Inexpensive RDS for Ruger mkiii

[rob_s]

I have one of the Ruger mkiii models that has a rail top and bottom. It’s always just worn a Streamlight tlr2 Hl and I’ve used it at night on critters for years with a Gemtech suppressor attached. Now I’m hunting critters in the daytime and the laser isn’t getting it done as it disappears too easily. If I was doing it over again I’d buy a model with sights (I think at the time if I wanted threaded and a bottom rail this one with no irons was the only option, may or may not still be true), but it seems to me the less expensive option from where I’m at would be to install an inexpensive RDS.

Im looking for suggestions as to what to buy for it.

[mtnbkr]

I have one of the Ruger mkiii models that has a rail top and bottom. It’s always just worn a Streamlight tlr2 Hl and I’ve used it at night on critters for years with a Gemtech suppressor attached. Now I’m hunting critters in the daytime and the laser isn’t getting it done as it disappears too easily. If I was doing it over again I’d buy a model with sights (I think at the time if I wanted threaded and a bottom rail this one with no irons was the only option, may or may not still be true), but it seems to me the less expensive option from where I’m at would be to install an inexpensive RDS.

Im looking for suggestions as to what to buy for it.

I've had a Bushnell TRS-25 on top of my MKIII 22/45 for a couple years now. It's a bit tall, but does the job. If I were going to buy one right now, I'd get one of the inexpensive Swampfox (never used one, but they look good) or Holosun (have one) RDS models, mainly for smaller size and lower profile.

Chris

[Borderland]

I have one of these on a MKII

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Venom-Red-Sight/dp/B00S2P2J90/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=vortex%2Bvenom&qid=1598967135&sr=8-3&th=1


I don't know much about the price range of red dots these days so no help on inexpensive. This is a very good dot for a pistol. I've had mine for a few years and thinking about another one for a carbine.

[TicTacticalTimmy]

On my MKIV I have a holosun 407c-gr, I think it is pretty great. Was under $175 when I bought it, not sure what prices look like right now.

I am also using a Maddmacs center mount to get the dot nice and low so it is a useful training tool for real pistols.

If you want to go cheaper I would look at Primary Arms.

[awp_101]

Primary Arms on my 22/45 Lite

60351

[HeavyDuty]

I put a Burris Fastfire 3 in a dovetail mount on my CTM, it’s working well.

60352

[rob_s]

I put a Burris Fastfire 3 in a dovetail mount on my CTM, it’s working well.

60352

Nice. Only $229
https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-fastfire-iii-red-dot-reflex-sight-w-optional-picatinny-mount.html

[HeavyDuty]

Nice. Only $229
https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-fastfire-iii-red-dot-reflex-sight-w-optional-picatinny-mount.html

Would you use the Pic rail mount, or a lower one like I used? My mount is the one Burris makes, but I know there are other alternatives that don’t involve drilling - they use what is already there.

[shootist26]

I have a Burris Fastfire III 8 MOA on my mkIII for speed steel shooting and it works fine. The autobrightness feature works and it has never lost zero through thousands of rounds. It sits on a pic rail since i wanted to preserve my iron sights too.

I suppose the only thing I dislike is the very small but perceptible magnification it has. It's like a 1.05x. Not a deal breaker for me

I'm sure there are better ones out there now but for what I use this mkIII for i don't really care

[Lon]

A basic Primary Arms Micro can be had for $90. I’d go (and have) that route. 60371

[rob_s]

A basic Primary Arms Micro can be had for $90. I’d go (and have) that route. 60371

I’d love to get away with spending $100 but I do t want a tube optic on a pistol.

[rob_s]

Would you use the Pic rail mount, or a lower one like I used? My mount is the one Burris makes, but I know there are other alternatives that don’t involve drilling - they use what is already there.

Id probably do the pic rail mount. My pistol already has a rail so it seems the least fiddle-fart option.

[mmc45414]

I do t want a tube optic on a pistol.

I have this and it seems to work well.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200913/e8b0dadb5188fe0dbf9cfd2bbea938a5.jpg

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[HeavyDuty]

I had an early AimPoint on my MkIII CTM for about a decade when it was new, and it wasn’t much fun. I find open emitter sights to work much better for me.

[rob_s]

Kinda tempted to try out this guy...
https://www.swampfoxoptics.com/kingslayer

[Duke]

Been happy with this mount and vortex venom on my suppressed Mk4

About 20k rounds on the combo

https://lobos-industries.com/products/ruger-mark-series-low-profile-mount

[rob_s]

Been happy with this mount and vortex venom on my suppressed Mk4

About 20k rounds on the combo

https://lobos-industries.com/products/ruger-mark-series-low-profile-mount

What's the reasoning behind the extra spend on a new mount vs just attaching to the factory rail? Getting the optic lower on the bore?

ETA:
also curious which dot option you have.

[Duke]

What's the reasoning behind the extra spend on a new mount vs just attaching to the factory rail? Getting the optic lower on the bore?

ETA:
also curious which dot option you have.

Yes. The factory pic rail was tall as shit.

I have the 3 MOA venom.

[mtnbkr]

I have this and it seems to work well.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200913/e8b0dadb5188fe0dbf9cfd2bbea938a5.jpg

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

What mount and RDS is that?

Chris

[mmc45414]

What mount and RDS is that?
It is the legit Aimpoint when they made them in silver and their mount. They still show the mount on their www site but most suppliers seem to show them as discontinued:
https://www.aimpoint.com/product/aimpoint-micro-h-1-mount-ruger-mkiii/

Midway sold a bunch of them for like $350 on closeout.

[Borderland]

I put a Burris Fastfire 3 in a dovetail mount on my CTM, it’s working well.

60352

Burris or Venom would be my choice. If you want to leave your iron sights on the gun just attach a rail and mount the RDS on that. That's what I did am totally satisfied with the results. Down the road you pull the dot off and sell the pistol to some Boomer like me who used to use irons when he was 15. Then he finds out he can't see well enough to shoot it and mounts a RDS on it.

[rob_s]

Burris or Venom would be my choice. If you want to leave your iron sights on the gun just attach a rail and mount the RDS on that. That's what I did am totally satisfied with the results. Down the road you pull the dot off and sell the pistol to some Boomer like me who used to use irons when he was 15. Then he finds out he can't see well enough to shoot it and mounts a RDS on it.

Unfortunately, while they corrected the error in the mkiv and started including sights, the mkiii tactical came without any.

We might not even be having this conversation if what I owned was the mkiv...

(Not my pic, but same configuration I own)
60743

[HeavyDuty]

Unfortunately, while they corrected the error in the mkiv and started including sights, the mkiii tactical came without any.

We might not even be having this conversation if what I owned was the mkiv...

(Not my pic, but same configuration I own)
60743

I didn’t realize they did a version without sights at all. Is it dovetailed?

[rob_s]

I didn’t realize they did a version without sights at all. Is it dovetailed?

nope, nothing. top and bottom rail. At the time if you wanted a bottom rail it was either this model or go get it drilled & tapped.

[HeavyDuty]

In that case, if it were mine I’d pop a FastFire 3 on the top rail and drive on.

[rob_s]

Anybody care to debate the merits of various MOA.

[HeavyDuty]

I tend to prefer larger, but I do OK with smaller too - I can always turn up the brightness and bloom it out when needed. That said I’ve always used my Surefire 3 on auto.