Thinking About AK Top Cover / Rail Solutions...

[SteyrAUG]

Why not a left hinged side flip top cover?

Sorta like a Krink but flipping to the side. Would that result in a top cover stable enough for a picatinny rail?

The only hurdle would be the front of the cover which goes under the front sight.

[jamesavery22]

Could grind off the top lip of the rear sight block. So the side hinged cover ends up ontop of the remaining bottom lip.

All rusky optics mount solely to the receiver. Hard to argue that it won't work.

Replace the side mount with a big ass hinge.

You'd need some kind of very secure latch on the other side though. Having to work around the safety area is the first thing that poses a challenge in my head.

Didn't Larue make a railed HG that has a top rail that's hinged to the bottom rail for the l85a1? How does that latch down?

[maddawg5777]

Could grind off the top lip of the rear sight block. So the side hinged cover ends up ontop of the remaining bottom lip.

All rusky optics mount solely to the receiver. Hard to argue that it won't work.

Replace the side mount with a big ass hinge.

You'd need some kind of very secure latch on the other side though. Having to work around the safety area is the first thing that poses a challenge in my head.

Didn't Larue make a railed HG that has a top rail that's hinged to the bottom rail for the l85a1? How does that latch down?

That's what I was running through my head earlier. The only way it would work that I can see is if it was to the rear of the receiver. Either the safety would be in the way or the bolt handle would hit it. I think something simple like a small "safety" type lever that pivots from the top cover and "locks" into a divot on the rear of the receiver would possibly work. Not sure how secure it would leave the front of the dust cover. Another thought would be some sort of pressure mechanism on the hinge side that presses against the dust cover and blocks it from being able to open. I have nothing off the top of my head that would work but just throwing out some ideas.

[SteyrAUG]

That's what I was running through my head earlier. The only way it would work that I can see is if it was to the rear of the receiver. Either the safety would be in the way or the bolt handle would hit it. I think something simple like a small "safety" type lever that pivots from the top cover and "locks" into a divot on the rear of the receiver would possibly work. Not sure how secure it would leave the front of the dust cover. Another thought would be some sort of pressure mechanism on the hinge side that presses against the dust cover and blocks it from being able to open. I have nothing off the top of my head that would work but just throwing out some ideas.

I'm thinking along the lines of replacing the stamped top cover with a one piece milled top cover with rail. It could hinge on the left side and the right side of the receiver could have latch tabs which go into the upper receiver and lock it into place. You could have small spring loaded buttons (similar to the ones used on a hinge stock setup) on the right side of the top cover that disengage the tabs. Or it could be as simple as the spring hook design that retains a folded stock and you simply have two cuts in the right side of the top cover.

Probably make lining up the rear recoil spring latch a bit more aggravating but I think it could be done.

If you had a deep U channel running the length of the picatinny and it was slightly elevated you might be able to achieve a see thru mount as well for using the irons.

The idea might also require a milled receiver for more structural stability in the hinge area and the locking tabs.

[Aries144]

As an AK user, the main reason I'm interested in optic mounts other than the side rail is a desire for lighter weight. Having a rear peep sight that can work with the standard front sight and cowitness with a low mounted red dot is also a huge plus.

The Ultimak works, holds zero well, and cowitnesses, but mounting even a micro Aimpoint there makes the already front-biased weight of an AK-74 noticeably worse and I also prefer a red dot mounted as far rearward as possible.

The TWS topcover replacement is what I'm working with now, but it seems to be having issues returning to zero when the cover is opened and then closed again. I'm testing now to get an accurate estimate of the typical and maximum MOA shift.

The latest side mounts for mini Aimpoints from RS look great, but still add 5 oz to the weapon (versus +2oz for the Ultimak and about +0.5 oz for the standard, non .308, version of the TWS with rear peep sight)

I honestly wish someone would make something like the TWS that still works on a folding stock AK variant and locks up with throw levers or something equally repeatable. Or just a throw lever lockup system for the TWS.

[Magic_Salad0892]

I think (not to sink your ship or anything Steyr, because it IS a good approach) that the idea of flipping the rear sight for a rear sight/M1913 combo is more intuitive, and am glad that SOMEBODY finally figured it out.

[96 SS]

I have played with the idea a bunch.

But ultimately I feel like messing with one of the best things about the AK is like just dumb. It is legendarily reliable, why introduce parts to areas of the rifle that are critical to this reliability?

Add to that the supreme differences of multiple types and shapes of top covers, safety slots etc and you have a massive headache.




It is true mounts like mine add weight. But weight added to the neutral point of the rifle is essentially non-existent. Our new Gen 2 mounts will begin shipping soon and the total combined weight of adding a T1 is less than 8 ounces total. That is less than the weight of an Aimpoint M3 with cover. Then you would have to add a ring mount.

The weight savings of having an integrated mount is very real, and why we decided to stay with it for Gen 2.


I love the idea in theory- but have yet to find a good way to execute it.

[SteyrAUG]

I think (not to sink your ship or anything Steyr, because it IS a good approach) that the idea of flipping the rear sight for a rear sight/M1913 combo is more intuitive, and am glad that SOMEBODY finally figured it out.

I'm trying to come up with a solution where optics aren't so far forward.

[96 SS]

Like this?

[SteyrAUG]

Like this?

Isn't that just a "cant" mount?

Just to better clarify, I'm looking for a M4 solution. This probably means abandoning a stamped top cover for a milled one.

Perhaps the Krink approach is the best but with a sturdier milled top cover and a rear locking method with less play.

I was also thinking about a 1911 slide approach where the top cover rides on rails on the receiver like a 1911 slide rides on the frame. Secure locking tabs should be pretty easy to come up with.