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OVERVIEW: Good luck and I hope this listing provides
enough information to facilitate the right decision on mounting the best
sighting system to your SKS. If you feel you need a bit more insight, please see my
editorial on the subject.
RECEIVER COVER VARIETIES
CHINA - NORINCO
NOTE: The title "TYPE #" is simply a way for me to distinguish between the different varieties of Chinese mounts. That is NOT the name of the part. Also, the average price for one of these mounts INCLUDING the scope is $35-40. It breaks my heart to hear of someone, when they think they got a good deal, buying each individual part for $40 ... TYPE 1: FACTS: Simply labeled "Made in China". I believe also made by Norinco. Good for those who want a scope, but don't want to sink a lot of money into the proposition. Filing is required to fit the rifle and filing is required on the front of the dovetail rail to mount the included scope back far enough to use stripper clips.
PHOTO: The Chinese mount is quick and inexpensive.
REVIEW: Supposedly allow for the use of iron sights, but you'd have to have bionic eyes to see through that tiny hole never mind lining up on a target. And forget about using any iron sight elevation but 1.
TYPE 2
FACTS: They're inexpensive and also usually come with a cheap scope. These will REQUIRE filing to fit your receiver. They allow for better use of iron sights than other Chinese mounts because it's taller and the distance between the supports is much wider. The mount is one block of milled steel, so it is very sturdy. The one pictured has a Weaver rail attached between the legs, but this is not standard.
TYPE 3 FACTS: This replacement receiver cover looks similar to the Leapers base, having four tangs that hang down with set screws to hold zero. There are two raised 1 inch tall supports capped with short half inch dovetail rails also milled into the center of the cover allowing for a see under configuration.
TYPE 4
FACTS: Another inexpensive Chinese mount. Again, these will REQUIRE filing to fit your receiver. They allow for better use of iron sights than other Chinese mounts and the rail is set back farther to facilitate better clearance of the ejection port. Tons of room to see the iron sights. Ugly weld marks usually obvious and set screws sometimes have sharp burrs than can mar the finish on a rifle. This is good for those with larger scopes.
FACTS: There are four different models of this mount that directly correlate to how large of a scope one intends to use on the rifle: small, medium, and large scope version with a built in brass deflector. (REMEMBER: If you buy any mount with a brass deflector, you loose the ability to feed the rifle with stripper clips!) The fourth model is a quick detachable mount for the SKS that uses exactly the same METHOD of mounting equipment that the U.S. Army Anti Sniper Teams use on their weapons in Bosnia. There have been three revisions to the original design of these mounts, so if you buy one of these used, it may not be what is pictured below. These dust cover replacements sport tall see-thru rings for maximum iron sight visibility. D.C. Engineering guarantees that the rifle not loose more than one minute angle, if any, when removed for cleaning. If the mount and scope are ordered together, they use a laser to pre sight the hardware in so you are on paper right out of the box. The colors seen of this scope and mount in pictures make the mount look olive drab green and the scope and rings look purple, but in reality everything's black.
REVIEW: If you don't want to drill your receiver, yet you want a scope on your rifle, DC Engineering (in my opinion) is your only real choice. The sides of the receiver cover have flanges that hug the sides of the receiver to such a tight tolerance, movement is quashed. Furthermore, a rubber gaskets line the flanges and squeeze the receiver for an even tighter fit. This rubber gasket not only prevents scratches, it also re-centers the scope when reattached. With so much surface area in contact, this is a much more stable mount than the four point of contact Leapers. Their equipment is very pricey, but it may just be worth it. Please see my newest EDITORIAL regarding receiver cover mounts. If you're receiver cover doubter, you may be surprised by what you see!
FACTS: This mount referred to as the HI-POINT is of milled/forged construction, has one inch rings, wide open see through for iron sights, and it has set screws to maintain zero. Optional parts include brass deflector and raised weaver mount to replace the rings.
REVIEW: This popular mount was what came on my rifle when I first got it. You can get the mount and a scope for less than $50 dollars, which make this combo very appealing. I recommend pitching the cheesy little arms for a solid weaver mount if you have one of these. The trick to getting this sucker to retain it's zero after removing the cover for cleaning is the set screws. You have to position the cover where you want it, run the screws down to where they touch the receiver, then lock the set screws with a nut that jams them into place. If you want one of these, log into Grainger online and order yourself a large bottle of Lok-Tite now. The receiver jiggles and the set screws scratch the finish of the receiver. The set screws and nuts CONSTANTLY come loose and fall off to god knows where, and protrude to an extent where I would scratch my arm against them occasionally. Finally, I know you aren't supposed to ride your bolt carrier when loading a round, but when I had this cover on my rifle (and only with THIS cover) the bolt would hang in the full back position. For all it's flaws, it's still pretty well made and a very popular mount.
