A recent upgrade to one of my Ruger Mark IV pistols was the Lobos Industries Low Profile Red Dot Mount. Ditching the Picatinny rail for a lower mount brings the dot height closer to the bore axis. That’s an immediate bonus. And while other companies offer mounts with multiple sets of holes for different optics, they are somewhat inelegant. The Lobos Industries mounts are optic-specific, meaning they only have a single set of holes. Of course, the upside is that they have a much cleaner look. If you have settled on a specific optic, this is, in my opinion, the best looking mount available. Note that I still use other mounts on some of my other pistols, as I like to swap different optics across them. I’m not playing favorites, just choosing the most appropriate mount for each application.
The Mount
Each mount is machined from aircraft grade aluminum. Although the exact grade isn’t specified, I’m not too concerned, as the sights don’t weigh much. It’s also worth noting that these are for pistols without a reciprocating slide. So ultimate strength is not critical. By design, the mounting surface is a mere 0.105 inch above the receiver. Finish options are anodized black or polished aluminum, although stock goes so quickly, I have only ever seen black available. Mounting hardware is included to attach to your pistol. For attaching the optic, the original hardware is used.
Currently, the mount itself is only available for the Ruger Mark series. Any modern version is already tapped for a Picatinny rail, so this will fit them. Much older units may not be tapped, so keep that in mind. As far as optics, there is a small range, but it’s the most popular ones. That includes RMR, Holosun, Holosun 507K, Leupold Delta Point Pro, Vortex Viper and Venom, as well as the Burris Fastfire 3. Note again that the mounts are specific to each pattern, so it’s important to order the correct one. On the Lobos Industries website, each mount has its own page, making it a little more difficult to order the wrong one.
Installation
After verifying that your pistol is not loaded, installing the mount is super simple. Remove the existing Picatinny mount, if necessary. Orient the mount so that the cutout is over the ejection port. Attach it with the two provided screws. Make sure they don’t interfere with the bolt. I’d add a tiny amount of removable thread lock as well. As you can see, I’m using a Vortex Venom 3MOA red dot. This is something of a “field pistol” compared to my more dedicated competition-style pistols. So the finer dot comes in handy on longer shots and smaller targets. For hitting steel, I also use some 6MOA dots, which are easier to pick up and work fine at 25 yards and under.
Once the Lobos Industries mount is attached, use the hardware that came with your optic to attach it to the mount. Tighten the screws according to the manufacturer’s specs. I then use my Wheeler Laser Bore Sighter to zero it at 25 yards. This is usually as accurate as I need for shooting steel. If you don’t have access to a bore sighting device, it shouldn’t take too many rounds to get it zeroed.
Behold the beauty
I don’t like to just repeat the manufacturer’s ad copy, but in this case, it’s not wrong. Have a look at the overhead close-up below, of my Tactical Solutions Pac-Lite IV upper. It’s definitely a “clean integrated look”. And the extra machine work does “bring some aesthetic appeal” too. Of course, at the indoor range, it’s described as flat out “sexy”. This is a 100% functional piece of gear that backs that up with solid good looks too. It looks just as good on a Ruger OEM upper, I just happened to mount it on this particular pistol because I settled on the Venom as my chosen optic.
Range time
To be fair, there’s not really any noticeable difference between this and my previous mount, when it comes to performance. A fraction of an inch doesn’t make a huge difference. Had I swapped my Picatinny rail for this, I would see a greater benefit. There is probably something like a 1/2 inch of height difference between this and an optic on the Picatinny rail. If you only shoot at one distance, it’s not a concern. But if your targets are at varying distances, the closer to the bore axis, the better.
Conclusion
During the holidays, I got a $50 gift card. Seeing as how I am reviewing guns and customizing them all year, I’m difficult to shop for. I don’t wear ties, don’t need any more coffee mugs, and if my wife were to pick out some shooting accessory, well, I probably already have two of them. But that card arrived right when Lobos Industries had the mount I was looking for in stock. And the $45 mount was shipped for just under $50 in total. Which puts it in line, or even a little less expensive, than other mounts. So that worked out well. If you want to get your own, check out the entire line of Lobos Industries products on their website.
As mentioned, the Lobos Industries Low Profile Red Dot Mount was not provided for review, it was purchased with my own funds. I’m sharing it with my readers for a couple of reasons. One, it’s just an awesome mount, both in looks and function. And two, I will always support the little guys. Some of the best products available come from individuals who just have a passion for producing really great stuff. And Lobos Industries fits that description well. I’ve also got mounts from the big manufacturers, but this one stands out as a premium piece, produced in small batches, and priced fairly. You cannot beat that.
So you were able to use the screws that came with lobos mount on the Tactical Solutions barrel? Have both and wanted to incorporate them. Thanks for the help and the great article.
Yes, I used the included screws, and they worked just fine.
I’ve sent multiple emails via the website and Facebook. Are you still in business??
Is who still in business?
Great read……what kind of grips?
Click the TandemKross link and you’ll find them listed on their site.