Which SKS optic solution do you prefer? BadAce, Magwedge, something else?
- Thread starter CobraGT
- Start date
Why do people try to bubba the SKS into looking like a Dali painting? Are you THAT desperate to own something you can't?
I've owned an AK, they just aren't that good. Why not leave the SKS alone and respect it as an SKS?
I completely agree. I spent quite a bit of time on AKs back in the day, and I was never particularly impressed... ergos aren't great (I hated the safety/selector and lack of a BHO). I actually think the T81 is a better platform overall. I thought it was hilarious when people were grafting AK safety/selectors to T81....
That being said, the idea behind these SKSs wasn't to turn them into AKs... it was to modernize the ergonomics. Left-side non-reciprocating forward charging handle. AK-style paddle mag release. Bolt catch/release lever at the front of the trigger guard. When I first saw these things I knew I wanted one.
I didn't make them - this guy did:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/sks-that-uses-type-81-magazines.2258383/
Four of us went in on sending rifles to the guy who does these mods - one of the guys decided not to keep his, so that's the one that was for sale on the EE way back. He's not a member here, so I sold it for him.
They're really cool, and work flawlessly. The downside is appearance - the mods are CLEARLY not the kind of refined product you'd get from a manufacturer. I'd LOVE to see a professional shop do these mods in such a way that the trigger group looked factory, and took a Vz or AK grip instead to the ones they have....
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Thanks to the guys who made suggestions for the optic mounts. The Magwedge gen 2.5 Kwikrail is the one on Amazon, and is the one I have. It's cheaper directly from Magwedge. It's been really solid - very happy with it.
The BadAce one seems awesome, but I haven't used it yet. I was originally looking for a Matador Arms Razr mount, but couldn't find one, and then stumbled upon the BadAce one.
Someone mentioned 'chin weld' with red dots/optics on these - yep, true. You definitely can't get you cheek down tight and still use the dot. That said, my close vision has gotten to the point that I can't really use the irons anymore - can't focus clearly on the rear sight. So, a red dot is more practical for me, even with the ####ty cheekweld. I've used irons on red rifles for years, but...
The BadAce one seems awesome, but I haven't used it yet. I was originally looking for a Matador Arms Razr mount, but couldn't find one, and then stumbled upon the BadAce one.
Someone mentioned 'chin weld' with red dots/optics on these - yep, true. You definitely can't get you cheek down tight and still use the dot. That said, my close vision has gotten to the point that I can't really use the irons anymore - can't focus clearly on the rear sight. So, a red dot is more practical for me, even with the ####ty cheekweld. I've used irons on red rifles for years, but...
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The small pistol type red dot keeps it svelt and nicely low profile.
Inexpensive saddle type cheek rest that is super easy to install. Just drill two holes in the stock.
The relocation of the front sight says the mods are about trying to make the SKS look like an AK.
You think so? Given that the SKS and AK both have the front sight at the muzzle, I thought moving the front sight back when he chopped the barrel made it look LESS like an AK. More like a T81
One of the guys who sent his rifle off with mine to have this chop-shop job done elected to skip the barrel shortening/threading/front sight relocation part as he wanted his to look AKish when it was done.
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Back to the optic rails question - looks like I probably have the best options already, based on the feedback from you guys in this thread, with the Magwedge rail and the BadAce scout mount. If anyone does have better ideas, though, please chime in.
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MOLOT style rail is the Czar. Once you go that route everything else is just Gulag peasantry haha
Tho on a more practical note, theres plenty of good enough options out there. The rear sight swap out mounts seem decent enough for red dots.... which probably would be more then adequate for 80% of the shots one would take with an SKS.
The full length rails can be good enough as well. But in my experience they need to be THICK (like the wartak style) so they dont vibrate as bad after the casings bounce off of them. And most importantly the rear pin needs to tight and the bolts countersunk so the whole system reliably returns to the same spot elevation wise after reassembly.
The individuals who say the irons are all thats ever needed are either the same ones who need a spotter, or they state the SKS rifles effective range is only 200m when in reality its easily capable of double that.
Tho on a more practical note, theres plenty of good enough options out there. The rear sight swap out mounts seem decent enough for red dots.... which probably would be more then adequate for 80% of the shots one would take with an SKS.
The full length rails can be good enough as well. But in my experience they need to be THICK (like the wartak style) so they dont vibrate as bad after the casings bounce off of them. And most importantly the rear pin needs to tight and the bolts countersunk so the whole system reliably returns to the same spot elevation wise after reassembly.
The individuals who say the irons are all thats ever needed are either the same ones who need a spotter, or they state the SKS rifles effective range is only 200m when in reality its easily capable of double that.
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Sights4Nights
Member
- Location
- that One Time in the CT Parking Lot
Reproduction PU mount and optic is the way.
Hadn't seen those for the SKS. Do they make a version of that, that has low picatinny rail? The original is a bit high, and limited in what optics can be mounted. Also, drill and tap to mount, I assume?
Huh, wasn't familiar with that one. Might try one of these at some point. Drill and tap may be pushing my abilities though! Thanks
Sights4Nights
Member
- Location
- that One Time in the CT Parking Lot
Hadn't seen those for the SKS. Do they make a version of that, that has low picatinny rail? The original is a bit high, and limited in what optics can be mounted. Also, drill and tap to mount, I assume?
Huh, wasn't familiar with that one. Might try one of these at some point. Drill and tap may be pushing my abilities though! Thanks
It’s for the Mosin but drill and tap the SKS receiver, chunck away a bit of stock and sight in. Strippers still work and sights are usable. EBay available and look period correct.
It makes them so much more effective. I through a spare high magnification optic on an SKS to see how it grouped, chronoed the surplus ammo and put the info in my Kestrel. Then I made a 5th round hit on a 2/3 IPSC at 625 yds. Not bad considering that's a 2 moa target and the gun shoots about 4 moa, haha. Replaced the optic with an Eotech with the double-dot reticle and a 6x magnifier and routinely make hits out to 470 on a 12" plate.
Thats awesome! Would never be able to do that with irons.
Reminds me of a guy on Youtube who did the same with a Type 81. Not 625 meters, but he was hitting steel out there a decent amount of the time.
How did you have your EOtech mounted?
Funny enough I did the same thing with a Type-81 before they got banned, haha. Actually think I went 5/10 at 625 yds with the Type-81 if memory serves, video is somewhere on my IG.
Eotech is just on a Kodiak rail. I've found it to RTZ very well after cleaning, certainly within the precision capabilities of the SKS, haha.
