Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Thinking of extended riser instead of one piece scope mount. Any reason not to?

I suppose some of y'all have been down this road before. How did it go? My face must be different than most because most one piece mounts are too high for me.

I suppose it is best to have a cantilever extended riser and not lock up the reciever with rail?

I've looked hard at the Aero precision one-piece upper monolithic but I wonder if they flex with a tight sling too?

There are extended risers that let you attach rings to suit you. Back in the day an ARMS #5 rail I think was pretty popular.

Today there are better choices from Precision Reflex used on the first SPR's to John Burns' extended rail.

John Scandale is making one that is lower. It's the only one I'm aware of that is lower than 1 1/2" above the deck.


You only attach them to the upper receiver, not the handguard. They will flex if you attach them to the handguard.

I'd just buy a $10 Gunbroker 5" extended rail and $10 rings. That way you can adjust the height perfectly for only $10 a try.

I'm not sure what you mean by, "not lock up the reciever with rail?"

GS-1 is 6061 T6 with full clamp bar, two SHCS, and thread inserts. As a mounting base, it functions great for ring spacing (wide) and scope height. Not sure how well it will hold up long-term though. Seems fine, but I haven't used it enough yet.

Depending on scope (ocular), the GS-1 might not get you as low as you want. Their Scout rail might work though.

Robert-What ARs and mounts do you currently own?

There are several manufacturers that make good one piece mounts that will get you under the 1.5" height.

Badger is one I would look hard at.

This one:
Armalite 1” scope mount assembly, medium


$89.00


Armalite’s Scope Mounts provide outstanding, repeatable engagement with all MIL-STD 1913 rail systems, placing the scope centerline at the same position as the iron sights of a model A2 Rifle.

Medium height and accept up to a 50 mm
Fits on AR-10®, M-15, AR-30, AR-50
1.250″ from top of upper receiver to center of scope rings (approx.)
Torque on the 1913 rail screws: 40 inch lbs.
_________________________________________________

The 1.25"/high fits me fine but I am not too too crazy about the bolts that hold it together. I also have the sWFA/SSALT but it is too high for my liking.

Found the Burns doodad:
http://wyomingarms.com/product/wyo-lok-optic-riser/


The WYO LOK Optic Riser was developed to overcome the shortcomings of the more traditional cantilever optic mounts for the AR-15/ AR-10 style rifles. By utilizing a full length rail clamp and 7 cap screws the design offers improved strength and added versatility when attaching an optic to the AR style rifle or other types using a M1913 Picatinny rail.
•6.375 inch length
•0.500 inch rise
•Machined from 7075 T6 Aluminum Billet
•Type III Hard Coat Anodize
•Lightweight
•7 locking cap screws spaced for optimal mounting versatility
•Patent Pending
•Specifically designed to rigidly lock and align upper to free float tube
•Specifically designed to allow optic to be mounted forward for proper eye relief
•Made in Cody Wyoming USA
•Allows multiple optics to be switched without affecting weapon
_______________________________________________

.5" rise in this.

This looks interesting.

I am thinking I might get the Leupold PRW's in medium.


Use the PRW rings when a cross-slot format is desired or necessary but detachability isn't. Leupold PRW solid steel rings secure directly to the base with two screws for rock solid dependability.

Technical Information
Material: Steel
Ring Height: 1" Tube (measured from base of ring to bottom of scope tube)
•Low: .230"
•Medium: .350"
•High: .480"

Ring Height: 30mm Tube (measured from base of ring to bottom of scope tube)
•Medium: . 350"
•High: .480"

I have the Wyoming Arms riser and am happy with it. A riser / ring setup is heavier than some single piece mounts, but the WA riser is built like a tank.

It's also less expensive if you're switching different glass on the same rifle. A few years ago I used the same gun to shoot a sniper match one morning and then carbine and 3Gun matches that afternoon and next day, by switching between a 3-9 and a 1-6 on the same gun. All I needed was a set of rings rather than an entire QD mount for the second scope.

I'm using Burn's riser you linked above and the Leupold QRW 30mm. Before that I had the one inch PRW. I like the set up and it has held zero.

While I like the riser and ring set up a lot, for another rife I have, another option I'm considering is adding a Magpul cheek riser to the CTR stock so I can use the Aero mount. This should still give me the cheek height I want and allow me to keep my MBUS on.

The Aero mount and Magpul cheek piece would be five ounces. The Leupolds and the Wyoming riser are 10. (Weighed on a cheap kitchen scale.)

Here is a link to an old thread with some good info in it:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8610282/1

http://shop.hahn-precision.com/BUIS-Cut-Scout-Rail-ASRCO2O5.htm

I have one of these. Worked great for what I needed it for - being able to move and use a known scope mounted in QRW rings for loading testing on a couple of different AR's.

I no longer have any use for it - if anyone's interested just pm me.

