There are many companies out there makes Accessories for you rails.
My favorites are LaRue Tactical, Tango down.
My question is, will their mounts with Quick release leave damage/mark the rails on the gun?
not too sure about the tangodown/adm levers but the larue will rub and leave a shiny mark where the lever rubs against the rail
My LaRue M4 mount leaves a mark on the rail. I do wonder after repeated removal and mounting if it would wear down the rail and cause it to be loose. I guess you could just tighten it up to compensate for the wear.
Some do and some dont. If you have a mount that screws on more than likely not, If you have one with the LaRue or A.R.M.S. throw levers, YES thedy do.
Damage? No. Mark? Yes…but not nearly as much as the metal slider on the VCAS will scratch the left side of your magwell.
ADM mounts wont leave marks on the rail
Mounts that have any type of sliding action against the rail WILL remove anodizing and therefore mar your rail. To the poster that said it was cosmetic only: it’s not.
Companies like Nightforce specifically suggest avoiding the use of friction-based mounts (namely Larue), as the rail becomes permanently deformed (if only microscopically) and the mount must be re-adjusted over time.
I’m sure some of the hardcore Larue fans, as well as the function-first types will say it’s BS and that it doesn’t matter. A quick review of basic engineering will prove this is not only 100% correct, but it’s expected from mounts of this design. In regards to it not mattering, that’s subjective. If you safe queen your rifles or have precision rigs, then it matters just as much as the ammo that you buy for your guns. If you’re a carbine-course regular who will shoot out their barrel in just a few years, then you won’t notice. Either way, it does happen and it is a factor to some people.
If you disagree, call every high-end optics manufacturer (Nightforce, US Optics, S&B, etc). They will all say the exact same thing: They don’t advise using the Larue-type QD mounts. I called Nightforce three weeks ago and got the exact same explanation from their tech-support guy (forgot his name).
Conversely, spring-based mounts do not mar the rails or leave such marks. Bobro and ADM are examples of mounts that utilize springs to keep tension on the rails. The downside to this design is the potential for the springs to wear down over time. Of course, as in the case with Larue mounts, this is greatly over-exaggerated, as it would take hundreds of on/off operations to weaken them. Note that this is not an issue with the Bobro mounts, as they continually self-adjust.
So why don’t more people use spring-based mounts? Simple: more parts = more points of failure. That said, I’ve never seen ONE example of a spring-based mount failing in combat. Take it for what it’s worth to you.
Companies like Nightforce specifically suggest avoiding the use of friction-based mounts (namely Larue), as the rail becomes permanently deformed (if only microscopically) and the mount must be re-adjusted over time.
This is why I don’t (or anyone I know who shoots precision rifle) use QD rings or bases on my precision rifle; these can make a slight difference on the accuracy of your rifle.
While I agree, I think using a friction mount on a carbine is less of a problem, especially if you rarely detach the accessories.
If they’re your favorites, wouldn’t you already know whether they leave marks on a rail or not?
What the hell is going on with this site lately?
Who cares if they leave a mark on your rail? It’s a firearm, it’s not meant to look pretty, it’s a tool nothing more and nothing less. Do you care if your hammer has a mark on it from driving nails?
If a mount locks solid to my rail and holds zero, thats what I care about. If the mount leaves a mark I couldn’t care less.
For the love of all thing holy this shit has got to stop.
For the record, LT mounts that are tightened properly WILL leave a mark. You know why? Because they are doing their job.
that’s not true. the springs (on the ADM) are in compression, not tension. they’re there to push against the clamp portion and keep it open so it’s easy to remove and install the mount to the rail. the mount would still function if you removed those springs. it’s the crossbolt that provides the tension keeping the mount on the rail (applies to ADM).
bobro and adm mounts are also friction mounts (as are all mounts that clamp to a rail). they rely on the friction between the clamp and the rail to keep the mount from moving within the travel of the rail slot. the reason they won’t mar the finish as much has nothing to do with the springs, it’s just because of the larger surface area of the clamp, and the fact that it’s not camming/rubbing against the rail as tension is being applied.
The Bobro mount has no cross bolt, and will not work without the springs. The lever compresses the two springs which then transfer that force to the block that engages the rail. That is how the mount self adjusts for different rails.
See the pic for details.
As for one type of QR mount being a friction mount and other not, sorry, but they are all using friction to retain the mount to the rail in some form or another. The difference is wether they are using a sliding force to compress the rail or strictly compression.
thanks for the correction - about the bobro springs/lack of crossbolt. post corrected above.
Many mounts leave marks.
These are firearms and get scratched just like a carpenters hammers or mechanics wrenches do.
A well-worn rifle is a well-tested rifle. The scope-mount marks should be the least of the “character” on a trustworthy weapon.
I like to say the same about my handguns. A pistol without holster-wear hasn’t earned its keep yet.
If you have a need for such extreme accuracy (and the ability to shoot well enough to use it) that rail marks from a LaRue mount are a concern, then you’re most likely talking about a weapon that either does not have a QD mount in the first place or one where you’re not going to be moving the optic much.
Is anyone seriously suggesting that LaRue QD mounts are not proven performers?
Yes, a fucking airsofter…which we seem to be asshole-deep in lately.
Just bought a LaRue LT-110 for my new M&P15R and saw the mark on the rail and didnt care or give it a second thought about it.Its doing its job being secure is why the mark is there.Jmho
I’ll relay your comment to the tech guys at Schmidt & Bender. Apparently their expertise designing and then mounting $3,000+ optics to rails is no better than a, quote, “effing airsofter.”
Gee, six years of formal German engineering training and another four of apprenticeship and all that was actually needed was a keyboard and an opinion.
The Bobro does not rely on friction - the bar underneath has a flexing appendage that compresses when it fits between the picatinny slots and maintains compression until removed.
Your assertions about the ADM are correct. I meant to correct that after I posted it, but forgot to.