A.R.M.S. #18 mount for M1A?

A

AEM

New member
A lot of ink (disc space?) has been spilled over the best scope mount for the M1A, but I haven't read much about the A.R.M.S. model. It appears similar to the Brookfield mount, has three attaching points and is made of steel. What really interests me is the claim that it allows the scope to be mounted low over the receiver. The problem I have with the Brookfield (other than the cost and the fact that it is hard to get) is that it mounts the scope so high over the receiver that you cannot obtain a normal cheek weld without a raised comb or a strap-on pad.

Has anyone used the A.R.M.S. mount? Does it work as advertised? How high is the scope?

Thanks.
 
I have an ARMS #18 on my M1A, but I can't say much yet. (I'll explain in a moment) The mount looks "hella stout" and combined with the #22 rings, it will allow the scope to come off and go on without changing zero...guaranteed. The scope will only be as low as your scope bell will allow. Meaning that since I have a 10x42 scope, I had to use the "medium" height rings. This is not the fault of the mount, but of the scope...therefore, don't expect the mount to perform magic. Now, I have a problem with my M1A/mount/scope and the rifle is at SA now because of it. The ARMS mount is a Nat'l Stock item, and as such should be perfect. I've never heard of a problem with the mount. My rifle shot 20" to the right with the scope attached, and SA's looking at that now. I don't think the problem is with the mount, I think it's with the receiver or the crappy Savage rings that I was "making do" with until I got the ARMS #22 rings.

Botttom line: Even though I can't say for sure that the mount is great, everything I've seen with it has been awesome.

BTW, if you spend more than $140 for it, you've spent too much...call Kiesler's.
 
I'm partially guilty for talking Steve into buying his ARMS #18. I've had one on my Armscorp/H&R M14NM for a few years now, and it's been a stellar performer. I still installed a comb riser to align the eye with the scope, but the ARMS is a clean package, solid, lower than the Brookfield, nowhere near as shifty or clunky as the Springfield Armory several-generation mounts (including 3rd Generation, I sold it right quick), and has indeed returned to zero when I removed the scope for High Power competition.

http://www.geocities.com/gew98.geo/m14nm.jpg
 
Actually, those GG&G M14/M1A mounts are quite collectable, if you notice, they're not offered on GG&G's website anymore.

The reason?

ARMS (Atlantic Research Marketing Systems)took GG&G to court over patent infringements on their #18 M21/M14 mount foundation. GG&G had to cease and desist production and sales of their version. Must've been some pretty good mounts to intimidate ARMS that way.
 
Thanks for the helpful replies. The ARMS mount sounds like what I need.

Steve, can you get a good cheek weld with the medium height rings installed? I'm leaning toward a Leupold 3.5x10x40 mm tactical scope, which I imagine would also need medium rings.
 
Frankly, I don't remember. I only had a scope on the mount for about 10 minutes before I decided that the rifle would have to go back to SA. If you can't get a good cheek weld with the ARMS, you won't with any other mount. The solution is to build up the comb of the stock somehow. There are cheekpieces that lace or velcro on, and others that come onthe stock. One popular thing to do I hear that military types do, especially with a synthetic stockm is to cut the forearm part of another synthetic M14 stock off and place it on the comb of your riflestock...then move it 'till it's perfect for you, and carefully duct tape the h*ll out of it. Then paint. If this sounds awful, take a look at http://www.fulton-armory.com for other options.
 
I used the Springfield third generation mount for my M1A.
I had a few bugs to work out at first. After I corrected the problem.( the rear lock screw was out of alignment and throwing the windage way to the left) I have had no problems since. I have removed the mount for cleaning and some modifications to the rifle and the mount has held zero every time. I had trouble getting a good cheek to stock weld. This is what I did to raise the comb. I got some armor-flex pipe insulation and some elecrtical tape. I cut the insulation in 1-1/4 inch strips 8 inches long and started building the comb up 1/2 inch at a time. I raised mine 1-1/2 inches. After I got the right highth I got the better half to make a black cordura cover. It was a tapered rectangle around 10 inches at the front and 14 inches to the rear and 9-1/2 inches long. She put a drawstring fore and aft and used seven eyelets on each side and used a black boot lace to lace accross the bottom. It looks like it is supposed to be there. and also it is quite solid. This is what worked for me.
 
HK G-3 Comb Riser, sold by Federal Arms Corporation, attaches with two sheet metal screws. Black resin plastic, easily sandable and paintable:

http://www.geocities.com/gew98.geo/m14nm.jpg

Don't forget to mount a scope that's capable of handling the M14/M1A's counter-recoil (bolt and oprod slamming forward into battery, lots more mass going forward than an AR-15). I broke a Leupold VariX-III 3.5-10x40 Law Enforcement model on my M14NM, even after the late Gale McMillan warned me about the counter-recoil problem. The rifle now wears a Weaver V-16, and has suffered no ill effects since then.
 
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