I have been looking at spuhr mounts and like the innovation but I am curious what the toughest mounts really are?
Toughest scope mounts?
- Thread starter Mj30wilson900
- Start date
If pushing for pure tough and precise I would buy Area 419
I saw that torque wrench test on those and was impressed enough to start this thread as a curiosity.
Area 419 or ARC (American Rifle Company).
Honestly I don't see anything in a Spuhr that warrants the price they command. Overpriced if you ask me.
Honestly I don't see anything in a Spuhr that warrants the price they command. Overpriced if you ask me.
I have been blown away by the fit and finish of Area 419s mounts and rings. And I like that they include leveling pins and they bore them out after anodizing to ensure not just a uniform bore, but it seems like more friction is offered against the scope body.
Are they the most durable? No idea yet, but they seem top notch and I will continue to use them for all my precision scope mounting needs.
Are they the most durable? No idea yet, but they seem top notch and I will continue to use them for all my precision scope mounting needs.
Curious why the most pro use them in competition is it that they have more giveaways or sponsorships then?
I've never seen any lab-based quantifiable repeatable testing on scope mounts that would provide useful data. I'm sure the military has done some, would be neat to see those reports.
My guess would be NEAR, ARC M-BRACE, or Badger.
My guess would be NEAR, ARC M-BRACE, or Badger.
Even though they haven't really been in style since the 2000-2010 timeframe, it's pretty damn hard to beat the oldschool Badger steel rings for durability IMO.
Sure they can get rusty if you don't take care of them, and they're heavy... but they are absolute tanks. I can't say I've ever seen one fail.
I have however seen them crush the crap out of a scope tube though when they were overtightened by someone who didn't know when to stop... lol
Regarding Spuhr, I've had 5 clamp bars crack between 11 Sphurs over 12 years or so of use. I see they're now including steel clamp bars on their newest Gen 3 models (they may have finally solved the clamp bar issue with the material change, which is something that was suggested to them several years back) but every now and then you still see new pictures and reports of cracked Spuhr ring caps, and their use of countersunk screws on the ring caps is problematic from a design standpoint. Also quite a few complaints that it's easy to strip the screw heads. Still see a lot of them though because they look pretty cool, they are available in a lot of diameter/height/cant combos, the 45 degree ring seam makes for a very low profile on the top and side so it's easy to read your turrets, and there are a lot of accessories made for them. I won't use any more though based on the problems I kept having with them over the years.
Plenty of other good mounts and rings that don't have a history of cracking like Spuhr-- Nightforce, Seekins, Badger, ARC, A419, Near, Geissele, MPA, Griffin, ERA-Tac, Reptilia, MDT, Hawkins, etc. I'm sure there's more I missed.
Right now I'm partial to ARC, Badger C1, and Hawkins. After my 5th Spuhr clamp bar cracked a few years ago I sold them all and switched brands. Right now I have 10 ARC mounts, 1 set of ARC rings, 4 Badger C1 mounts, and 2 sets of Hawkins Ultralight Tac rings that have been in service for the last 4 years or so with zero issues.
Sure they can get rusty if you don't take care of them, and they're heavy... but they are absolute tanks. I can't say I've ever seen one fail.
I have however seen them crush the crap out of a scope tube though when they were overtightened by someone who didn't know when to stop... lol
Regarding Spuhr, I've had 5 clamp bars crack between 11 Sphurs over 12 years or so of use. I see they're now including steel clamp bars on their newest Gen 3 models (they may have finally solved the clamp bar issue with the material change, which is something that was suggested to them several years back) but every now and then you still see new pictures and reports of cracked Spuhr ring caps, and their use of countersunk screws on the ring caps is problematic from a design standpoint. Also quite a few complaints that it's easy to strip the screw heads. Still see a lot of them though because they look pretty cool, they are available in a lot of diameter/height/cant combos, the 45 degree ring seam makes for a very low profile on the top and side so it's easy to read your turrets, and there are a lot of accessories made for them. I won't use any more though based on the problems I kept having with them over the years.
Plenty of other good mounts and rings that don't have a history of cracking like Spuhr-- Nightforce, Seekins, Badger, ARC, A419, Near, Geissele, MPA, Griffin, ERA-Tac, Reptilia, MDT, Hawkins, etc. I'm sure there's more I missed.
Right now I'm partial to ARC, Badger C1, and Hawkins. After my 5th Spuhr clamp bar cracked a few years ago I sold them all and switched brands. Right now I have 10 ARC mounts, 1 set of ARC rings, 4 Badger C1 mounts, and 2 sets of Hawkins Ultralight Tac rings that have been in service for the last 4 years or so with zero issues.
Does anyone have experience with the ARC "Air" brace mount ? ... The 4 ounce cantilever
Wondering about the toughness of that one.
I have the regular M-Brace ... And that thing is awesome. I cannot imagine it ever breaking.
Considering the Air brace for an SP10
Wondering about the toughness of that one.
I have the regular M-Brace ... And that thing is awesome. I cannot imagine it ever breaking.
Considering the Air brace for an SP10
I highly doubt this is true especially today with so many as good or better options for less out there. Some people use them but there are many others out there that won’t crack. Seems like you have your heart set on a Spuhr so spend the money and get it but I wouldn’t. I’d be looking at Area419, ARC, MPA, Seekins or Hawkins.
I'm curious what pushed you towards something so beefy and heavy. Did you have a bad experience or are you just looking to avoid one?
I’ve experienced the bar cracked on a spuhr as well. Seen some rings crack as well. I wouldn’t use spuhr if you’re looking for toughness
Haven’t used a 419 but they look good. I have a badger C1 max that’s seems to be build tough as nails
Haven’t used a 419 but they look good. I have a badger C1 max that’s seems to be build tough as nails
- Nov 3, 2010
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Badger, ARC, Seekins, I have some of them all and they seem tough enough. Anything will/can break(seen some steel badger rings break at the hands of an AMU armorer once).
That being said, I’ve read enough and seen enough bad examples that I won’t run a SPHUR mount with the exception of the lightweight hunting version I still have on my 7-08. I’ve had several sets and sold them all. There is good aftermarket support to get replacement parts usually for free, but why take the chance
That being said, I’ve read enough and seen enough bad examples that I won’t run a SPHUR mount with the exception of the lightweight hunting version I still have on my 7-08. I’ve had several sets and sold them all. There is good aftermarket support to get replacement parts usually for free, but why take the chance
