Best Red Dot For Ruger Mark 4 22/45 Lite

Hey Gunners! Welcome to the Best Red Dot For Ruger Mark 4 22/45 Lite blog.

I’ve hands-on tested this firearm with a variety of red dot sights to bring you an article grounded in actual experience.

when it comes to the Ruger Mark IV and red dot sights, I know what works and what doesn’t.

Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, this guide aims to help you make an informed decision for your next red dot sight purchase.

So, let’s dive in!

Top 6 Best Ruger Mark IV Red Dots

Ruger Mark 4 Red Dot	Category
Trijicon RMR	Best Overall
Trijicon SRO	Best for Professionals
Holosun HE507C	Budget Alternative of Trijicon
Vortex Venom	Best for Beginners
Burris FastFire 3	Great Value for Money
Crimson Trace RAD Pro	Best Affordable Option

1. Trijicon RMR – Best Overall

The Trijicon RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Sight is a powerhouse of durability and precision, ideal for your Ruger Mark IV.

Unique Design: Let’s talk about this sight’s unique design. Crafted for impact absorption and stress deflection, the Trijicon RMR Type 2 isn’t just built to last; it’s engineered to thrive. 

The military-grade aluminum housing, specifically 7075-T6 aluminum, protects the lens like a fortress. But it’s not just about durability; this design also helps maintain your aim, particularly when you’re under pressure or in rapid-fire situations. 

The design ensures that the lens remains unaffected, allowing you to shoot with unmatched accuracy.

Durable Material: Material matters. The sight’s 7075-T6 aluminum makes it robust yet lightweight, ensuring it won’t unbalance your Ruger Mark IV. 

Unlike other materials that compromise between weight and toughness, this aluminum type offers the best of both worlds. The material is corrosion-resistant, which means it can handle exposure to the elements without a hitch. Whether it’s rain, snow, or sleet, this sight’s got your back.

Reticle Variety and Size: When it comes to reticles, size does matter, and the RMR Type 2 gives you options. My personal favorite is the 3.25 MOA reticle.

This size optimizes your field of view, making it perfect for both close and medium-range targets. It’s quick to capture and exceptionally precise, making it versatile for various shooting scenarios.

Enhanced Electronics for Reliable Use: The electronics in this sight are like a dependable friend. They offer you exactly what you need when you need it. 

One striking feature is its battery conservation mode, which automatically adjusts aiming brightness according to the environment. This ensures that your sight remains active for extended periods without needing a battery swap. The ruggedized battery housing ensures that your electronics stay protected, enhancing the sight’s overall reliability.

Power-Saving Capabilities: The sight’s power-saving capabilities are nothing short of genius. The automatic brightness adjustment feature not only helps with battery conservation but also ensures optimum visibility in varying light conditions. 

This becomes extremely handy for those who engage in long shooting sessions and don’t want to worry about their sight powering down halfway through.

Button Lockout: The button lockout feature is something every shooter will appreciate. This sets the RMR into automatic mode to prevent accidental adjustments, which could potentially compromise your shot. Imagine having your settings just perfect and then, whoops, you accidentally change something. 

With the button lockout feature, that’s not an issue. This brings an extra layer of reliability to your shooting experience.

2. Trijicon SRO – Best for Professionals

The Trijicon SRO is a sharpshooter’s dream, combining an expansive field of view with unparalleled eye relief and a range of red dot sizes.

Large, Unobstructive Field of View: It’s one of those features you don’t think much about until you experience the difference it can make. 

The Trijicon SRO offers an expansive field that allows for clear visuals not only of your target but also of your surroundings. 

This is especially crucial when you need to make fast decisions based on rapidly changing situations. The glass clarity is top-notch, and it’s not just about seeing your target; it’s about seeing it in a context, and understanding your target’s relation to the environment. 

Eye Relief and Parallax-Free: Tired eyes are the last thing you want during a long day at the range or in the field. Thankfully, this sight offers limitless eye relief, meaning your eyes stay relaxed, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. 

Not to forget, it’s parallax-free. Translation: move your head around all you want, the reticle stays on target. 

