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Posted: 6/30/2009 11:06:54 AM EDT
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I posted this elsewhere. This is not "in-depth", and I addressed significant points to my usage.
Short version: get them. The best upgrade to the AK since the XS front and the G2 trigger. Long version: I'll start with the "caveat" first. Many folks may look at the Tech-Sights offering, and think of the ghost-ring/peep flip rear that AR makers have acclimated us to over thelast 15 or so years. The Tech rear is straight A1 peep- smaller and larger hole, but nothing near the diameter of a GR. Tech is honest when they term this a "precision gunsight", and from the competitive AR side, I think this would be a comfortable transition for someone making a transition to the AK. Those of us who are a bit more "field-use" oriented will probably want to switch out for an XS or C-SAT rear. The stock sights offer a very clean, precise view of the front balde, but it is much more costrained, and is not overly snap-shot friendly. Even adding $20-35 to replace the peep, the package is still around 1/2 the cost of the closest competition: Krebs. That really is the only problem I have with these. I took delivery last night, and placed them on a '76 and '83 Romy G kit, respectively. My concern, when ordering, was that the mounting system might not be strong enough to withstand a sharp blow. Because the sight anchors in place of the guide-rod/top-cover retainer, it relies on an inverted "T" mount. The sight sits around 1" in height, sticking it up in harms way; if the arms of the T were not sufficiently heavy, it would be easy to snap off with a sideways blow. I really doubt this would be a serious concern, having mounted the sight. The mount seems to be milled on the upper end of spec- the first kit was a sung fit, the second I actually had to file a bit off the sight base to get it seated. Tech-Sights does provide a set-screw for lateral tension in the dovetail, if your rifle is "oversized". The top-cover is bomb-proof. I'm not sure what gauge steel is used, but subjectively, it is the same thickness as my NodakSpud receiver and ribbed, as well. It feels like the steel hatch on a warship, versus the tin-can feel of my stock TCs. An interesting feature, not shown on the proto photograhs on the site, is a "safety shield". The TC has a small 1/4" flare over the safety tab to prevent something coming over the TC and disengaging or partially disengaging the safety. It is spaced to comfortably allow a finger(s) to easily engage the selector from the lower-rear, however. No sharp edges. The TC is my only other minor issue with the package- my kit TCs were a fair bit longer, so I do have a bit of play at the front. The Tech-Sight TCs do engage the recess, but not all the way to the front. As this not uncommonly happens with factory rifles, I don't consider it any big deal- I will probably drill & tap my trunion for a set-screw to take up the +/- 1/16" slop. The rear mounting points for the TC are two independantly sprung detents. Intitally, I was afraid the springs might be too light to be effective. Ha! The system is the same as the muzzle device detent, and just as strong in the last 1/3 of compression space. I ended up using a punch to depress first one side, then the other. I don't see doing this by finger pressure, or with the edge of a thumbnail, in the field. The AK sight tool works well for this, as will the tip of the cleaning rod, or the tip of a shell. Personally, I will either remove and round the heads of the detents, to allow the TC to slide off after "primary" depression; or I may countersink the heads of the detents to positively engage a punch tip, rod, etc.. Lastly, a druther- I would like an A2 assembly with finger adjustment. Not a biggie, and as this is a new intro into a currently uncertain market, I can see the A1 as a reasonable offering, and currently the absolute best bang for the buck in sight upgrade on the AK. For comparison, I have a Krebs rail that I have been using, and my stock sights that utilize a 1/8" U notch with 50 LPI face-serrations, all with the XS 24/7 front stripe. The Krebs is a beautifully finished product, but the peep sights are strictly "back-up" as they sit too low for a really decent sight picture. My modified stock rears are better than the original configuration, but sit too far forward for my astigmatic eyes to comfortably focus. I ordered mine Friday, received them Monday. I'll try to get out to the range in a couple of weeks, but probably won't add anything, unless something falls apart- straight A1 sights, I know what to expect. |
 Waiting on new camera battery. Here's a link: Tech Sights
I Duracoated one of the TCs last night. AS soon as I can, i'll get some pics up. |
| I also reviewed them at the bottom of first page here http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=56&t=119885&page=1 |
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