View Full Version : Come see what I've been up to at Knob Creek this weekend.
I hope this is appropriate, and I will be seeking vendor status once we go to production. My buddy and I have been working on developing a "no-compromise" optics mounting system for the Kalashnikov family over the past couple of yrs. It's been killing me to keep mum, but we didn't want to fall into the old trap of getting people excited and then pissed off when it inevitably took a long time to come to production. Well, that time is near. So, come see us at the Military Shooters booth @ the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot Oct 12-14th. Skunkwerks "13" is our commericial identity. We'll have several developement mules available to experience our system.
Cheers,
Fred Stecher Jr.
Doc. Holiday
10-09-12, 12:01
Sweet, make sure you provide pics!
TacticalSledgehammer
10-09-12, 21:07
I'll have to keep you in mind. I'll be there either Friday or Saturday depending on work... I look forward to seeing what you have
I'll be posting pics up next week for those who are unable to attend this weekend. I got some really good shots of the first developement mule while getting both the irons and T1 dialed in today in the rain. Yes, they do co-witness.
Cheers,
Fred
TacticalSledgehammer
10-10-12, 09:12
Are you gonna be in the pole barn or on the outer edges of it?
I will stop by and take a good look.
Here's a few pics I took before we left for the Creek. I'll get some pics of my partners AMD w/RMR and my .223 Saiga w/Leupold VXR-Patrol 1-4 soon. Patent applied for. We currently have 7 inserts ready for production w/more in the works. All you have to do to change optics is pop the dust cover, pull the pin and remove the insert to exchange for a diff. one.
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/IMG_4237.jpg
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/IMG_4236.jpg
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/IMG_4240.jpg
Can't make it to knob creek, but would really like to check this out on my mak90 and romy red. When do you think this will be available for sale?
We're looking at placing a purchase order w/in the next couple weeks w/the defense contractor that is machining these parts for us. Keep in mind when looking at pics, that is a test mule. Production parts will reflect minor tweaks and actual production finishes. Black oxide on the base and mil-spec hard coat anodize on the aluminum inserts.
Larry Vickers
10-19-12, 06:10
Looks very slick !! Can't wait to see one in the flesh
Best of luck moving forward!!
Howdy Mr. Vickers, I spoke to your associate @ the Creek. You can e:mail me skunkwerks13@mwt.net for more details.
Cheers,
Fred
Doc. Holiday
10-19-12, 12:19
Well done! I'm very interested to check this out first hand!
Here's some of my .223 Saiga I converted. Wearing both a Leupold VXR Patrol, and also with the short rail insert. We're using Larue rings so any scope size can be accomodated.
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/3gSaiga.jpg http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/3gSaigaI.jpg http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/3gSaigaIII_1_.jpg http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/3gSaigaIV.jpg http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/3gSaigaV.jpg
Definately looking forward to more details on this. Simple bolt-on or milling needed?
The base replaces the original rear sight block. Really a simple press and pin installation, per the original part. Less than an hr. job for any competent AK smith. This is a no-compromise sighting solution for the Kalashnikov family of weapons.
Very nicely done. This looks to be a well designed, well executed item.
TacticalSledgehammer
10-19-12, 22:01
I never did see your table at KCR. Where were you setup at? Your product looks very promising from the pics though!
We were in the perimeter sheds. My Dad had a Military Shooters banner outside his booth. I was really trying to minimize my impact on his ammunition business. Which honestly wasn't a prob. we almost sold out Fri., so late Fri., Sat., and Sun. we could focus on our stuff. I'm really sorry you didn't get to experience it first hand.
Thanks for all of the Kudos so far guys. We've really been working very hard at making this the best solution for AK optics to date. My partner is a mechanical engineer with the uncanny ability to extract this stuff I see in my head(scary place:lol:) and turn it into CAD files we can work with, and then fine tune from there.
Cheers to all of ya,
Fred
I looked at it in the flesh and was impressed with it.
The rigidness of the mount with the pic rail was hard to dislike.
It took me about 10 min to look it over on each rifle it was on and I looked at the mount without the adapters.
I think this could possibly be one of the slickest setups I have seen.
The gentleman that I talked to wile I looked at it was helpful and polite.
Hmm, looks promising.
I look forward to playing with one at some point. Reminds me of a Hungarian mod I saw before but less permanent and better thought out.
