Vortex Sport Cantilever Mount: A New AR-Friendly 34mm Option
Cantilever mounts are often necessary to accommodate riflescopes on AR systems, as you need to “push” the optics forward to get a good eye-box, while keeping the optic on the Picatinny rail of the upper receiver. Vortex’s Sport line now welcomes the 34mm Sport Cantilever Mount, described as the ideal mounting solution for both novice shooters and seasoned AR enthusiasts seeking reliability and versatility.
Vortex @ TFB:
Today, there is a big variety of riflescopes with 34mm tubes, but the availability of mounts has been lagging - especially on the budget side of things (at least in my opinion). In fact, I’m on the lookout for a new 34mm Cantilever mount for my new Schmidt & Bender.
Vortex’s new lightweight 34mm mount offers ample rail space for additional accessories while maintaining rock-solid stability. Its design allows for optimal fore and aft movement on your AR’s rail, ensuring a customized fit tailored to your firearm. Built to withstand extended range sessions, the Sport Cantilever Mount is said to guarantee a consistent zero, delivering years of dependable performance.
Below: Most AR platforms have a flat-top receiver with a Picatinny or Weaver rail that extends over the upper receiver, but not far forward. A cantilever mount extends the optic forward, allowing for proper eye relief (the distance between the shooter’s eye and the scope). In most cases, the optimal placement of an optic on an AR is to have the ocular around in line with where the charging handle begins, but it can differ due to the height and size of the shooter.
The Sport Cantilever Mount, 1.5" Height (available in 34mm, 30mm, and 1" tube sizes), has an MSRP of $179.99. The price seems very reasonable:
What do you think? Do you use 30mm tubes or 34mm for your riflescopes?
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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Seriously, I've wished for a longer cantilever to be developed to attach to the barrel and reach back over the reciever to mount a scope, since the barrel moves relative to the reciever.
And yes, both the gas tube and handguard would need modifications on an AR design, so probably not worth the bother, but it used to be common on target rifles.
That installation doesn't show much need for a cantilever to gain eye relief. With the mount at the midpoint of the receiver rail, and the scope mounted with lots of tube on both sides of the turrets, the ocular lens is behind the charging handle! This setup would be okay for standing with a long stock, but there's no room for going prone.
I prefer my scope set more forward, so I can use a nose-to-charging handle position on the stock for consistent eye relief in any position and any magnification. In my case, the mount is at the front of the receiver, cantilevered over the handguard, and the scope is as far forward as possible in the mount.