bp-02 question

I`ve learned from the research I`ve done that there is a newer version of the bp-02 low mount w/ an improved throw lever(from Tantal) . Because Tantal was out of stock I contacted Eastwave about their availability & was told this info was an incorrect rumor & that the mounts have not changed in 20 yrs. Just want to get the facts. Can anyone confirm one way or the other? Would like to get the improved version if it does in fact exist. - From Tantal: "BP-02 now has an improved throw lever which includes a positive latching detent tab design that will securely lock the sight onto the rifle while allowing the throw lever to be completely flat against the bracket base." & from Eastwave : "This is one of the online stories that are not always true. We're the
manufacturer's dealer and work with these products for many years.
In fact, design of these mounts have not been changed for at least 20 years.
There are many Chinese and other replicas with unacceptable quality are
currently on the market but they're not the original ones.

There were different modifications all the time but the difference was in:
- high or low rise
- AK/Saiga or SKS/SVD mount

Now the high rise has been discontinued and there is only the low rise
version with 2 modifications(AK/Saiga or SKS/SVD mount ).

Regarding the color,
these mounts are manufactured for military purposes and the color may be
different depending on a last large order but it still the same model.
Usually, the manufacturer does not produce them for retail purposes but only
if they have a bulk order from the forces. Currently, the AK/Saiga mounts
come completely in black and the SKS/SVD mounts have a black body with
silver liver and brass rivets (screws)" - Not trying to stir the pot between good businesses but somebody has their facts wrong.

Over the years I have seen at least two versions and maybe three versions. The early ones slid on the rail from the other end. I forget which way which one went but one from the front and one from rear. The earliest ones were "fixed" by adding a set screw to keep them from coming loose. This was an owner fix not factory. The later ones slid on the rail from the other end. One was open in front and the other was open in the rear. The very best ones are suppose to be the black (very dark gray) ones. The early ones were a metallic light gray color.

Thanks alles, I may order from Eastwave & see what I get.

Here`s another reply I got from Eastwave, seems to have cleared the confusion. - "The Tantal is a good web site .They have a lot of interesting information but the main problem is that some articles on this site are very old . This type of mount was new 3-4 years ago . One short period the manufacturer produced two types of transformers : first type was strongly for SKS/SVD rail like that
http://www.eastwave.ca/products/scopes/sksrail.html
and the second type was strongly for AK rail
http://www.eastwave.ca/products/scopes/akrail.html - this type had a small addition for the liver to secure the transformer on the rail .With the time the construction of this transformer was changed due to the necessity to make this transformer more universal and closer for many western standards. Today this version with the small liver addition does not exist anymore due to the universality of the AK/Saiga mount. Even more, if you find this old version there is a high possibility that you won't be able to use it on you rifle unless you have a classical Russian AK side rail." - Think I`ll give it a try, they seem to know their stuff & were very helpful.

the gist i got from tantal was the bp02A had a longer rail. i bought a bp02 from a member and it works great. seems pretty solid and i've got a 3# nv scope on it.

Good to hear Motorhead. When I first checked Eastwave`s site I didn`t see the mount, must`ve missed it. Tantal e-mailed me back that they were`nt sure on when they`d get any more so I`ll just go w/ eastwave. Does the mount set the scope at a good height & what rings did you use(low, med)? I was thinking medium height rings would work well w/out a cheekpad. Thanks much( p.s.- your gun is an m72, correct?)

nope. g build with a tantal screw on rail. i'll post pix later.

winston had the yugo. yugos have a really odd rail. check the link i posted in his thread for a genuine zrak yugo scope made by real yugs. and it aint even chromed! it is the real deal from sarajevo though. priced accordingly.

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48868