Ideal for compact AR-15 optics like the Nightforce NXS 1-4x and most other manufacturers’ 1-4x, 1-6x, and 1-8x scopes (not to mention a few fixed-zoom optics, too) Lancer Systems’ 30mm x 1.4 High Single Ring Scope Mount (SRSM) is good for a clean, solid, fairly lightweight installation. I happen to think it’s pretty sweet looking, too . . .
The Single Ring Mount first caught my eye at SHOT Show 2015. I did a bit of a double take at Lancer’s Range Day booth, in fact. On top of one of their race guns and paired with the Nightforce scope linked above, oh man does this mount look slick.
The mount itself is pretty simple. It’s bored for a 30mm scope tube diameter and it’s skeletonized on top and through-drilled at bottom to reduce weight. My scale pegs it at 5.57 oz.
Each unit is serialized on the left side, and marked for alignment on the right side. The tightening sequence for the 8 Torx bolts and their torque specification is listed in the installation guide. These details are intended to ensure perfect concentricity.
Two bolts with large hex heads clamp the mount to any M1913 Pic rail and to many Weaver rails. Internal springs spread the mount open for ease of installation and removal. A little block in the middle squashes any chance of the mount slipping — and again, there’s a torque spec in the manual — and facilitates indexing the mount at a specific point on the rail.
Lancer’s SRSM puts the centerline of your optic 1.425″ above the rail. This is ideal for co-witnessing with iron sights and is standard height for whatever other AR purposes as well.
From this angle, it reminds me a bit of a facehugger. Thankfully it only has eyes for my scope.
A large, cantilevered scope mount is often required to place an AR optic far enough forwards on an upper like this one where the rail doesn’t continue on the forend. With the Single Mount, this is a total non-issue. Proper eye relief is guaranteed.
As you’d expect, the mount is machined from aluminum and hard coat anodized.
Frankly, I don’t have a lot of feedback to add. The SRSM is a simple, well-made unit and it’s rock solid. Zero issues whatsoever. No loosening bolts, no scope scratching, no movement.
Sure, I suppose ultimately there’s less support for your scope as compared to two separate rings or a mount that supports both front and rear. Presumably a strong impact to the front of my Primary Arms 1-6x ACSS would be more likely to warp the tube than with a traditional mounting solution. I suppose I wouldn’t take this to war, but I sure as heck like it a lot on a sporting-use gun.
Specifications (30mm x 1.4 High Single Ring Scope Mount):
Material: Hard coat anodized billet aluminum
Height: 1.425″
Length: 1.5
Diameter: 30mm
Weight: 5.6 oz
MSRP: $129.99
Ratings (out of five stars):
Quality * * * * 1/2
I prefer the smoother, deeper tone anodizing whereas the SRSM has the slightly rougher, dark grey tone. Maybe that’s due to a rougher sandblast on the outside before the anodizing process. At any rate, very much nitpicking here.
Function * * * *
It works exactly as you’d hope. Im’ docking it a star for my own perception and assumption that it doesn’t actually protect your scope from impact-related damage quite as well as a mount with more points of contact. For normal use, though, it’s 100% spot-on.
Overall * * * *
I happen to love this aesthetic and that’s a big selling point for me, but I’m sure some will disagree. Looks aside, the single point nature of this mount makes achieving proper eye relief extremely easy, even with limited rail space. It’s light, but built strong and it’s longer than a typical ring would be on a dual-point setup, so it’s heavier than a pair of most traditional scope rings or mounts specifically designed to scratch that lightweight itch. Still, it shaved three ounces off the mount it replaced. If I could get anything else out of the product, I’d like to see SRSMs available for 1″ and 34mm tubes as well. Lancer currently only makes these in 30mm flavor.