Originally Posted By calicojack: on the smaller one... drop it down like you did on the dog leg. how secure is it in your current model?

That won't work too well. What happens is it places the weight further back with more leverage on the leaf spring. It then moves around too easy. I tried that by simply placing the red dot all the way to the front of the dog leg model.

Originally Posted By calicojack: if your going to go that route, design a flip up front sight....

What benefit would the flip up front sight provide? If i can size it correctly so that it sits in the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of the glass it doesn't seem like it would be bothersome. I see the AR's with flip up everything. Why do they do that?

Originally Posted By calicojack: it's used for distance scopes, so that the sight does not interfere with the sight picture.\ which if i do end up getting a "beryl" style rail, which is what both yours and dph's designs technically are, i'll have both a red dot and a distance scope on quick release mounts. effectively making my ak an spr of sorts.

Cool, I get it. Actually, when I started down this road I was just looking to make a steady and precise scope rail that sat low enough that I didn't have to put my chin on the buttstock to look through the optic. Then the requirements started to creep to include a reflex, co-witnessing, peeps, folding BUIS...

I agree with you on that one. Some of these things seem kind of obvious but, I don't see available solutions out there for whatever reason. How much did you have to raise your front sight?

It seems to me like a complete solution to make this set-up work properly will need to include a taller front sight, beryl type rail, and adjustable rear peep sight. A kit like this would allow you to configure the weapon with your choice of most any reflex, a scope, or simply use the peep with the doubled sight radius. Quickly configure for the particular day's shooting as needed.

Well, after lots of measuring and researching different iron sights and optic combinations etc.. it almost seems that for little more effort one could make a top cover inspired by this FNH. Nice loooong flat top rail that you could attach an unlimited number of combinations to. I don't know that I'll do this but, I am looking into the feasibility right now.

Whataya think?

Originally Posted By calicojack: omfg. nut. you owe me a keyboard.

I'm guessing you like it.

I might be cutting metal as early as tomorrow. One of the perks of being a gun owner that owns a machine shop.

any updates?

That's awesome! Is this something you plan on producing? Does it replace the dust cover or mount over it?

Originally Posted By AK47CBR: That's awesome! Is this something you plan on producing? Does it replace the dust cover or mount over it?

It is something I plan on producing. It didn't really start out that way. I was just goofing around with my AK and before I knew it, there I was doing new product development.

It does replace the dust cover altogether. This thing is so different than the Dog Leg rail I started this thread on that I think I should start a new thread for this rail system. I'll provide some further details and pics on that new thread. Thanks for the help so far. You too Calicojack.

Originally Posted By Liquidmetal: Do you plan on producing both systems, or is the dog-leg dead? I prefer the simplicity of the dog-leg (or a variation thereof) myself.

I plan on both systems. The Dog Leg is just on hold for a little while until I get the Flat Top done.

i sent you a message about one of your dog leg's. I've got an immediate need for a beryl style rail, and like yours over dpharm's atm. if you could, please reply to it.

Originally Posted By mcad3333: i like it first monolithic rail for an ak. can you put a step down in it like your dog leg rail to allow co witness. maybe make a cut out for the sight block so it could poke out the top similar to the ar carbine rails that are cut out for the front sight. also figure out a way to hinge it so you can clean the rifle. also create an extension on the end that also has a rail section but set to the height so an ar backup sight can be used. all of thes are just ideas and your already just came out with a very idea for the ak.

What a good idea!!!! A hole in the rail to let the rear sight block poke through. I can't believe that one totally escaped me. It may or may not look a little funny I'll have to try and see. Tomorrow morning I'm going to cut a hole in it to see if it works. The only concern I have is it may weaken the rail and allow it to flex. I'll just have to cut it up and try it.

Putting a dog leg in the flat top isn't compatible with the design as it stands now. The only reason I had put the step in the Dog Leg rail was to try and make the rear end low enough so a BUIS could co-witness through the optic's glass with the front sight. In practice it didn't work. I couldn't find a red dot that was low enough. That's what lead me to develop the long flat top design which measures about 18 inches. Now you can have both the iron sights and the optic all mounted on the same plane which gives you unlimited sighting options.

The cover will hinge at the front. The method was explained in an earlier post.

I'll copy and paste this entry into the Flat Top's thread so others can follow.