RED STAR
FACTS: They're inexpensive, usually come with a cheap scope, they allegedly allow for the use of iron sights, and they REQUIRE filing to fit your receiver. They work well enough, and are probably better built than the Norinco varieties. Forget using the iron sights when this mount is on your piece.
REVIEW: The quality of this mount is a cut above anything Norinco has and I'd go so far as to say it's of even higher quality than the Leapers mount. The machine work is clean and you can install a different mounting rail if the desire overcomes you.
UNKNOWN #1
PHOTO: If you know who makes this mount, please mail me.
EASY SCOPE MOUNT
PHOTO: If you know who makes this mount, please mail me.
FACTS: I've only ever seen one of these and never looked too closely at it. This picture is a very good indicator of exactly how ugly it is. The finish isn't very even, but the part is cut from one piece of steel except for the top of the scope rings. If you look closely, you'll see a cap at the end and a hook type device at the bottom. The end cap is removed to reveal a large bolt which can be turned to tension the mount in place. It basically wedges the receiver cover in place to retain the zero.
GLUE ON
FACTS: You're reading right! This black aluminum weaver type mount is designed to be glued to the original receiver cover. This is the ultimate in three departments. It's ultimately inexpensive at $4.00 each, light as a feather, and lower than low profile. Unless a person buys tall rings, the original sights may as well get removed from the rifle because they will be rendered useless. Attaching this mount to your rifle will give also give you the closest thing to a DC Engineering mount, short of the side flanges, as can be.
Finding one of these is a challenge, but there is hope. After months of searching by numerous individuals, FOURTYBIKES was the one to discover that CENTERFIRE SYSTEMS (1-800-950-1231) sells them for $6.97 ea or $40.00 for 10 ($4.00 each). Add shipping to that and you could be spending close to $10 for each one, so buying in bulk has it's advantages. Then add to this the cost of the mounting rings. Then comes the need for some quality glue. These are still inexpensive but, all things considered, if you don't have all the extras lying around the overall cost can soar past $25.00 for one of these setups.
PHOTO: Click to enlarge the above mount installed on MKAYMAN's SKS.
REVIEW: I've seen glues and epoxies that WILL adhere this mount to a receiver cover PERMANENTLY. If I weren't so darned polite all the time, I'd be so bold as to call someone a BLASTED FOOL if they were to do this to a receiver cover that was either Russian or of the same serial number as the rest of the rifle. However, buying a spare cover and attaching to it is not only wise, but still probably less expensive than the cheapest receiver cover mount. There is quite a bit to be said about the stability of the original dust cover. Please see my newest EDITORIAL regarding receiver cover mounts for more (surprising) information.
THE OLD "DRILL THE ORIGINAL COVER AND BOLT ON TWO 1" MOUNTING RINGS" TRICK:
Although this method can technically work and is definitely inexpensive, it really isn't a good idea. If you can somehow manage to get your two holes lined up perfectly along the barrel axis, then find a place to put the fastening hardware without interfering with the bolt carrier's operation, then maybe you can get ten shots off without having to tighten the fasteners. I assure you, no amount of LOK-TITE and recoil buffers will keep the rings on secure enough for more than a few shots, never mind the fact that you just ruined your receiver cover...
OTHER MOUNT VARIETIES
FACTS: ATI, makers of SKS stocks, also makes an all aluminum bolt on scope mount. I believe this is the one sold in the Bushmaster "Hunter Pak". This is an incredibly low profile scope mount with a weaver plate and a recess cut into the side to facilitate the continued use of the take down lever. Although the receiver cover has little room to move, it's still easily extracted and replaced beneath the mount. The bolt carrier cannot be removed without first removing the mount. Mini scopes will have no problems from the looks of it, but full sized scopes will require a shell deflector.
