Improve Your Optics Performance

Optic risers are one of the most underrated but highly effective upgrades you can make to your rifle setup—especially on AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles. Whether you’re mounting a red dot, holographic sight, magnifier, night vision device, or other tactical optics, the right riser can enhance comfort, speed, and overall shooting performance.

In this guide, our team at Defense Distributors is going to break down what optic risers are, why they matter, how to choose the right height, and where to buy them.

What Is an Optic Riser?

An optic riser is a mount platform that raises your optic above the rifle’s rail, increasing the height over bore so that your eye naturally lines up with the sight without having to lower your head excessively. This simple change in height can dramatically improve your shooting posture, target acquisition speed, and sight picture consistency.

Optic risers are commonly used with:

• Red dot sights
• Holographic optics
• Magnifiers
• Night vision or thermal devices

Why You Might Need an Optic Riser

1. Better Ergonomics and Head Position

One of the biggest benefits of an optic riser is improved ergonomics. Raising the optic allows you to keep your head and neck in a more natural position when looking through your optic, reducing strain over long sessions at the range or in duty scenarios.

2. Faster Sight Acquisition

A properly heighted optic means your eye naturally falls on the reticle when you shoulder the rifle. This reduces the time it takes to get on target—especially in close-quarters or dynamic shooting.

3. Accessory Compatibility

If you’re running accessories like magnifiers, night vision, or other attachments behind your red dot, a riser can help you achieve the proper alignment.

4. Co-Witnessing With Backup Sights

With the right riser, you can set up either an absolute co-witness or a lower 1/3 co-witness with your iron sights—giving you redundancy in case your primary optic fails.

Common Optic Riser Heights

Optic riser heights usually fall into a few popular standards:

• Absolute Co-Witness Height – Aligns your optic’s reticle with your iron sights.
• Lower 1/3 Co-Witness Height – Keeps iron sights visible in the lower portion of the optic window.
• Taller Heights (1.93″ and above) – Ideal for night vision, magnifiers, and head-up shooting positions.

The height you choose depends on your shooting style, gear, and how your rifle is set up.

How to Choose the Right Optic Riser

When selecting an optic riser, keep these factors in mind:

Material and Durability

Look for mounts made from aircraft-grade aluminum with a quality hard-coat anodized finish.

Height and Compatibility

Make sure the riser supports the optic you plan to mount and matches the height you want for your eyes and backup sights.

Mounting Stability

A solid mount should hold zero and not shift under recoil or repeated removal and reattachment.

Where to Buy Optic Risers

When it comes to purchasing optic risers and all your firearm accessories, Defense Distributors stands out as a top retailer worth considering. Our team at Defense Distributors specializes in firearm optics, accessories, and tactical gear, curating products that help shooters protect life and improve performance.

What Makes Defense Distributors a Great Option

• Purpose-Driven Inventory: Defense Distributors focuses on gear designed for real-world use, including optics and mounting solutions that meet the needs of competitive shooters, hunters, and defensive setups alike.
• Expert Curation: Rather than simply listing thousands of random accessories, this retailer carefully chooses products that help customers accomplish their shooting goals.
• Optic Bundles and Value: In addition to individual optics and mounts, Defense Distributors offers optic bundles that pair popular sights with accessories like magnifiers—making it easier to build a complete setup in one place.

Support the Mission

This company was created to support Americans who seek to protect life and liberty and offers gear suited for responsible, mission-oriented firearm use.

If you want optics and mounts from a retailer that understands shooters and mission-focused gear, Defense Distributors is a solid choice for risers and more.

Final Thoughts on Optic Risers

Optic risers are more than just mounts—they’re an ergonomic and performance upgrade that can make your shooting setup more effective and comfortable. By choosing the right height and a reputable source like Defense Distributors, you’ll be better prepared for both range days and serious defensive applications.

Whether you’re new to optics or refining an advanced build, investing in a quality optic riser and buying from a trusted retailer can make all the difference in how quickly you get on target and how naturally your rifle feels shouldered.

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