C. Ray from United States, CA Public Profile

MFT who gave us what’s become the universal lightweight Minimalist buttstock has some amazing polymer products that really work.
If you’ve got an AK-47 stamped receiver, this design will allow you to mount a red dot sight that holds zero better than Midwest Industries barrel-clamped design and runs cooler than the Ultimak design that locks down the gas tube to provide a secure rail. It’s secure and it’s a test of your optic to see if it BBQs.
The MFT Tekko holds the rail above - and away from - the gas tube, secured to the lower guard by four stud screws tightened into the bottom guard. It’s like a rail on a canopy held firmly above the hot, vibrating gas tube. The bottom guard is a tight fit, but once the front and rear snap in their notches, it DOES NOT move. It has tabs that look like they’d fit into the top tube flanges, but to reduce vibration you should trim away any part of the tabs that contact the upper guard. It’s less prone to the effects of barrel harmonics because it’s not clamped to the barrel.
It sells for about $40. Compare that with designs that can’t do what the Tekko does.

When I put together my first chassis rifle I’d already concluded that 6.5 Creedmoor was the best caliber for the kind of target shooting I do (400yd steel), and I was impressed with the price and performance of the Howa 1500 I owned in .308 Win.
I ordered a Howa barreled action in 6.5 Creedmoor, and bought an MDT chassis in their LSS-xl model. There’s not much to complain about for the price of the LSS-xl, it’s a nice chassis. When I decided to accurize my Howa in .308 Win I assumed I go with the MDT line. Then I began seeing ads and videos for the XRL Element which sold for the same price, but the XRL didn’t require its own magazines (it would take my AICS mags), and the style was closer to MDT’s HS-3 which is significantly higher-priced than the LSS-xl.
I began researching the Element and found most reviews favored it over the KRG, a $800+ chassis. It would take an M4 or A2 stock without an adapter, and OpticsPlanet had the Element for the HOWA 1500 on sale for $400.
When I assembled it I was so impressed with the XRL I switched out my 6.5 Creedmoor and put it in the Element and put my .308 Win in the MDT chassis.
I had no idea how much it would maximize the potential of the Creedmoor round. It just fits me better from the size of the trigger guard (too large on the MDT allowing my finger to slip under it), the length of pull and the magazine feed which was a problem for the LSS-xl even using MDT mags. My accuracy is not only improved, it shoots better with less e

The versatility and function of this bipod puts it in the same class as the Atlas and the Accumax bipods that sell for over $200.
It really is that good! As of 08/23/2018 you won’t find this model reviewed or demonstrated on YouTube: it’s that new!
But the legs extend forwards and backwards, independent of each other with no external springs and the carbon fiber construction makes it extremely light but stronger than 6061 aluminum. Positions for height aren’t slotted like the Atlas, but the easy twist without spring tension makes them easier to adjust. The knurling on the leg locks gives a firm purchase for an easy twist to unlock, and they’re re-locked with just a firm twist back.
Like the best bipods on the market, you can level your rifle with one leg fully extended and forward wile the other leg is straight down and retracted. Cant and swivel (180*) to find your target, but a large tensioner extends two inches out when you want it locked down.
A twist loosens the leg extensions, but they stop at maximum length with no danger of falling completely out. You can have both legs retracted to the rear, but pushing the leg release buttons allows them extend all the way forward and they’re slotted for multiple angles in between.
NOTE: the only problem you may encounter is trying to use the M-Lok model if you don’t have M-Lok slots for it. You can use adapters, but you can avoid the whole problem by getting the rail mount model. Most people will find it makes an easier a

My first AR15 upper - as a civilian - was an A2 with the fixed carry handle. It made any kind of optics a challenge: the fixed handle sits up higher than the detachable version, and the detachable puts your scope up 2” (app.) high, as it is. But this upper is an original DoubleStar chrome-lined, CHFB, so it was worth working with it.
This NcStar mount fits snugly in the sight groove of the handle and bolts down firmly like an anchored ship. The extension, in addition to lowering the rail that runs level over the barrel, compensates for the kind of riser you likely have on your red dot optic by lining it up with the standard height front sight. I get a great co-witness from my Vortex Sparc on it’s riser, and if you’ve got a Sparc you know how many mounts say “will not co-witness with Vortex Sparc”. If you DON’T have a Sparc, that maybe your reason.
It not only holds a firm zero, the way it fits squares off the front curvature of the carry handle giving it smart looking OEM look and less of an aftermarket/retro look.
A nice-looking, co-witnessing mount that still allows a scope to be effectively mounted on the handle for $15.00?
There may be more expensive solutions, but you won’t find a better one.

