Let’s Talk About Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts
The Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts promises a lightweight and simple solution for mounting red dot sights on your AK platform rifle. Tdi Arms aims to provide a stable, low-profile platform by replacing the rear sight, facilitating co-witnessing with iron sights. I’ve spent countless hours modifying and optimizing AK variants for various roles, and a reliable optic mount is always a crucial upgrade.
My primary need was to find a lightweight, non-permanent mounting solution for a red dot on my AK without adding significant bulk or requiring extensive gunsmithing. I was particularly interested in something that allowed for co-witnessing, maintaining the utility of the iron sights as a backup. The advertised ease of installation and low profile of the Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts initially appealed to me.
Upon unboxing, the mount felt surprisingly lightweight, almost too light. The hard anodized aluminum finish seemed reasonably durable, but I immediately noticed the absence of any mounting hardware. This raised a red flag given the product description detailing attachment via a “steel screw & nut.”
I had considered alternatives like the Midwest Industries AK Railed Scope Mount and the UTG PRO AK Side Mount, but I opted for the Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts hoping for a simpler, less bulky solution. The side mounts, while robust, often add significant weight and can interfere with the AK’s balance. The promise of a simple rear sight replacement was attractive.
My initial impression was a mix of disappointment and concern. The lack of mounting hardware was a significant oversight, and the reported fitment issues from other users tempered any initial excitement. This already felt like a potential return.
Real-World Testing: Putting Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts to the Test
First Use Experience
I attempted to install the Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts on my standard Romanian AK at my local shooting range. This location provides a safe and controlled environment to test firearm accessories. Despite carefully following online guides and even consulting with another AK enthusiast at the range, the mount simply would not fit securely without the proper hardware.
The fitment issues were compounded by the mount’s inability to sit flush with the receiver. I tried to see if the mount will work for a co-witness with iron sights but was unsuccesful. The mount felt flimsy and unreliable. It’s worth noting that the weather was dry and mild, eliminating environmental factors as a cause for the poor performance.
Extended Use & Reliability
Given the initial fitment issues and missing hardware, I couldn’t realistically conduct extended use testing. The lack of secure attachment rendered it useless for anything beyond a brief, unsuccessful installation attempt. I didn’t want to risk damaging the mount or my rifle by forcing it into place.
Based on my initial experience, I have serious doubts about its long-term durability. The lightweight aluminum construction, while appealing for weight savings, doesn’t inspire confidence in its ability to withstand the recoil and vibrations of sustained AK firing. I can see this mount failing with heavy use.
Breaking Down the Features of Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts
Specifications
- The Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts is made from T6160 Aluminum, chosen for its lightweight properties. This material is meant to balance durability and weight.
- It features a Hard Anodized Teflon Coated finish, intended to resist scratches and wear. This coating aims to protect the aluminum from the elements and usage.
- The mount replaces the rear AK sight, offering a Picatinny rail for optic attachment. It’s designed for red dot sights, providing a low-profile mounting solution.
- The specification of Absolute Co-Witness indicates that when using iron sights through the mount’s channel, the red dot should align perfectly with the iron sights. However, the poor fit prevents me from even getting to this stage.
- It is listed to fit Kalashnikov AK-47 rifles, implying compatibility with standard AKM pattern rifles. The reviews and my own experience contradict this claim.
These specifications are crucial for ensuring a stable and accurate optic mounting solution. However, the advertised features are meaningless if the mount doesn’t fit properly and lacks essential hardware. The co-witnessing capability is a significant selling point, but it remains untested due to the aforementioned issues.
Performance & Functionality
The advertised function of the Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts is to provide a stable platform for mounting a red dot sight while maintaining the ability to use iron sights. The performance, however, is severely hampered by the poor fit and missing hardware.
The mount completely fails to meet expectations. The issues with the product are: (1) absence of the needed screw and nuts, (2) unfit to the AK47 rifles.
Design & Ergonomics
The design concept is sound – replacing the rear sight with a low-profile rail could be an elegant solution. The lightweight aluminum is a plus for those seeking to minimize added weight.
However, the poor execution in manufacturing and the missing hardware negate any potential ergonomic benefits. The mount’s inability to sit flush and the absence of proper attachment hardware make it unusable.
Durability & Maintenance
Given the fitment issues and lightweight construction, long-term durability is a major concern. The aluminum could potentially crack or deform under the stress of recoil, especially with repeated firing.
Maintenance would likely be minimal, assuming the mount could be properly installed. Cleaning the rail and ensuring the screws (if they existed) remained tight would be the primary tasks.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts is intended as a base for mounting red dot sights. There are no other included accessories or customization options.
The mount is theoretically compatible with any red dot sight that utilizes a Picatinny rail mounting system. Due to the poor fit of the mount with my rifle, I was unable to test this compatibility.
Pros and Cons of Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts
Pros
- Lightweight design.
- Potential for co-witnessing iron sights (in theory).
- Low price point if it worked as advertised.
Cons
- Missing mounting hardware.
- Poor fitment on standard AK-47 rifles.
- Questionable long-term durability.
Who Should Buy Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts?
This product is theoretically perfect for AK owners seeking a lightweight, low-profile red dot mounting solution with co-witnessing capabilities. It would appeal to budget-conscious shooters looking for a simple upgrade.
However, nobody should buy this product in its current state. The issues with missing hardware and poor fitment make it unusable for most, if not all, AK platforms. A must-have modification would be a complete redesign and quality control overhaul.
Conclusion on Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts
The Tdi Arms AK47 Short Scope Mounts is a complete disappointment. The promising concept of a lightweight, low-profile red dot mount is completely undermined by the critical flaws in execution.
The value proposition is non-existent. The low price point is irrelevant when the product is unusable out of the box.
I would not recommend this product to anyone. Spend your money on a reputable mount from a known manufacturer.