Re: Best Return To Zero Mount?
I've used and owned all three. These are my experiences with all three.
Larue - very well made. I'm just not crazy about the system. If you adjust the levers as instructed, it should not mar your rails. Or not much, anyway. My problem with them was that when adjusted according to instructions, they aren't all that hard to get off. From the perspective of the guy that only takes his rifle to the range or light hiking, it might be a good thing. Maybe even the guy that is using it on his gaming gun, it could be a good thing. Personally, I don't see how so many of those mounts have "gone to war" and received such good reviews. I had my ACOG TA44 mounted in a Larue mount. going from one location to another, we all threw of our rifles in the back of my truck and took off. The only thing I can figure is that in the bumping around in the back, a sling or something from another rifle caught the safety catch on the Larue mount, pulled it out of position and opened the lever. When we got to where we were going, I just pulled my rifle out of the back and slung it like I always do, without paying much attention. My ACOG fell off and hit my boot. If it hadn't hit my boot, I may not have noticed it. That's the last time I used a Larue. Of course, I don't know how likely this is to happen to most, but of course, it happened to me.
American Defense - also well built. I think that the Larue probably shows a bit more refinement that's hard to articulate. I might just be that the Larue "feels" more solid when handling it. In use, I prefer the ADM mount. When adjusted according to instructions, you have to press hard to get the levers closed; and, as you may have guessed, getting them open isn't easy. I typically use a length of shoe lace that I keep on my bench, or just the hem of my T-shirt (in the field) to get the levers loose to remove the mount. The upside is that it does return to zero and what happened with the Larue mount isn't likely to happen with the ADM. Just keep in mind that if you don't adjust them as instructed (too loose) what happened with the Larue can and will happen. The upside is that you really can't over tighten the levers. If they are too tight, you won't get the levers closed. It also won't mark up your upper. If you're interested in ADM, check out smartgunner.com (especially on gunbroker).
Bobro - serious piece of engineering. No adjusting to mess with and always returned to zero. It was just too wide at the base for my tastes and my reasons for not sticking with the Bobro was probably more aesthetic than anything else. A note on these that you should keep in mind. Trijicon is/was using the Bobro as their chosen mounts. If you are interested, do a search for Trijicon mounts. You can get the Trijicon branded Bobro mounts for less money and they are the same thing.
Since they all do what they are supposed to, that is return to zero, take your pick. Lots of guys take criticism of Larue products personally, so you have to take many of the comments with a grain of salt. If you can, check them all out.
Also keep your options open. If you don't need a cantilever mount, at least a few manufacturers make ultra high rings for use on ARs and they come in quick detach versions. One that comes to mind is Warne.