As for the AK... I’d pick a different variant and accessories. I prefer the Romanian with wood forearm vertical if going stock. I also really dislike their stock sights. It’s easily enough to paint the front sight and guard to use them without the rear for close work at night.
If I was seriously running an AK, I’d want a vertical grip of some kind. Anyone who’s fired more than one standard (30 rd) mag knows they heat up fast and the mag ends up being the vertical grip, reducing accuracy because it’s not as stable that tight to the receiver. The East German AK-74/AKMs with plastic furniture would get uncomfortably hot with half a mag of 5.45, much less 7.62.
I’ve seen Eotecs mounted on the gas tube and that’s probably as good as it gets, but I’m not a fan of Eotecs... and that was before I learned they weren’t quite up to milspec when they were sold to the mil and public. I don’t like holosuns after picking one up off a store gun rack and having to charge it under a light. And the dot is too big for my taste. I prefer a 1 MOA dot, and will settle for 2. The sight/bore offset on that AK is pretty big too.
I’ve been a fan of, and using Aimpoints professionally and personally since ‘94. I’m faster with one than irons, and these days with my eyes I’ve got tighter groups with them. They’re fine out to 300m... 500 if you can see your target and know your holds. Magnified glass beyond 300, and a 20”+ barrel would be advised.
Lights? Indoors yes, but environment dependent, they work just fine outside too. Best case, I’m 30 minutes from a cop getting here. After I/mine get a call in. I see no point in hitting all the lights I have and giving away my ability to maneuver unseen. So, a light on a long gun to ID targets? Yeah, I’m ok with ‘em. I really miss having nods and IR lights, and zeroed IR pointers, and 3-35 dudes with and alongside me. The only thing lasers do better than IR is illuminating targets for air assists to engage. But you don’t need nods to see a laser either.
I have an Aimpoint (and BUIS), and light on my defensive long gun. I have lights on my defensive handguns. I’m awaiting delivery on my next handgun that has an RMR cutout so that in the future I can transition to a red dot on my pistol as my eyes require it.
I have gone out of my home at night to investigate strange noises that didn’t sound like critters. Long gun loaded, and a spare standard (30rd) mag. and pistol with a spare mag.
Do most civilians who own a set up like this AK have any clue which systems are right for their applications? Not likely. They’re living out some super-ninja-mallcop fantasy at worst, or “if it’s good enough for the mil, it’s good enough for me” hoping and dreaming.
Use what you want, carry what you want, master what you choose.
If I was seriously running an AK, I’d want a vertical grip of some kind. Anyone who’s fired more than one standard (30 rd) mag knows they heat up fast and the mag ends up being the vertical grip, reducing accuracy because it’s not as stable that tight to the receiver. The East German AK-74/AKMs with plastic furniture would get uncomfortably hot with half a mag of 5.45, much less 7.62.
I’ve seen Eotecs mounted on the gas tube and that’s probably as good as it gets, but I’m not a fan of Eotecs... and that was before I learned they weren’t quite up to milspec when they were sold to the mil and public. I don’t like holosuns after picking one up off a store gun rack and having to charge it under a light. And the dot is too big for my taste. I prefer a 1 MOA dot, and will settle for 2. The sight/bore offset on that AK is pretty big too.
I’ve been a fan of, and using Aimpoints professionally and personally since ‘94. I’m faster with one than irons, and these days with my eyes I’ve got tighter groups with them. They’re fine out to 300m... 500 if you can see your target and know your holds. Magnified glass beyond 300, and a 20”+ barrel would be advised.
Lights? Indoors yes, but environment dependent, they work just fine outside too. Best case, I’m 30 minutes from a cop getting here. After I/mine get a call in. I see no point in hitting all the lights I have and giving away my ability to maneuver unseen. So, a light on a long gun to ID targets? Yeah, I’m ok with ‘em. I really miss having nods and IR lights, and zeroed IR pointers, and 3-35 dudes with and alongside me. The only thing lasers do better than IR is illuminating targets for air assists to engage. But you don’t need nods to see a laser either.
I have an Aimpoint (and BUIS), and light on my defensive long gun. I have lights on my defensive handguns. I’m awaiting delivery on my next handgun that has an RMR cutout so that in the future I can transition to a red dot on my pistol as my eyes require it.
I have gone out of my home at night to investigate strange noises that didn’t sound like critters. Long gun loaded, and a spare standard (30rd) mag. and pistol with a spare mag.
Do most civilians who own a set up like this AK have any clue which systems are right for their applications? Not likely. They’re living out some super-ninja-mallcop fantasy at worst, or “if it’s good enough for the mil, it’s good enough for me” hoping and dreaming.
Use what you want, carry what you want, master what you choose.
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