REVIEW (By Frank H.): In talking to the designer, I was shocked he said they intended for the over the cover drill & tap scope mount to be pulled off & re-mounted every time you want to remove the bolt for cleaning. He did say they designed it to return to zero. Also, if the scope is off, you can use your iron sights as there is a deep groove valley in the weaver mount rail with the iron sights easily visible. To me, having to diddle with screws, re-mounting & Locktite, etc... was a big letdown, but, in honesty, this unit would re-zero pretty tight if you pulled it and re-mounted it. Done properly, there would be no slop between the holes in the mount and the supplied screws. One could use a bore snake pull through or something to clean the barrel, & pull the bolt assembly less often in a compromise to still use this mount. (Spray type cleaners could also be used to clean the bolt and carrier while still in the rifle - Dave) It does ride low and it should be solid once its on, which are both pluses. It's not "all" bad, but there's the scoop. COMMENTS: The following are two nightmares, submitted for your approval. Could you imaging the horrors of cleaning your rifle if it has the ATI scope mount and the ATI Fiberforce stock? The bolt carrier would be buried alive! Another dark image is accidentally cross threading or, gasp, stripping the tapped out holes in the receiver. Not only do you have a useless mount, you've now got four worthless holes in your rapidly depreciating SKS.
FACTS: Apparently this mount has undergone some improvement since it was first marketed. Although there is only one type sold today by B-Square, one may find a few slightly different variants of this mount depending on now old it is. This black aluminum mount attaches to the receiver by replacing the cover retaining pin. It is tall enough to see under which allows use of the gun's sights. It has a standard dovetail base and includes the rings. This mount will not fit folding stock models nor do I believe it would fit Fiberforce stocks without special fitting.
PHOTOS: The old style to the left has no lobe. Click the new style to the right to enlarge.
COMMENTS: This bulky mount looks a little clunky on some stocks, but can look rather nifty on others such as the Choate Dragunov. It requires the original receiver cover pin to be filed off and has set style screws. The location of these set screws depend on the model of mount. Although the rifle retains it's original receiver cover, it's a juggling act to align both covers and get the new pin through all five holes. As for maintaining a rock solid zero, the B-Square instructions speaks for it's self, "there may be slight 'springing', but remember the mount wants to go-down upon firing the gun". A bouncing scope mount, huh? If there were ever a mount that needed to be re-zeroed after it were removed, THIS is that mount. Getting the mount in exactly the same spot with the set screws tightened to exactly the same length is more a matter of luck than design. One forum message states appreciation for the fact that the owner can slap this sucker on the rifle and pull it off without upsetting the value of his piece, but this in not necessarily true seeing how the original retaining pin must be filed off to install this kit.
If you own or are thinking of owning this mount, you owe it to yourself to see the receiver cover replacement pin on the MISC PRODUCTS page.
GAS TUBE MOUNT: At one time, B-Square made scope mounts that clamped to the gas tube. This is a perfect arrangement for red dot sights or long eye relief scopes, however gas tube isn't known for it's stability. More than likely that has something to do with the fact these are no longer produced.
FACTS: I'm not sure if I've seen this exact mount, but I have seen one lately that mounts to the side of the receiver, which allows the use of stripper clips and eliminates the need for brass deflectors with larger scopes. It is made of black aluminum and the rings hugged close to the side of the receiver. The iron sights are COMPLETELY unobstructed if an average sized scope is used. The one I saw had a MONSTER scope attached, so 1/4 of the rear sight leaf had to be removed to accommodate. Although this prevented the rear sight from elevation changes, the sight picture was still wide open.
COMMENTS: I have written these guys about five times and left three messages. No response... Side mounting solves the loading /ejection problems but adds the problems associated with side mounts. The centerline of the scope was roughly two inches left of the centerline of the barrel. To someone right handed, such as myself, it was a unique pleasure to keep my head in line with my spine. To my southpaw friend it was a pain. Literally. His head was craned at a 90 degree angle, hanging over the whole rifle, just to see out of the scope. This is an otherwise unique item that I have only seen on older Russian and German rifles.
FACTS: This black anodized mount is made of aluminum for lightweight strength, this mount has a design which accepts full-size scopes and protects them from shell ejection. It is fastened to the receiver wall for maximum durability and guaranteed not to loosen or lose "zero". I believe this mount is manufactured by ATI.
FACTS: These mounts are invest cast out of 4140Steel and blued to match the gun's finish. They are designed to use Weaver type one inch rings and are raised to allow the shooter to use the iron sights as well as a scope. The mount is designed to be mounted to the side of the receiver, therefore drilling is required.
REVIEW: I recently had the pleasure of examining one of these units on a rifle. I now understand why they say "rock solid". I can't express, at this time, how sturdy this mount was on that rifle.