The only thing that sucks about this system.....I don't play with my M92 SBR anymore. As great as the Stormwerks/Comp M2 is on that gun. I'm so spoiled by my 104 w/either and RMR or T1, I just can't deal with the "jaw weld". Which brings me to the other thing with this system....FULL CHEEK WELD! At the Creek I had to point it out to people. They're like "Holy Crap, you're right I have a full cheek weld with an optic on an AK!" They didn't even realize it, they just knew it felt good. And folks that's even with that Leupold on my Saiga.....T1 or RMR too for that matter.
Here's the deal though, we're cutting parts soon, we need to know what you folks want. So we know what to cut first. Everything is CNC machined by a certified Defense Contractor. Oh man, do they do nice work! Here's what we've got so far:
Aimpoint T1/H1
Trijicon RMR
Magnified with or w/out picitinny like my Saiga(you're choice of LaRue rings)
Short rail (like on my Saiga w/BUIS)
Long rail (like above but the length of the magnified mount)
Scout (like the Magnified but for long eye relief optics, also LaRue rings)
Oh yea, what other optics would you like to see integrated? Leupold Deltapoint? Doctor? Fastfire? Eotech MRDS? I figure we should be able to co-witness those. Maybe on that Eotech, haven't had one in my grubby paws yet.
Another point...with the RMR our system only adds 1.5 oz. of weight over the original RSB!
Cheers,
Fred
P.S. Don't be afraid to e:mail me. Skunkwerks13@mwt.net
Here's some pics my partners FrankenAMD. He just took them for me today. These are first rev. parts on this one. This is actually the optic that started it all. Being the mad scientists we are, it just bloomed from there. Production parts differ a bit from this one. I really don't see any end to the posibilities our system can inspire. We are far from done.
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/DSCF0019.jpg
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/DSCF0011.jpg
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/DSCF0016.jpg
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu223/Smilodon45/Skunkwerks%2013/DSCF0012.jpg
Magic_Salad0892
10-21-12, 18:46
Good job guys. That thing looks surprisingly un-clunky. :)
gillian_seed
10-21-12, 20:46
This is awesome! I love seeing more quality aftermarket options for the Kalashnikov.
brickboy240
10-22-12, 16:41
Awesome!
Since the Aimpoint Micro will fit....will the Primary Arms Micro knock off be able to mount up on your system? I would think it would.
Also, have you tested the cheek weld with an AKM rifle that wears the Vltor tube and a Magpul CTR buttstock? I ask because my AKM rifle wears this set up on the rear.
Looks interesting....I want one if my Primary Arms Micro will go right on.
-brickboy240
If you can use your iron sights with that stock set-up you should be able to use the dot. As they are both in the same plane. I have not been able to check the Primary Arms sight, as he's been out of stock forever. As long as there are no lenght differences, you should be good-to-go. It is our hope that the Primary will work as an economical alternative to the Aimpoint.
Cheers,
Fred
hatchtrikk
10-22-12, 18:43
Tag for interest. That looks great!
Doc. Holiday
10-23-12, 09:24
Very clean!
Very interesting. I'd be interested in one for the T1/H1. This looks like just the ticket for an AK SBR build.
All who want to be sure of being kept up the most up-to-date info, please drop me an e:mail: skunkwerks13@mwt.net , give me a "heads up" on what inserts you want.
Cheers,
Fred
Quick question: I don't see a gas tube latch. Can you still yank the tube with this mount?
Sure can, the pin you see in front of the optic,is actually for retaining the gas tube. It's really a dual purpose pin, it also retains the optics interface insert to the base as well. I'll be getting some more photography done this week to further elaborate on how the system works. You know, "picture is worth 1000 words." It works really slick...if I do say so myself.
Cheers,
Fred
Sure can, the pin you see in front of the optic,is actually for retaining the gas tube. It's really a dual purpose pin, it also retains the optics interface insert to the base as well. I'll be getting some more photography done this week to further elaborate on how the system works. You know, "picture is worth 1000 words." It works really slick...if I do say so myself.
Cheers,
Fred
Awesome, thanks.
No worries, man. Hey, this brings up something else I wanted to mention. How many of you have AKs with wobbly gastubes? No longer, we actually decided to go with a slightly oversize pin so your gas tube could be fitted tightly w/no wobble. Just one of those things that can be an irritant w/AKs, that we eliminated. Usually takes just a couple strokes of the file and she's tight.
Cheers,
Fred
Started a new thread with how it works and some exciting new updates! https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=1430370#post1430370
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