Clear, Crisp Red Dot: The red dot on the SRO isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal; you’ve got options. From the precision-focused 1 MOA dot to the quick-targeting 5 MOA dot, you can select the one that suits your specific needs. 

Personally, I find the 2.5 MOA to be the perfect balance for various shooting applications, be it hunting or target practice. 

Top-Loading Battery: Let’s talk convenience. Nobody likes to dismount their optic just to swap out a battery. The SRO sidesteps this issue with its top-loading battery compartment. 

It’s not just about saving time; it’s about maintaining your settings and avoiding the need to re-zero your sight. The battery is a CR-2032 lithium, known for its longevity, so you’re not going to be swapping it out too often anyway.

Easy-to-Adjust Illumination Controls: You’re going to be shooting in all kinds of lighting conditions, right? The SRO has you covered with its easily adjustable illumination settings. 

It offers eight levels of brightness, accommodating anything from the brightest daylight to low-light conditions. So, whether you’re squinting against the sun or straining to see in the dusk, just a few button clicks will give you the visibility you need.

3. Holosun HE507C – Best Budget Alternative of Trijicon

The Holosun HS507C X2 packs a punch with its Red Super LED, Solar Failsafe, and Shake Awake technology, all housed in durable 7075 Aluminum.

Red Super LED with 50k Hour Battery Life: First things first, the Red Super LED of the Holosun HS507C X2 really stands out. 

We’re talking about a 50,000-hour battery life here. Yep, you read that right. You basically set it and forget it. What I particularly love is the crispness and clarity of the red dot, thanks to the LED technology. 

The 2 MOA dot is precise enough for long-range shooting but also quick for those up-close engagements. 

Shake Awake Technology: So here’s a feature you’re going to love: Shake Awake Technology. How many times have you worried about draining the battery because you forgot to switch off the optic? Well, worry no more. 

The HS507C X2 enters a sleep mode after a set period of inactivity; choose from 10 minutes to 12 hours. The moment you touch it or move your gun, it wakes up instantly. I mean, how cool is that? It’s not just a battery saver; it’s peace of mind.

Housing Material and Durability: Holosun didn’t cut any corners with the housing material. We’re looking at 7075 T6 Aluminum here. 

For the uninitiated, that’s the same grade of aluminum used in aerospace engineering. It’s rugged and built to last. 

Even after a few accidental bumps and drops, the sight holds its zero, and the housing doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear. I’ve put it through its paces, and it’s stood up to every test.

Window Size and Reticle Options: The window size on this sight is 0.63×0.91 inches, giving you plenty of room to quickly acquire and maintain your target. The reticle offers versatility with a 2 MOA red dot and a 32 MOA circle. 

This combination enables quick target acquisition for close quarters while still offering the precision needed for longer shots. Having options is always a good thing, and Holosun delivers on this front.

4. Vortex Venom – Best for Beginners

The Vortex Venom optic is a compact and efficient red dot sight, offering quick target acquisition and clarity, making it a top choice for the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite.

Rapid Target Acquisition: Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this sight’s bread and butter: rapid target acquisition. With a 3 MOA reticle, you can get your aim on target in no time flat. 

There’s a certain comfort in knowing that your equipment is working as hard as you are to get that aim right. The 3 MOA size strikes a balance between speed and accuracy, so you’re not trading off one for the other.

Wide Field of View: Ever felt like you’re looking through a peephole when you’re trying to aim? Say goodbye to that feeling with the Vortex Venom. 

The wide field of view in this sight is like watching an IMAX movie but for shooting. You get an expansive visual area that helps you keep track of everything that’s going on; no more losing sight of your target because your view was too narrow. 

Clean Reticle: The reticle appears clean and unblemished in various lighting conditions. What does this mean for you? Well, for starters, it means that your shots are more likely to hit their mark because you’re seeing things clearly. 

The reticle also adapts well to different backgrounds, so it remains clearly visible whether you’re aiming against a dark forest or a bright sky.

Affordability: Alright, affordability time! The Vortex Venom offers premium features without breaking the bank. 

The sight provides a range of features; like the wide field of view and rapid target acquisition; that are often only found in much pricier models. 