What about the Aero uppers that have the tube connection forged as a solid part of the upper? Surely that is going to be help keep things straight, especially where you would be mounting the forward part of the scope rail. Less flex there.

http://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/ar15-m4e1-enhanced-upper-receiver.html

I looked at the picture, looks like a longer version of the ARMS SWAN mount. But in the picture it does not show how it it locks to the receiver; no cross bolts etc. How does it work?

With all the different height one piece mounts available why go with a rise and rings? All I see that doing is adding one more joint to possible loosen.

That would make it too easy.

I don't know of a one piece mount lower than the Armalite he is using now. Do y'all?

Hmm, most bolt guns. Reciever. Bolted down base. Rings bolted to base.

ARs Reciever. Riser bolted to base. Rings bolted to riser.

Somehow it works on bolt guns mostly.

Remember the AR already has a base built in unlike most bolt actions. Of course, you could make it work either way but they make mounts specifically for the AR that vary in height and have enough offset to get correct eye relief with most scopes. Unless you swap optics between AR's and bolt guns, the picatinny rail that's on your upper receiver is the only base you need, just get the correct mount.

For me, AR mounts with a 1.4" height (from top of receiver to center of scope) is about perfect.

this was pretty tough to arrange and will probably fall off...but i'll deal with it to get ER and ring spacing latitude.

What rings give you enough forward placement of the scope to get proper eye relief on an AR?

Mine sit at least 1 3/4" - 2" ahead of the charging handle.

YEs it does work and it will work with the AR's also but there is always a chance of it loosening and with the quality selection of AR mounts I just don't see the need. I like the concept of Ruger and Sako bases made right into the receiver.

Maybe you guys have me on ignore but he's already tried the Armalite mount and it was too high for him. In my experience, that means an extended riser and rings to suit.

Unless you guys know of a lower one piece mount. Anyone?



Toad that is a whole lot of screws to bolt together, I don't know how you did it... LOL

How about just rings that fit the Picitiny rail instead of using a riser and rings? Say using medium or high mounts right to the picitiny rails on the gun?

Doesn't get the scope far enough forward.

Off the top of my head, ADM makes one, the Recon X. LaRue makes one also, the SPR-E. There are others but those two are the ones I am most familiar with.

The standard Recon and SPR mounts have worked for me though. I haven't found a need for a extra long one. Most of my optics sit just forward of the charging handle with a standard AR LOP.

As mentioned, Badger Ordnance makes one. ADM and Nightforce make them also. I'm sure there are more that I'm missing.

How about a link, I sure can't find one any lower that retains the forward shift.

Remember the Armalite is 1.25" to center line of scope.

1.25" is low, real low.

http://www.badgerordnance.com/unimounts/34-mm-1-piece-unimount-extra-high-1-3-high-4-625-long.html

https://www.triadtactical.com/Badger-Unimounts.html

The Nightforce is 1.375" to center line.
The ADM recon 1" is 1.380" to center line.

That's all I could find as well so he's out of luck on one piece mounts if the Armalite is too high for him.

Yeah, thats odd for that mount to be too high. I'd be interested to see a picture of him shouldering the rifle.

I never said it was nirvana, just pointing out its not going to be any worse than other setups....

I know a Troy BUIS won't fit under one without modification.

But I have had people ask me about lower mounts before and I just didn't know of any. Although I think it's more due to an unusual height over the bore compared to a bolt gun than a fitment issue with most.

Armalite at 1.25" works just right for me. Perfect height. To add to the confusion... Armalite now makes a 1.5" high version.

I have never handled the 1.3 or so models, I do know that the SSALT is too high for my face/head.

I generally end up prone at the dairy farm shooting ground hogs so maybe that adds to my experience... I dunno.

Thanks a million for all the feedback.

Bob, I think these high mounts must be for close & fast shooting, because they sure ain't any good for prone. Maybe there is some other reason (co-witnessing, etc) that doesn't have to do with ergonomics.

When 90% of the good AR mounts are close to the same height, you would think they were on to something. I'm sure if a 1.25" height mount were "ideal," then LaRue, Badger, Geissele, and Nightforce would offer one.

I guess if you are trying to shoot NTCH with a scope you might run into some issues with mounts though.

It's funny that the irons are 1.4" above the rail same as LaRue mounts and most others.

But yes they do fine with close and fast shooting.

"When 90% of the good AR mounts are close to the same height, you would think they were on to something."

HA!

Without doubt I am an odd duck; on more than one count too! LOL

Aero Precision has monolithic mid length uppers in stock right now and I am sorely tempted to pull the trigger on one or two.

sight height has to also be related to head/face structure to an extent and to how you mount the gun etc...

I have a couple guns with only extra high rings on hunting guns, and no riser and I do just fine with them. Not ideal but still do just fine.

a lot like an 870 fits a LOT of folks for pull/cant etc... its certainly not for everyone.

Speaking in terms of the Pain-O-Meter while shooting prone:

Bad - scope too high

Worse - Scope too close to face and having to crane neck to get enough eye relief. (Even if you don't get whacked in the eyebrow)

Screw it, throw it in a lake - Scope too high & too close.

Its gotta fit the position to be comfortable...