The All Purpose AK Thread

[Kommander]

I have no doubt that if one really wanted to that you could get a high quality red dot made in China. Of course then it would cost so much that people would rather stay with a known quanity than take a chance with something just a bit cheaper.

[landser]

Aimpoint isnt made in the U.S. they are made in sweden few good things are made here anymore.

[Kommander]

Erm...who said anything about US made?

[landser]

oh caught me a fish on the first cast.... exactly my point who cares where its made as long as it works properly thank you for undermining the whole chinese tiawan argument right there. So point of origin is not an issue itsquality that makes or breaks the deal

[AKFTW]

Only reason I'd get a PA micro first is because I'm not made of money, and I've never used a red dot before. I just want to make sure I like them. If you told me a year ago that I would be getting a red dot, I would think you were crazy, remember

[Dave_M]

Even the guys at PA say that their RDS' aren't for duty use.

[Kommander]

oh caught me a fish on the first cast.... exactly my point who cares where its made as long as it works properly thank you for undermining the whole chinese tiawan argument right there. So point of origin is not an issue itsquality that makes or breaks the deal

So were going to play Gotcha now? Great.

When the Chinese actually make an optic that can compete with the Aimpoint/Trijicon/EO Tec crowd then their point of origin not matter. Until then Chinese optics will be considered inferior to the big three makers. They very well may never bother trying to compete with the big three if they can make more money churning out cheaper optics. As for PA well this thread is an intresting read.

[MikeM]

Even the guys at PA say that their RDS' aren't for duty use.

Yup, that's why there is a PA Micro on my AK, but an Eotech on my AR. The AK just doesn't rate that high end an accessory

-Mike

[Dave_M]

They very well may never bother trying to compete with the big three if they can make more money churning out cheaper optics.

QFT.

The only reason why people buy Chicomm optics is because they are cheaper; there is nary -any- other consideration other than the bottom dollar.

[landser]

This is beginning to feel like talking to Gabe suarez and I would rather be talking to Jim fuller or Anthony Navarro.

[AKFTW]

I know they aren't aimpoints. I also know that the cost of labor is factored into the price of a product in order to make a profit, and swedish labor (a country where the average salary is $80,000) costs a hell of a lot more than chinese labor. Would I rather be supporting swedish labor? Absolutely. But we need to remember materials are not the only factor in the price of a product (patents, the price the market will bear, etc), and I can't afford an Aimpoint right now. Is the PA Micro inferior? Absolutely. Is it junk? Absolutely not. I think it will be a good entry level optic so I can get the flavor for red dots.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

This is beginning to feel like talking to Gabe suarez and I would rather be talking to Jim fuller or Anthony Navarro.

Meaning? I recognize one of those three names, and only because someone told me to look at Jim Fuller AKs for ideas.

[Polley]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

[hatchtrikk]

This is beginning to feel like talking to Gabe suarez and I would rather be talking to Jim fuller or Anthony Navarro.

Meaning? I recognize one of those three names, and only because someone told me to look at Jim Fuller AKs for ideas.

If I'm interpreting him correctly, he is insinuating that this thread has become like Warriortalk. Meaning that the only opinion you are allowed to have is Gabe's.

Not the case landser.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin

[AKFTW]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

I have used that, it's too clumpy. Get their watch lume formula on the specialty paints page, it works a lot better!

[Dave_M]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

Better than white-out, not as good as Tritium. Plus side is if it wears off you can re-apply. I would go for one of the paints that is colored in the daytime as well as night (and also not generally naturally occurring in nature and drawing to the eye). Red or vibrant orange seems a good choice.

[Dave_M]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

I have used that, it's too clumpy. Get their watch lume formula on the specialty paints page, it works a lot better!

First-hand reviews are better. Good to know.

[Polley]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

I have used that, it's too clumpy. Get their watch lume formula on the specialty paints page, it works a lot better!

Their website says that the paint I linked to is similar to acrylic. I've painted with acrylics on many surfaces (yay for painting ceramics after school while in elementary!) and had to give a demonstrative speech while I painted with them last semester. The clumping really wouldn't be an issue as there are a few ways to "thin" out acrylic paints. I would assume this paint would be the same?

[AKFTW]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

I have used that, it's too clumpy. Get their watch lume formula on the specialty paints page, it works a lot better!

Their website says that the paint I linked to is similar to acrylic. I've painted with acrylics on many surfaces (yay for painting ceramics after school while in elementary!) and had to give a demonstrative speech while I painted with them last semester. The clumping really wouldn't be an issue as there are a few ways to "thin" out acrylic paints. I would assume this paint would be the same?

Trust me. Get the watch lume stuff, you will be much happier. It's the same shit with MUCH smaller particles, way easier to paint a sight post with. The size of the glow particles is the issue, not the paint consistency itself.

[Polley]

So... would it be possible for me to get an answer regarding this product's use on iron sights now?

I have used that, it's too clumpy. Get their watch lume formula on the specialty paints page, it works a lot better!

Their website says that the paint I linked to is similar to acrylic. I've painted with acrylics on many surfaces (yay for painting ceramics after school while in elementary!) and had to give a demonstrative speech while I painted with them last semester. The clumping really wouldn't be an issue as there are a few ways to "thin" out acrylic paints. I would assume this paint would be the same?

Trust me. Get the watch lume stuff, you will be much happier. It's the same shit with MUCH smaller particles, way easier to paint a sight post with. The size of the glow particles is the issue, not the paint consistency itself.

I planned on painting two dots (or similar) on the rear leaf and just the top portion of the sight post to make a (ghetto) tri-dot sighting system on my AK and/or other weapons.

[AKFTW]

I planned on painting two dots (or similar) on the rear leaf and just the top portion of the sight post to make a (ghetto) tri-dot sighting system on my AK and/or other weapons.

For srs, I trust me on this one.

[Polley]

I figured it'd be easier lining up my sights if I could actually see both of them.

EDIT: Okay, will probably end up using the watch stuff. How bright is it, however, and how long does it glow?

[AKFTW]

I figured it'd be easier lining up my sights if I could actually see both of them.

EDIT: Okay, will probably end up using the watch stuff. How bright is it, however, and how long does it glow?

No data for you there, I haven't really run any tests with it. It should glow all night though, bright enough to see it at least.

[Polley]

I figured it'd be easier lining up my sights if I could actually see both of them.

EDIT: Okay, will probably end up using the watch stuff. How bright is it, however, and how long does it glow?

No data for you there, I haven't really run any tests with it. It should glow all night though, bright enough to see it at least.

Is there any way you could do so before I make this purchase? What colour is the watch paint, anyway? Light green or white (though I believe the latter is quite unlikely to be found while also being bright enough) would be ideal and I'd like a decent amount of glow for an alright amount of time. I'm assuming that some brief "recharging" from a flashlight would get them back in full running order again, but I'd like to use said flashlight as little as possible. It wouldn't be a major issue, but not having to worry about frequent recharges like that would be nice. I understand this is a glowing paint and not a battery-powered thing, so obviously it will be different.

As long as it lasts a pretty good amount of time and takes little time to "re-charge," I'll be happy.