UPDATE: Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Optic-Ready With Co-Witness Sights

Ruger just expanded its popular Mark I/V 22/45 Lite with an optic-ready variant featuring co-witness sights. The addition provides even greater utility as more shooters turn to running optics on pistols for defense or sport.

The new pistols feature a standard Shield RMS footprint for reflex optics. It resides in place of the Picatinny rail. The pistol also utilizes a raised front fiber-optic sight and adjustable rear sight, co-witnessing with most micro red cots currently on the market. An attractive ventilated rib rests atop an anodized receiver.

Like all 22/45 pistols, the new model combines a lightweight, precision-molded, polymer grip frame with a ported, anodized aluminum receiver. It delivers a custom look that shooters just seem to love–without paying a custom price. Chambered in .22 LR, the pistol weighs 22.5 ounces with a 4.4-inch stainless steel barrel, threaded 1/2″-28 for accessories or suppression.

On November 7, 2022, Ballistic reported:

This bad boy comes ready to race, plink, hunt or shoot. Whatever your shooting pleasure, the new Davidson’s exclusive offering of Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite pistols, topped with Riton 3Tactix MPRD2 red dots, is ready for the challenge.

The Davidson's Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite pistols feature anodized, colored finishes.

Davidson’s Exclusive Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Pistols

The Mark IV 22/45 remains an extremely popular rimfire platform. With an entire cottage industry of accessories and components supporting it, you can really customize the pistol. But Davidson’s did the work for you on this one. It comes with anodized colors, threaded barrels and the popular 22/45 1911-style grip angle. Throw in 1911-style grip panels and the upgraded one-button tool-less takedown, and the 22/45 excels.

The Mark IV 22/45 Lite mount presents a clean look.

The Davidson’s exclusives come with a 4.4-inch barrel, 1/2-28 threaded barrel and an ambidextrous manual safety. The red and purple anodized aluminum uppers, complete with custom ventilation cuts, gives these pistols a signature look.

Now the platform comes ready to go with a red dot sight. Gone are the old irons, with these models pre-fitted with Riton 3Tactix MPRD2 red dots. The compact, versatile optics feature shake awake, auto brightness and auto off. It comes with a 3 MOA dot to ensure rapid target acquisition. Each optic typically sports a retail value of around $350.

The Davidson’s models forgo iron sights, even removing any and all mounting rails. The company worked with Ruger to machine a custom mount for the 3TMPRD2. The resulting package delivers a clean, streamlined appearance. It should prove extremely fun on the range or in competition.