Exploring AK Mount Options
Let’s get this out of the way right up front. RS REGULATE should be the first (and possibly last) place you look for a side-mount optic option for an AK or AKM rifle.
I know, that’s a big statement, but it’s accurate nonetheless. That’s not to say that there aren’t other valid options—there are. In fact, the market has far more options than it used to. Still, from my perspective, RS Regulate sits atop the pile of options.
Desired Characteristics
When climbers construct a rock climbing anchor, we use the acrostic SIREN or the even more common SERENE as a checklist.
- Simple (strong)
- Independent
- Redundant
- Equalized
- Non-Extending
- Strong
- Equalized
- Redundant
- Efficient
- No Extension
These characteristics create an anchor that climbers can trust their lives to, allowing them to turn their attention toward the task— actually climbing. In a similar way, optic mounts should be so boringly reliable that you don’t even notice they are there. You’re looking for something that simply and efficiently locks in place, doesn’t lose zero, can be removed quickly (ideally), and doesn’t weigh much. In the end, the shooter wants to lock their optic in place and focus on the task at hand— shooting. When it comes to side-mounting options for the the AK platform, it doesn’t get more simple, light, efficient, or reliable than the offerings from RS Regulate.
Testing
For my testing, I utilized the model 302 of the AK-300 series coupled with an AKMD for my Bushnell TRS-25. I mounted these to a simple Romanian WASR 10. I compared this set up to my standard Ultimak configuration on my Mak-90 and to other side-mount options. I took the freshly set up rifle to some local private land and began testing from the bench. Things were good, so I moved out into the field; I fired from 25, 50, and 100 yards in all kinds of positions. I tried to simulate events that are likely to actually take place… no, I didn’t run over it with my truck or do anything super extreme, but I went beyond standard use into areas most folks would consider abuse. The mount didn’t even think about budging.
I’ve favored the Ultimak configuration for a while now, but the side-mount option offers some unique advantages. My wife Laura was quick to notice and point out some of them to me.
She really appreciated the weight savings and the placement of the said weight of the RS Regulate option over the extra weight and location of the Ultimak. The Ultimak sits further out out on the gun. In addition, she preferred the dot closer to her eyes than extended farther away. I would say that both are valid options, but the RS Regulate option is definitely the way to go if someone is going to mount a scope, and possibly the way to go if they are mounting a red dot… if you’re unsure which optic you’ll settle on, you have more options with the RS Regulate set up.
For a red dot, I think I still prefer the Ultimak, but that may just be because it’s what I’m most familiar with.
Construction & Conclusion
The aircraft aluminum RS Regulate uses has proven to be light and strong, like a good sport climbing rope. The CNC machining is precise, showing care, without tooling marks, reminding me of the careful precision of an anchor set by a well-seasoned climber. By creating optic specific mounts that attach to the base, RS Regulate has chosen precision over breadth and they’ve insured exact placement in the process. My TRS-25 co-witnessed beautifully.
The lock used locks flush to the side of your weapon and will not snag or release without your intentional activation; believe me, I tried to get it to fail. This mount is over-engineered. If you know you want a side-mounted optic on your AK platform rifle, I don’t know why you’d look elsewhere, but I do know that you won’t find a more rock solid mount!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VrRsn5cBMM
