I really enjoyed my AK47 build with the folks at the Dead Goose Society. In fact I’m looking at my next AK build now, this one just bought straight from DGS. But even though I was getting solid two-inch groups at 100 yard with my AK, it was pretty hard to do with the stock sights. Even after polishing up the front sight and then putting some nail polish on it, those sights are just plain hard to see. Frankly, they left me with new appreciation for the people who shot at me with those guns with any accuracy at all. They are hard to see in slow fire, and just damn near impossible in fast transitions or in low light . . .
So I reached out to DGS and they suggested a HI VIZ fiber optic replacement front sight and a rear sight from an RPK. I’m a huge fan of fiber optic sights on my pistols and some of my shotguns, so I decided to give it a try.
Three days after ordering I received a padded envelope with my new sights. Leaving the post office I had to fill up the truck and while waiting there, since I already had my AK47 in the truck, I decided to swap out the sights. I should have taken some pictures of the installation, but really, it was that quick and simple. The tools I used consisted of my Gerber Multitool’s pliers and its flat head screw driver. Seriously, that’s it.
I measured the old front sight height with a piece of paper, then unscrewed it with the pliers. The new one was then screwed down to the same height. For the rear sight (I learned this trick from YouTube) place the rear sight at a 45 degree angle. Position the flat head screw driver more or less perpendicular to the spring, but touching the end of it (closest to the front sight) and also touching the sight itself. Hit down very hard against the back of the screw driver/multi tool and the sight will pop right out. You can then force the new sight back in while pressing down on the spring with the screw driver and, using hand force, drive the new one back in. It’s that quick and simple.
Driving to the range, I immediately saw a huge difference. Before, in dim light, that front sight just disappeared. Now, under trees in an overcast day, the green fiber dot just popped right out. It was really so much better. The kit I got also came with replacement green and red inserts, and a small plastic tool to swap them out that makes the task very simple. The rear sight is the real joy. Not only is elevation easily adjusted for, but so is windage, requiring no tools to change at all. Since my sights were in relatively the same place as before, I was re-zeroed and confirmed in 9 rounds total.
If you are looking for a way to improve the low light accuracy and speed of target acquisition with your AK, these are an outstanding option. The front sight is online in a few places for between $25 and $30, and made the biggest difference in actual sight acquisition. The rear sight cost vary widely. I found them online from $49 to $85, depending on manufacturer and condition. I got mine from DGS in excellent quality. I got the front and rear together as a package for $90, including the shipping, making the total package pretty inexpensive and well worth the cash. This is the way I’ll go to start with on my next AK build, and how I would recommend anyone improve the sights on their AK.
Ratings (out of five stars):
Ease of installation * * * * *
I did it while I was waiting for my tank to fill up with a multi tool. An AK47 front sight tool and a flat head screw driver would make this just too easy.
Effectiveness * * * * *
The fiber optic front sight made a massive difference in low light and fast swinging to the target. It will be my go to for any new AK. The rear sight makes sighting in so much easier and adjustments that you just can’t do on a stock rear AK47 sight.
Value * * * *
This should be broken into two pieces. That front sight is a 5 star value any day, and the rear sight a 4 star as a replacement. But if you are going to build one, start this way and you’ll be happy with it.
Overall * * * * *
Outstanding sights that I’ll move to for any future AK. A massive improvement over stock.