Optic Mounts | Rock-Solid Mounts That Will Never Lose Zero.

An optic mount is the critical link between your firearm and your optic, and it's a job you can't trust to just any piece of hardware. It's built to give your scope or red dot a rock-solid foundation, ensuring your aim stays true whether you're at the range, on a hunt, or when the stakes are life and death. For law enforcement, military operators, and prepared civilians, the right optic mount means faster target acquisition, better accuracy, and complete confidence in your gear.

The First Question: Getting the Fit Right (Compatibility)

Before you can get rounds on target, you have to get your gear to fit together. An optic mount has two connections: one to your firearm and one to your optic. Getting both right is the first and most important step. If the fit is wrong, nothing else matters.

Mount-to-Firearm Fit: Connecting to Your Weapon

Your firearm has a specific type of rail or mounting system. You need an optic mount that matches it perfectly. Think of it like trying to plug a lamp into the right kind of electrical outlet get it wrong, and it just won’t work.

• Identifying Your Rail System: Most modern rifles, like the AR-15, use a Picatinny rail (also known as MIL-STD-1913). This is the gold standard. It has straight, evenly spaced slots that allow you to lock your mount down securely. You might also see Weaver rails, which look similar but have slightly different slot dimensions. While some Weaver accessories fit on Picatinny rails, it doesn't always work the other way around. For older rifles or specific models, you might find a Dovetail rail, which is a narrower, V-shaped groove. Knowing which one you have is key.
• Optics-Ready Pistols: Many modern handguns come "optics-ready," meaning they have a cutout on the slide to directly mount a red dot. However, there isn't one universal system. Instead, they use different mounting plates and footprints. Your pistol might come with several plates to match different optics, or you may need to buy the correct one separately.

Mount-to-Optic Fit: Connecting to Your Sight

Just like the rail, your optic has a specific way it needs to be held. This connection has to be unshakable.

• For Scopes: Matching Ring Diameter: Magnified scopes are held by rings. These rings need to be the exact same diameter as your scope's main tube. The most common sizes are 1 inch, 30mm, and 34mm. Using 30mm rings on a 1-inch scope will leave a gap, and it will never hold zero. Always check your scope's specs before buying a scope mount.
• For Red Dots: The Critical Importance of the "Footprint": Red dot sights don't use rings. They screw directly onto the mount. The pattern of the screw holes and the shape of the base is called the footprint. There are dozens of footprints, but a few are extremely common. The Trijicon RMR footprint is used by many manufacturers, as is the Aimpoint Micro (T-1/T-2) footprint. If your red dot has an RMR footprint, you need an optic mount with an RMR footprint. They have to match perfectly to create a solid lock-up.

The Ergonomic Choice: Mount Height Explained

Once you have the right fit, the next decision is height. The height of your optic mount determines where the optic sits in relation to your eye. This affects your head position, how quickly you can aim, and your overall comfort and awareness.

Why Height Matters: Cheek Weld, Posture, and Speed

A good cheek weld the firm contact between your cheek and the rifle's stock is the foundation of consistent accuracy. If your mount is too low or too high, you'll have to strain your neck to see through the optic. This is slow, uncomfortable, and makes it hard to shoot well. The right height allows you to bring the rifle up naturally and have the sight picture appear instantly, without craning your neck or lifting your head. This is all about speed and efficiency.

Classic Heights & Co-Witnessing

On platforms like the AR-15, mount height is often discussed in terms of "co-witnessing" with your iron sights.

• Absolute Co-witness (approx. 1.42"): With this height, your iron sights and your red dot line up perfectly. When you look through your rear peep sight, the red dot should sit right on top of your front sight post. Some people like this for a familiar sight picture, but the iron sights can clutter your view.
• Lower 1/3 Co-witness (approx. 1.57"): This is a very popular height. It raises the optic just enough so that your iron sights appear in the lower third of your optic's window. This gives you a much cleaner, more open view through the red dot, while your irons are still there and ready to use if you need them.

Modern "Heads-Up" Shooting Heights

In recent years, shooters have realized that a more upright, "heads-up" posture is faster and provides better situational awareness. This has led to the popularity of taller optical mounts.

• 1.93" "NVG Height": Originally designed to give clearance for night vision goggles (NVGs), many shooters now use this as their standard height. It promotes a natural, chin-weld posture that is incredibly fast and comfortable. It also makes it easier to shoot while wearing gear like helmets and hearing protection.
• 2.26"+ Heights: These extra-tall mounts are specialized for operators who are aiming "passively" with night vision meaning they are looking through their red dot sight while wearing NVGs. This height gets the optic high enough to clear other gear mounted on the rifle, like laser aiming modules.
• Height for Magnified Optics (LPVOs/Scopes): For scopes, it's less about co-witness and more about finding a natural head position. You want a scope mount that puts the eyepiece right in front of your eye when you get a comfortable cheek weld. This is where cantilever mounts become essential on AR-15s.

