Let’s face it, it’s kind of a pain to mount an optic on an AK…
You see, with an AR 15 you have an optic rail integrated into the top of the upper receiver…
And you can easily slap red dots and scopes on your rifle in just a few minutes and without really much thought…
But with the AK platform, it’s not quite so easy… and in the past, I’ve had to deal with quite a few headaches trying to get optics on my AKs…
Here’s the good news though, these days there are many fantastic ways to mount a red dot onto your AK…
So, if you’re looking for the best AK red dot you can get, and asking yourself how on earth you’re going to mount it, then this post is going to be incredibly helpful for you…
By the end, you’ll know which red dots will work best with an AK, and you’ll know of many solid ways to get them mounted on your gun…
Let’s get started!
Best AK Red Dot – Top 7 List…
The best AK red dot sight is the Aimpoint T2 Micro. It’s the best because it’s built to be extremely rugged and reliable. It’s also a very compact sight which makes it easier to mount on an AK than larger optics, and there are many ways to easily mount it onto an AK…
Below I’ll give you more detail as to why I think the Aimpoint Micro T2 is the best red dot for an AK, and I’ll also share with you 6 other amazing options that you should consider…
1. Aimpoint Micro T-2 (My #1 Pick!)
The Aimpoint Micro T2 is a legendary optic at this point. It was designed for hard use in military and law enforcement scenarios, and it’s by far the most rugged micro red dot sight on the planet…
To begin, it has a sight housing that’s constructed from high-quality aluminum. In addition to that, the turrets are reinforced by the sight housing, so they can never be bumped or snapped off accidentally, and the Micro T2 is waterproof in up to 80 feet of water…
In addition to all that, the reticle on the T2 is a 2 MOA red dot, which I think is a fantastic reticle size because it’s easy for your eye to pick quickly (so you can shoot fast), but its also small enough that it allows you to aim precisely at small targets or targets at longer distances…
On top of that, the battery life is ultra-long on the T2 at around 50,000 hours (5 years), and that means you can keep the optic turned on for years without having to worry about the battery dying on you (It’s a good idea to switch out your battery every year though)…
Last, the Aimpoint T-2 comes in an extremely compact package which I think is ideal for an AK, and my two recommendations for mounting the T2 on your AK would be the Attero Arms Bravo Mount which is designed to replace your AK’s rear sight and mount any optic with the Aimpoint Micro footprint (there is a back up rear sight built into the mount)…
Or another great option would be to go with the RS Regulate Mounting System if your AK has a side rail. In this case, you’ll need to get a lower rail and upper mount to fit your needs (I’ll have more mounting solutions at the end of this article)…
So all in all, I think the Aimpoint Micro T-2 is a fantastic red dot for an AK because just like the AK platform, it’s extremely rugged and reliable, and with the mounts that I mentioned above, you can easily get it set up on your gun.
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2. Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic)
Another amazing red dot that you should consider for your AK is the Aimpoint PRO which stands for ‘Patrol Rifle Optic‘. This optic is, obviously, also from Aimpoint, but it’s different from the Micro T-2 in several ways…
First of all, like the Micro T2, the Aimpoint PRO is extremely rugged and reliable. In fact, because it’s a larger red dot sight, it’s a bit more durable than even the Micro T2. It has a sight housing that’s made from high-quality aluminum, and it’s waterproof in up to 150 feet of water…
In addition to that, the windage and elevation turrets are low profile and capped. So it would be extremely difficult to bump them accidentally or snap them off (something that can happen with some other red dots), and with the PRO you get included lens protectors as well…
The battery life on the PRO is also ultra-long at around 30,000 hours (3 years), and again, you can leave the optic turned on for years, keeping your red dot ready to go without any fear that the battery will die on you at the wrong time…
Now, the tube on the Aimpoint PRO is 30mm which is a pretty standard size that offers a lot of mounting options for the AK (I’ll get to my favorite mounting option in a minute), and because it’s a full-size red dot sight, you get a large field of view when looking through the optic (and seeing more is always an advantage when it comes to shooting, especially shooting fast)…
Last, the reticle on the Aimpoint, just like it is on the Micro T-2, is a 2 MOA dot. Again, I like this reticle size a lot because the dot is very easy for your eye to pick up (so you can shoot with it very quickly), but it also allows you a lot of precision when you’re aiming…
Now, there are a number of ways that you can mount the Aimpoint PRO onto your AK, but I think the best option is to go with the RS Regulate Mount. You’ll have to get a lower rail, but when it comes to choosing the upper mount, go with the 30MM Red Dot Upper Mount. This will allow you to easily mount the Aimpoint PRO on your AK, and it makes for a clean, lightweight, and fast optic setup.
