The photobucket debacle really makes this post less fun, because I can't find any pictures of my old set up. As I may have mentioned (or not), I was heavily into AKs before I got into ARs. I've since sold off all but one (and only regret selling one of them, and then only sometimes).
The one I have left is a Saiga (Russian made AK) that was imported in "sporter" configuration for many years. Back when I picked it up, Saigas were running under $300 and ARs were closer to the $1,000 range. My how times have changed.
There are lots of good and bad things about AKs. One big negative is no great way to mount western optics that doesn't require chinweld or making the gun super front heavy (or that was the case back then, less so now). My solution at the time was a set up like this:
Now, mine was even worse because it wasn't smooth but had 1913 rails, and I mounted a flashlight as well. It was my HD gun until I got into ARs. It had what I needed, which was an optic and a light but it was a front heavy SOB. Kind of hated it in that configuration, but needed an optic and light for HD use so kept it.
Well, fast forward a few years and I have ARs much better set up for HD. So I stripped all the crap off my AK and I've been enjoying a light, fun to shoot gun.
But, I still had a 30mm red dot from the old mount. Got to looking around and MI makes a QD 30mm red dot mount that attaches to the old side accessory rail. Reviews were good, so I picked one up.
This mount is light years better than my old handguard style mount. It sits very low to the receiver cover and you do have lower 1/3 cowitness through the red dot. It's also light, easy to adjust tension on and quick detach.
I'm not going back to AKs, but this one is going to be taken out a lot more than it used to be with this new red dot set up.
