PO'd as in PO 3.5x21P of course

Recently a few of the 7.62x39 Venezuelan models have come on the market and I snagged one even though I don't have a 7.62 rifle to mount it on. At the same time the very new and ultra rare

PO3.5x21P2 arrived, which is a variant of the more common 5.45x39 models we get here. Combined with the existing 5.45 PO I already have you can see how I ended up so PO'd



These are made by BelOMO and are all 3.5x magnified optics. While

heavy they are built like tanks and have a huge field of view, are battery illuminated for low light shooting and have what I feel is the best optical quality of any combloc optic that I have used

so far. Venezuelan and P2 are no exception and have amazing quality just like the original.


While not officially issued a GRAU number for Russian military service the PO 3.5 original has seen action in Chechnya and is in use with various units who have purchased them individually. The

Venezuelan Army adopted the AK103 a few years ago and has also recently adopted PO 3.5x21P and PK-A for their rifles. The few PO and PKA that ended up here are overruns from a BelOMO military

contract, I'm told that in the future BelOMO will not be releasing these versions to anyone except Venezuela.


The trio




PO 3.5x21P Venezuelan. AK103 / 7.62x39
34.4 ounces
Almost identical to the original but with a hammer grey finish instead of black, similar to older PSO optics. I'm told this was requested by the Venezuelan Army.
1x CR123 battery





Elevation is a simple + and - but windage is marked in Spanish
Der. Right
Izq. Left


AKMC reticule, Venezuelan is the same except not marked AKMC



PO in Venezuelan service, also shown with PKA Venezuela






PO 3.5x21P2 AK74 / 5.45x39
42.8 ounces with NPZ mount, 34.4 without
2x AA batteries








Battery compartment is very different than any Russian optic I've seen, takes 2 AA batteries and has variable intensity rather than on/off
Elevation (arrows are reversed from PSO type optics):
ВВЕРХ = Counter clockwise = Trajectory Up
ВНИЗ = Clockwise = Trajectory Down


P2 windage adjustment (arrows are reversed from PSO type optics):
ВПРАВО = Counterclockwise = Trajectory Right
ВАЕВО = Clockwise = Trajectory Left




PO 3.5 and P2 share the same reticule, both marked AK74


All versions are designed with the 400m AK74 zero principle (300m for 7.62x39)
PO Datacard


What this means is if point of impact is 22cm higher than point of aim at 100m for the AK74 the trajectory will coincide at 400m. For 7.62x39 if point of impact is 23cm higher than point of aim at

100m the trajectory will coincide at 300m. On PO 3.5 the boresight cross is used to zero at 100m, after that the large chevron is used instead. The AK74 boresight cross is 22cm higher than the

chevron at 100m, so PO 3.5 is very easy to zero.

Unlike PSO or POSP optics, PO 3.5 does not have a BDC turret for range or windage. Instead the shooter uses hold overs or manual adjustment instead of moving the turret to compensate for wind or

distance. PO 3.5 can be zeroed with a screw driver, a round of ammunition or the protective cap.




Regular PO 3.5x21P
There are some versions calibrated for 7.62x39 but they are quite rare. There is also one version with a 2000m elevation line which is probably for 12.7 Kord heavy machine gun. Most are calibrated

for 5.45x39.

36.6 ounces
1x CR123 battery





http://russianoptics.net


Z

I really like the PO series optics. The only reason I sold mine was the weight made the rifle feel like a slug and the balance was awful. The PK01-V was a pleasure to use.

I'd rather have the Kashtan, same principal and less weight. Thanks Tex for keeping me broke!

Awesome TX.  The Venezuelan model is unique, and will be a collector's item.

Awesome write up. Thanks.

are those NV? They look like they are but its not mentioned. What do these cost?



RIF...



 

That P2 is pretty interesting, I wonder if it was made with the AK-12 in mind.

Great post and pics!  Thanks.

nice pics

you sicken me with all you hootie tootie smug optics......until I get to play with em!



nice write up, can't wait to see them.

I think I'm going to invest in a TWS for the PO 3.5x21P2 and the PO4x24P

I liked this configuration but never had time to test the AKARS





Z

You want to mail me some optics to try out? BTW great work!

you have more scopes than any man should have... and i want even more than you have...

sooo... how did you get the 7.62 version??? my 5.45 model is still in the mail

You can find them on Gunbroker currently.



 

ya, I'm only finding the 5.45 model not the 7.62

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=286711140





 

I've been POed for years.







You'd be even more POed if you knew how little I paid for them.