I didn’t get my current Vortex Viper from Optics Planet, but I’ll buying my second one here! This is a really versatile optic: hunting, target, PRS. The Second Focal Plane reticle keeps its size as you magnify your target. FFP keeps the ratio by magnifying your crosshairs! That’s a good way to lose small targets under a thickened reticle line. Estimating the distance and placing it properly on your reticle is just a matter of knowing your scope. I’m getting a second 6.5-20x50mm Viper because there’s nothing in the market that competes for less than $700 (and that’s the equivalent Leupold, another excellent SFP scope).

I've tried this side-by-side with a Magpul PRS on one AR and this on another.
THERE IS NO COMPARISON! The SSR-25 is far superior!
This SSR-25 is lighter and sturdier, especially given the monopod option!
I read a previous review that says an AR doesn't need a cheekrest. Really? Everyone is built the same and mounts their sight picture in exactly the same way?
I need a cheek rest because my Weaver 40/44 6-18x44mm has a 59mm outer objective diameter! That 1/2" rise lets me comfortably rest while - with one finger - I dial the monopod adjustment to put my target perfectly into the center of my crosshairs.
I thought it would be a gimmick, but it's a little bonus that I can't live without now that I've used it.
Fab Defense/Mako always makes quality AR parts, but they can be pricey! But this stock sells for $50 less than the PRS!
The PRS is a good stock, but it's not in the same class with the SSR-25! Do not buy the Magpul without checking this one out, first!
Someone asked about sling attachments. The last cut-out in the SSR-25's vent hole is exactly the right size for the standard sling!
Someone else said they didn't care about looks. Well, I care a lot! And this stock is beautiful!

All those $50 scopes that don't hold up on a Mosin Nagant had me paying $399 for the excellent Burris offering.
At $150, I waited on this Vortex scope a long time.
But would anything cheaper do the job? Anything in the same $150 price range?
There is another popular brand 2-7x32mm for the same price, but mine was defective, and they don't have Vortex's legendary Warranty and Customer Service. I was able to return it to the place that sold it after no luck with their phantom customer service.
I just got another Vortex to see f I could scout scope my AK.
Amazing!
I won't be returning this one anytime soon! If I do my experience with Vortex assures me it wil be a minor inconvenience.
It was worth the wait!

I don't know why it surprised me that this scope exceeded my expectations. I was less than impressed with another Weaver scope; I guess I didn't have a high opinion of the brand.
This scope has changed all that!
$200 should get you a decent scope, but this is far beyond decent!
Very bright sight picture, I went with the Varminter, and the crosshairs are what I'd have for all my scopes. It's very easy to get on a
400 yd paper target. It's also easy but firm dialing in the obj and the eyepiece, and the click-adjustments are defined and crisp. The range officer where I shoot was skeptical of my DoubleStar barrel because it's chrome-lined. But he took three shots after I got it zeroed and got a dime-sized group at 100yds.
My comparable 6-18x44mm scopes are a Vortex Crossfire and a Redfield Revolution. Is 20x magnification significantly better than 18x?
I didn't expect much difference, but I definitely see and appreciate the advantage.
It doesn't come with any lens coverings, but if you go with Butler Creek, a number 43 (58.7mm) Objective and a number 10 (38.5mm) Eye/Ocular fit like factory.

Whether or not you have your scope balanced it doesn't do you any good if you're holding your gun at an angle. Your target may be leaning. If you angle your rifle to align with your target, you no longer have a balanced scope. If you shoot from a bipod that's swiveled, this device tells you - at a glance - if your scope is precisely above your point of aim.
At 50 yds, the effect is minimal. But I start at 100 yd. on paper targets, and at 400yds. the slightest tilt magnifies the variation 8x the deviation you got at 50 yds.
Some shooters may not need this as much as I do. I've found this attachment has improved my accuracy immeasurably. For consistently tight groups at 500 yds this is required equipment.

This is my fourth Vortex optic, I knew the glass would be clear, with good contrast. I've had experience with their lifetime warranty and customer service. They don't just stand by their warranty, they have a policy of sending a free shipping label to cover the cost of sending it back. The return time was surprising too! You might think they'd dog it just to make customers less prone to send back minor problems if they had to wait a bit. Mine, a CS-2 1-4x24mm, was back in my hands in two weeks.
But the price difference for that little dot on the "6-18" that glows seemed like too much.
It would be fine if I'd gotten the other one, and if the battery goes dead, it probably won't cost me a shot. But it's nice! Not marginally bright like the other one. This one can't be maxed out under normal circumstances. Depending on the day it will reduce the sharpness of the dot to go to the highest setting. But when it's required, that setting isn't distorted.
It's not a small scope! It kind of dwarfs the Browning A-Bolt (.22-250) I bought it for. But it's well-balanced and reasonably light. I have another name brand in 6-18x44mm on my AR. A higher end scope, but no red dot. It's a close call, but I prefer the Vortex!
In every category, from simple red dot to long range varmint, Vortex beats it's competively priced alternative.