FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Durability & Performance
Q: Is PA12 nylon strong enough to be durable and hold zero?
A: Yes. The Ruger Mark series pistol is particularly well suited for a nylon optic mount because the red dot is mounted to a barrel/upper that doesn’t reciprocate. PA12 nylon has excellent strength, impact resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, and dimensional accuracy. LowPro mounts have been extensively tested in real-world use, with customers and competitive shooters reporting tens of thousands of rounds without a shift in zero.
“15k on two different nylon mounts and there has been no zero shift. One is a comp gun and the other rattles around in a farm truck.” – jimk12345
“Great little piece to clean up the look when rear sight is removed. Easy to install/remove, have fired over 10k rounds and it stays in place. Well worth the price!” – Chuck M.
“I've had a lowpro rmr mount on my mkiv since October 2025, it's been on and off numerous times. Holds zero perfectly, no issues hitting a 3/4" bullseye at 15 yards. There have been roughly 9000 rounds though the pistol in that time I may add.” – Consistent_Spite_204
“I was leary about a polymer optic mount but I have no worries about this mount at all. I waited a while to review it, put a couple thousand rounds of 22 through the pistol with the mount and there has been zero movement of the optic or the mount, even when getting the mount location very, very hot.” – Jeff A.
“I own a handful of MKIV’s with a couple different red dot mounts and would highly recommend this mount. Over 2K rounds on one of my MKIV’s and it has held its zero. Really tough to beat this mount at the price and wouldn’t hesitate to get another one.” – Arndog762
“I have been running this mount on my Ruger Mark IV .22 pistol for over 1000+ rounds and it has worked great! It holds zero perfectly and is extremely sleek and fits both the gun and optic well. I highly recommend this product!” – Paul D.
“I got the nylon. Yeah I’ve put like 1000 rounds through it and as long as you loctite it it’s super solid. Can’t beat it for the price. Especially for a range gun.” - sawyaahsh
Q: Why does the PA12 nylon mount have some flex when I push on it?
A: PA12 nylon is an engineering thermoplastic and is naturally more flexible than aluminum. You may notice some movement if you deliberately push or twist on the optic or mount by hand. This does not mean the mount will lose zero during normal shooting. The mount is designed to use the upper's curved mounting surface and alignment features to securely position the optic.
Q: What are the differences between the nylon and aluminum versions?
A: The nylon and aluminum versions use the same geometry and are functionally identical. The nylon version is lighter, has a slightly textured surface finish, and is more economical. The aluminum version is more rigid and has a more premium fit and finish. Regardless of material, the mounts are very durable and designed to hold zero long-term.
Q: Will the LowPro mount interfere with ejection or cause malfunctions?
A: No. The LowPro mount is designed to attach directly to the top of the Ruger upper without interfering with the ejection port or normal operation of the firearm. Proper installation is important, so make sure you are using the correct screws and tightening them to the specified torque.
Compatibility
Q: Will this mount fit my Ruger Mark I, II, III, or IV?
A: LowPro mounts are compatible with Ruger Mark I, II, III, and IV pistols that have factory threaded holes on top of the upper. However, Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical Silencer Shop Exclusive (SSH) models use a different mounting pattern and require our dedicated LowPro SSH mount. If you're unsure which mount you need, check the Red Dot to LowPro™ Mount Compatibility Tool or contact me at derek@lowpromounts.com before ordering.
Q: How do I know which LowPro mount I need for my red dot?
A: LowPro mounts are available for several of the most popular red dot footprints, including RMR, RMSc, DeltaPoint Pro (DPP), Docter/Noblex, C-MORE, and Aimpoint Micro. Select the mount that matches the footprint of your red dot. If you're unsure which mount you need, check the Red Dot to LowPro™ Mount Compatibility Tool or contact me at derek@lowpromounts.com before ordering.
Q: Are LowPro mounts compatible with Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical Silencer Shop Exclusive (SSH) models?
A: Yes, but the SSH models require a dedicated LowPro SSH mount because they use a different mounting pattern. The standard LowPro mounts are not compatible with the SSH models. Please check your model number before ordering.
Q: Are LowPro mounts compatible with TacSol Pac-Lite uppers?
A: Yes. LowPro mounts are compatible with TacSol Pac-Lite uppers. However, TacSol Pac-Lite uppers use #6-40 threaded holes while Ruger uppers use #6-48 threaded holes. If you are installing a LowPro mount on a TacSol Pac-Lite upper, you must order these #6-40 screws.
Q: Will a LowPro mount work with a suppressor?
A: Yes. The LowPro mount attaches directly to the Ruger upper and does not interfere with the installation or use of a suppressor.
Installation
Q: Is a LowPro mount difficult to install?
A: No. Installation is straightforward and typically requires only a Torx driver or hex key, depending on the screws supplied with your mount and optic. Installation instructions are included with every mount and installation videos are available on each product page.