Choosing Your Mount Style & Type

There are a few main styles of rifle optic mounts, each with its own pros and cons.

• One-Piece "Monolithic" Mounts: These mounts are a single, solid piece that includes both rings and the base. They are extremely strong, rigid, and easy to install because you don't have to worry about aligning separate rings. They are a top choice for tactical scope mounts on semi-auto rifles.
• Cantilever Mounts: This is a type of one-piece mount designed specifically for AR-15s. Scopes require eye relief a specific distance from your eye to the lens. To get the right eye relief on an AR, you often need to push the scope forward, past the upper receiver and over the handguard. A cantilever mount does exactly that, "reaching" forward to place the scope in the perfect position.
• Two-Piece Rings: This classic system uses two separate rings to hold the scope. It offers more flexibility for mounting on different types of rifles, especially bolt-action hunting rifles where the spacing between the mounting points can vary.
• Quick-Detach (QD) vs. Standard Bolt-On: A bolt-on mount is secured with nuts or screws and requires a tool to install or remove. It's simple and rock-solid. A QD mount uses a lever system that lets you attach or remove the optic in seconds without tools. This is great if you want to swap optics or use your backup iron sights. The big question with QD mounts is "return-to-zero." A high-quality QD mount will hold its zero perfectly every time you take it off and put it back on. A cheap one won't.

Key Performance & Reliability Concerns

When it comes down to it, your optic mount has one primary job. If it fails, your entire system fails.

Holding Zero: The Mount's Most Important Job

Holding zero means that your point of aim doesn't shift. A good mount will absorb the shock of recoil, withstand bumps and drops, and keep your optic pointed exactly where you set it. If a mount can't hold zero, it is worthless. This is the single most important factor in choosing from the many optics mounts available.

Materials Matter: Aircraft-Grade Aluminum vs. Steel

Most high-quality tactical scope mounts today are made from aircraft-grade aluminum, often 6061-T6 or 7075-T6. This material offers an incredible balance of strength and light weight. For situations where maximum durability is needed and weight is no object, steel mounts are also available. They are heavier but can withstand incredible abuse.

The Critical Role of Torque: Why "Tight Enough" Isn't Good Enough

Every screw on your optic mount needs to be tightened to a specific setting, measured in inch-pounds. This is called the torque spec. Under-tightening can let the optic come loose. Over-tightening can damage the mount, the rail, or even the scope tube itself. Using a proper torque wrench isn't optional; it's a critical step to ensure your setup is reliable and will hold zero when the shit hits the fan.

Advanced Configurations & Layering Systems

A modern rifle is a system, and the optic mount is the foundation for layering other tools.

• Red Dot + Magnifier Setups: A popular setup is a red dot sight paired with a flip-to-the-side magnifier. For this to work, both optics need to be at the same height. Their optical centerlines must align perfectly.
• LPVOs & HPVOs with Clip-Ons: Operators often mount clip-on devices like thermal imagers or night vision scopes in front of their primary magnified optic. The primary scope mount must be strong enough to support this system and maintain zero.
• "Diving Boards" and Accessory Mounts: Some advanced scope mounts feature a "diving board" a forward extension for mounting accessories in line with the scope. This is a perfect spot for things like Laser Rangefinders (LRFs) to feed data directly to a ballistic scope, or for mounting a secondary red dot sight on top for fast, close-range engagements.

Essential Hardware & Supporting Components

• Mount Risers: Already have a mount but it's too low? A riser is a simple block that sits between your rail and your optic mount to add height. It's a great way to achieve a more natural, heads-up posture with your existing setup.
• The Picatinny Rail (MIL-STD-1913): This is the foundation for everything. Its standardized dimensions ensure that any Picatinny-compatible optic mount will fit securely, giving you a stable platform you can trust.

Optic Mount, Optical Mounts, or Optics Mount?

Optic Mount is the most common and correct term. "Optic" is short for "optical sight," which includes red dots, scopes, and holographic sights. The term reflects the mount's simple job: to hold an optical sight onto a firearm. Whether you call them optic mounts, optical mounts, or scope mounts, their purpose is the same: to provide an unshakable foundation for your aiming system, ensuring you can count on your gear when it matters most.

Optic Mounts for Sale

Finding the right optic mount can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. The key is to choose a high-quality product that is proven to hold zero and built to last. A cheap mount will only lead to frustration and a loss of confidence in your rifle. Your optic is a precision instrument, and it deserves a foundation that is just as precise and reliable.

At Atomic Defense, we've got your six. We only carry optic mounts from brands we trust mounts that are used by law enforcement, military professionals, and serious civilian shooters around the world. We offer a huge selection of scope mounts, red dot mounts, and tactical scope mounts to fit nearly any firearm and optic combination. Don't risk your accuracy on a weak link. Browse our collection of optic mounts for sale today and build your rifle system on a foundation of pure confidence.