AK Optic Mounts: Options and something IMPORTANT 

Time to get the level out and check the center of the rifle? I can see how a tiny degree off canter/center line can be several feet at the end of 500 yards . That is very good logic. If the optic is running perfectly parallel then life is good.

I've had great results with combloc reddots/mounts. I prefer the PKO1vs and PKA 'venezuela' red dots. I would prefer an aimpoint and RS regulate but at the time the budget was tight. To me the combloc mounts/dots are the definition of "good enough" for the AK platform.

I use the TWS dust cover and MI railed gas block. Gives it a sweet tactical look and serves superb

Great video and excellent point you make about the effect of the offset between the Picatinny rail and the receiver / bore. Another common problem that the AKs have is the misalignment between the side rails rivetted to the receivers and the axis of the barrels, which result in large windage deviations. The larger the misalignment the bigger the windage error, and in some cases the scope or the red dot may run out of adjustments before they can fully compensate for that, or leave only a little adjustment range. Marcus Tactical Solutions offer adjustable windage mounts that, apart from the possibility to slide the Picatinny rail to perfectly center over the receiver, they have the additional & unique feature of being able to pivot the Picatinny rail to eliminate the misalignments between the side rail and the barrel. They come with an adjustment tool that allows for precise tuning of the point of impact on target and enables zeroing the scope with the reticle centered inside the tube, thus keeping the entire adjustment range of scope’s windage turret intact. They have different models that fit the standard AK, the Zastava (Yugo) AK and the PSL rifles.

I use the ME- Military Equipment top cover it’s very similar to your Texas weapons systems and I believe the Ukrainians built it based off that and built it to allow you to keep your adjustable rear sight. Great video 👍🏻🇺🇸

At the end of the day a fully integrated weapon system is the best option. One that incorporates a gas tube rail (Ultimak), & an Aimpoint T2. No bulk, no extra weight, fastest acquisition, & never loses zero.

Great tip about the rail being over centerline of rifle. I would have never thought about that, until it was too late to return it. LOL

I really dig the look of the utg mount you cut down. I have one that I use on a wasr from time to time for the reasoning as you said, wanting to keep the wood look to that particular rifle. The ultimak is just reliable and I've never heard of any zeroing issues like I have heard of the top cover mounts having sometimes. This day and age is the golden age for the ak (just not for prices), but there are so many options out now for optics and overall ergonomics that wasn't around 10 years ago. Palmetto is doing alot of cool stuff, not to mention the chassis like sureshot armament and zenticos newer slimmer stuff. It's exciting to see being an ak enthusiast. As always enjoyed the video!

Great video. I’m old school battle ak and prefer naked, but found this very informative. I also agree with mounting the rail dead center of bore.

I like your idea of keeping it simple . And what works for you.

If the optic doesn't ride center, you need to zero it the same distance off bullseye as the rail is off center, so that it remains parallel to the barrel. Not ideal, but then it doesn't matter how far out you are shooting. You will theoretically remain the same distance off bullseye. Realistically you will be 1/2" off. None of these are shooting an MOA that will care about 1/2". Very nice vid and very nice collection.

Usually the offset is not enough relating to the dispersion past 100m. It does grow inversely over distance, but the ammo really limits the negative effects of the offset at long range. POSP / PSO scopes have usually 0.75" of offset, and I usually just zero my scope chevron 0.5" to the left of my POI to compensate for this. Ammo for the AKM is usually 2.5moa at best, and can be around 1.1moa in a DMR Milled Bull-Barrel AK-47 rig, such as the Tabuk 2042 DMR system. For a standard AKM, I would say it's completely acceptable to have an offset of 0.5" - .75". The MOA dispersion of ammo and the platform's max accuracy, vs the offset, is very inconsequential honestly in modern use, unless your rifle shoots under 1MOA at 100m. Mayor Fuglycool

The only top cover mount I trust is the Zenitco B33, the TWS rail has a slight cant to it when you bend the tab to have a tight fit. Also if you drop it and damage your top cover the TWS requires you to remove your rear sights as to the Zenitco where you could still use your back up irons.

I’ve been looking for solutions for my KP104 and i seen the texas weapons system mount. Your video was very informative and I’m going to order one! Thank you!.

