New 4 oz. AIR BRACE Cantilever Mount, American Rifle Company Black Friday Sale

karagias

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Jan 24, 2010
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www.americanrifle.com
Earth Folk,

Over the years, many people have asked me to design a cantilever scope mount optimized for AR-15 platforms. We'll I finally got around to it and here it is. We're calling it the AIR BRACE because the emphasis is on ultra-light weight while trying to keep the cantilever as stiff and strong as possible. The 30mm diameter x 38mm high mount weighs in at 4 ounces making it among the lightest in the industry, especially if one actually cares about the stiffness of the cantilever section. The mount also includes a level vial at the aft end that is back-lit through a hole that runs through the entire length of it, however, it is likely useful only for the young or those older folks lucky enough to see clearly up close. I used to be young.

Note that the images below are renderings. I'll post a picture of the real thing on a rifle soon. Torque values are 35 and 55 lb-in for the scope and rail respectively. I decided to go with one M4x0.7 screw for each scope clamp because it can handle torque in excess of 40 lb-in. Bear in mind that most mounts have at least two screws per side per ring to which 15-20 lb-in of torque is typically applied. Since we're doing the same job with one screw, twice as much torque must be applied, about 35 lb-in, to result in similar clamping force.

Should a two-screw version of the scope ring ever be required, we can easily and quickly introduced retrofit-able caps but I doubt that will be necessary. I used the AIR BRACE to hold a Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 PM II on top of an old 10.2 lb Sako TRG-42 through which I put about 100 rounds of 338 LM. The experience was generally unpleasant because I really don't like recoil, but the AIR BRACE did its job maintaining and returning to zero. That said, our M-BRACE rings and mount are better choices for big stuff.

We're pricing the AIR BRACE at $349 but, since tomorrow is Black Friday, we're offering it at $279 though Monday.

Enjoy and have a happy Thanksgiving.


Ted
 
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I love it but please please, any chance for 1.62/1.70 height ? It's the perfect height to clear a laser or put a clip on thermal in front of a LPVO.
 
Absolutely brilliant! Any chance at a QD version with the thumb wheels of the M10 QD-L, I know it'll add a little more weight but should still be very light given the 4oz starting point. Also, any chance for the M-BRACE accessory sides up front, again, I know it will add a little weight but I am piggybacking almost everything AR these days and having an accessory mount would be ideal...

One last thing, you advertise only 20 in-lb for the ring screw, on all your other rings mounts it's always been 55 in-lb, a large frame AR can put a wallop on both recoil and return, I'd be a bit concerned about scope slippage with only one screw at 20 in-lb (in fairness you are marketing this scope for AR-15, but many will also be interested for AR-10).
 
I love your method. Generously complement his work and then hit him up for more features. That's smart and hard to ignore.

In regards to screw torque, 35 lb-in is what I'm recommending. The original renderings were created before updating the torque value and have since been replaced to reflect recommended torque. Sorry about the confusion.

Regarding QD and accessories, we knew someone, actually lots of people, would ask. Thumb-wheel screws are something we can definitely offer as an option. Need to pick a machine and check availability but its something we can likely offer very soon.

Accessory attach points were also considered but I decided against them because I wanted to keep the weight down. Not everyone will want to add a red dot and those who do can use dedicated red do mounts. There are some good ones out there, better than anything that attaches to a mount, as far as I know. But I hear you. Your heart wants what it wants an who am I to tell it otherwise. Perhaps we can offer and accessorize-able option in the near future.

Ted
 
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50mm (1.97") height is now on the website. In 30mm diameter, mass is 117 grams (4.13 oz). 34mm diameter is 120 grams (4.23 oz). Here are some pics. I also updated original post to reflect corrected torque values appearing in the renderings.

Ted

 
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I love innovation and trying new things, been a fan of ARC rings and mounts from the beginning so think this is a great new design.

If you’re able to accommodate QD with your thumb wheel design that would be great, this is going to be a big seller either way I feel.
 
I'm not sure it will work that way, the current QD-L (thumbwheel) uses a swivel spring clamp that is different from the current torque on clamp nut. Not sure if return to zero (RTZ) is affected by the design (a simple thumbscrew replacement of existing nut?), but that would be something for ARC engineers to determine. It would be great if it was as simple as a QD kit that could be purchased after the fact, just not sure if that is feasible (with adequate RTZ) given the design vs. a new design altogether. 🤷‍♂️
 
Makes sense. I just purchased a Tier One cantilever QD mount (before the ARC came out) and you're able to purchase that mount with or without the QD. And you can purchase the QD conversion at a later time if you opt for the non-QD version. Probably the slickest, smoothest QD I've ever used too. Very precise and RTZ is pretty much spot-on with it.
 
Really liking this mount. Replaced a Seekins mount i had on there before. Cut the weight in half too.
Only dislike is that the screws are different sizes. Having one bit was nice on the M10 QD-L



 
I agree. Ted mentioned earlier in this thread that it is likely there will be a QD-L version coming. I too appreciated that one 4mm bit did everything on M10 and QD-L, even though QD-L offered thumbwheel tightening it also has a 4mm slot which I could torque if I really wanted to (y)
 
I would like to withdraw my thanks for this product. Now that I've got it and opened the box and started to install it I find that it in no way meets my expectations for an arc product.

1) the written sheet that comes with it says scope clamp screws 55inlb. But printed on the side of the air brace it says 35lbin. Wtf!

2) the finish on the screws looks poor and inconsistent. The scope clamp screws are some stupid looking bronze and black. The rail clamp screws look like a 10 year old finished them with a can of spray blue. Ok that's just the way heat treat comes out. But it looks like shit. But that's not the worst of it. They designed the rail clamp screws with a hex bolt head outside of the socket cap. I guess incase rather than a torque wrench, Ted must feel some people can get away using a Cresent wrench.

Ok what ever, to each there own. But be advised that (in my opinion) the points on the bolt head are too sharp. And if ever some how they scrape the back of my hand they could leave a nasty mark.

One) Ted should explain why it has 35lbin printed on the side!

Two) he should send everyone who bought one of these some screws that look as nice as the screws in his m10 mounts look. Torx head for mine please.
 
This is a 3mm for scope, 4mm for rail.
The nice thing is that the scope screw is smaller diameter. That makes the scope cap is ~1.5mm shorter than the M10 so it obstructs less of the turret.

I can't tell if the finish on the screws is a real complaint or sarcasm. Mine just look like heat treated steel. Much nicer than normal black oxide hardware that rust and look like shit.
I do agree the 8mm (5/16) bolt heads are sharper than they need to be. They are smaller and stick out much less than other brands 1/2" nuts though.
 
That’s the best you got? You are the type of customer that nobody wants. When I have to deal with some entitled cunt like you, I immediately issue a refund. You aren’t worth dealing with. You come into this thread demanding something from a manufacturer? As if you are someone of any importance? Bitching about the shade of some small screw or a rough surface that might leave a “nasty mark” on your creamy little paw? Bless your heart….