Sighting AKs - the six mag dilema

[jonnyswift]

I just got a new AK. I took it out to the range to zero it . I shoot to the right big time so i knew i was in for a few trials and errors tp zero it . Six frustrating mags later i finally found a semi good zero . The sighting tool for an AK is full out retarded . There is no way to tell how many "clicks " or inches or anything to determine how much you should push the sights left or right . It's all trial and error . This is unacceptable . Is there a better tool out there ?i have a "c" clamp i think . Are there any sight adjusting tools that can do incrments rather than " judge guessing " how far to screw in the sight adjusting tool ? The big problem i had was i had a darn good zero with in the first couple shots , i got lucky . But i thought i could even get it better . So i turnned the screw to go right just a tad more and found that i did it too much . Thus i have to take the tool off and slap it on the other side and go back left . But then i went left too much . No i have to go right again and so on and so on . Thus i spent five more mags trying to get to " where i was " . I think i have an answer . If i can find thin washers that fit into the cut out circle on the other end then i can find a stopping point . If i need to go just a tad more i can take one of the washers out . This way i have a definite set amount of space to move . If i screw up then i can add a washer and be right where i was without guessing . Any other ideas on how to solve this problem would be mucho helpful . Thanks in advance .

[SierraAV8R]

Johnny, you need to relax! Yer all wound up! :eek:

But seriously, it's not a bad idea but I don't know if I feel the need. Once your zero'ed, yer done for the life of the gun in most cases. Good luck though.

Just my .02.. :rolleyes:

[jonnyswift]

Hahaha this post is the result of four cups of strong coffee . I know that once you finally got a good zero thats it , your done . But i left the range knowing i need to redo it , i just know it's off . I got frustrated . And to make matters worse i was told the rifle was lazer boar sighted LOL !After the fact . So i basically fucked it up for no reason . But like i siad i shoot way right so i figured i would have had to fix for my eye anyway . I'm gonna try the washer i dea this weekend and post my results .

[Schulze]

Originally posted by jonnyswift
If i screw up then i can add a washer and be right where i was without guessing . Any other ideas on how to solve this problem would be mucho helpful . Thanks in advance .

As much as it sounds inane to say, you just have to get a feel for it if you're using the sight tool that doesn't clamp on. If you never get a feel for it, that's ok, you only have to sight once, right?

Now, to answer the question. There is hope. B-Square sells a clamp-on adjuster that is far superior to the usual type. =http://www.reliablehost.com/bsquare/scopetools.htmlB-Square

http://www.reliablehost.com/bsquare/media/22b1862sks.jpg

I hope they don't mind me linking to their image.

Schulze

[Schulze]

Double post, time for a poem:

There was a man name William Jay,
Who went asserting his right of way.
He was right - dead right - as he sped along;
but he's just as dead as if he were wrong.

-Ben Franklin

[jonnyswift]

Thanks schulze . I do have and use the clamp on C clamp . It's the one that looks like a C hence the name . The one with the elevation tool biult into the turn screw at the end . That tool you have posted looks like what i need for the best zero , I'll have to check it out . Oh, and i got the poem . Thanks .

[Schulze]

The poem doesn't have to do with you, it's just the one that went in the spot.

[jonnyswift]

Yeah right , I know what you were trying to say about me through that subliminal message ! Don't take me for a fool !
lol just kidding .

[MIG21]

johnnyswift,
If you have a 7.62 X 39mm model you are in luck. Global Trades Co. has a windage adjustable rear sight plate in both 800 and 1000 meter calibrations set up for the 16.25"" barreled 7.62 AK rifles. I think they are about $30.
MIG21

[jonnyswift]

Shweet mang ! I have two AKs in 7.63x39 . Are they slap on or do i have to have a gunsmith put them on ?

[jonnyswift]

Ah ehll what am i thinking ? It was the Krinkov i zeroed . 545x39
Fuck it , I'll just deal with it . I hear turning your rifle in to get worked on these days tends to bite you in the ass :D

[MIG21]

They are basically copies of the RPK rear sight but calibrated for the shorter AKM barrel. You really don't need a gunsmith but it's a pain to do. You have to compress the leaf spring under the sight pllate and remove the original plate, then with the spring still compressed, but the new plate in. It's simple but frustrating because the sight spring is very stiff. I know at least one of the Arsenal USA model rifle they sell comes with the adjustable rear sight. I understand they are planning to make them for both the 5.45 and .223 in the near future. They would be no help on a Krinkov, but K VAR Corp. has a new type of top cover for the Krinkov with an improved sight. I thinkit is a poop but I have no idea if it is windage adjustable.
MIG21

[other new guy]

I know what you mean about it being a little bit frustrating to use the guess and check method to sight a gun in.
You should try adjusting the sights on a milsurp with a hammer and a punch.
You want to talk about difficult?:eek:
Back and forth, back and forth...
All you have to do is just use the tool a very little at a time. A quarter of a turn at a time after you get it ball park.
Just get another couple of mags full of ammo now that you are close and finish zeroing.
The tools that make might be nice, but are they really worth part of your ammo money for a tool that you are only gonna use once?
If you need extra windage, the global rear sight is great. Otherwise, why screw with something that works just fine?
Just for the record, how close are you to being zeroed now?

If you get the Global rear sight, here is how you put it on.
1. Get something to prop the rifle up on. I used an ammo can with a folded sweatshirt on it.
2. Field strip sown to the gas tube.
3. Flip the rear sight up to straight in the air, set the rifle on the ammo can and squeeze the stock between your knees.
4. Take a cordless screwdriver blade, and insert it in against the rear sight spring.
5. Take a pair of Vise-Grips and squeeze the spring down to collapse it. This will take a little more of that trial and error. I would also suggest that you use safety glasses when you do this.
Make sure that you press against the inside of the trunnion, and not the cam that holds the gas tube.
6. After you get the spring to collapse, press down on the rear sight leaf and pull it out to the rear.
7. To put the new sight in, all you have to do is slide it in the slot, press down firmly but gently, and just slide it in. It will snap into place.

I have done this before, so I know that this one works.
Your mileage may vary.

[jonnyswift]

I got a killer zero this weekend . My left and right were pretty much on from the last time . I did a final tweak on the up and down and nailed it . I can now rapid fire and hit a steel plate of 8x6 inches at one hundred meters . Then i moved up to 200 meters , a steel plate in the ground that looks like half a water mellon . My guess is that it was about that size too . I plinked the hell out of it . So the deed is done and everyone is right , I'll never have to touch it again . Thanks for all the help . JS

[RomanStepanov]

Your KRINK Jonny, holly shit is it nice!
KREBS is a master!

And the thing is just so accurate too. VERY NICE.

[jonnyswift]

I love it . Super lightwieght , solid as a rock . The mags have the sugest fit i have EVER seen on ANY AK !!! The usual nasty trigger slap is about half of all 545's Ive shot so it isn't bad at all . Too bad no one around town has that ammo , im out and need more !

[RomanStepanov]

J&G mang, always have it

I got case and half left myself, gotta go back there soon to get more.