Grip/Rail mount opinions...

I have a Ruger MKIII Target with a red dot mounted on top I've been toying with and I'm curious about seeing what a dot on 45 seems like. My Range Officer is not drilled or tapped for a rail or mount and the easiest way to try a dot I thought was to try the option of a grip like mounted rail that goes up along side the gun and hovers over the slide. Is this a good system? What are your opinions on mounting a dot this way?

Grip mounts are fine. They mount scope higher than slide mount, etc, but not the end of the world. I use a grip mount to test all the pistols I build that have iron sights. I've shot 889 cf with grip mount. Make sure grip screws are oiled and snug. Keep eye to make sure they are tight. A left side mount is preferable to right side: too thick and messes with grip.
Jon

Unless your left handed, hehe.

Any chance the dot gets mounted high enough to still use irons?

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/rings-mounts-bases/handgun-bases/1911-auto-grip-scope-mount-prod63.aspx

This one example. It works well enough to start with. It also allows use of the open sights. I just use the grip screws and forego the hammer and MSH pins.

Jim

Is there any need for something like a blue Loctite versus just having clean/oiled screws?

Some grip mounts have extra mounting screws. I never used them. 1911's have grip estucheons (bushings). The bushings are staked in. If you over tighten grip screws the bushing can get stuck to the screw and come out of the frame when removing the grip screw. Oil helps to keep screw from sticking and removing the bushing. So I actually always oil my grip screws. But I'm highly recommending oiling the screws if using a grip mount.
Jon

+1

When I first started I used an NPC mount that replaced the left grip panel.  I had no idea whether I wanted a slide or frame mount, but I knew my eye's were bad enough to need a dot.  Eventually I went with the slide mount, but the grip mount gave me the time to decide which direction I wanted to go.

As was mentioned, it does mount the dot up pretty high. but I don't remember if you could see the open sights under it.  If I can find it at home i'll slap it on my hardball gun & be able to tell you if the open sights can be used with it mounted.
Al

If anyone has a spare left side mounting peice they'd like to sell please let me know. All the ones I've found online so far are right side mounting.

it doesn't matter if your left handed, as the grip is flat, and the rail is centered over the slide. brownells has them on sale now for 54.95

If your left handed your not having to have your hand on the flat, the same reason as stated a right hander would like a left side mount.