Mil-Spec
By Robb Manning
American Defense MFG: AD-RECON-X Scope Mount
Mounting a high power scope onto an AR or other tactical rifle can be tricky business, if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without the proper accessories, maximum accuracy will not be achieved. Thankfully, American Defense MFG. (ADM) -- out of New Berlin, Wisconsin -- has a mount just for the job.
For most scope mounting, Picatinny rails make the process simple, but the larger issue is ensuring proper height and eye relief. The stock on an AR and other tactical rifles is in a straight line with the receiver, it’s not dropped like other rifles. So, for starters you’re going to need high or extra-high mounts. Proper eye relief is also very important. It’s important to get your cheek weld on the same spot, every time. The easiest way to do this -- and the way the Marine Corps trains -- is to index your nose on the charging handle. We call this Nose-To-Charging-Handle, or NTCH.
NTCH creates another problem. In order to achieve it and have proper eye relief, you must mount the scope really far forward. In fact, with standard ring mounts, you won’t be able to mount the scope to the receiver. If you use standard rings, this means you would mount both rings onto the forward grip rail (if you have them), or one ring on the receiver rail and one on the forward grip rail. If you don’t have a forward rail, this isn’t an option. Also, unless you have a monolithic upper, I wouldn’t recommend it. If you have a free-float tube you might be okay, but if you have removable forward grips, you’re not going to get the stability for long range shooting, and accuracy is going to greatly suffer.
Many scope mount manufacturers have come out with a solution -- the forward cant mount. There’s a lot of good ones out there, but ADM makes some of the best in the business. I have been using the AD-Recon-X mount for over a year now, and it’s tough as nails and rock solid.
A forward cant scope mount mounts to your receiver rail, but places the scope forward of the receiver. If you need standard eye relief, then the standard AD-RECON mount is the proper mount. I have a Lucid L5 6-24x50 Rifle Scope, which has a generous 3.25” to 4.25” eye relief. So for me, I need the extended eye relief that the AD-RECON-X mount offers.
It’s machined from 6061 T6 aluminum and finished in hard coat T3 Mil-Spec anodize. It weighs 8.40 ounces. My favorite feature is the ability to quickly mount and unmount it from your rifle using their patented QD Auto Lock Lever system. Two levers are secured each with a button -- simply press the buttons and flip the levers to unmount your scope. Return it to the same rail slot and secure the levers and you’ll still be zeroed. The mount is finger or screwdriver adjustable for mounting on mil-spec and out of spec rails. Once it’s mounted, the AD-RECON-X is rock solid and won’t budge. The scope is secured to the mount via two rings, each using four allen screws that fasten along the vertical axis of the scope.
ADM makes all of their mounts with a lot of pride right here in Wisconsin, and they have a lifetime warranty. It doesn’t get any better than that. I have been using and abusing mine for over a year, and I love it. It’s well engineered and quality is top notch. The AD-RECON comes in seven different models to suit your specific scope and rifle needs (they make mounts for all sorts of rifles, not just ARs). The AD-RECON-X retails for $199.95.