Do you agree that AK-47 is the most iconic gun ever made? It may be easy to use and reliable, but it is not known for accuracy. The solution to that problem is to get the best scope for AK-47. With a proper scope, you’ll be able to enjoy all the usual benefits of the famous weapon along with increased precision. There are many different models on the market, which is why we wanted to complete this guide and make it as easy as possible for you to make your choice.
What makes the best scopes for AK-47? Objective lens diameter determines how much light gets into the scope. Then there are other key features such as magnification, the field of view, and eye relief. Along with that, there are key specs such as length, weight, and warranty. Do you want to learn more to find the best scope for AK-47? Let’s get started!
More features: SFP, fully multi-coated optics, aircraft-grade aluminum, waterproof, fog-proof, shockproof, capped reset turrets, fast-focus eyepiece
Our team thinks that this is the best scope for AK-47 rifles. It comes at a great price while representing incredible value for money. The magnification is great at up to 9x, and the objective lens diameter is 40mm, which is going to let in plenty of light.
There are also many other reasons why this is the best rifle scope for AK-47. As such, the optics are very clear and have the highest level of build quality. Next, its shock and fog-proofing ensure it will last for many years, while the fast-focus will allow you to make accurate shots very quickly.
What we liked: This ticks all of the boxes on what makes a great scope. It holds its zero very well, and the optics are bright and clear to make the most accurate shot. The level of construction is very high, and it can easily cope with the high forces involved.
What could be better: It’s hard to pick any hole with the quality of this scope as it’s excellent for the price. It lacks clarity at the highest magnification, but this shouldn’t be an issue because you can reduce it a bit.
More features: SFP, quick-detach picatinny scope rings, 2″ sunshade, zero lockable and zero resettable target turrets, emerald coated lens, Mil-dot reticle, red/green illumination
This is the best AK-47 scope for anyone on a budget. Even though it’s on the lower end of the price scale, it still has plenty of quality throughout. It has a lens diameter of 32mm with a magnification of 9x, which is excellent for long-range.
The AK-47 rifle scope has many great qualities, such as the clear mil-dot reticle, lockable zero, and sunshade. It has an impressive quality and decent eye relief and weight. Additionally, it comes with a 2-year warranty, so you can be assured of its solid construction.
What we liked: For a budget model, the accuracy here is very impressive, and it holds its zero very well. Durability is also high, and you can tell that this was built to last. All of that adds up to excellent value for money, and this scope is comparable with more expensive models.
What could be better: There is only a very small area where you can install the rings, and this can make the mounting process a little difficult for some people. As you can expect, the quality isn’t at an elite level.
More features: illuminated green reticle, forged aluminum housing, shockproof, fog-proof, merged aiming point
If you’re looking for a premium level AK-47 scope, then this is going to be perfect. It’s only a compact tool but has exceptional technology inside it. That includes an illuminated reticle that allows you to make an accurate shot even in low light conditions.
The AK-47 rifle scope weighs a little less than 10oz and fits very well onto your weapon. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so you know you’re getting the highest quality. On top of that, it’s very tough. But most importantly, it allows you to shoot with high accuracy, and that’s aided by the 4x magnification.
What we liked: The quality throughout this scope is exceptional, and it’s what you need if you’re looking for the very highest quality. The optical clarity is phenomenal, and it’s a fantastic aid in getting more accurate shots. Additionally, it’s backed by a great warranty, so you can’t go wrong with this pick.
What could be better: If you like to wear glasses while shooting, then this might not be for you. The eye relief isn’t very good, and you’re expected to have your eye next to the eyepiece. That may be a deal-breaker for some.
More features: parallax-free, IPX-7 water resistance rating, 10 illumination settings, Spectracoat, comes with M1913 Picatinny low mount riser and co-witness 1.41-inch riser mount
If you want a red dot scope for AK-47, then you could do a lot worse than this model. It’s brilliant in its capability and is ideal for those looking for simplicity and accuracy. Because it weighs 5.1oz, it feels very light on your rifle.
The objective diameter of 20mm and the lack of magnification show this is a scope made for getting accurate shots at short to medium distance. The 10 illumination settings make it great for low light, and the immense durability helps to make this the best red dot scope for AK-47.
What we liked: The installation of this scope is very simple, and you’ll have it set up in no time at all. Its compact size makes it great to travel with. Additionally, it’s battery-powered, and that charge lasts for a long time thanks to its ‘shake to wake’ feature.
What could be better: It feels unjust putting it in this segment as it’s not intended to be a long-range scope. There is no magnification here, and it’s important to make a note of it, so you’re not disappointed.
More features: SFP, IP65 water resistance rating, zero locking system, an illuminated reticle with 11 brightness levels, comes with flip-up covers
In our opinion, this is the best tactical scope for AK-47. It has an objective lens diameter of 24mm, which is on the lower side with a magnification that goes up to 4x. But that should still be more than enough when shooting an AK-47.
The eye relief is a little on the lower side at 3″, but the field of view here is excellent at up to 94.8 feet at 100 yards. It makes it ideal for those who like to scan the landscape. On top of that, it can handle tough environments, which are shown by its high water resistance rating.
What we liked: The reticle on this is excellent and allows you to aim your shots perfectly but without it being too distracting. Also, the build quality is fantastic, and you can use it in all environments.
What could be better: It’s no surprise with all the features it has that this is one of the heaviest models out there. It’s not going to make much impact on most users as it still weighs only 16.5oz. Therefore, there shouldn’t be much of an issue.
More features: FFP, red reticle illumination with 6 brightness settings, side-mounted parallax adjustment knob, fast-focus eyepiece, waterproof, fully multi-coated lenses, comes with lens covers
If you’re looking for an option that works perfectly in low light conditions, then this could well be the best scope for AK-47. It has a very wide objective lens diameter of 44mm that is going to let in a lot of light. Moreover, it has an incredible magnification of up to 14x.
The AK-47 scope doesn’t have the longest eye relief, but it’s not too bad at just over 3 inches. The warranty is quite long at 3-years, which shows you the faith the manufacturer has in the build quality of this scope. Overall, it is easy to use in all conditions.
What we liked: The clarity of this glass is exceptional and allows you to have a clear view of whatever you’re looking at. It holds the zero very well, and the stability and quality are shown throughout. Additionally, the illuminated reticle is very useful and allows you to make precise shots.
What could be better: This is the heaviest scope that we’ve looked at here. It’s 24oz, which isn’t too surprising considering the size of the objective lens and the magnification. If you are searching for something lighter, you may need to look elsewhere.
More features: multi-layer anti-reflex coating, front and rear flip covers, transparent rear cover, hard-anodized aluminum alloy housing
Aimpoint has been able to make a brilliant red dot scope. It has that unlimited eye relief, which helps to make the scope exceptionally easy to use. That’s also helped by the 38mm lens diameter that lets in plenty of light.
The optics are great, which includes a multi-layer coating that gives you excellent clarity. The anodized aluminum body is highly durable, which is why the product comes with a warranty. Also, it’s easy to set up, but this isn’t the ideal solution for anyone who wants magnification.
What we liked: The battery life is excellent on the scope and keeps it illuminated for hours. The rugged build quality is ideal for those on the go, which includes it being waterproof. Generally, it’s compact and highly portable, giving it superb usability.
What could be better: The only annoying aspect of this scope is the large mounting knob on the side of this model. It can get in the way sometimes as we wish it was just a little bit smaller.
More features: shortened base, 12 brightness levels, compatible with both 1″ weaver and MIL-STD 1913 rails
EOTECH is another company that has made a compact scope of the highest quality. It’s a unique design, which is another great option for those who want to be more accurate from close to medium range. Also, the weight of 9oz is quite low.
As with the other types of similar sights, this doesn’t have any magnification, but it gives you a wide field of view with unlimited eye relief. There is a range of different brightness levels, and the reticle enables you to get accurate shots every time.
What we liked: This ticks all the boxes on what makes a brilliant scope for AK-47. The overall quality is very high, which is shown by the clarity of the optics. Thus, it’s a scope that you can rely on, and the wide field of view makes it very easy to scan.
What could be better: There are not many negatives here as this is a highly effective tool that is easy to use. It is, however, fairly expensive, and therefore, it won’t be ideal for those who are looking for a budget option.
More features: SFP, drop zone reticle, fully multi-coated optics, fast-focus eyepiece, IPX-7 waterproof rating, height adjustment lever
For those that want to make exact adjustments, then this scope is going to be an excellent choice. It allows you to make long-range shots, which is aided by the 4x magnification and the 24mm objective diameter.
As you can expect, the optics are very impressive and also multi-coated. It comes with a full lifetime warranty, and that is partly due to its high waterproof rating but also its solid body. It has great features, and it would be a useful addition to any AK-47.
What we liked: As with all of the scopes on this list, the clarity is impressive and allows you to get accurate groupings. It’s also easy to install, so you won’t have to wait long to have it fixed on. The scope is ideal for anyone serious about making shots from a distance.
What could be better: The low-light performance of this scope isn’t the best. That’s shown by its fairly narrow objective diameter and also the average illumination it has.
More features: SFP, 6061-T6 aluminum housing, fixed parallax, twilight light management system, waterproof, shockproof, fog-proof
This Leupold model may have a fairly simple design, but inside, it boasts a fantastic range of features. The low-light performance here is very good, with an objective lens diameter of 40mm along with the impressive light management system.
It has a fantastic magnification of up to 12x, but that does limit the field of view. Also, you can feel the level of construction, and that’s back by it being both waterproof and shockproof. It’s no wonder that you’ll get a lifetime warranty with it.
What we liked: There’s a lot to love about this scope, with the high magnification being one of the factors. It’s excellent for long-range shooting and picking out targets. Lastly, the clarity is excellent, and that comes along with the superb build quality throughout.
What could be better: High magnification means you have to give up some field of view. It means this isn’t ideal for those who like to scan the landscape. We also thought the scope turrets could have had a better feel to them.
When looking for the best scope for AK-47, it’s important to check all the specs. All the models that we’ve looked at here are highly rated but are different in their own ways. That’s why we’ve created this buying guide to give you the knowledge you need to get exactly what you want. This includes going through all the key features, along with answering some FAQs. By the end, you should have a clear idea of the best scope for your AK-47.
Everyone has their own requirements and looks for different things from their scope. Do you want to use it at night? What distance will you be shooting from? What type of reticle do you prefer? These are the kind of questions you need to answer. With each of the key features that we go through here, it’s a good idea to take note of how important it is to you. Once you do this, you’ll quickly be able to build up a picture of your best scope for AK-47.
The objective diameter determines the amount of light that enters the scope. This isn’t much of an issue when the sun is shining, but it can be a big factor in low light conditions. The 32mm of the Trijicon BAC ACOG Riflescope are fairly standard and suitable for most conditions.
If you want exceptional low-light performance, then the 44mm of the Primary Arms FFP Scope would be perfect.
The downsides to a large objective diameter are that there are more chances for dirt to get on the lens and the increased weight and size of the scope.
The AK-47 is not a Barrett M82. Exceptionally high magnification is great, but the AK-47 wasn’t designed for precise single shots from a great distance. That’s why many of the best scopes for it, such as the Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight, don’t have any magnification at all and just work as fantastic aiming devices.
If you want to try and shoot at longer distances accurately, then the Primary Arms 4-14×44 FFP Scope would be perfect for you as it has incredible 14x magnification. It’s one of those specs that seem vital, but for an AK-47, that’s not always true.
Another thing you should know about magnification is that the higher it is, the narrower your field of view will be. The field of view determines how wide your viewpoint will be when viewing it through the lens. This is usually rated at 100 yards, and the 36.8 feet of the Trijicon 4×32 BAC ACOG Riflescope is fairly standard.
If you want a wide field of view, then the 89 feet of the EOTECH XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight would be perfect. This is ideal for those who like to scan the landscape through their scope before picking out a target.
A scope will either have its reticle on the first focal plane or the second focal plane. First focal plane scopes will have their reticle in front of the magnification lens.
When you zoom in on your FFP scope, the reticle is going to increase consistently with the magnification, which can be better when shooting at long range. With the second plane, your reticle is behind the magnification lens and never changes in size.
Which is better? Well, on first plane models, the change in reticle size allows you to have compensation adjustments much easier at long distances. At high magnification, however, the lines can become quite thick. While the first plane is usually better for long-distance rifles, with AK-47’s, it’s not a huge issue.
The reticle is those fine lines in your view which allow you to aim to the very center of your scope. This is usually associated with the simple crosshair, but there are many different types out there, such as the duplex that has thinner lines in the middle.
There is also a dot reticle that simply has a dot in the middle of the scope or even a mil-dot scope that has dots on it equal to 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
Eye relief determines the distance your eye needs to be from the scope to get a clear view. This is especially important if you’re wearing glasses or if your eye is naturally going to be a few inches from the lens.
Red dot sights have the benefit of having unlimited eye relief. This makes them very easy to use. In contrast, the Trijicon 4×32 BAC ACOG Riflescope has an eye relief of just 1.5”, so your eye needs to be right on the lens.
An average AK-47 weighs a little over 120oz and is fairly light for a rifle. That means you can be quite perceptive to any weight that is added to it. Thus, the Sig Sauer Romeo5 1x20mm Compact Red Dot Sight could be the addition you’re looking for at just 5.1oz.
It could be, however, that you don’t mind carrying that extra weight around if it means having the perfect scope for you.
A warranty can be important in the buying process of any product. With a scope, you expect it to have a certain level of quality to withstand the harsh environment you may find yourself in.
The Trijicon 4×32 BAC ACOG Riflescope is an example of a scope with a lifetime warranty that will give you the ultimate in protection.
Not only the warranty gives you confidence in its quality, but it also shows the amount of faith the company has in its own product.
The prices on AK-47 scopes vary depending on the features and specs they have. A top-end scope can cost over $1,000 as you get phenomenal quality throughout. If you want a premium scope at a more affordable price, then you can get the likes of the Eotech XPS2 Transverse Red Dot Holo Sight at around $500. This is a compact model with a durable design.
In the $100-$250 range, there are many impressive options available such as the Primary Arms 4-14×44 FFP Scope. It still has a range of excellent features while being easy to use. On top of that, you will be impressed with its magnification.
You can get a great scope at under $100, as shown by the Leapers UTG BugBuster 3-9×32 Riflescope. It has decent quality and can help you make those accurate shots.
We loved all of the scopes on this list, but we were especially impressed by the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 Riflescope. It has that perfect combination of professional quality but at a great price. Thus, it won’t let you down, and you’ll love the results you get from it.
If you are on a budget, then you can’t go wrong with the Leapers UTG BugBuster 3-9×32 Riflescope, which will still give you great groupings. If instead, you want the highest quality optics, then the Trijicon 4×32 BAC ACOG Riflescope is what you’re looking for.
While these three were great, we could easily have highlighted any of the scopes here. It’s important to get the best scope for AK-47 that suits your shooting style while also getting the right mount. Once you do, you’ll love the increased accuracy you have with this most famous of weapons.