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3. Trijicon MRO
If there is a red dot that can give the Aimpoints a run for their money in terms of ruggedness and reliability, it’s the Trijicon MRO, and I think the MRO pairs extremely well with an AK for many reasons…
First of all, the MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic) has a sight housing that’s constructed from 7075-T6 forged aluminum. In addition to that, the windage and elevation turrets are recessed into the sight housing (so they can’t be accidentally bumped), and the optic is waterproof in up to 100 feet of water…
In addition to that, the reticle on the MRO is a 2 MOA dot, and you can actually get the MRO in a red dot version or a green dot version (I prefer red, but a lot of shooters really like the green dot option). Now, one of the things that sets the MRO apart from many other micro red dot sights is the large objective lens (25mm)…
This gives you a wider field of view (which helps you see more) than a smaller sight like the Aimpoint Micro T-2, but at the same time, the MRO is still fairly compact (I think of it as a size in between the Micro T2 and the Aimpoint PRO)…
The MRO also has ultra-long battery life, with around 5 years worth on setting 3 (so you can keep your optic on and ready to go at all times), and it had 8 illumination settings that get extremely bright on the high end…
Last, with the right mounting equipment, the MRO can be easily mounted on an AK, and I recommend two options. Number 1, I like the Attero Arms MRO Optic Mount, which is a mount that replaces your AK’s rear sight and makes it extremely easy to mount this optic (there is a backup rear sight built into the mount)…
And number 2, again, I like the RS Regulate Mounting System in which you get the lower rail and an upper mount that is specifically tailored to the size of your sight and the location where you wanted it mounted (close to your eye when you’re aiming or further forward on the gun)…
There are other options as well, but regardless of the way you mount it on your AK, the MRO is a fantastic red dot choice because it’s extremely rugged, it’s compact, and it’s reliable.
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4. Holosun HE503CU
Many shooters love the Aimpoint Micro T-2 because of its compact size and form factor, but (to put it bluntly) they’re not in love with its price tag. If that’s the case for you, you might want to consider the Holosun 503CU…
Holosun is a fantastic red dot manufacturer, and part of the reason I find them so appealing is because they keep their optics affordable and their red dots are jam-packed with useful features…
Now, the Holsun 503CU is a really cool micro red dot for several reasons. First of all, it’s fairly rugged and reliable. It has a sight housing that’s made from high-quality aluminum, and just as with the Aimpoint Micro T-2, the windage and elevation turrets are protected by the sight housing (so they can’t be accidentally bumped)…
In addition to that, the 503CU is waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, and even though it’s not as bullet-proof as the Micro T-2, the 503CU has developed its own reputation over the past few years for ruggedness and reliability…
Now when it comes to the reticle, the 503CU has Holosun’s Multiple Reticle System which means you get 2 reticle options, and they include a 2 MOA dot and Holosun’s Circle Dot reticle. Personally, I love the Circle Dot Reticle because you can use it to shoot extremely fast and accurately at the same time…
On top of that, the 503CU has ultra-long battery life (around 50,000 hours), Shake Awake technology (which will help save you battery life), a Solar Panel on top (so you can actually use the sight without a battery), and a convenient battery tray (which makes battery changes fast and easy)…
Last, because the 503CU has the exact same footprint as the Aimpoint Micro T-2, you can easily mount it onto your Ak in the same ways. Again, I recommend going with the Attero Arms Bravo Mount if you want a super lightweight and minimal mounting solution, but another fantastic option is the RS Regulate Mounting System…
All in all, if you like the Aimpoint Micro T2, but you want a more budget option, the Holosun 503CU is a wonderful micro red dot that will perform well on an AK.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Holosun HE503CU:
5. Trijicon RMR Type 2
Some AK owners like the idea of a super minimal optic setup, and if you fall into this camp, you’ll love the Trijicon RMR Type 2. To start off, the Trijicon RMR is often thought of as a pistol optic (for something like a Sig P320, a Glock 19, or a Canik TP9), but the RMR was actually developed as a super-compact rifle/carbine optic, and it still functions well in this role today…
First of all, RMR stands for ‘Ruggedized Miniature Reflex Sight’, and considering just how small it is, it’s extremely rugged and reliable. Its sight housing is built using forged aluminum, and its patented square top with horns makes it extremely impact resistant. It’s also waterproof in up to 66 feet of water, and it only weighs 1.2 ounces…
On top of that, there are many various versions of the RMR that offer you different reticle sizes. The two most common are the 3.25 MOA dot version and the 6.5 MOA dot version, and I prefer the 3.25 MOA dot version because the dot is very easy to pick up, but still allows you to aim with a high degree of precision…
Lastly, the battery life on the RMR is ultra-long at around 4 years on setting 4, and because of its size and popularity, there are many ways to easily mount it onto an AK. I recommend going with the Aterro Arms RMR Mount because if you’re trying to go small and minimal with your optic, you should probably do the same with your mounting system, but there are other good ways that you can mount the RMR onto your AK as well.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Trijicon RMR Type 2:
6. Holosun HE509T X2
There are some shooters, who would really like to put a red dot as small as the RMR onto their AK, but they can’t get over the fact that it has an open emitter. The truth is that there is the potential for debris or mud to get into an open emitter sight, and depending upon how you intend to use your AK, that might be a legitimate concern that you have…
Well, here is a really unique option that will solve the open emitter problem for you, the Holosun 509T. The Holosun 509T is an awesome little red dot, and it would make a great optic for an AK for several reasons…
For starters, the 509T was built for use on either a pistol or a rifle/carbine, and it was made to be very rugged and reliable. Its sight housing is constructed from titanium which makes it super strong and lightweight at the same time, and it’s waterproof in up to 1 meter of water…
It also features Holosun’s Multiple Reticle System, which means you can choose between a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA Circle, or the Holosun Circle Dot Reticle. Again, I love the Holosun Circle Dot reticle because it helps you shoot fast and accurately at the same time…
On top of all that, the 509T has super long battery life (around 50,000 hours), Shake Awake technology (to help you save battery life), a Solar Panel on top (so you can use the optic even without a battery), and a side-loading battery tray (to make battery changes extremely quick and easy)…
And just like with the RMR, the 509T is extremely compact, so there are many ways you can mount it onto an AK (I recommend the Attero Arms 509T Mount because it’s the most minimal and lightweight option).
