Mounts - Gray Ops vs Area 419

I want to clarify my experience.

I had 2 mounts. One of them was holding a ZCO 527 and the other a S&B 6-36. When the mounts were removed, yes there was “aluminum transfer” but that was not the issue, I just wiped that off with some alcohol.

On both scopes all around the edges where the rings end there were marks that were not removable. Both mounts were torqued to 15in lbs using fix it sticks. Now, was there an issue with the 2 mounts I had or an issue with the finish on my scopes? Am not sure, maybe If I owned the mighty Arken I wouldn’t have had this problem.

I also would like to clarify that I think Area 419 makes great products and I will continue to be their customer because my experience with them has always been positive aside from this one experience. I have own a few pairs of their match rings in the past as well and never had any issues with them or any of the other items I own.
 
I have no dog in this fight, but I'd make sure you keep any bare aluminum touchoipoints from oxidizing. see, eg.
Aluminum oxide, while quite hard, does not build into a shell, rather stays in a very fine form without meaningful structure. Bare aluminum builds a surface oxide layer almost instantly when raw aluminum is exposed to oxygen.
 
I want to clarify my experience.

I had 2 mounts. One of them was holding a ZCO 527 and the other a S&B 6-36. When the mounts were removed, yes there was “aluminum transfer” but that was not the issue, I just wiped that off with some alcohol.

On both scopes all around the edges where the rings end there were marks that were not removable. Both mounts were torqued to 15in lbs using fix it sticks. Now, was there an issue with the 2 mounts I had or an issue with the finish on my scopes? Am not sure, maybe If I owned the mighty Arken I wouldn’t have had this problem.

I also would like to clarify that I think Area 419 makes great products and I will continue to be their customer because my experience with them has always been positive aside from this one experience. I have own a few pairs of their match rings in the past as well and never had any issues with them or any of the other items I own.
Email me images of what you're talking about, if possible. I'm curious as to what you have going on here. Craig(at)Area419(dot)com
 
  • Like
Reactions: Islas82
Just received my new area 419 scope mount along with the send it level the area 419 mount for it and there level. I'm very impressed with packaging and quality. That is a very good setup. I torque the the base screws down but never fully torqued the ring cap screws just doing mock mounting. The pins on the scope rings really help with pulling the rings straight down and the screws being snug the scope wouldn't move at all I had to have them very lose to move it where I wanted it. I'm coming from ARC scope mount which are super handy to mount scopes but I feel the area 419 is just as easy.
 
I decided to try the cantilever A419 mount. Already have Grey Ops and Spuhr and Badger and NF.

Anyone else running them on an AR?
Rotating your scope in the Area419 mount is close to impossible due to the bare aluminum. Just keep that in mind when installing.

1000068615.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeathBeforeDismount
After getting to play with the A419 mount, I think its one of the better options out there right now. Especially at its price.

The mounting system for accessories is superior to Spuhr and grey ops. The fit and finish is better IMO as well. Grey ops had a run of non de-burred mounts that screwed up some guys I know scope finishes. Kinda shouldn't happen on a $400 mount. I used a duburring tool on all the fasteners holes before installing mine just in case.

The only knock is the accessories are a different anodizing/finish than the mount. The mount is like a smooth glossy finish anodizing. The accessories are a more greyish matte finish. Almost like they used Type 3 anno on the accessories and type 2 on the mount. Not a big deal but just stood out as weird they would be different. Maybe @flyer1a knows why?

All in all , its a VERY well designed and executed product and It will probably be the mounts I go with in the future. At the price point, its an easy choice for value and overall quality.
PXL_20250407_203442685.jpg
PXL_20250407_203427824.MP.jpg
 
The Area 419 definitely has that good good when it comes to scope tube grip. Going to be my mount going forward until something better comes out.
 
Interesting. My ACRO mount isn’t even at the ring at the rear, but I see your RMR plate is. Odd choice and I’ve had preferred the ACRO mount be even with the ring at the rear - the overhand caused me some fitting grief.
Send me a photo of what you're talking about. Seems like there may be something going on with the ACRO mount (if it's one of ours, and I've not missed some context).

