If you’re a shotgun fan, you’ve likely looked at the optic mounting options available for rifles and handguns with some form of jealousy. Rifles, in general, have so many options, but shotgunners are stuck with Picatinny rails and mounts, right? Well, not anymore. Shotguns are finally getting some love. One of the first companies to show shotguns love is a little company called Scalarworks. They produce something called the Sync mount for all your premium shotgun options.
The Sync mounts come for Benelli M2 and M4s, Beretta 1301s and A300, Mossberg 500/590 and 930 series guns, and of course, the Remington 870s and 1100s. They mount optics by their footprint and are compatible with the RMR footprint, the Aimpoint Micro footprint, and the ACRO footprint. The Sync mount is the shotgun red dot mount we’ve always wanted.
Scalarworks seems to be expanding this lineup, which I’m grateful for. When I purchased mine several years ago, they only made them for the Mossberg and Benelli and only for the RMR. It’s nice to see them expand and hopefully continue to expand.
My Sync Mount
My Sync mount is designed for the Benelli series and uses an RMR footprint. I’m not using an RMR but a Holosun 507C optic. As a side note, the Holosun, with its 32 MOA reticle, is absolutely perfect for shotguns and the spread of pellets. The Sync mount does require your gun to be drilled and tapped, and guns like the 870 often do not come from the factory optics ready.
The Sync mounts are made from 7075-T6 aluminum, and CNC machined for precision. It’s incredibly durable but also super lightweight. Models vary slightly, but the Benelli version is less than .64 of an ounce. For comparison, a Pic mount and Pic rail weigh 2.71 ounces. The Sync mount has a watertight seal, and a sealing plate isn’t required to keep the water out of the battery compartment.
The Sync mount replaced the optic rail on the Benelli. Installation is very simple three-step process. Attach the optic to the Sync mount with the A screws. Use 15 pounds of torque. Attach the B screws to the receiver. The B screws do not go through the sync mount; they act as anchors.
If you look at the bottom of the Sync mount, you’ll notice key slots. You slide the Sync mount over these key slots and lock it in place. Then you grab the C screws and fasten the Sync mount down. It’s not too tough. The instructions are mostly universal across the various platforms, but make sure you check your individual mount and shotgun’s instructions.
Why the Sync Mount?
The Sync replaces the Picatinny rail often used to attach optics with a direct connect mount. Outside of having the receiver milled for an optic, this is the best way to mount an optic. The Sync mount lowers the optic significantly. Picatinny rails and Picatinny rail mounts often force the red dot to be higher than necessary. This results in a less natural sight picture and a raised cheek weld. It’s usable but not optimum. The Synt mount eliminates this extra height. On the Benelli M4, it sits low enough to co-witness with the Benelli’s ghost ring sights.
Beyond lowering the optic, it reduces the platforms and screws required to mount an optic. You no longer have to worry about your attachment and torque to a Picatinny mount and then that Picatinny attachment to your optic’s rail. There is less to go wrong. Additionally, the chance of the Sync mount failing is lowered due to the innovative attachment design.
The mounting system spreads side impacts across four different anchor points. This means it can take a mighty blow from the side and not bend or warp with the optic. With a Pic mount and Pic rail, this could bend one or the other.
To the Range
With the Sync mount and Holsoun attached, I hit the ground running. The immediate effect of the Sync mount is a natural cheek weld that makes it easy to find the dot upon presentation. It’s centered just perfectly in my vision and makes it easy to get the gun up and on target. There is no microsecond switch to a higher cheek weld to find the dot.
On the Benelli M4, this optic works wonders when you use the proper collapsing stock. If you’ve never used the stock, you might not realize that not only does it extend, but it travels at a slightly downward angle. At the lowest setting, it’s ultra-easy to use the iron sights but often tough to use optics mounted to the Picatinny rail. With the Sync mount, this problem is eliminated.
While you shouldn’t slave dots to irons, there is some benefit to being able to co-witness. When it came time to zero the optic, I could lower it to the iron sights for reference, and then zero much quicker with fewer of my expensive FliteControl loads fired.
I’ve fired well over 2,000 rounds with the Sync mount attached to the Benelli M4. It’s never even gotten remotely loose. I did ensure the proper torque was applied, and I’ve yet to find a single issue. Not only has the Sync mount remained locked to the gun, but the optic has also remained locked to the Sync mount. I’ve had this setup rocking and rolling since 2020 with zero issues.
Syncing Up
The Scalarworks Sync mount provides shooters with the best option for mounting shotgun red dots. Plenty of shooters might scoff at the idea of a red dot on a shotgun and see it as an unneeded upgrade. Sure, beads are fast, and ghost rings are precise, but a red dot is both. I have the speed to win a CQB fight and the precision to allow me to make the most of Flitecontrol and slugs. It’s the best option for a shotgun sighting system, and the Sync mount is the best option for mounting a red dot.
