fatboy501 0 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 (edited) Hello all. I honestly had never even heard of the Saiga in my life, except for in an episode of Burn Notice lol. In any case, I've fallen in love with this weapon through the forums here, and have decided to go ahead and get one when my taxes come in. I am legally blind in my right eye due to an accident earlier in life, and since I'm right handed, I was wondering if mounting a red-dot or holographic sight towards the front of the Saiga using a full legnth rail would allow me to acquire targets using my left eye while still having the gun at my right shoulder. I haven't had any problem aiming with my other shotgun (Sears model 200), but it has a very long barrel. I believe it's 26". I was just wondering if this would help me at all, or if I just need to practice shooting southpaw. Edited December 5, 2010 by fatboy501 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lawnman380 0 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Hello all. I honestly had never even heard of the Saiga in my life, except for in an episode of Burn Notice lol. In any case, I've fallen in love with this weapon through the forums here, and have decided to go ahead and get one when my taxes come in. I am legally blind in my right eye due to an accident earlier in life, and since I'm right handed, I was wondering if mounting a red-dot or holographic sight towards the front of the Saiga using a full legnth rail would allow me to acquire targets using my left eye while still having the gun at my right shoulder. I haven't had any problem aiming with my other shotgun (Sears model 200), but it has a very long barrel. I believe it's 26". I was just wondering if this would help me at all, or if I just need to practice shooting southpaw. Welcome....I have a Burris FastFire mounted on my Chaos quad rail at the front ...works great...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 (edited) I was just wondering if this would help me at all, or if I just need to practice shooting southpaw. That's the way to go, in my view. I practice shooting from both shoulders and transitioning from one to another, although I favor the right side. In your position, I would make the left shoulder my primary. The non-dominant side can learn to do things just as well as the dominant side with practice. (I lost the use of my right hand temporarily once, and found this to be true). Also, a left-offset PK-AS might be a good optic for your situation. You can use it with your left eye very naturally from the left shoulder, and decently well from the right shoulder with a bit of practice. One nice thing about this sight is that you barely see the body of the optic itself when you are looking through it, something that I think would be especially desirable if one eye is bad. Someone is selling two of these optics in the WTS section right now I think. EDITED TO ADD: Not sure if a PK-AS could withstand the recoil of an S-12 over time. Probably. Would have to research to know for sure. Edited December 5, 2010 by Jim Digriz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mammynun 14 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 I'd think about an EoTech on a Chaos or Ultimak rail. The EoTech won't have the barrel/tube effect of an Aimpoint or similar if you continue to shoot the way you do now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 I'd think about an EoTech on a Chaos or Ultimak rail. The EoTech won't have the barrel/tube effect of an Aimpoint or similar if you continue to shoot the way you do now. That was my first thought, but the rifle would be very front heavy. Also, there have been numerous reports of Eotechs shutting off on Ultimak rails on account of the heat. If that happens, he can't even fall back on iron sights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mammynun 14 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 (edited) I'd think about an EoTech on a Chaos or Ultimak rail. The EoTech won't have the barrel/tube effect of an Aimpoint or similar if you continue to shoot the way you do now. That was my first thought, but the rifle would be very front heavy. Also, there have been numerous reports of Eotechs shutting off on Ultimak rails on account of the heat. If that happens, he can't even fall back on iron sights. True, it would be a little front heavy, but a lot of people put giant "muzzle devices" way out front and don't seem to mind. Plus, I don't think you'd have to put an Eo as far forward as an Aimpoint to accomplish what the OP is looking for... My experience has been nothing but positive with EoTech. My XPS has spent some time on a Draco with an Ultimak and I never had a problem with heat or recoil, though I've heard that others have. I like the battery life of Aimpoints, but I love the reticle on an EoTech and the way it disappears from my field of view. If the OP is willing to change the side he sholders the weapon, your mounting solution is his best option, IMO. Edited December 5, 2010 by mammynun Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L5K 162 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 I was just wondering if this would help me at all, or if I just need to practice shooting southpaw. EDITED TO ADD: Not sure if a PK-AS could withstand the recoil of an S-12 over time. Probably. Would have to research to know for sure. I imagine the PK-AS would do fine under Saiga 12 recoil. The Kobras, and other Russian made AK optics are usually built like tanks. I'd guess the PK-AS is as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TX-Zen 287 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 (edited) The PK-AS most definately does NOT do well with an S12, this is the reason I've switched to the Rakurz Notice how the elevation shaft has popped out and the scope is pointing at the ground. It happens due to the recoil working the screws loose and it actually happens pretty fast. In any case the PK-AS seems to work best when employed with both eyes open during shooting. Part of the reason they seem awkward to right handed right eye shooters is probably because we try too hard to use them with our main shooting eye, when they really work better with both eyes. Z Edited December 6, 2010 by TX-Zen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 The PK-AS most definately does NOT do well with an S12, this is the reason I've switched to the Rakurz ... In any case the PK-AS seems to work best when employed with both eyes open during shooting. Part of the reason they seem awkward to right handed right eye shooters is probably because we try too hard to use them with our main shooting eye, when they really work better with both eyes. Well, what about the Rakurz then? It is similarly offset like the PK-AS. I know that these sights work best with both eyes, but could they be run effectively with only one? Or should the OP look for maybe some high visibility iron sights instead? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TX-Zen 287 Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 The Rakurz is not offset, its centered over the bore. You can use the Rakurz with both eyes or with left or right if you adjust your cheekweld a bit. The PK-AS can be used with the right eye but you won't have a cheekweld, the PK-A will get you a tad of cheekweld if you use your right eye. As I mentioned all of these sights work well with both eyes ... if the OP can only use his left they will still work with both eyes open, without having to break the cheekweld much. Z Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fatboy501 0 Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Thanks for all of the input guys!! I reckon my best bet is to go ahead and practice with my Saiga southpaw. Too bad, now I have to spend all that extra time shooting this weapon lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beerasaurus 9 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 I shoot with a red dot forward on my foregrip regularly and never have a problem. There are actually a lot of advantages to it and you shouldn't have an issue with acquiring with your left eye. If all else fails, just put it on risers so that it comes into your more natural eye level. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.