Can throw in the chat here, or PM me, or email, maybe even a carrier pigeon? Your call.
 
Curious if anyone else is having issues with the scope ring screws not holding torque?

Base is fine, greased the pic rail, installed and they have been good to go.

Myself along with a few other folks that all ordered 36mm mounts at the same time are all having a similar issue: the scope ring caps doesn’t stay torqued.

I running purple loctite now and have only put 50 or so rounds through it since. But every 200 to 300 rounds the screws were giving way.

Also curious why loctite is needed on these when most other manufacturers recommend dry torquing.

Never had any issue with any other 419 product, hoping it’s just a fluke.
 
Curious if anyone else is having issues with the scope ring screws not holding torque?

Base is fine, greased the pic rail, installed and they have been good to go.

Myself along with a few other folks that all ordered 36mm mounts at the same time are all having a similar issue: the scope ring caps doesn’t stay torqued.

I running purple loctite now and have only put 50 or so rounds through it since. But every 200 to 300 rounds the screws were giving way.

Also curious why loctite is needed on these when most other manufacturers recommend dry torquing.

Never had any issue with any other 419 product, hoping it’s just a fluke.
My 36MM Area 419 mount caps are still tight, granted I only have a 125-150 rounds on it.
 
Curious if anyone else is having issues with the scope ring screws not holding torque?

Base is fine, greased the pic rail, installed and they have been good to go.

Myself along with a few other folks that all ordered 36mm mounts at the same time are all having a similar issue: the scope ring caps doesn’t stay torqued.

I running purple loctite now and have only put 50 or so rounds through it since. But every 200 to 300 rounds the screws were giving way.

Also curious why loctite is needed on these when most other manufacturers recommend dry torquing.

Never had any issue with any other 419 product, hoping it’s just a fluke.
I'm sure @flyer1a will get you squared away. Seems strange.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Schw15
Curious if anyone else is having issues with the scope ring screws not holding torque?

Base is fine, greased the pic rail, installed and they have been good to go.

Myself along with a few other folks that all ordered 36mm mounts at the same time are all having a similar issue: the scope ring caps doesn’t stay torqued.

I running purple loctite now and have only put 50 or so rounds through it since. But every 200 to 300 rounds the screws were giving way.

Also curious why loctite is needed on these when most other manufacturers recommend dry torquing.

Never had any issue with any other 419 product, hoping it’s just a fluke.
Send me a PM, or email Craig(at)Area419(dot)com - we have had a couple guys talk about an issue with 36, but have not been able to pin down what it is. If there's some issue with the scope cap screws holding, that's a great thing to be added here.

Regardless, happy to trade the mount out for a new one, in case there was something unknown going on it a lot.
 
I spoke with my father at length. He’s a mechanical engineer. Said that thread locker is needed given the dissimilar materials, steel vs aluminum and the amount of thread engagement the steel fastener has to preload the threads in the Aluminum base

Net net use thread locker and don’t skip this step and all should be fine was the consensus. He also recommended cleaning all the surfaces with at least alcohol before assembling too.

I’m guessing the issue is around thread locker being skipped.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Genin
Never had an issue with my 34mm Area419 mount and the screws. Has held great. Same for my other aluminum mounts and rings with steel screws. No thread locker used on any of them for 20 years. Just proper torque and go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jumrobe
I have issues. Recently changed scopes now it won't hold torque. I torqued at the start of tune up and it held to stage 7 day 1. By stage 6 day 2 was loose again. Lost torque twice over 300 rounds on a 6gt. After watching the video thought loctite is my best option moving forward.
 
Send me a PM, or email Craig(at)Area419(dot)com - we have had a couple guys talk about an issue with 36, but have not been able to pin down what it is. If there's some issue with the scope cap screws holding, that's a great thing to be added here.

Regardless, happy to trade the mount out for a new one, in case there was something unknown going on it a lot.
Any idea when more 36MM 1.54" 0 MOA Cant mounts will be available?