Q: Does the mount come with the screws I need?
A: Yes. LowPro mounts include the screws required to attach the mount to the Ruger upper as well as the appropriate optic mounting screws for the applicable footprint. Some red dots use non-standard screw lengths, so check the compatibility information for your specific optic if you are unsure.
Q: What if the provided screws are too short or long?
A: The screws should engage all threads without protruding through the bottom of the mount. If the included screws are too short or long, try using the screws supplied with your red dot. Ensure the screw size and pitch match the markings embossed/engraved on the mount.
Q: Should I use the screws that came with my red dot?
A: Not necessarily. Red dots can use different screw lengths even when they share the same footprint. The correct screw length is critical because screws that are too long can interfere with the bolt. I recommend using the screws supplied with your LowPro mount unless your specific optic requires different hardware.
Q: Should I use Loctite on the mounting screws?
A: Yes. I recommend using a small amount of blue, removable threadlocker (e.g. Loctite 242 or 243) on the mounting screws. Proper threadlocker and torque are important for preventing the screws from loosening during use. Do not use excessive threadlocker.
Q: What torque should I use on the screws?
A: Follow the torque specification provided in the installation instructions for your specific LowPro mount. Because the mount is extremely thin, proper torque is particularly important. Do not exceed the recommended torque.
Q: Can I over-tighten the screws?
A: Yes. Over-tightening the screws can deform the mount and, depending on the screw length and installation, can cause the screws to interfere with the bolt. Always use the specified torque and do not attempt to make the mount more secure by tightening the screws beyond the recommended specification.
Mounting Height & Sights
Q: How much lower is a LowPro mount than the factory Ruger rail?
A: A LowPro mount eliminates the factory Picatinny rail and the additional height associated with mounting an optic to that rail. Depending on the footprint, LowPro mounts are only 1–2 mm thick, placing the optic dramatically closer to the bore and creating a much cleaner, lower-profile setup. On average, LowPro mounts sit 10.5mm (0.4”) lower than a Picatinny rail + adapter plate combo.
Q: Will I be able to co-witness the stock iron sights using this mount?
A: Usually not. Even though LowPro mounts are among the lowest-profile red dot mounts available, most red dots sit too high to provide a traditional co-witness with the factory iron sights. However, some customers have reported a very low 1/8 co-witness with certain optics that have particularly thin or short bases. Taller aftermarket front sights, such as these available from Dawson Precision, can also be used to improve the sight picture.
Q: Can I still use my iron sights with a LowPro mount?
A: The factory iron sights remain installed and functional, but whether you can see them through your particular red dot depends on the optic's height and design. Most optics will not provide a conventional co-witness with the factory sights.
Design & Manufacturing
Q: Why are the mounts made out of PA12 nylon instead of aluminum?
A: PA12 nylon is an engineering-grade thermoplastic with high strength, impact resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, and dimensional accuracy. It is also lightweight and significantly less expensive to manufacture than aluminum, which allows me to keep the price low. PA12 nylon is particularly well suited for the Ruger Mark series because the optic is mounted to a non-reciprocating barrel/upper assembly.
Q: How are the mounts made?
A: Nylon LowPro mounts are additively manufactured using industrial 3D printing. This process allows us to produce extremely thin, lightweight, and precisely shaped mounting plates without the tooling costs associated with traditional manufacturing methods. Aluminum LowPro mounts are CNC machined from aluminum and then anodized black for a durable, corrosion-resistant finish.
Q: Are the 3D printed nylon mounts actually strong enough for long-term use?
A: Yes. The mounts have been extensively used in real-world shooting, including high-round-count competition and recreational shooting. Multiple customers have reported tens of thousands of rounds with no shift in zero.
Q: Why don't you just make all of the mounts out of aluminum?
A: Aluminum is an excellent material, which is why I now offer aluminum mounts for customers who prefer metal construction. However, PA12 nylon has several advantages for this particular application. It is extremely lightweight, corrosion resistant, inexpensive, and sufficiently strong for the non-reciprocating Ruger Mark platform. The nylon version allows me to offer an extremely low-profile mount at a much lower price.
Q: Where are LowPro mounts made?
A: LowPro mounts are designed by me, a mechanical engineer and competitive shooter, in Atlanta, GA. The nylon mounts are manufactured in Michigan while the aluminum mounts are manufactured in China.
Q: Where do LowPro mounts ship from?
A: All LowPro mounts are quality inspected, packaged, and shipped from Atlanta, GA.
Q: Who designs LowPro mounts?
A: LowPro mounts are designed by me, the owner, Derek McCurry. I’m a mechanical engineer and competitive shooter.
Still Have Questions?
If you have a question that isn’t addressed above, please feel free to email me at derek@lowpromounts.com or text/call me at (770) 674-8314.