Performance Services LLC is a machine shop that turns out some pretty cool firearms accessories. Their Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Bolt-on Under-Barrel Picatinny Rail is one of those items, which you won’t find anywhere else. The premise is simple enough. Ruger’s Mark IV 22/45 pistol is one of the most popular rimfire pistols on the market. The Lite models have a loyal following and excellent aftermarket support. Nearly every single part, from grip frames to complete uppers with competition bolts are available. But it’s still missing one thing, which is only available on their heavier Tactical model. And that is the under-barrel Picatinny rail. Todd from Performance Services LLC recognized this omission and came up with a tidy solution.
Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Bolt-on Under-Barrel Picatinny Rail
Need to mount a flashlight on your suppressed pistol for hunting critters at night? Maybe a laser for some target practice? Or a combo, with both? Performance Services LLC has you covered. Lightweight at (18 grams, or 0.6 ounces) it’s the perfect way to mount those accessories. Machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, it’s got a durable hard black anodized finish. Before it gets that finish, it’s dehorned and tumbled, so there are no sharp edges. The end result is a part that looks great and fits so well, it could be mistaken for a factory piece.
Installation
Performance Services LLC is kind enough to include a 7/64″ hex key, making installation quick and easy. First up was to try it out on my wife’s purple Mark IV Lite. After clearing the pistol, and double-checking it, I was ready to install the rail. It was a simple matter of holding the bottom half in place, while slowly tightening the two machine screws from the top. Note that the clamp is off-center a bit, so it can be mounted with more of a front or rear bias. And it fits right between the front sight and the factory upper-mounted Picatinny rail. Make sure it’s level, then snug it down, but don’t overtighten. At that point, it’s ready for accessories.
The fricken laser
My wife’s no high-speed, low-drag operator. Or a competitive shooter. She just likes to hit whatever she’s aiming at. Even though her pistol has a green reflex sight, I wanted her to try this green laser that found its way into my drawer full of miscellaneous parts. The rail allowed it to mount close enough to the trigger guard that she can reach it, even with her little hands. If there’s no factory rail up top, it could be mounted a bit farther back. Either way, it worked out well, and although this installation was more of a proof of concept, I suspect she’ll prefer the laser over her optic.
The Streamlight TLR-7 flashlight
Based on a bit of research, more than a few people use a suppressed Mark IV Lite for keeping rodents and small critters in check on their rural properties or at their cabins. This makes sense, as even with a six-ounce suppressor hanging off the end, the Lite still weighs less than the Tactical model. And what better way to peek into those dark corners than with a weapon-mounted light? So I installed the rail on one of my other Mark IV pistols, along with the TLR-7 and a TacSol Axiom for good measure. The controls are within reach, and it throws more than enough light to tell the difference between a rat, opossum, or neighbor’s cat. I can see this being a popular setup.
Speaking of Tactical Solutions…
Yes, the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Bolt-on Under-Barrel Picatinny Rail works with the TacSol Pac-Lite barrel too. Just to be sure, I tested it on another one of my pistols. Perfect fit and it looks great too. With an optic up top and light below, this would make another great suppressor host for pest control.
What about other 22/45 models, or the S&W Victory?
In response to customer feedback, Performance Services LLC added an additional mount. Here is their mount for the Silencer Shop Ruger 22/45 Tactical Pistol.
And as one of the most under-rated, and under-served (from an aftermarket perspective) pistols, I need to mention this. Performance Services LLC offers a Smith & Wesson Victory bolt-on under-barrel Picatinny rail. While the black anodized finish may not look as OEM as it does on the Ruger, it still offers a mounting solution not formerly available. Neither of my Victorys has a factory barrel, so I didn’t ask for a rail, but it’s good to know they’re an option. There is also one available for the 22/45 pistols with a 7/8″ factory bull barrel. All three are priced at $59.99 and $11.75 for expedited shipping. Combined shipping is available.
About the designer/machinist
Todd Jensen, the owner of Performance Machine LLC, has nearly 45 years of experience as a machinist. He began his training in high school, and after graduating, worked as a machinist full-time while attending college at night. Although he worked for others, he realized that he would one day need his own machines to bring to life his own designs. With a machinist job keeping him busy during the week, he spent his weekends enjoying fresh air while competing in GP motorcycle racing. After seven years that included 21 wins and 5 championships, he decided to find a hobby that was a little less dangerous, and less expensive. What’s less dangerous (not sure about the less expensive) than motorcycle racing? Competitive shooting, 0f course. Originally, he focused on shooting high-power matches and advanced to expert in about a year. He also competed in IDPA, dabbled in .22 metallic silhouette, and participated in 3-gun as well.
About Performance Machine LLC
With experience in machining for aerospace, military, oil/gas exploration, precision photography/optics, and motion control/industrial automation industries, Todd’s got some solid credentials. So while putting in the hours for someone else’s business, he started building his own shop. Doing the smart thing, he’d save and buy a machine and some tooling, then start saving again. Eventually, he bought some property and built a shop that houses all his manufacturing equipment. This gave him the freedom to make whatever he wanted when he was off the clock.
About 10 years ago, his employer of 29 years sold the business to a new owner. He was offered a job with them and accepted. Despite their promises to the contrary, the new owner wasn’t really taking good care of long-time customers. Being more loyal to those customers than the new owner who wasn’t looking after them anyway, he made a smart business move. He offered to take their work into his own shop. They accepted that offer, and he’s been in business for himself since.
A competitive shooter who’s also a machinist
Initially, Todd made aftermarket parts for motorcycles as that was one of the main inspirations for his business. Sales were not as good as expected. Then a chance meeting at an IDPA match changed the trajectory of the business. Another competitor was shooing a Kel Tec Sub 2000 Gen 1, a carbine that Todd happened to own as well. During their conversation, his new friend mentioned that one day while shooting, the front sight just snapped off. That was with about 200 rounds through it. Todd later checked his own Sub 2000, and found the front sight was about to have the same fate. Instead of getting a factory replacement, he made his own set out of aluminum. Needless to say, they turned out quite well. After making several more including some with fiber optic inserts, he listed them on eBay.
Sales were good, so he quickly shifted to making more accessories for the Sub 2000. Then it was every gun he could get his hands on if he determined that the accessories were necessary and marketable. His emphasis has always been on designing something that works well but is not currently available. He’s got no interest in just churning out the same parts as everyone else. In his own words, “Creating something original means something to me”.
Other products from Performance Services LLC
If you check the Performance Services LLC website, you’ll find some innovative products for a few different firearms. They include the KelTec Sub 2000 and SU/PLR series, Ruger 10/22 and 22/45, S&W Victory, as well as some AR-15 parts. While the current product range isn’t huge, they’re items you’re not likely to find anywhere else. And they’re all well-thought-out, and executed with high-quality standards and attention to detail. This is the same company that recently completed a project for the military which has made a difference on the two-way range. Todd takes pride in bringing his projects to life. Elaborate designs can take months to complete, and hours to machine. The end result is practically art to anyone who can appreciate the time and effort put into them.
I’d like to thank Todd for providing his product for my testing and evaluation. And for taking the time to answer all my questions about his business. As a firearms enthusiast myself, I feel we’re lucky to have guys like him out there dreaming up this stuff for us.