In this article, we’ll show you the best AK peep sights available online today as well as the best AK rear sight upgrades and AK night sights that are far superior to the stock rear iron sights.
Many of these AK sight upgrades incorporate tritium day/night sights that improve daytime shooting as well as shooting in low-light conditions.
Note: A few of these AK rear sight upgrades include an upgraded front sight post in a complete set.
What Aree AK Peep Sights?
Aperture sights are a popular AK rear sight upgrade that many prefer over the stock AK slot cut open sight design.
Often referred to as an AK peep sight or Ghost ring sight, it is a type of aperture sight used on AK rifles as an upgrade that does not come standard on AK rifles.
Consisting of a small hole, or aperture, through which the user looks to align the rifle with the target.
This type of rear sight is considered more accurate than standard open sights and is favored by many competitive shooters for their speed in target acquisition and accuracy.
The main advantage of using peep sights on an AK rifle is that the small aperture allows for more precise aiming than open sights or other types of aperture sights.
This makes them ideal for long-range shooting where accuracy is critical.
Best AK Iron Sight Upgrades in 2024
We’ll be breaking our AK iron sight recommendations into two sections. First, we’ll be taking a look at our favorite AK-47 rear sights followed by AK night sights, and finishing up with AK rear sight optic rails.
Best AK-47 Rear Sights
For those looking to keep their AK rifles looking stock and don’t plan on using an optic, these AK rear sight upgrades and front/rear sight combos may be just the thing you’re looking for to help achieve better accuracy when shooting your AK rifle.
These upgrades are easy to do at home on your workbench and are a worthwhile expense if you want to keep the weight down on the already heavy AK platform.
#1 GG&G AK-47 Ghost Ring Peep Sights
We are always the first to recommend an AK peep sight, also known as a Ghost ring sight, for those looking to change out their open sights to something that will help them acquire targets more quickly and shoot more accurately.
For those who don’t like rear sight notches, GG&G offers this amazing-looking ghost ring replacement sight that measures 800 meters.
Easy Upgrade
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Ghost ring sights make it easier to aim accurately than standard notch sights. They also improve your ability to focus on the front sight post to ensure more precise shooting and target acquisition.
The model in question is 800m (870 yards), but you can also get a model that extends to 1000m (AKs aren’t as effective beyond 400-500 yards).
However, the 800-meter model should be sufficient. The installation is the same as other rear sight replacement options.
Best AK-47 Night Sights
These AK night sights are the perfect iron sight upgrades with added Tritium inserts on the rear notches and the front sight post when sold in the combo set.
If you’re looking to update that old AK iron sights system with something a bit more modern, look no further than these bad boys.
Add the functionality found on modern handguns with Tritium inserts on the front and rear posts to bring your aim into the 21st Century!
Below is a list of our most highly recommended night sight upgrades for your AK rifle.
#1 Kensight Rear Sight Trijicon Tritium AK Night Sights
The Kensight rear AK night sights replacement leaf will allow you to see well at night, allowing you the ability to find targets under the cover of night.
Great For Low-Light Shooting
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“Used this on my Kalashnikov KR-103 and its perfect. Nailing steel easily at 100yds and gone are the days of trying to find the right sight picture. Super accurate and easy to install.”
Pute
Simply remove the stock sight leaf, replace it with this one from Kensight, and enjoy the benefits of improved sight acquisition and low-light visibility with this high-quality upgrade.
#2 Kensight AK Night Sights W/Trijicon Tritium inserts
This combo made by Kensight includes both the rear AK night sight leaf and front sight post upgrade for those who want a better 3-dot sight picture.
Best Combo Sight Deal
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“Fits perfect and looks great. Couldn’t ask for anything better. The Trijicon Tritium AK Night Sight are a perfect addition to my firearm. In addition I also purchased a folding stock and muzzle break.”
BDRELGN
Get the benefits of modern-day and night sights found on handguns for your AK rifle. Reviews for this front/ rear sight combo are incredibly positive, as the below comment attests.
#3 Meprolight Tru-Dot AK Night Sights for AK47
Looking for an affordable solution to combine night sights and other features? Meprolight TruDot AK night sights are a cheaper alternative to the Trijicon tritium inserts.