K-LOC
FACTS: I do not believe these mounts are in production today. I've only ever seen pictures of them in Duncan Long's SKS book. Since one may find this mount on a used rifle, I think it's useful to list on this page. The picture indicates that the mount is both a brass deflector and a scope mount. Perhaps mounting this part a little further back is possible?
INSTA-MOUNT FACTS: Also known to S&K as model number 3465, this is a three piece mount designed to accept any standard scope and mount to an SKS without any drilling and tapping. The mount is attached to the right of the rifle by replacing the receiver cover locking pin, similar the B-Square mount. A stabilizing leg descends from the front left of this mount down to the rifle to support the front of the mount. This front stabilizer is held steady by either a set screw or, if a more permanent solution is desired, drilling and tapping. The mount itself facilitates the continued use of stripper clips. One outstanding feature of this mount is that the base has a windage adjustment! No other scope mount in this line up can claim this ability. Furthermore, there is a lifetime guarantee on this piece of hardware.
COMMENTS: From the diagrams and pictures I've received, it appears the front scope ring is mounted so far forward that no matter what you do, the scope will get in the way of ejecting casings. It appears that the ring locations are preset and not adjustable. This isn't exactly a design flaw as brass deflectors or short scopes are no new story with SKS's. It also appears that this mount is very burly and should remain quite stable. I have yet to try one myself, but it appears that the receiver cover can be removed without removing the whole mount. However, if one were to not drill and tap this mount, it would come apart if the retaining pin were removed for proper cleaning.
SKS DRILL/TAP FACTS: Also known to S&K as the DT465, this mount directly attaches to the left side of the receiver by drilling and tapping three holes. This is a two piece design requiring no stabilizer. This permanent mount is roughly $20 less expensive than the insta-mount.
COMMENTS: Unfortunately, no pictures or diagrams were sent with the S&K information pack I received. From the installation instructions, it appears that the mount is very similar to the 3465. I'm assuming the side plate and the top plate are a mirror image (same part only left oriented, not right) of the 3465 including the windage adjustment, but I could be wrong. I'm also assuming this part is quite burly, so it should remain rock solid if mounted properly.
FACTS: Made of all steel, this see through mount is vented mount is surprisingly light. The mount comes with quick detachable rings and everything necessary for installation.
COMMENTS: What a FINE looking mount from an OUTSTANDING company! I have always been impressed with Weaver mounts, so I'm assuming the quality of this mount is unsurpassed. It looks as if this mount is attached via the dust cover pin similar the the S&K and B-Square mounts, but it's hard to tell from this picture. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these to field test!
FACTS: Millet creates a way to attach mount systems that replace the rear sight of your rifle. The mount is all steel and is specially designed for the (ever-so-quick to acquire a target) red dot sight. You can purchase the mount separately or buy the complete sighting system which includes the red dot sight, Angle-Loc rings and base. Special thanks to DDCOVER for the heads up on these guys.
Click to enlarge. From the Millett catalog.
COMMENTS: Red dot sights are *not* scopes and are used for an entirely different type of sighting. In case you weren't aware, a red dot sight has a shaded lens in which a red dot is projected onto. The dot is not projected on the target, but appears to be when viewed through the sight. The dot is only visible when the rifle is perfectly lined up to the target. These sights rarely magnify but for some people provide a much easier to use sighting system than standard iron sights. With iron sights you need to focus on three objects (rear sight, front sight, and intended target) which is takes practice and can be hard on the eyes. But with a red dot sight, simply focus on the target line up the dot and pull the trigger. These sights are very quick in acquiring a target and are frequently used for close quarters tactical shooting.
ABOVE: SKS Paratrooper with ATI Ultralight stock in the folded position (pre-ban, of course!) sporting a Millet mount and red dot sight.
I have never seen one of these sights on any weapon. As for how well they work, William A. writes, "I have to say that it's some piece of work. Mounted my Bushell 4x9 on it gave it the ole push pull tug will not move a inch." What I can gather from looking closely at the picture is that they look very well made, but it appears the whole mount needs to be removed to clean the gas tube. The original rear sight on my rifle doesn't wobble so, if the mount were machined to fit precisely enough, I don't think the Millet would either. Is that a screw toward the back to adjust elevation? Personally, I like red dot scopes, and if you never really shoot over 50 - 100 yards, perhaps you should consider one of these.
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