| Feature / Material |
Athena Precision Hardened Heat-Treated Steel |
Standard Steel |
Aluminum |
| Material Composition |
High-carbon or alloy tool steel, heat-treated |
Mild or medium carbon steel |
Aircraft-grade (6061/7075) aluminum |
| Heat Treatment |
Yes |
Often untreated |
No – aluminum cannot be hardened like steel |
| Hardness Rating (HRC) |
48–54 HRC |
~20–30 HRC |
N/A – Soft metal |
| Impact Resistance |
★★★★★ Extremely high – resists deformation |
★★★★ Moderate – may deform over time |
★★ Very low – prone to denting |
| Thread Retention |
★★★★★ Superior – threads won’t strip |
★★★ Moderate |
★ Low – easy to cross-thread or strip |
| Durability Under Recoil |
★★★★★ Holds zero under high-caliber recoil |
★★★★ Functional but may loosen over time |
★ May fail with sustained recoil |
| Corrosion Resistance |
★★★★ Coated |
★★★★ Coated |
★★★★ Anodized but still vulnerable |
| Machining Precision |
★★★★★ CNC-milled for absolute fit and function |
★★★ Often stamped or rough cut |
★★★ Good but can warp during machining |
| Longevity |
20+ years – lifetime-grade |
5–10 years – moderate wear over time |
1–3 years – wears quickly with use |
| Mount Stability (Zero Retention) |
Rock-solid – maintains optic zero under abuse |
Moderate – can shift with heavy use |
Weak – movement and loosening over time |
| Tactical/Military Suitability |
★★★★★ Combat-grade durability and performance |
★★ Not preferred for mission-critical |
✘ Not recommended |
| Weight |
★★ Heavier – but for good reason |
★★ Similar weight |
★★★★★ Ultra-lightweight |
| Price |
$$$ Premium investment |
$$ Mid-range |
$ Cheap – but at a cost |
| Typical Use Case |
Duty-grade firearms, combat optics, pro setups |
Budget builds, moderate range use |
Airsoft, casual shooting, competition-only |