5. Burris FastFire – Great Value for Money

The Burris FastFire 3 is a lightweight, affordable reflex sight that offers speed and precision, making it a fantastic match for the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite.

Top Battery Access: Let’s start with a feature we all care about battery life and access. The Burris FastFire 3 has top battery access. 

What does that mean for you? Well, it’s all about convenience. You can swap out the battery without removing the sight. 

MOA Dot Sizes: The Burris FastFire 3 offers two MOA dot sizes: 6 or 8. The 8 MOA dot size stands out, especially in bright daylight conditions. 

It’s as clear as day and is pretty hard to miss. It outshines the 6 MOA dot in terms of visibility and crispness. However, the 6 MOA is no slouch either; it holds its own. 

The choice between the two comes down to your personal preference and the shooting conditions you find yourself in most frequently. Whether you like a smaller or larger dot size, you’ve got options, and that’s always a good thing.

Auto Brightness Control: Talk about being smart! The Burris FastFire 3 has an auto-brightness control feature. It adjusts the brightness of your reticle according to the environmental lighting conditions. No more squinting or straining your eyes to see the reticle. 

Durability & Affordability: Affordability and durability often don’t go hand in hand, but the FastFire 3 is a happy exception. You’re getting a sight that’s both affordable and built to last. 

With a battery life that lasts up to 4+ years, this sight is in it for the long haul. It holds up well against regular wear and tear, a factor often overlooked when shopping for sights.

6. Crimson Trace RAD Pro – Best Affordable Option

The Crimson Trace RAD PRO is a full-sized open reflex sight loaded with smart features, making it an excellent match for the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite.

Large Rapid Acquisition Window: First up is the RAD Pro’s large acquisition window. Man, oh man, this thing is like the big screen TV of sights. 

The lens is recessed and fully multi-coated, providing an exceptional field of view. This is particularly useful when you’re trying to get your sights on a moving target. Even better? The 3 MOA red reticle. 

Radiant Ambient Light Sensor: Now, let’s talk about how smart this sight is. The Radiant Ambient Light Sensor adjusts the reticle brightness automatically based on the surrounding light. 

This feature ensures that the Ruger Mark IV remains an all-weather, all-lighting-condition friend. 

Automatic Activation: Wait, there’s more! The RAD Pro has a motion sensor that kicks into action when it senses weapon movement. 

Basically, it knows when it’s game time and lights up accordingly. But that’s not all; it also knows when to take a nap. If it doesn’t sense movement for two minutes, it enters sleep mode. 

Manual Power and Auto Shutoff Functions: Even though this sight is pretty clever, you’re still the boss. It provides manual power and auto-shutoff options, allowing you to take control when you want to. 

Say you’re shooting in conditions where you don’t want the sight to adjust automatically, or maybe you just like having full control.

How to mount a red dot sight on the Ruger Mark IV?

Setting up a red dot sight on your Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite isn’t overly complicated. However, you do need a bit of expertise. 

You have a couple of options: you can either use an adapter plate or consult an expert gunsmith. These pros will use specialized techniques like drilling, tapping, and milling to ensure your slide fits your red dot sight like a glove.

Final Verdict

After hours of hands-on testing at the range with my Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite, my final verdict is crystal clear: the Trijicon RMR emerges as the top pick. 

Trust me, I’ve put these sights through their paces, evaluating them on multiple criteria from durability to user-friendliness. 

While each sight has its strengths and will appeal to different types of shooters, the Trijicon RMR stands out as the one-size-fits-all option. 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, my exhaustive testing and analysis have led me to conclude that this red dot sight will satisfy the widest range of individual needs and preferences.

FAQ’s

Can you put a red dot on a Ruger Mark IV?

Yes, you can definitely mount a quality red dot sight on a Ruger Mark IV to enhance its accuracy and performance.

Does Ruger make red dot sights?

Indeed, Ruger has launched the Ready Dot, a mounted micro-reflex sight specifically designed for the Ruger Max-9 handgun.

What is the difference between Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite and Tactical?

The primary distinction lies in design elements; the Lite version features barrel cutouts, while the Tactical version comes in either all black or tan.