TX-Zen
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Posts posted by TX-Zen
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I clean mine once in a while
Tac47 Autoplug after 1 year and probably 1500 rounds
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A few new ones
The space age 1P63 Obzor ‘red dot’ manufactured by NPZ, though it doesn’t really have a dot for a reticule as you can see. And actually it isn’t called 1P63 anymore either, apparently NPZ has changed the design somewhat and given 1P63 to another very similar model. The ones we can buy currently appear to be just called Obzor, 1P63 isn’t labeled on them from what I can see. It could also be just a civilian version difference, for example some models of Rakurs are marked 1P76 and some are only marked Rakurs.
Just as I feel the 1P76 Rakurs is a modernized version of the PK-AS red dot, I feel like Obzor’s closest relative is the Kobra, though to be honest that impression might be mainly due to the similarity of reticule patterns vs design. In actuality I don’t think there is anything on the market quite like the Obzor but to me it has the most affinity with the Kobra vs other types.
LiquidMetal has done an excellent review and Voron from theakforum.net has one as well so I don’t have too much technical detail to add other than this optic is tritium illuminated and never requires batteries. A full review of Obzor and the other major variants of red dot’s is in progress, so more details on Obzor and how it compares with the other red dot’s will be forth coming. I will say that I am immediately impressed with Obzor, my experience with combloc optics has been favorable and I think Obzor is a good design so far.
Bottom and top light sensors for daylight reticule
Elevation and windage
Filter on/off (to reduce glare and bring out the contrast of the reticle better)
Daylight reticule
Tritium is similar…no triangle in the middle and the overall size is smaller, it fits in the empty space around the triangle. Tough to get a pic but hopefully you get the idea
Also picked up a PK01-V model with the type-E high mount, I’d rather actually have the lower A mount but I don’t mind keeping this for the collection. PK01-V is similar to an Aimpoint, I can’t comment on the battery life yet though it’s probably nowhere near the insanity of a typical Aimpoint. Price is decent at $300ish for the PK01 series and based on other combloc red dot’s I have like PK23 I think PK01V is going to be a dependable optic. PK01-V is not related to PK01-VS, the two appear to be very different designs. PK01-VA designates the older A low mount that uses 30mm rings to position the optic over the receiver and PK01-VE designates the newer higher mount where the rail is centered itself and the rings sit directly on top. Also with PK01-VE you can remove the spacer just above the locking lever to bring it down lower if you need to. (To add to the confusion some vendors will call the optic PK01VA or VE regardless of what kind of mount they ship with, some call it PK01V and the optic is actually labelled PK01-Vi )
PK-01V vs PK01-VS
I was fortunate enough to pickup an NPZ universal siderail mount for AK’s and SVD’s. It’s not super light but it’s really nice and immediately makes me think this is the best of the combloc side mounts available. KV04 is the lightest and BP02 is dependable even though heavy, but everyone always says the Molot mount is the best of them all partly because it’s almost as light as the KV04. I generally agree except that I prefer the sturdiness of the NPZ clamping mechanism over any other design out there, to me that’s worth a bit of extra weight.
KV04
Molot
NPZ
Lastly I ran into one of the rarest optics I’ve ever seen from BelOMO, the PO4x24P:
Weight is on the higher side when you add in the mount, but it’s still lighter than PO 3.5x21P. Size is similar to 1P78 Kashtan also as you can see.
This optic is not in production, I believe it was intended to sell to the Russian military but only a handful of models have been built. This is apparently one of two in the US and one of less than 10 available from BelOMO. It’s similar to the PO 3.5x21P but somewhat lighter. IMO optical clarity is excellent but again not quite what the PO 3.5 delivers. Reticule pattern is similar, it is illuminated by batteries similar to how the PSO series is done and it has an adjustable diopter. I’m not sure what this version is calibrated for, the manual doesn’t seem to say but I need someone who speaks Russian to verify. To me it’s an interesting optic and one of about 5 from BelOMO/LEMT that I’ve been wanting to get ahold of.
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Tex & Datrowl,
Thanks for the suggestions. Tex - didn't I see a post from you a while back with what seemed like an unending collection of russian optics (and rifles for that matter)???? I definitely can trust your opinion after seeing all that own. I can't imagine how many others you have experience with.
I've considered the PK-AS and Rakurs but they just seem to sit so high that I feel like it would bug me not getting a good cheek weld (i know, i know, i can add a pad or adjustable stock, but I'm trying to keep it simple). Plus, I'm on a budget and this is my first taste-test of the red dot world so I like the ~$150-200 price with mount and good reviews of those primary arms optics just to get my feet wet and really decide if they're for me.
I see a true russian optic to complete the package in the future but I'm starting slow
If you want to start slow I think the PA dot is a great choice. No one complains about them, customer service is great and they are priced well and seem to be really durable. That and a simple mount like BP02 and you'd be under $200 with a good start to seeing if you like side rail optics...really a great way to start.
True combloc optics do take some getting used to because they are higher than what we tend to be familiar with. From what I can see they are designed higher for two main reasons...one, they tend to be more for CQB and my understanding is that higher is easier on the neck (my own experience agrees with this on the move) and two, the Russians use a couple different kinds of helmets with ballistic face shields and from what I am told can't see low optics with the shield down.
I think once you get used to the height you'll find they are very fluid and work great, but like you I started slow to be sure I knew what I was doing before I started buying more and more exotic optics. These days I am so used to them I can't really remember what it was like learning about them, but I do know in the early days I had to open my mind some to get the hang of a few of them.
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No worries about being a tritium fruitcake D
But I do know someone that has access to tritium and successfully relit a few 1P29 optics including mine. I'm considering asking him to take a go at my Romanian LPS/Tip2 and possibly my ZFK 4x25 because if he's done it once he can probably figure out how to do something else. The Rakurs tritium actually seems to be pretty straightforward, Obzor looks more complicated but I'm betting either one could be done with some yankee ingenuity (or maybe a call to NPZ
)Z
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+1 to the PK-AS, it has been my favorite red dot optic until fairly recently. I still really like it and recommend it for the same reasons as Datrowl but there are two optics I think are a bit more modernized.
These days I prefer 1P76 Rakurs because IMO it's an improved version of PK-AS...always on black german post reticule but tritium illuminated and needs no batteries.
The other one I really like is the space age 1P63 Obzor. Same concept as the Rakurs...always on reticule for daylight (but not etched like the Rakurs or PK-AS) along with tritium for night shooting.
Prices on all of them are about the same. PK-AS typically sits off to the left for the most common version so you can still use irons but 1P76 and Obzor are both QD like PK-AS and can be taken off in seconds.
1P76 Rakurs and Rakurs A1 (A1 has adjustable diopter)
Obzor
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As you can see, I have a PSO-1 mounted on the Side Rail. I found out a few nights ago, that an SVD/PSL style optic WILL mount to an AK style mount.
Looks like a Romanian LPS/TIP2 to me
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I think it's close enough for government work
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I don't know what kind of mag pouches those are, really they look more like utility or something else, belted ammo maybe.
This is my AK rig with HSGI Taco's and optional X harness:
The TT MAV is really comfortable even with a sidearm and 5 mags, but part of that is due to the X harness which is padded. I went with the X after advice from a few people that also use a TT MAV, based on their experience it's more comfortable as the weight increases. In the classes I've taken it's been great and feels really secure. Taco's FTW btw, hard to find better AK pouches IMO.
BCS makes an S12 mag rig too I found out, seems interesting. They solve the shock cord problem by having a deeper mag pouch it seems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVmw8FoXfTo
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And a AK Railed Hand Guard that I don't see very often
Looks like an STK tactical to me, good product but it seems to be about the heaviest lower HG you can slap on an AK. I liked mine just never had a use for it. Did it fit without modification? I never got around to trying mine on my S12 before I sold it.
Whole S12 is looking great, though I'd say get the Dinzag FSB like you mentioned. I think it will complete the look. I also think you should go with a smooth upper HG instead of the railed one but thats just a personal preference.
Finally an S12 that isn't all tacticooled out....ironic that so few Russian S12's actually look Russian.
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Good review
I don't have much to add, I'm happy with my TT-MAV rigged for AK's and don't use anything for the S12. Well written though
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+1, drop Horse a line and he'll do you right.
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There should be 7 in country, supposedly only a total of 12 outside Russia counting the ones he brought in
Price was about 5900$ and a few months ago I thought I heard he might still have one for sale. These came into the US around October last year if I'm not mistaken
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Have you done business with him before?
We will see if he calls me back or emails me...it really has not been very long since I have called him. Still if there is no secured way to pay, I doubt that I will go for it.
Not personally but he has been around on theakforum for years and has always had a great reputation as a fellow collector. He's a guy with connections all over the place and has been able to get some really great stuff that is almost unheard of. He already brought in 7 SV98 rifles and that took about a year also.
Based on his history and online presence I felt no worries paying in full. I've talked to him on the phone a few times like everyone else and IMO he's a guy just like many of us...interested in getting some cool sh*t from Izhmash. Getting Izhmash to sell him a handful of SV98's is no small feat and if you know the business is pretty darn impressive.
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I'm paid in full, have been since last October.
Not sure why people think he doesn't reliably answer email or phone calls, I've never had a problem getting ahold of him. Then again I don't need to talk to him every week to find out that nothing has changed...waiting is part of the game in this kind of deal.
He's not banned on theakforum, his vendor status is revoked. They got their panties in a wad over vendor fees or some such and decided to make a big drama out of it. I really can't take site staff over there seriously anymore after how silly they got when I asked why they locked his forum. I don't even know the man but they had a great time insulting their members all the while acting like they were protecting us from an unscrupulous vendor (As if anyone believes "it's about the Kalashnikov, not the money" over there anymore).
Basically, even though they authorized him to do business on their forum and created his subforum where we could post about the 030 deal, they claimed this whole thing was a group buy that they never authorized and that he had been soliciting payment under the table without their knowledge. Really pretty much a retarded explanation but they ran with it despite the fact that we had been talking about for a whole year on their very own forum.
What it boils down to is that more or less threw him under the bus and tried to damage his reputation in order to appear like they run a tight ship, because now they do charge vendors fees.
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I KNOW the 4x24 is well regarded as the best scope for the AK.
It's not the best scope for an AK, it's the most cost effective. There are better optics they just cost 2-3 times as much or more depending on the optic.
Happiness is subjective of course but I'm more a fan of fixed power optics. I actually haven't used a variable power POSP type optic but they should be GTG quality wise, I just don't know how useful that they really are over a fixed POSP. I don't care for greater than 4x for AK's because I don't do a lot of bench shooting for groups, but if I were I'd probably roll with an 8x42...cheaper than the variable powers.
I've heard great things about the PSO 3-9x but it's a $400 optic. I can't think of anyone that has the 2-5x POSP's but to me it's not really worth the extra hundred bucks or so just for 5x vs 4x.
For me it all comes down to price...4x24 beats most optics due to tough construction and excellent price, OTOH the variables creep up pretty quickly in cost and you aren't getting much more than 4x. If you do get something like a 3-9x they tend to cost twice what the 4x24 does and aren't doing a lot more than the 8x42 either. I suppose it would be handy to dial it up and down because after all that's what they're for, however the fixed power scopes are often cheap enough second hand that you could buy one of each and swap them out as you needed.
If you do decide to go with a fixed 4x24, check out the Romanian LPS/TIP2 4x24. It comes with an SVD mount that will need to be changed to an AK mount but the LPS can often be found for less than a hundred bucks second hand...actually much cheaper than the legendary 4x24 POSP. They are non illuminated because the tritium has been removed but otherwise fine optics that are also good quality, they just sit a little higher than a regular POSP.
Also welcome to the forum
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Also what psop scopes have chevron markings gauged for a 5.45 round?
None.
No POSP or PSO's are calibrated for 5.45 (and it's POSP or PSO, not PSOP)
The 5.45 specific optics are here: http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/68054-1p78-kashtan-28x-optic-review/
You can use the POSP with a 5.45 just fine. You'll either need to create a 400m zero like other 5.45 optics do or just know your hold over's.
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Yes
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That's one of the main things I love about the PK-AS...the dot is much smaller that most and is excellent for small targets at longer ranges. Congrats!
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Great post!
PK01-V like yours is next on the list for me after Obzor. I have the PK01-VS which is in the same family and really like it, other optics collectors I know also have the VA/VE models which are well liked. It seems everyone that has them thinks this new series of PK01 are well made and very functional.
Thanks for taking the time to do your write up, it's nice to see interesting stuff getting good reviews.
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I've spent thousands with Rusmilitary over the past 7 years and never lost any money by not getting things I paid for. It usually takes months to get things on back order but that's the nature of the biz.
Oleg's communication isn't super fast but he makes sure you get your stuff, just remember he's usually waiting on it to come in from Russia and he has no control over that.
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I recently took the 10 mag A-TACS version out to the range for some live fire video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6ohd7a-jGQ&feature=youtu.be
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He really doesn't know squat. As mentioned already by 762buzz that guy apparently isn't aware that the Russians modernized the AK with the 74 design then went on to build millions more of them. Apparently he's also not aware of the AK103.
He's pretty much an ignorant douche with an axe to grind. Youtube seems to have a lot of people like that.
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LOL just trying to help a brother out
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PSO
POSP
PSOP?
Picture Thread!!!
in Saiga / AK Optics & Sights
Posted
I haven't been out to shoot clays with Obzor but I have mounted it on the S12 and think it will do fine. It is higher than Rakurs which is something to consider, but I haven't had any issues with clays or slugs using Rakurs so Obzor feels pretty good to me despite it being a little taller. This is something that you will have to figure out yourself though, not everyone is comfortable with the height of some of these optics. It may not be the best first combloc optic to use, but if you are ok with this height in general on other optics I think you'll probably like it. I'm really impressed with the design and construction and it may replace Rakurs as my favorite.
Durability on the S12 I think will be fine also, Obzor really seems to be built like a tank.
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