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Holosun HE509T X2:
7. Sig Sauer ROMEO5
The last red dot on this list of amazing AK red dot sights is the Sig Sauer Romeo5. The Romeo5 is a wonderful option if you’re strapped for cash and want a simple, decent red dot at an affordable price…
To begin, the Romeo5 is a pretty durable little red dot. It has a sight housing that’s made from high-quality aluminum, and the adjustment turrets sit fairly deep within that housing to keep them protected from potential bumps and drops…
In addition to that, the Romeo5 is waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, and it has a 2 MOA dot reticle which, again, I like because it’s easy for your eye to pick up and small enough that it allows you to aim with precision…
The battery life on the Romeo5 is around 40,000 hours which puts it into the ultra-long battery life category (like all other red dots on this list), and it feature’s Sig’s MOTAC system which basically means the sight will turn off when it’s not in use and turn on as soon as it senses motion (and this will save you battery life)…
Last, like the Holosun 503CU, the Sig Romeo5 features the Aimpoint Micro T2 footprint. That means it can easily be mounted onto an AK, and because this is a budget optic, I would recommend pairing it with the Attero Arms Bravo Mount, rather than the RS Regulate Mounting System which is more costly.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Sig Sauer ROMEO5:
Recommended AK Mounting Solutions – Top 4 List…
1. Attero Arms AK Optic Mount
The Attero Arms AK Optic Mount is one of my favorite mounting solutions for an AK. Basically, this mount replaces your AK’s rear sight, and the mount actually has a backup rear sight built into it that gives you a lower 1/3 co-witness through your optic…
That backup sight is an important feature because if your red dot goes down, you have another option that you can quickly go to. Installation of the Attero Arms Mount is very easy, and once it’s installed you can field strip your AK for cleaning without the need to remove the optic from your gun…
Last, the Attero Arms Mount is extremely sleek and lightweight, so it won’t add a lot of bulk to your gun (the way some mounts do), and Attero Arms makes a lot of optic specific mounts such as the ones I mentioned in the red dot list above.
So all in all, the Attero Arms Mounts are an awesome way to get a red dot onto your AK.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Attero Arms AK Optic Mount:
2. RS Regulate AK47/AKM Optic Mount System
The RS Regulate Mount System is one of the most well-regarded AK mounting solutions out there. To utilize this system, you will have to have an optic rail on the side of your AK…
If you do have that optic rail on the side of your AK, then you need to get an RS Regulate Lower Rail, and separately, you’ll need an RS Regulate Upper Mount. It’s not ideal that you have to get these two parts separately, but there is a pretty good reason behind it…
Basically, there are a ton of variations when it comes to the RS Regulate Upper Mount, and that’s actually a good thing because you can get a rail system that is tailored to your specific optic and your preferences in terms of where you like to mount your optics…
For example, you can get an upper mount that is designed to hold a 30mm red dot tube in pretty much the same position it would be placed on an AR-15. You could also get a smaller upper mount that is designed for mounting a micro red dot, or a larger upper mount that will allow you to mount a 1-6x scope…
So in the end, the RS Regulate system is very well-engineered, and it’s awesome how customizable it is to your particular optic setup.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The RS Regulate AK47/AKM Optic Mount System:
3. Midwest Industries AK Railed Scope Mount
The Midwest Industries AK Railed Scope Mount is another good mounting solution. It’s like the RS Regulate system because you do need to have an optic rail on the side of your AK to utilize it, but it’s also a lot simpler than the RS Regulate System…
This scope mount is just one piece, and it gives you a long picatinny rail right above the dust cover on your AK. From there, you can mount red dots or scopes just as easily as you could on an AR 15…
So the Midwest Industries Mount is a simple, effective, and straightforward way to get pretty much any type of optic onto your AK.
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4. ULTIMAK AK Scout Mount
The ULTIMAK AK Scout Mount is another great mounting solution for red dots on AK. This mount basically replaces your AK’s original gas tube and the upper handguard, and it allows you to mount a red dot that will be co witnessed with the original sights on your AK…
Installation of the ULTIMAK rail is easy, and the forward (or ‘scout’) positioning of the optic is a great setup when you have an unlimited eye relief sight like a red dot…
This is a great solution if you want to keep your AK’s original iron sights installed, and it can be used regardless of whether your AK has a side optic rail on it or not.
Click The Button Below To Learn More About The ULTIMAK AK Scout Mount: