Kvant and Molot side mounts on VEPR K

[DarkĘther]

I recently found a LNIB VEPR K 7.62X39 at a gun show long after giving up on ever getting one($650 after tax, he didn't have any more).

I wanted to put a reflex and low-mag scope on it so I got a Trijicon Tripower, a Kvant side mount and a Molot Vepr/AK/Saiga Extra Low Profile Side Mount, Weaver Rail w/ 30 mm Rings with plans for a scope later.

The Kvant isn't listed anymore, but the Molot is here:
http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=506

I wanted to put the Tripower on the Kvant, but the stock 30mm ring that came with the Tripower wouldn't fit becuase the top side of the rail was too tall over the outside edge, pushing the sides of the ring too far apart for the bolt to reach. The Molot 30mm rings that came with the other mount would fit on the rail, but the cross-cuts were too narrow for its bolt to fit through.

I put the stock Trijicon ring on the Molot mount and it fit fine. Does anybody know of any good rings that will fit the Kvant mounts?

The Kvant went on and off of the side rail very easily, but seemed solid in the locked position.

The Molot mount went on not nearly as easily(easy but much slower), came off a lot less easy(used the wooden handle of a hammer to get it off), but seemed rock-solid in the locked position. Mine is the extra low profile, leaving more than 4mm but less than 5.5mm of clearance between the bottom of the rail and the top of the receiver cover. This left the iron sights visible through the center of the rail with the rear sight in the lowest position. In a higher position, the rear sight obscured the front sight. This mount also put the rail dead-center over the bore, as close as I can see visually.

I'm definately a newbie to mounting optics, but I though that Picatinny and Weaver were interchangeable. Is it that Picatinny rails will take Weaver accessories but Weaver rails may or may not take picatinny accessories?

When I get it set up the way I want it I'll take some pics.

[454]

Do not have an exact answer, byt something to keep in mind. Russian scope mounts are adjustible, i.e. your Kvant can slip on as tight as Molot, and Molot can be loosened up. There is a "happy medium", where mounts slide on/off w/i using too much force, but still keep their zero.

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/clamp.aspx

[Tacticalweapon]

The Molot/Vepr extra low profile mount, is also windage and elevation adjustable so that you can use American made optics on your AK. It solves the AK bore-axis problem.

[DarkĘther]

I'll adjust the tension on the mounts after I get a little range time and can tell how tight they actually need to be. It is obvious though, the threading on the Kvant throw-lever is much steeper than on the Molot mount(like a slower twist, so the kvant tightens a lot more in half a twist). Also, the Molot lever does not have the cam that locks into the circular cut in the side plate.

I have seen the bore-axis stuff on the adjustable mounts on the robarm page, but I don't see how it would work on this mount as the pins are already driven through the affected parts. That may be more work than I am interested in doing. If the tripower won't zero I'll probably just move it to something else.

I will say that the reticle clarity on the tripower is worlds ahead of my C-more.

My main problem for now is finding a 30mm ring for the tripower that will fit the Kvant.