Scout Scopes

YOUR BEST CHOICE FOR MOUNTING OPTICS ON SKS, AK AND VZ58 RIFLES

AK Mount Review by Surplus Rifle


Scout Scopes AK Mount (or “the ‘Burnernikov’ gets some glass”) -article by Burner

A short time ago, our humble host Jamie, did a review on the Scout Scopes SKS mount. Well, knowing that I was about to complete the building of an AK type rifle, Jamie asked me to do the testing and review of the Scout Scopes AK mount. This can be summed up in three words: “I like it.” It has to be one of the best and simplest “no gunsmith” mounts I have ever seen.

The Project Begins
Surplus Rifle AK Scope mount review step 1

SAFETY! Make sure the rifle is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before continuing with the project.

The finish and machine work is outstanding to say the least.
The mounting pins and holes for the top rail are machined to a very close tolerance and fit snugly even without the mounting screws tightened. (Figure 2) The rail is rock solid after the screws are locked down.
Surplus Rifle AK scope mount review The base is even machined to use as a standard iron sight when the top rail is removed. (Figure 3)
Installation of AK scope mount Installation on my AMD65 was quick and simple. After insuring that the weapon was unloaded, chamber-empty and safe, I placed it in the vice. Then, having no pin to remove, I used a screwdriver to press down and to the rear and popped out the rear sight.
Surplus Rifle Review of AK scope mount

With the sight removed I then proceeded to install the Scout Scopes mount.

I loosened the four screws and removed the top rail.
Scout Scopes AK scope mount review After loosening the screw on the front pin, I removed the pin.
AK scope mount review Like Jamie, I also used a quick clamp to press the mount into place.
Surplus Rifle scope review

I then reinstalled the pin and tightened the screw, using a drop of loc-tite to keep it in place. (Figures 8A and 8B)
Scope Mount for AK rifles


Scope Mount for AK rifles

Then, using a laser, I bore-sighted the new rear sight to the rifle and evenly tightened the four mounting screws.
Scope Mount for AK rifles

Now to install the scope:

The top rail was installed and the four screws tightened starting with the left side first as per the instructions (always starting with the left-hand side screws helps with the repeatability of the scope mounting and not needing to re-zero each time it is removed).
Installing the scope and top rail

After all four screws were evenly tightened, the scope was installed.
Finished product of scope mounted

The long eye relief scope was installed using normal mounting procedures and bore-sighted using a laser sighting system.

Targets and Finished Product


lerThe “Burnernikov” (AMD65 kit build) with the Scout Scopes scope mount and Long Eye Relief Scope installed.



red dot


The “Burnernikov” (AMD65 kit build) with the Scout Scopes scope mount and Red Dot Scope installed.



target acquisition Then came the trip to the range to be sighted in properly.

Scope used: NC Star 2.5 X20 LER

Ammo: Wolf 122grn HP

Rifle: The “Burnernikov” (AMD65 kit build.)

After sighting in and warming up the rifle, five test shots were fired, the scope was removed, re installed, and five more shots fired at a different target. The results were an almost identical grouping. (Figures 11 and 12)
testing scout scopes mount accuracy All in all, this is a very good product and a must for scout style mounting on any AK style rifle.

My recommendations for improvement would be to make the rear sight groove wider and to have some sort of thumbscrews for top rail removal. This would eliminate the need for a hex key in the field.

Burner…