Why Use an AR-15 Riser Mount?
Improved Cheek Weld
An excellent cheek weld, the contact between your cheek and the inventory, is paramount for constant shot placement and diminished fatigue. With out a correct cheek weld, it’s possible you’ll battle to rapidly purchase sight image and keep correct eye aid. Riser mounts make it easier to obtain a greater cheek weld by positioning your head at a extra pure and comfy top in relation to your optic. This enables for a extra repeatable and constant taking pictures place, essential for accuracy.
Higher Sight Image
When your optic is mounted on the appropriate top, it positions the sight image at a extra pure eye stage. This interprets to quicker goal acquisition and enhanced situational consciousness. As an alternative of craning your neck or tilting your head to look by the optic, you may keep a extra upright posture, permitting for a wider discipline of view and faster transitions between targets.
Compatibility with Optics
Sure optics are designed to work optimally with a raised mounting system. For example, many pink dot sights are designed to be co-witnessed with iron sights at the usual top, or raised to a particular top just like the 1.93″ top for a greater view of the goal. Additionally, magnifiers, which are sometimes paired with pink dot sights, generally require a riser to align the magnifier’s heart with the pink dot’s. Utilizing a riser ensures that these optics perform accurately and supply a transparent and aligned sight image.
Key Components to Take into account When Selecting an AR-15 Riser Mount
Top or Rise
Essentially the most essential issue when selecting a riser mount is the peak, or rise, it offers. This determines how a lot the optic is elevated above the highest rail of your AR-15. Frequent heights embody:
- Absolute Co-Witness: This top aligns the middle of your optic with the middle of your iron sights.
- 1/3 Co-Witness: The optic is barely greater than absolute co-witness, permitting a portion of the iron sights to be seen within the decrease third of your sight image.
- 1.93″ Top: Generally chosen for enhanced consolation and quicker goal acquisition with pink dots. Permits a head-up taking pictures posture, particularly helpful for these sporting plate carriers or different gear.
- 2.26″ and better: Generally used for evening imaginative and prescient gadgets.
The best top is determined by your private preferences, the kind of optic you’re utilizing, and the way you intend to make use of your AR-15. Experimentation may be wanted to find out essentially the most snug and efficient top in your particular person wants.
Materials and Building
The fabric and building of a riser mount instantly affect its sturdiness and reliability. Excessive-quality riser mounts are sometimes constructed from strong supplies like aircraft-grade aluminum (6061 or 7075) or metal. Aluminum provides an excellent stability of power and weight, whereas metal is exceptionally sturdy.
Search for riser mounts which have undergone rigorous testing and are designed to face up to the trials of use. Coatings, akin to laborious anodizing, add an additional layer of safety towards scratches, corrosion, and put on, whereas additionally enhancing the aesthetics of the mount.
Mounting System
The mounting system is how the riser attaches to your AR-15’s Picatinny rail. Most fashionable riser mounts are designed to interface with a typical Picatinny rail.
There are two major mounting kinds:
- Bolt-On: This fashion is often safer and requires using a wrench to tighten them. They supply a really steady and are much less liable to motion.
- Fast Detach: Fast-detach mounts permit you to rapidly take away and reattach your optic with out instruments. That is helpful if you could rapidly transition between completely different optics or clear a malfunction. The principle tradeoff is reliability. Be sure that the fast detach system is made with top quality supplies.
Take into account your particular wants and preferences when selecting a mounting system. For those who prioritize safety and do not thoughts utilizing instruments, a bolt-on system is an effective selection. For those who want the pliability to rapidly take away and reattach your optic, a top quality quick-detach system is a greater choice.
Weight
The burden of your AR-15 is a major issue, particularly relating to consolation and maneuverability. Select a riser mount that strikes a stability between sturdiness and weight. Light-weight aluminum mounts are sometimes most popular, as they supply wonderful power with out including extreme bulk. Each ounce provides up, so take into account the general weight of your rifle when deciding on a riser mount.
Compatibility
Take into account the optic and any equipment you intend to make use of along with your AR-15. Make sure that the riser mount is appropriate along with your optic’s mounting footprint and top necessities. Take into account the peak and offset as nicely. For those who plan on utilizing a magnifier, ensure that the riser mount offers sufficient room for it.
Price range
AR-15 riser mounts vary in worth, from comparatively cheap choices to extra premium fashions. Decide your finances beforehand and take into account what options are most essential to you. Whereas a high-quality, premium mount can provide superior options and sturdiness, there are many budget-friendly choices that present wonderful worth and efficiency.
High Suggestions for AR-15 Riser Mounts
Total High Choose
One of the best total AR-15 riser mount is thought for its distinctive construct high quality, modern design, and ease of use. Constructed from light-weight, high-strength aluminum, this mount provides excellent sturdiness and efficiency. Key options embody a quick-detach mechanism for fast optic elimination, a number of top choices to accommodate varied taking pictures kinds and optics, and a low-profile design to reduce snagging.
Professionals:
- Extremely sturdy and well-built.
- Fast detach system that works easily.
- A number of top choices for versatility.
Cons:
- Greater worth level in comparison with another choices.
Price range Pleasant Alternative
For shooters on a finances, this selection is a superb selection. Constructed from light-weight aluminum, it provides mix of options and worth. It’s identified for its reliability, ease of set up, and its inexpensive worth.
Professionals:
- Very Inexpensive.
- Easy design and simple to make use of.
Cons:
- Materials will not be as sturdy.
For Magnifiers
This riser mount is particularly designed for pairing with magnifiers. Its intelligent design offers an optimum top for pink dot sights and provides a stable platform for a magnifier to align completely with the pink dot. It’s constructed from sturdy supplies, offering the mandatory stability for dependable efficiency.
Professionals:
- Designed to be used with magnifiers.
- Sturdy construct.
Cons:
- Might not be appropriate for all optics.
Heavy-Responsibility / Tactical Possibility
This feature is designed for laborious use. Constructed with strong supplies, it’s engineered to face up to the trials of tactical operations and demanding environments. Identified for its distinctive sturdiness and dependable efficiency below strain.
Professionals:
- Extraordinarily sturdy and dependable.
- Appropriate for heavy-duty use.
Cons:
- Heavier than different choices.
Set up and Use
Putting in an AR-15 riser mount is a simple course of, sometimes involving just a few easy steps:
- Guarantee your rifle is unloaded and the protection is engaged.
- Clear the Picatinny rail in your AR-15.
- Loosen the mounting bolts on the riser mount (if relevant).
- Align the riser mount on the rail.
- Tighten the mounting bolts securely, utilizing the really useful torque specs.
- Mount your optic onto the riser mount, following the optic producer’s directions.
- As soon as your optic is mounted on the riser, you’ll then must zero your optic by sighting it in.
At all times confer with the producer’s directions for particular set up and utilization particulars.
Upkeep and Care
Sustaining your AR-15 riser mount is crucial to making sure its longevity and continued efficiency. Usually examine the mount for any indicators of damage or injury. Clear the mount periodically with a gentle fabric and delicate cleansing answer. Verify the mounting screws for tightness, and tighten them as crucial. With correct care, your riser mount will proceed to boost your taking pictures expertise for years.
Conclusion
The AR-15 riser mount, whereas typically missed, could be a game-changer for consolation, accuracy, and pace. By rigorously contemplating the elements mentioned on this article, you may confidently choose the perfect AR-15 riser mount to fulfill your particular wants and preferences. Whether or not you prioritize an ideal cheek weld, a greater sight image, or compatibility with particular optics, the correct riser mount will elevate your taking pictures expertise.
Keep in mind that discovering the proper mount includes experimentation and a willingness to strive completely different heights and kinds to see what works greatest for you.
