Page 4 of 11 - Mounts & Rings

What are Scope Mounts?

Scope mounts and adaptors are essential components that secure your optic to your gun. Without the right mount, even the best scope won't perform the way it should. These parts include a wide selection of scope mounts, rails, risers, and adapters for all types of optics and rifle configurations. Whether your setup features an 11mm dovetail rail or a Picatinny/Weaver rail, we have the right fit for your rifle scope with 11mm or other common systems.

Popular types include one-piece mounts, two-piece mounts, mounts designed for small caliber guns such as pellet guns and bb guns, and large caliber rifle scope mounts built for stability under higher recoil.

How Scope Mounts Work

A scope mount bridges the gap between your rifle and your optic. It clamps securely to your rifle's rail system and holds the scope rings or base that keep your optic aligned and zeroed. Choosing the right mount means knowing your scope tube size (usually 1" or 30mm), rail type, and whether you need high, medium, or low profile clearance.

The basic setup involves:

• Scope rings clamping around the optic tube
• Mounting bases that fit into weaver, picatinny, or dovetail rails
• Locking screws or quick-detach levers to hold everything tight

For air guns, recoil behaves differently, especially with spring-piston rifles. That's why air gun scope mounts are often reinforced or feature recoil arrestor pins to prevent scope shift.

Choosing the Right Scope Mounts

When selecting rifle scopes and mounts, it's important to match your hardware correctly. Here's what to look for:

• Rail Type - Know if your rifle has a dovetail, a Picatinny, or a Weaver base. Many of the mounts for pellet gun scopes use 11mm dovetail bases. Tactical rifles generally have a Picatinny base.
• Scope Tube Size - The majority of scopes have either a 1-inch tube or a 30mm tube. The diameter of the scope rings will dictate which tube they are for.
• Mount Height - Depending on the size of your scope objective lens and whether an air gun magazine blocks the objective, consider low, medium, or high rings. Consider how much clearance you need.
• Recoil - If you're using a spring-piston rifle, make sure the mounts are rated for an air gun, heavier-duty rifle scope mounts for centerfire recoil.
• Adaptability - For an installation that doesn't work out of the box, you may consider using an adapter that will enable the mount to work with another similar type, e.g., a rail to dovetail adapter.

We carry everything from rugged rifle scope mounts for long-range setups to lightweight air gun scope mounts for plinking and pest control. No matter your rifle setup, we've got the mount to match it. Read our helpful guide to picking a scope mount if you are new to mounting a scope.

Types of Scope Mounts

When it comes to choosing the right scope mount, there are a few different types of mounts to consider. The type of mount you use will depend on the type of gun you have, the type of scope you use, and your individual preferences.

Pistol Scope Mount: Pistol scope mounts are designed to fit onto handguns. They usually attach to the accessory rail. This type of mount allows you to attach small optics such as a red dot sight.

Rifle Mount: Rifle mounts are used to mount a scope onto a rifle. These mounts are typically used for small caliber rimfire rifles or air rifles. They often require a special scope rail or scope base that attaches to the rifle's receiver.

Rifle Scope Rings: Rifle scope rings are rings that attach directly to the rifle's receiver. This type of mount is great for mounting scopes with larger objectives and long eye relief. It is important to make sure the rings you purchase are compatible with your gun, whether it's a firearm or an air rifle.

Scope Rings and Bases: Scope rings and bases are available for rifles. These mounts provide a stable platform for your scope.

Picatinny Scope Mount: A Picatinny scope mount is a type of mount that fits onto a Picatinny rail. This rail is found on many modern rifles and pistols and is used for attaching accessories such as optics, lights, lasers, etc. Picatinny scope mounts provide a secure attachment point for your scope rings and provide more flexibility when attaching additional accessories.

Weaver Scope Mount: Weaver scope mounts are very similar to Picatinny mounts, but they lack the raised slots. Instead, weaver mounts feature two cross-slots. It is often used on rimfire rifles and is typically lighter in weight than the Picatinny.

Dovetail Scope Mount: Dovetail scope mounts are a very common type of mount used with rifles. This type of mount features a shallow "v" cut in the top of the receiver which allows for a scope or accessory to be mounted securely. Dovetail mounts are lightweight and relatively inexpensive, making them a great option for budget-conscious shooters.