Great Value Sight Set
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“Love these sights!!! Been wanting nights for my AKM and decided to try this brand. Glad I did cause it looks a lot better than my factory sights (not there’s anything wrong with them). Installing the front was no issue, but the rear took a little longer (about 5 or 6 minutes if you don’t have a table with a vice). Anyone who owns a AK platform will enjoy this. I highly recommend it. Just make sure you get the correct one.”
Rico Roberts
These sights still perform well and make great upgrades to stock AK iron sights. They can also be adjusted for windage or elevation.
Mostly good reviews for this rear/ front night AK sight set. We found a comment that echoes our sentiments on this combo by the reputable Meprolight brand.
#4 XS Systems Express Tritium Rear AK Night Sights
This XS AK night sight system will be a big hit if you are looking for a unique rear sight system to fit your AK.
Unique V-Notch
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“A great sight for the AK platform. Instant target acquisition and accurate to distance.“
William S
The tritium day/night vision is fully adjustable and has a set screw that can be adjusted to center it.
#5 Meprolight AK-47 AKM Pattern Rear AK Night Sights
This Meprolight sight post is a great option if you want to save money and have only AK night sights at the front sight.
Best Front Sight Upgrade
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“Good night sight if you like to keep it simple. A little big but it gets the job done. I’m using mine with a peep sight without too much trouble but I’m not looking for sub moa with this product. Installation is easy as you would expect and the tritium stands out just fine in low light.“
Lear
It can be installed easily with an AK sight post tool, which you can find on Amazon by clicking one of the links below.
Makes Sight Adjustment A Breeze!
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Note: The second link is a cheaper, lower-quality sight tool that should get the job done in a pinch (at least a few major uses before breaking!). Or, you can just spend a bit more, select the first link, and enjoy that German-made craftsmanship we all know and love.
Best AK-47 Rear Sight Rails
Another popular upgrade that replaces the rear AK sight blade is an AK rear sight rail that can be easily installed by removing the stock AK rear sight leaf.
This is great for adding a small red dot optic to your AK that puts it in a great position without adding much weight or causing the rifle to feel out of balance.
Adding an optic to a rear sight rail will keep the optic stable while holding zero and increases your field of view which will help your situational awareness.
It also doubles as an iron sight so you don’t lose any functionality when replacing your AK open sights. Below is the rear sight rail we recommend the most when asked.
#1 Strike Industries AK Rear Sight Rail
This affordable Strike Industries rear sight rail converts your AK rear sight into a 1913 Picatinny rail for mounting low-profile optics onto your AK rifle.
Precision-Machined Aircraft Aluminum
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“Solid machining. Mounts solidly and easy to install and adjust. This is my second purchase of the strike rail, I liked the first one so much. Recommend it for a inexpensive way to scope your AK series rifle.”
DS
These simple rear sight rail replacements make mounting a red dot sight on your AK a breeze and will hold zero as well as using the standard side rail scope mounts that add a lot of extra expense.
#2 Samson AK-47 Rear Sight Rail
Are you looking to replace your rear sight leaf with the highest quality option to securely mount your red dot sights?
Samson accepted the challenge and created a steel optics rail made from super strong and durable steel.
Effortlessly Holds Zero!
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“This is a rock solid mount that makes all others seem cheap. It is well worth the money, and holds zero perfectly with a micro red dot. Don’t waste money on cheaper mounts. This is sitting on top of a yugo and I couldn’t be happier with it.“
NOYB
It can be installed on your rear sight block and allows you to use the iron sights thanks to its transparent v-notch design.
Although it is a little pricey, it will be the last rear sight rail you’ll ever buy! You know the saying, “buy once, cry once” is a motto we should all live by. We were impressed with its high-precision build quality, durable materials, and effective usability.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading the stock iron sights on such an old platform as the AK-47 will noticeably improve your sight picture in daylight as well as in low-light shooting sessions.
If you’re handy with tools and feel comfortable doing these upgrades yourself, you’re in for a real treat that will reward your efforts tenfold!
Of course, you should seek the help of a competent gunsmith if you’re not comfortable doing these iron sight upgrades yourself.
