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With all the talk lately on here about fake Kobra collimator sights, I've seen people posting pics of originals vs. reproduction knock offs. There have been lots of educated comments posted about the real deal red dot scopes made in Belarus, but I still havn't seen anyone come forward with any info on the "Cobra" red dot that was imported by Kalashnikov-USA in Pt St Lucie Fla, the importer of Saigas before EAA took over. I got one of these early import Russian optics in a trade deal with an original K-USA 19" S-12. The person who traded it to me also has an all wood furniture Saiga 7.62x39, and a matching Saiga .308 with wood. He got all three back in ' 98 or ' 99 I believe he said. The scope came with the guns when he bought them from a friend who worked at K-USA. He had two originally but sold one of them.

This is the only one I have seen or even heard of. Anyone else ever seen one like this? It's still sealed in the original plastic and also has the Russian import papers and camo case with adjustment tool and manual. Even has the original Russian batteries with it. When I saw it was spelled Cobra with a "C", I thought how cool is that, but was suspect until I saw the import papers and all. Then recently I saw a pic posted here of an original box from an original Kobra, and it has "Cobra" written on the box too.

 

Here are the pics. I have a Kobra that I've had for several years and this one is very similar. The strengthening ribs in the casting of the side mount looks different though. Also this one came with no sun shade for the lens. Is this a Gen 1 and the other a Gen 2 perhaps? The cases are different but very similar, with the same inner pocket with manual and tool. Camo pattern also different which made me think originally it could have been a knock off.

I think it's real though. I haven't wanted to open the plastic til I find out more about it. It's definitely rare.

 

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I have one just like it that came with a Saiga shotgun I traded for awhile back. Mine seems to be quite sturdy and I shot pretty good with it at 100yards. My only complaint about mine is it "washes out" very easily outdoors, it doesn't even have to be sunny out. I wish you would take yours out of the plastic to try it out that way I can find out if you run into the same problem too! Mine didn't come with the case (I wish it did) but it did come with all the paperwork.

 

Bullseyeboy-

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Are you sure the problem isn't battery, contacts, or lens related? Weak batteries, poor or dirty contacts, or a dirty (projection or objective) lens could possibly cause such issues. I've had my other Kobra for 5 yrs now and haven't had any problem seeing the dot in any light conditions, even set very low.

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It's not batteries I've tried a couple of brand new sets, I cleaned the lens and projector thing so that shouldn't be it. I do question the condition of the contacts though but I'm not savvy enough with electronics to clean them. Right now I'm just using it as my night sight and its working pretty good for that role.

 

Bullseyeboy-

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Well just to see for sure, I took the Gen 1 Cobra out today and compared it with the brightness of the Gen 2. Wow...big difference alright. The Gen 2 has a much brighter intensity. It's about the same as the Gen 1's brightest setting, when it's turned down a few clicks. They are both fine in low light, but the Gen1 does get washed out in mid day sun. I took some comparison pics to upload here. I'll get em up soon in case anyone is interested. The reticle patterns are also different between the two.

Oh, I did take a piece of fine sandpaper and clean off the battery contact on the removable plug of the Cobra. It did seem to help some with the brightness.

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Ok if anyone cares to see, here's a comparison between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Kobra sights in daylight conditions, and inside. I had some time to burn and shot a bunch of pics.

 

Click on a pic to enlarge it.

 

1. Gen 1 Cobra turned all the way up....

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2. Gen 2 Kobra

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Inside on the bench...

 

1. Gen 1....

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2. Gen 2...

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And I may as well wrap this up with some pics of the sights and cases side by side....They are almost identical looking except for a few details.

 

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Ok I'm done spamming ya with Cobra porn. Hope this helps someone....

:smoke:

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  • 1 month later...

For some reason by the looks of it, it seems to me like a cheaper version. Im not saying thats true, but it looks dingy.. Sorry.

Speaking of Kobras, I just shot a match today from 95yds, the steel plates were dropping like flies...

IMG_3521.jpg

This is the rifle.

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