If you’re red dot is properly zeroed it won’t matter if it sits to the right

I’d advice you to get a MWI “MidwestIndustries” or AK master mount for a side rail. The side rails are the only mounting method for the AK pattern rifles I own In 7.62x39,5.56 & .308 that Iv been able to keep the groupings tighter with at 300-500 yards (especially past 300) at my local gun range. Iv literally spent 2 years tinkering around with a TWS dogleg gen 3 to eventually retire it do to the shift on impact I was getting with it at a distance and for years a lot of people told me it was from the AK’s being so in-accurate past 200 yards not the mount. Maybe by chance or luck but when I changed my mounting method I ended up with better results but ONLY at farther distances.

I purchased a Field Sport 25 dollar optic and mounted it on Ultimak rail and ran it for several years (3-4) years. I bought it to see if I would run into a problem prior to mounting a more expensive optic on it. I had to finally retire it after the brightness setting knob became loose. No issues with heat.

Ya some polish mags won’t work on PSA AKs either I’ve noticed

Best experience I've had for mounting red dots are from ultimak and SLR rifleworks. I've tried all the side rails, and I've seen the dust covers lose zero. Ultimak gets hot but they are the most stable and solid way to mount a dot.

Johnnie: I got my Mac 90 about the same time as you did, only mine had a block welded to the back of the receiver to screw the stock on. The lower receiver had a plug threw it. I figured out later that lower receiver was made for an under-fold stock witch I have since changed it over to one. Makes a nice truck gun. LOL Oh by the way I'M really an AR fan but smart enough not to put all my eggs in one basket. LOL good info THANK YOU

I'll be using Master mount with a micro 3xPA prism and maybe using a offset red dot.The rifle is k3 103 folder.

If you put an Ultimak on your rifle, its best to run a quality red dot. Primary Arms on mine - no problems.

Good to see you again. I LOVE the RS Regulate setup, rock solid

Soviet Arms Picatinny Mount is an excellent Mount. I have it on several of my AKS

I couldn't get anything to match up on a Saiga 308 until I got the RS Regulate. I had to go on a waiting list from two different companies to get the two different parts and spent a fortune. The UTG seems to work well on an Arsenal 107.

Centering is about as much of an issue as height over bore, meaning it's not. Zero at 25 yards and confirm windage at 200 and adjust as needed leaving elevation alone.

Wow! Never knew this about the AK. Glad I don't have that issue yet.

Very good lesson and valuable advice, thank you!

Interesting! You should do a video on your sling set up. I had a few issues when I tried setting up my ak with a good quality sling.

Tws doubles the sight radius. That's what you're paying for. The ultimak gas tube is for reflex shooting and flashlight mounting. Tws is the superior choice imo.

Man ....!!! Such a good video and yes you do have great points!!! I'm glad I watched this video!!!

Someday I hope to be able to purchase an AK. It's on my bucket list.😊👍🇺🇸

Very informative and amazing collection

my utg pro sits dead center on my vepr and very low , but all akm's are not made the same , on my Romy build I went with the attero arms mount , because no side rail on that one

What I don't like RSRegulate...you're paying still $250-300 ALONE on the mounting option...it's not a real cost benefit...TWS seems like the best for price. it's all user preference

Have watched your vids for a while. Keep up the content! Shout-out from Oklahoma!

You do have a point and I agree with you. Great VDO.

This is why we buy RS Regulate rails/mounts... they're the best in the industry for a reason.

This was really helpful. Thank you!

Beautiful rifles you got there sir !!

I have a Truglo CCO with a Surefire light (not lens cover, pressure switch or batteries, because they got lost in Iraq and I'm lazy) on my Moekov.

I want to get an ak 74 and deck it out side mount is probably gonna hold zero better but I like the looks of the tws dog leg. from what I hear the tws dog leg holds zero pretty well anyway

Helll yeah, front end heavy 🤣🤣🤣

AK MASTER MOUNT IS THE SHIT TOO, LOVE MINE, ALSO LOVE A DOGRAIL SYSTEM PROBABLY THE MOST CAUSE IT TAKES WEIGHT OFF N U CAN STILL SNAP UR SIDE FOLDER ALL THE WAY SHUT!

Eventually I’m going to get an AK again but as far as my ARs go I’m running irons but I do need to get another optic I haven’t had one in a while I really like primary arms

Thanks for the insight 👍

The offset causes issues with MOA and windage.

Where did you get that feathers 🪶 from that’s nice ❤❤❤❤

2:33... u have a big flashlight mounted right where you hand should be.

Thank God another new video awesome

The best video ever

Just shoot the Ak slightly slanted like a side mounted optic? Idk I don’t like it either

Thomas Jefferson once said : " Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it " i think he was on to something there .😉

PrAKtikal Nurse, Id be very grateful for your opinion on the PSA AK103 with the rail system/ mlok system that come already installed on some of their 103 options. Some of their 100 series have a hinged dust cover n ppl have commented that those lose zero, but Im asking about the 103 series that is not hinged, Ive seen nothing but good reviews, I believe its the JT BILLET RAIL COMBO, what do you think about that dustcover rail holding zero, I think it will, looks solid to me n no bad reviews.

