Sportsmatch AR15 Maxiclamp (HOP77)

For those that don’t know, if you want to mount a traditional rifle scope to an AR15-type rifle, you will probably need a ‘cantilever mount’ instead of a standard one-piece mount or a two-piece set. This is because the AR15 platform usually provides a short length of pull and the section of Picatinny rail on top of the receiver is only so long, and if you want to shoot straight, then you won’t want to mount your scope to the separate section of Picatinny rail often found on the top of the forend!

The cantilever mount helps solve these issues because the one-piece design allows the scope to sit forward of the attachment point, thus providing the user with the required amount of space to get the eye relief correct.

Made in the UK

I recently reviewed a Tippmann Arms .22LR semi-auto rifle, which is based on the AR15 platform and, you guessed it, I needed an appropriate mount to fit an optic to it. Given their excellent reputation, my first port of call was Sportsmatch UK, as they manufacture a huge range of scope mounts for a large variety of applications, including one that they call an ‘AR15 Maxiclamp’, which weighs in at 170-grams.

A closer look

What becomes immediately apparent once you pick it up, is the quality, as all the mounts sold by Sportsmatch are manufactured using state-of-the-art CNC machinery, and it shows.

Starting underneath, the Picatinny clamp section measures 55mm in length and features two horizontal bars. It is secured via two knurled thumb wheels that include a large slot for a flathead screwdriver. The length of the whole mount is 120mm and critically, the design offers an offset of 63mm, so achieving the perfect eye relief shouldn’t be a problem.

The mount is designed to accommodate scopes with a 30mm main tube and an objective lens with a diameter no bigger than 50mm. If you need more detailed info, then the Sportsmatch website shows critical measurements for all its mounts, helping users to identify the correct one for their needs. The AR15 Maxiclamp shows a measurement of 21mm from its underside to the lower scope contact patch within the two rings. With the scope resting on these contact patches, there is then a clearance of 6mm between the scope’s main tube and the mount.

The top half of each ring is secured via four Allen bolts and the mount comes supplied with the appropriate Allen key.

Verdict

All was as expected when this mount arrived through the post, and I have no complaints. The overall fit and finish are spot on, and when combined with a scope, the mount performed perfectly on the range.