Zero Recoil Mounts

[Roadworthy]

As many are aware Ali Express sells a Chinese knock off of the RWS Diana ZR mount - which itself is made in China.  Ali Express offers two styles, one for dovetail and another for Weaver rail.  So far I've only seen the RWS mount in dovetail.  So how does a $13 mount compare with a $60 mount?  Very favorably, it seems.  The two mounts are both well made with seemingly good machining tolerances.  Both use 6 mm rails for the mount to slide along under recoil.  Properly lubricated both present about 4.5 pounds initial resistance to movement.  The RWS mount has a very good quality metal insert for reduction from 30 mm to one inch mounts.  This adapter can only be removed by removing the scope cap.  The Ali adapter is cheesy plastic with nothing holding it in place but the clamping action of the mount.  The RWS mount has a wimpy stop pin to keep it from moving on the gun while the Ali mount has a much more robust scope stop.  Either pin can be reversed to eliminate any scope stop.  The RWS mount has built in droop compensation while the Ali mount has none.  If you get the Ali mount figure on dismantling it to properly lube the rails - I used molybdenum disulfide powder burnished into the rails.  It's dry and slick.  The rails on mine were sloppily loose so I did tighten the set screws while it was apart.  I did not need to do any drilling or tapping to secure the guide rails, just tightened the existing screws.  Movement of the action was every bit as smooth as RWS.  I do own both brands of mounts and cannot say one is superior to the other in any manner not discussed.  I will use the Ali mount on only 30 mm scopes while I may use the RWS on either.  Be advised both mounts are about 4 3/4" long at the outside of the mounting straps so they may only be used on longer scopes with at least that distance between the end bells.  I have not investigated the Weaver mount Ali version as I only have one gun needing a Weaver mount and that's an adapter.

[Airnut]

Thomas
I have the weaver mount and have not installed it. After inspecting it I have no confidence in it being able to hold zero. Just way to much play in the rails. I havent taken it apart and see if I can adjust it to remove the play. To tell you the truth I had forgotten about it until I read your post. Thanks!  I will have to check it out. Its a great concept.

[superchikn]

I have one of the Ali mounts with dovetail adapters.  The guide rods slopped around in their bores so it would not hold zero. I have since drilled and tapped for four brass set screws. The slop is taken up now and it feels smooth.  I had lubed with Archoil.  I will clean it out and burnish in the dry Tungsten disulfide powder which just showed up the other day.  Hopefully test this wekend.

Sounds like you got a better one than I did. 

[Bayman]

I went a different route. I bought a Sportsmatch Dampa mount from Mundilar in Portugal. Even with shipping it was still cheaper than US and UK sources for the same part. So far it has held perfect zero on my Rx1 (known scope killer). I looked at the zero recoil mounts as designed and rolled the dice on the dampa mounts less moving parts. So far knock on wood, it's all good. When you're flirting with disaster it's better to hedge your bet with a quality piece than gamble on many variables

[Madd Hatter]

I have the cheap chicom ZR mount on my 48. It like everybody else's (?) had a lot of slop in the rails and I drilled and tapped the 4 corners for set screws. After that it was very tight but slid smoothly.

[Roadworthy]

I wonder if these mounts have been improved over time.  My rails have a grooved area where the set screws sit.  The mounts themselves are drilled and tapped for these set screws which can only be accessed by removing the caps.

[Airnut]

Thomas
I did as you suggested and WOW what a difference! I didn’t think tightening the set screws in the lower cap would make much difference but it did. Very little play now.
I will have to mount it on my air magnum now and see how it does?
Thanks!

[uglymike]

Buy something, then have to completely disassemble it and fiddle with it, then reassemble to get it to maybe work properly? No thanks.   

[WesBob]

Well, just my opinion of course but paying $13 instead of $60 and having the adjustment screws already there seems to me a good deal and worth the trouble of disassembly 🙂
I guess it depends how poor or cheap you are and whether you like tinkering on things or not.

[Roadworthy]

Actually airgunning is to me at least a hobby or pastime.  I have tinkered with every gun I own so it's no big deal to tweak a scope mount.  Oh, wait, I had to tweak my genuine RWS Diana ZR mount, too.  The Diana did not require tightening, only a bit of lubrication.  I guess if I felt I could afford to send my guns off to tuners I could do the same with mounts.  Unfortunately, knowing me, I would probably then dismantle the tuned gun to tune it myself.  It's just the way I roll.  What can I say?  I'm picky.  The scope mount is a much simpler tweak than an airgun disassembly and tune.

[Airnut]

Actually airgunning is to me at least a hobby or pastime.  I have tinkered with every gun I own so it's no big deal to tweak a scope mount.  Oh, wait, I had to tweak my genuine RWS Diana ZR mount, too.  The Diana did not require tightening, only a bit of lubrication.  I guess if I felt I could afford to send my guns off to tuners I could do the same with mounts.  Unfortunate, knowing me, I would probably then dismantle the tuned gun to tune it myself.  It's just the way I roll.  What can I say?  I'm picky.  The scope mount is a much simpler tweak than an airgun disassembly and tune.

+1  I hear you brother

[Madd Hatter]

Actually airgunning is to me at least a hobby or pastime.  I have tinkered with every gun I own so it's no big deal to tweak a scope mount.  Oh, wait, I had to tweak my genuine RWS Diana ZR mount, too.  The Diana did not require tightening, only a bit of lubrication.  I guess if I felt I could afford to send my guns off to tuners I could do the same with mounts.  Unfortunately, knowing me, I would probably then dismantle the tuned gun to tune it myself.  It's just the way I roll.  What can I say?  I'm picky.  The scope mount is a much simpler tweak than an airgun disassembly and tune.

So you're saying you're a tweaker?

[Roadworthy]

Definitely a hardcore airgun and accessory tweaker.  It's just my nature and it's not for everybody.

[Airnut]

Definitely a hardcore airgun and accessory tweaker.  It's just my nature and it's not for everybody.

+1

[Madd Hatter]

Definitely a hardcore airgun and accessory tweaker.  It's just my nature and it's not for everybody.

Believe me I know all about the mental state. I've had my Liberty apart so many times I can have into pieces in 20 min.

[Wolfer]

Thomas I have a real stupid question, how do I burnish in the coumpond you talk about and where can I get it. Excited about the price compared to the Diana ZR mount. Will be using it on my Parrus.     Mike

[Xraycer]

Well, just my opinion of course but paying $13 instead of $60 and having the adjustment screws already there seems to me a good deal and worth the trouble of disassembly 🙂
I guess it depends how poor or cheap you are and whether you like tinkering on things or not.

+1
.....except, I feel there are 3: the poor, the cheap, and the savvy 

[Xraycer]

Buy something, then have to completely disassemble it and fiddle with it, then reassemble to get it to maybe work properly? No thanks.   

Hmmm

Don't you send a number of your pricey guns off to be professionally tuned?

[Wolfer]

I need something tuff for my new Walther Parrus.rifle. It bent my RWS mounts stop pin and the RWS seems to sit on the gun at a angle. Do you think one of these zero recoil mounts would work on this heavy recoil gun?       Mike

[Madd Hatter]

I've got one of the chicom zero recoil knock offs on my M48 rifle and I've had no problems with it. I even had a cheap scope on it for awhile and it kept it working good.