picatinny

Magne-Tech Scope Mount

Magne-Tech Magnetic

Scope Mount Review

  Optics mounts are everywhere nowadays. You can get them in just about any flavor imaginable. If you are looking for a quick change optics mount, and want something modular and unique, look no farther than the Magne-Tech Magnetic Rifle Scope Mount. This scope mount uses extreme magnets to hold the optic onto the mounting rail, and it works.

  The Magnetic Rifle Scope Mount is a pretty neat setup. It consists of a 2 piece system. The ring mount and the picatinny scope base. I was sent the 30mm scope mount, a 1 inch and 34mm are coming soon. These two parts can then be easily hooked together by the built in magnets, thus making one solid scope mount. An advantage to this system is the ability to quickly change to different, types or styles, of optics

  Magne-Tech uses a 3 magnet base for the scope mount. This base is about 6.5 inches long with 3 rare earth magnets installed in it. Of course it mounts to your top picatinny rail on most firearms. This base uses Magne-Tech's dual locking system. The first lock is the magnets. The second lock is a spring loaded side lock. That side lock then clips into the side of the scope ring mount. On the side clip mount is also a thumb screw. The thumb screw can be tightened down rendering the side lock lever inoperable and thus giving the mount extra security. 

  Before I get into the ring mount portion, let me explain how the scope mount works. If you have not figured it out, the Magne-Tech scope mount uses rare earth magnets to hold the 2 pieces of the mount together. One might ask why or how can this work? Magnets stick themselves together. So Magne-Tech has 3 of these magnets in the base, and 3 in the ring mount. When coming close together, these magnets attract each other strongly. Thus connecting the 2 halves. One might think, “how can that be accurate or repeatable?” Magne-Tech created the mount and base with various protrusions and angles. These angles center the mount into the base. So the scope mounted to it, sits in the same spot of the base, every time. 

  The Magne-Tech ring mount is pretty straightforward. It starts with the 3 magnet mount that attaches to the base. This particular one is for a 30mm scope tube. The rings are built into the mount. The rings themselves are very sturdy and spaced about 3.5 inches apart. Printed on the rings is a toque spec of 15 in-lb’s. That way you don’t have to go looking for what to torque them down at. When the mount is stuck together, it gives a center scope height of 1.516 inches from the top of the rail. This is a pretty standard height, especially if you mount this on an AR style rifle. If you are looking for something with more options. Magne-Tech also sells a 6 inch picatinny rail section that mounts onto the scope base. The base and the rail can be purchased separately to make a mount kit that doesn’t use rings. The 6 inch rail can be used to mount other styles of optics, say for a quick change in the field. This can be very handy if mounting a thermal optic, or something that you might not use during daylight hours, or something that doesn’t use standard rings. If your State doesn't allow hunting with certain illuminated optics, this 6 inch extra rail might make it easier to swap those optics out to something legal. 

  I have been using the Magnetic Scope Mount for a bit. I used it on my Bergara, both with and without the MDT chassis. This particular rifle is a great test platform for a quickly removable optic base. Mainly because it shoots really well. After getting the rifle sighted in with the Sight Mark Presidio, I immediately removed the scope and then snapped it back on. I was really curious if the stated 0.25 inch point of impact shift would show up. It did not for me, as I was shooting in the same spot as a few minutes earlier. I think Magne-Tech gives out that impact shift specification to be safe. I really didn’t see any point of impact shift. I have removed this optic plenty of times and everytime I go back to the range, it still shoots point of aim. Would I use this on a rifle shooting 1000 yards plus? Probably not, but I feel that is not what this mount is designed for. This mount is made to quickly change optics depending on what you need that particular day. Because of the way the Bergara and scope combo fit, I do have a complaint about the Magne-Tech scope ring mount. I was barely able to put the scope far enough forward in the rings. If there was a cantilever style ring mount, this problem wouldn’t have been there. I also noticed that if you have one of those safes that cram rifles together to fit more in, having the ability to take the scope off makes it fit in there way easier. This is especially true if you have some super large optic on the Magne-Tech mount.

  Along with the scope mount, Magne-Tech sent a 3 inch pic rail. As with the 6 inch previously mentioned, it can also just mount to the scope base. The 3 inch pic rail only has 2 magnets instead of 3, but it will still mount to the scope rail base and lock down with the side lever. It has the advantage of being able to be mounted forward or rearward on the base, since it is shorter. Magne-Tech also has various bases to mount this 3 inch rail on. I didn't end up using the 3 inch rail yet, but it will snap on the M-Lok mount that has my Magne-Tech Rigel light on it. This 3 inch pic rail section would work great for mounting one of the red dots that can not use regular rings. 

