A new scope mount had to go to the editorial office. The system had to be flexible enough to allow the same combination of mount and scope on the Steyr AUG to be used on other systems. All this with the highest possible quality. An Eratac block mount with quick-release mount was needed. Admittedly: You can get lost in the myriad of options when searching for the right scope mount. Ultimately, however, the intended use, the mounting options on the weapon and the demands on the quality of workmanship determine the direction. 
Initial considerations
Yes, the budget certainly plays a role. However, in view of the essential function that a mount fulfills, you will quickly come to the conclusion that it is perhaps sensible to put this factor to one side after all. After all, a mount must be able to withstand, among other things, the impact forces that occur when a shot is fired and at the same time allow the riflescope to be positioned completely unchanged. If you then also take into account possible impacts – from mishaps when putting the weapon in the gun cabinet, to transportation and perhaps even tougher use in training and dynamic competitions – you cannot avoid higher demands on quality, we believe. After all, the mental aspect of confidence in the functionality of the individual parts of the weapon is also a decisive factor for success. 
Range of services
In our case, the mount had to have a lot to offer: Primarily it should be at home on the Steyr AUG-Z A2, but potentially also be able to be mounted on other systems – at least as a test – without a lot of tinkering. So we want to use the same setup of mount and scope on other weapons, but also have the option of quickly removing one mount to use other setups on the AUG. This is where the quality of workmanship comes into play: when attaching and removing the mount, excellent repeat accuracy should be guaranteed. This means that the point of impact must not differ when the mount with the riflescope is reattached – you must of course ensure the correct position on the rail yourself. In addition, it must be possible to work with the AUG in as upright – but natural – a head position as possible, which enables the selection of an appropriate axis height. Overall, the entire system should be slim, light and robust. As the AUG-Z A2 offers significantly less space for additional mounts than the successor model A3, there were no further requirements for the number of occupied rail slots – a backup sight would hardly be possible on the rail of the AUG either way.
Our choice
Due to the already very good experience with the AR-Trigger from Eratac (-> Here in the test), some discussions with fellow shooters and the use of Eratac mounts in the official sector, we decided on a block mount from Eratac. 
The challenge
All AUG users know that the cocking slide handle comes very close to the housing and rail as standard when locked in the rear position, which leads to somewhat “fiddly” operation and requires a little extra practice from some users. The levers of the cocking assembly come dangerously close to the operating lever of the AUG in our assembly variant. The reason for this is that the correct eye relief to the riflescope must be maintained sitting, lying and standing and the two mounting rings must also be attached at the same distance from the adjustment turret of the scope. In the current case, the riflescope is the Schmidt & Bender 1-8×24 PM II ShortDot Dual CC (-> Tested in Ranger Magazine #2 in a duet with Christian H. from High Ready. Click here for the subscription store). Fortunately, the operation of the cocking slide on the AUG does not deteriorate – an improvement would only be possible with a different lever system on the AUG. Initial concerns that something would get stuck with the cocking levers vanished into thin air. What is visually unfamiliar is not noticeable in operation. I can live with that. 
Operation
The Eratac block mount is easily fitted or removed using the levers and an additional locking mechanism. We have never accidentally loosened one of the levers, even after several hundred shots; the levers have a very high tension and the safety has also worked perfectly so far. That is reassuring.
The universal interface at the head of the two rings is very attractive for further additions to the mount. For example, Picatinny rails for other attachments can be mounted on it. A red dot was not an option for our Schmidt and Bender riflescope, as it becomes a powerful red dot even with a simple manual turn to “CC”.
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However, Eratac also offers its own emergency sights for the interface, optionally with steel bar or red front sight, which could also be useful in our setup. With a 30 millimeter ring diameter and cocking levers, the mount weighs 318 grams, a weight that is ultimately easy to come to terms with.
Conclusion
The decision to use Eratac’s quick-release mount was absolutely right. We can mount one and the same double package of mount and scope on different rifles. All you need to do is note or mark any clicks for adjusting the scope and the mounting points on the rail and you’re ready to go. This alone may be enough to do the math for many people. At the same time, we can also quickly make room for other setups on the AUG. This in itself is very practical, but only makes sense with a high repeat accuracy. This was consistently the case in our test runs. In order to get a really meaningful impression of the repeat accuracy of the cocking mount, the mount never remained on the AUG throughout, but was mounted and dismounted before and after each shot. During the countless mounting and dismounting operations, which were always quick and uncomplicated, there was never any noticeable shift in the point of impact. In comparison, testing was always carried out at a shooting distance of 100 meters. All in all, a great option that allows for maximum versatility. With the numerous rails and accessories, Eratac offers further customization options on the mount.