4:07 first thing first ur are an amazing teacher n i got a question bout the rail, so lets say something is okay with it and they zero it at 100 yd does that mean at 200 it will be the same reaction

“$180 out of a mom and pop shop” As someone who just got into AK’s recently and was too young for that era, that hurt/ bad hahahah. Btw I believe they’re pretty new but you seem to know your shit, any chance you’ve any experience with those new Polish WBP rifles?

Please next time when you edit video don't forget to match left and right channels. Right side is louder and volume jumps from left to right too when you moving around the camera. When I edit my videos I also mix left and right channel together so volume and sound come from left and right channel sounds same. It's acoustically more pleasant to listen voice, Yes I know it's not a stereo anymore, but you and me is not a "20 Century Fox" either

thanks for the video

Very right 😊

Great video, thank you. Also, what light do you have mounted there?

What brand hanguard on the tactical one?

Great vid. Do you know if any of them will work on the Hellpup?

What about Texas Weapon Systems BDM Bitty Dot AK Sight Mount

Yo man nice good info. thanks

Hello sir, I'm bothered with the centering of a midwest gen2 mount... I'm at the maximum of the setting and I don't know how to center it :-(

Midwest industry mounts won’t fit on the WASR? I recently picked up my WASR v2

Great video! On the MAK 90, will the Texas Weapons System pic rail dust cover fit? Also, which side rail system did you use on the MAK 90? Did you have to weld the part that attaches to the left side of the receiver? Thank you!

Just purchased a side rail for a SAR-1. It is centered over the dust cover and locks up solid. Problem is my side mount is lower in the front than in the rear, which makes the mount's top pic rail closer/lower to the dust corner in the front than in the rear. Can I assume that's not a problem if I'm using a RDS (that I can zero)?

Is that the Bushnell TRS-25 red dot on the TWS rail knockoff? Do you like it? I have the Bushnell TRS-25 in my Amazon cart now. :)

I also have a tantal and I consider it an AK with extras haha What did you do about your barrel though? Mine keyholes out past 100y and pretty sure I got that crappy oversized barrel CAI put on them in the 90s. I’ve done a lot of AK tinkering but haven’t done a barrel swap yet how tough is it to do if I buy a tantal specific chrome lined barrel off AKbuilder?

What type of palmswell lower hand guard is that on the Bulgarian AK?

Will you do videos on current events? Been a while, and tons of craziness is going on lol.

I also like my AKs and country girls front heavy.

Does the side rail that attaches to the AK come with the mount. My AK47 doesn't have a side rail.

What dust cover type works for a FEG Sa 2000 without covering up the rear sight ?

Can you add the link to get them thanks

What optic do you have on the Midwest Industries mount?

Does the wasr 10 fit center with the Midwest industries rail?

Your 4 MOA ak shooting a spread of 8 inches at 200 yards will not notice the difference of a .025" scope offset, SMH

What mlok light is that?

Any good folding stocks for a Mac 90 with a slant cut receiver ?

I bought the mid west industries for my bft 47, very sad when I saw it not centered over the bore. Does the dust cover rail hold zero?

What side mount bracket do you have on the mak-90? Thanks

you recommend the ultimak gastube?

New video!!!!

I liked that rail at 7:07! Where did you get it?

those mags work on my bulgy boy. maybe its case by case?

what was the mount called on your Mak90?

good video, 420th view btw

What brand did you use for the mak90?

What was that one on the tantil

What’s a good optic mounting dust cover for my wasr 9mm? Does the dog leg rail fit

What thread pattern did you go with on the mak 90?

What scope is that on the mid-west mount ???

I don't think it works the way you think. If your rail sits a bit off to a side (but still parallel to bore), you either 1) zero at a very close distance accounting for the shift - i.e. make it shoot 1/8" to the right at 10' 2) or zero at 100' (or 200, if available) and you'll never know that it wasn't centered. The group is way bigger than the shift With both methods you get an aiming system that works throughout the whole distance.

whats up with the lanyards on the sling mounts?

Do you know where to buy a mount for SKS using their existing side rail?

Does anyone know if Ak parts are universal I just got me a American made rak47 from Riley defense and am new to Aks

Will a UTG side rail slide over a AK master mount side mount?

Would the MI work on a Reily AK