I’m just learning about the AK style rifle. I picked up a Romanian Arizona Response Systems AKM and I’m very pleased with the job that Mark does on his rifle builds. I want to go the other extreme from my ARs and keep this rifle simple. Wood furniture that doesn’t fold and standard sights. Maybe down the road it will wear a T-1 on an Ultimak rail, but for now it is an iron sights, close up rifle.
With that in mind, why is the rear sight notch so narrow on the AK sights? Seems good for trying to shoot precisely, but that is not my intent. The larger aperture on an AR rear sight gives a quick sight picture. My wider than normal Warren Tactical rear pistol sights give a quick sight picture with the extra daylight visible on each side of the front sight. So, here is the question: has anyone tried slightly widening the rear notch on an AK rear sight to make it “quicker”? (hope that’s not blasphemy for the purists).
Also, I would like to shorten the wood stock by about an inch. The butt has a slight curve in it. Has anyone shortened their wood stock and maintained that curve? What saw to use, band saw, jig saw, other? Thanks.
I don’t use them, but hopefully you can search for some of the XS Sights for AKs reviews that have been posted here. If all you want is a close-up rifle then perhaps that would be a better alternative to fucking up the original sights with a file.
Also, do you know the length of pull of an AK stock? Unless you are wearing body armor 24x7 you might want to check that idea. Of course, being hit in the face with the top cover every time you pull the trigger might not work out so good. Shrug.
Thanks, I found the following info on his site in a review of one of his rifles. It’s the exact concept I’m talking about and i’m glad to see it is not considered messing up the original sight.
The rear sights are modified per Fuller’s pattern with dehorned edges and the width of the notch is increased. Increasing the width of the notch makes a surprising difference in the utility of the sights for middle aged eyes. (This is a good thing to consider in the use of the hand gun as well.) In the intermediate ranges past those where the Suarez “caveman eotech” technique is utilized, the increased width of the notch makes the front sight much more visible and improves target acquisition speed. At longer ranges to the practical limits of the 7.62x39 cartridge the usual issue of vertical elevation controlwith a post and notch system arises. No surprises there. This is where an optic of some sort, 1x and actively powered, adds greatly to the utility of the AK system if the operator is adequately trained to use the optic and properly care for it.
That is one fine looking AK. Opinions vary on this but I say adapt to the platform as it is presented to you. You don’t have to make the thing look like a Tijuana low rider. Happy shooting. Fun times I hope they last.
I’ve been running Jim’s rear sight for a little over two years with a Champion tritium front on my Yugo UF and love the set up. It’s pretty similar to running a Warren rear wide notch with a tritium front sight.
I hear you on the rear sight…I am 46 and felt the need to open up the rear sight.
I used a small triangle file on both of my AK’s. I removed enough material to give the blade a “V” notch. Took all of 5 minutes, finished up with a little cold blue…
Thanks matthew, donr, and mseiferth. Any idea how wide the rear sight opening is on your sights. The Krebbs seems wider, but I’m not sure I want the full ghost ring style.
I learned that opening the rear sights on my Ruger single actions makes a world of difference when shooting fast on steel plates. I had a gunsmith mill the factory sights from .090 to .140.
No worries. When I’m done I doubt anyone will be able to tell the difference. Just widening a notch in the rear sight and possibly shortening the stock.
I would not mess with your AK… It is what it is, a classic style AKM built by ARS…
It will never be a “modern” entry carbine, because the cost of converting, updating, and accessorizing it is far grater than its value would ever be… If you want a more modern AK, I really advise you just to purchase what you are looking for instead of trying to carve on this one…