  If you have an application where quick change optics are needed, the Magne-Tech Magnetic Scope Mount might be worth looking into. The mount is built really well and holds up to abuse. Having the ability to quickly change optics is a huge plus, especially while maintaining zero. If you want a quality, quick change scope mount, go take a look at what Magne-Tech has to offer.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Magnetic scope mount with features to maintain point of impact

Target Market:

Those who change optics on a regular basis 

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Quick change magnetic scope mount

  • Interchangeable magnetic mounts

  • Maximum 0.25” point of impact shift

  • 7075-T6 aluminum construction

  • Hardcoat anodized

  • Rare earth magnet technology

  • Dual-redundant locking system

  • 1.516” centerline scope height off of pic rail (same as most AR mounts)

  • Receiver mount weight: 5.4 ounces

  • 30mm Ring mount weight: 6.5 ounces

  • Total weight: 11.9 ounces

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

34mm and 1” 

What others are saying?:

Awesome Product: 5 out 5 stars from Brian at ScopedOut

These are no joke. Quality is awesome and the magnetic field is very strong. It will have no issue holding zero. This product is perfect for attaching specialty scopes on multiple rifles (NV / Thermal). Expensive yes, worth the cost, absolutely.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $349.99

6” pic rail = $124.99    

3” pic rail = $93.99     

Retail = $265 ish

I need it now! Availability:

Magne-Tech or Optics Planet

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Held zero for me 

  • Thumb screw lock on mount

  • Interchangeable mounts (3” & 6” pic rail mounts)

  • Standard centerline height

  • Quality made

Cons:

  • Not 100% zero shift guarantee 

  • Needs cantilever mount option

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Magne-Tech Rigel II Review    

GForce Arms Saddlehorn LTAC

Gforce Arms

Saddlehorn LTAC review

  It seems like everyone is getting into the lever action rifle game. I am always up for more options, especially when it comes to lever actions. GForce Arms has started importing some lever action rifles in pistol calibers. Some of these options are pretty standard, others are super tactical. They sent me one of their tactical ones, the walnut stocked Saddlehorn LTAC 357.

  The GForce Saddlehorn is a Winchester model 92 copy. There are lots of the 92 copies around. The Saddlehorn is very similar to all of them. The only real difference is that the Saddlehorn has a safety selector on the bolt itself, very similar to a Rossi 92. The LTAC version runs a large loop lever that is wrapped in leather. It also runs a straight style stock to keep with the 92 tradition.

  Being that this is the “tactical” version of the Saddlehorn, it does have a bunch of those tactical options. First up, the LTAC uses a 16.5 inch threaded barrel. It is threaded ½-28 which allows the use of suppressors and various muzzle devices. Next is that it comes with a picatinny rail already mounted to the barrel. This pic rail also includes the rear sight, which is only adjustable for elevation. The front sight is a fiber optic red and pairs nicely with the black rear sight. The sight picture is pretty nice for a simple set of iron sights, and they work fine.

  Another part that makes the Saddlehorn tactical is the M-Lok forend. This slim line aluminum handguard has M-Lok slots just about everywhere, even if the top ones aren’t usable due to the barrel being in the way. On the front bottom of the handguard is a 4 slot picatinny rail section. Right behind the pic rail is a sling stud. At the rear, on each side of the handguard, are 4 threaded holes between the M-Lok rails. These are used for attaching miscellaneous accessories. The LTAC also comes with a 4 shell holder mounted in one of these holes. The extra shell holder is also made of aluminum and is a nice addition to the total rifle package. Having the M-Lok and a pic rail gives you options to attach whatever you want.

  I have a true love hate relationship with the Gforce LTAC. Through all the .357 magnum rounds I ran through it, and the 38 specials, the gun ran flawlessly. However, I did run into a huge problem with the LTAC. When I was installing a NERO muzzle brake onto the LTAC, the barrel actually came loose in the action!. This is really unacceptable on any firearm. All I was doing was trying to tighten the muzzle brake and time it with a crush washer. Instead of taking the time to get it fixed by Gforce, I just fixed it myself. These barrels are just “glued” into the action with a sleeve retaining style thread locker, so it was an easy fix. There are even marks on the receiver and barrel on where to line them up. I have had no more problems with the barrel twisting after another 250 rounds of .357 magnum. I am guessing that the factory just didn’t get enough “glue” on the barrel. While the barrel was out of the action, I also noticed that the chamber was a little rough, about half way down toward the rifling. Since it was already off, I polished the chamber a little bit. To me it looked like a dull reamer was used during the barrel manufacturing process. 

