum, it has a hard-coat-anodized black finish. (Strike Industries #SI AKRR, $45) |
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Bushnell Elite Tactical SMRS 1-6.5x 24mmThe compact Bushnell SMRS scope offers low to medium power for short-to-medium-range work. Two illuminated and ranging first-focal-plane reticles are available—BTR-1 and BTR-2. The one-piece 30mm tube is forged aluminum and wears a blacked-out finish. Lenses are fully coated and include RainGuard HD. Turret clicks equal .1 Mil value. A side dial adjusts parallax. |
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Millett 1-4x24mm Designated Marksman ScopeFrom 5 yards out to 500 yards, the Millett Designated Marksman Scope is a compact and rugged scope with 1-4x magnification power and a 24mm objective. The 30mm tube has a matte black or ATAC camp finish, and the illuminated reticle is a donut-dot pattern; the dot is 1 MOA and the donut is 18 MOA. This is a fast-target-acquisition reticle well suited to close-to-medium-range efforts. |
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Hi-Lux Optics TAC-DOT Sight SystemThe Hi-Lux TAC-DOT reflex red-dot sight has 1x magnification and is compact at only 2.5 inches in length, and weighs slightly more than 2 ounces. It is waterproof and shockproof, and mounts on a Weaver-style rail. The illuminated dot is 4 MOA, and the reticle does not have to be perfectly centered in the lens for accurate shooting, making it a good choice for moving targets as well as stationary targets. (Hi-Lux #ESTD2116, $129.95) |
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Aimpoint PROThe Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) is always on and ready for use. It is constructed with a hard-anodized 30mm tube and uses a high-efficiency circuit that allows the sight to be turned on and left on for up to three years using a single battery. A 2-MOA dot offers fast and efficient target engagement at most distances. It is compatible with most night-vision devices. |
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EOTech XPS2The EOTech XPS2 is the smallest, most compact item in the EOTech line. It is powered on one 123 battery with a 600-hour battery life at the highest brightness setting. This HWS (Holographic Weapon Sight) is available in five different reticles from a single 1-MOA dot to a 65-minute ring with crosshairs and two 1-MOA dots. It is shockproof, fogproof, and submersible to 10 feet. At 8 ounces it is light weight, and only takes up 2.75 inches of rail space. |
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Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6×24 RiflescopeThe Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6×24 is designed for short- to medium-range tactical applications. Compact with a 30mm tube, it weighs slightly more than 25 ounces and is 10 inches long. The illuminated JM-1 BDC reticle was designed with input from competitive shooter Jerry Miculek, and uses a center dot in crosshairs for rapid, accurate shooting at distances from point blank to 600 yards. The reticle is in the second focal plane, so it remains a constant size through the magnification range. (Vortex Optics #RZR-16005, $1,899) |
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Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24mm ScopeThe Trijicon VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) 1-6x24mm was designed to engage CQB targets and out to the maximum effective range of most service rifles. Constructed from a 7075-T6 aluminum forging, it wears a Mil-Spec hard-coat anodized finish. Lenses are all fully multicoated, which maximizes light transmission while meeting the military’s requirements for abrasion resistance. The VCOG offers seven illuminated-reticle options and is powered by an AA battery with a run time of 700 continuous hours at mid-level brightness. (Trijicon Series #VC16-C 160000X, $2,800 to $3,050) |
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TruGlo 30MM Dual Color Tactical Red DotThe dual-color illuminated reticle of the TruGlo 30mm Dual Color Tactical Dot sight allows users a choice or red or green depending on the light conditions. It features clear lens covers and an adjustable rheostat for illumination brightness. The mount is compatible with accessory rails. It runs on one common 3V-CR2032 battery. The reticle is a 3-MOA dot inside a 77-MOA circle. |
Which one of these options is your favorite for your AK? Have another suggestion? Share with your fellow shooters in the comment section.
[rsadowski]
I put a truglo 30mm on my Yugo AK . Have to say I love it .Took it with some buddies with ar15 over the Holiday weekend and was hitting on targets at 150 -160 yards as well as they were .Not much invested price wise but looks and does well and holds zero…
Damn, I am glad to see these optics. To me one of the single greatest weaknesses of the AK line is the short distance betw the front and rear sights, which really hurts accuracy.
I personally like the Primary Arms micro dots zeroed at 25m. Limited need to learn hold overs, a 2moa dot and it doesn’t wash out in bright light unlike some EOTech optics. Throw it on an Ultimak scout mount and you have a reliable cowitness incase of failure and with their newest optics battery life that rivals Aimpoint.
Robert, putting that Trijicon VCOG scope on any AK would be like putting the Hope Diamond on a VW as a hood ornament. I’d reserve it for no less than an H and K or SIG rifle.
Robert F.: The Trijicon is a bit out of the AK’s league as far as price is concerned, but it can sure make an AK easier to shoot. You can also swap it out and shoot it on your AR. I’m frugal that way.