  As mentioned, the LTAC ran flawlessly during use. I did mount up some optics throughout the testing. The first one was the Atibal Solar 1 x prism. It worked fine but sat a little higher than my liking. So I settled on the Primary Arms Classic green dot. It sat a bit lower and worked out better for me. Before I mounted the optics, I checked the optic rails mounting screws on the LTAC. They were a tad loose, so I tightened them up. I don’t know if they were loose from the factory, or if they came loose from using the gun. Either way I put some loctite on them and snugged them up. They haven’t come loose since.

  Running the Saddlehorn LTAC was a lot of fun. It has a great trigger. In fact, my sample has a 2 lb trigger pull with very little creep and a bit of overtravel. Let’s just say the trigger is one of my favorite aspects of the LTAC. The action is also very smooth. Way smoother than I expected from a Turkish import. That leather wrapped oversize lever is nice also. The leather gives a little bit of cushion for the back of your hand, and is nice when running the lever fast. It also gives it a cool look. At one point I installed a suppressor to see how that worked. A suppressor with 38 specials is super quiet. The 357 magnums are still pretty good, but they do break the sound barrier, so you still get a sound crack out of it. 

  Loading the magazine tube on the Saddlehorn LTAC is probably my least favorite thing to do. Is it hard? No, it just wears on your thumb when loading those 8 rounds into the tube. This is highly typical of any side loading lever action. I do like that the LTAC holds 8 357 magnum shells in the tube magazine. This gives you a true 8+1 full 357 magnums at the ready, just in case.

  The Gforce Arms Saddlehorn LTAC is another entry into the “tactical” lever gun category. It is super cool looking and has everything needed to get into this style of lever gun. I am disappointed that mine had problems, because I really liked how the gun performed. It ran super smooth and ate all the ammo I threw at it. If you are looking for a tactical thrifty lever gun, the Saddlehorn LTAC just might be it. Just be warned that there might be some quality control issues. Hopefully GForce Arms is working out these kinks.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Tactical 357 lever gun

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a tactical lever action

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Caliber: .357 Magnum / 38 Special

  • Capacity: 8

  • Barrel Length: 16.25"

  • Muzzle threaded 1/2-28 with thread protector

  • Overall Length: 34.5”

  • Action: Big Loop Lever

  • Sights: Fiber Optic Front / Adj Rear

  • Barrel Finish: Black 

  • Twist: 1:16"

  • Receiver Material: Aluminum

  • Safety: Hammer

  • Stock Finish: Turkish Walnut

  • Length of Pull: 13.75”

  • Receiver Finish: Black

  • Weight: 5.50 lbs.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

All Black Tactical, Stainless and Black Tactical

What others are saying?:

1 out of 5 stars at PSA    

Wanted to like this gun

Wanted to like this gun but after about 100 rounds the barrel shifted and now I’m unable to load in a round. I reached out to Gforce regarding the matter and haven’t heard anything back.

4 out of 5 stars at PSA

Great first lever action

I’ll give this one 4 Stars! First things first, the only reason it’s not a five star review is because every now and then it feeds a new round when cycling an old one, you’ll see two casings fly out, one will be a spent round and the other brand spankin new, but that’s it, nothing else has been a concern. I love this rifle and this brand. Now it’s not no Marlin or Henry but this is a great start if you’re looking into lever actions. It already has a tactical handguard so there’s no need to go shopping for one, but there are other handguard and stock options out there. It comes threaded so a suppressor will soon be attached. If any of you get this, I suggest you fire .38 special out of it because there's less of a kick and with a suppressor the sound of the metal target will be louder than the rifle. You will not be disappointed!

Link to other reviews:

Guns & Ammo

Price point:

MSRP = $699.00

Retail = Around $600.00

I need it now! Availability:

Palmetto State Armory or Grab a Gun

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • Big loop

  • 2 pound trigger pull

  • M-Lok handguard

Cons:

  • Rough chamber

  • Barrel came loose and twisted

  • Optic rail screws were loose or came loose

Score: 5.50 Mediocre 

Favorite Link:  GForce Arms Rapture