Field Tested: New Tandemkross Upgrades For The Ruger Mark IV Pistol

by
posted on July 11, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
tan_lede_001_tk2018_w_comp_01s.jpg

Last year I enjoyed dressing up the Ruger MK IV pistol with a variety of upgrades provided by Tandemkross [TK]. Despite already having so many top-notch options to choose from for this particular pistol, the company insists on adding more. Here are a few of the company's recent additions:  

The Mark IV pistol is fitted at the factory with a magazine disconnect. This is an internal device which prevents the pistol from firing when the magazine is removed from the grip. Some folks prefer having a disconnect while others do not. The drop-in anodized aluminum Blast Shield magazine disconnect replacement has a unique, multi-purpose design. Along with allowing the pistol to fire with or without a magazine installed, it shields the hammer and sear mechanisms from debris and facilitates proper magazine alignment.

      

The Cornerstone Thumbrest Safety by Tandemkross is machined from billet aluminum and treated with a black Cerakote finish. This rest is easily installed in place of the left side thumb safety lever with the factory installed right side lever remaining in place and fully functional. No permanent modifications are required. Placing the shooting hand thumb on the rest locks down the safety so that it won't be unintentionally bumped into Safe mode during high speed matches. The rest's angle provides increased stability and improved control for a secure two-handed grip resulting in less muzzle rise. The rest I worked with exhibited a clean, smooth fit with just the right amount of tension when switching between Safe and Fire settings.

Tandemkross offers the Game Changer compensator milled from lightweight aluminum, which is made even lighter with no less than 12 ports, for those who want the benefits of reduced muzzle flip with a bare minimum of added muzzle weight. The new Game Changer PRO compensator is milled from solid steel for those competitors looking to add weight at the muzzle for increased stability. This 4-port brake is treated with a proprietary Easy-Clean Coating to make end-of-day cleanup a snap. Cut with standard ½ x 28 threads and shipped with a rubber gasket, the Game Changer PRO can be used with competition pistols or 0.920" bull-barrel Ruger 10/22 carbines. All Tandemkross compensators are American made and ship with the company's lifetime guarantee.

For those looking to squeeze the most out of their Ruger MK IV 22/45 pistol for Rimfire Challenge matches, Steel Challenge competitions, and casual shooting endeavors, a hand-filling grip profile is important. The flexible, durable vibration-dampening synthetic hiveGrips feature an aggressively textured surface for maximum purchase and control even when the weather is not cooperating.

These wrap-around grips feature well-defined ergonomic finger grooves along the frontstrap for proper hand placement while providing a slim side-to-side profile in order to fit a wide range of hand sizes. The hiveGrip is installed using the same four screws that secure the factory grip panels. For more, visit tandemkross.com 

MSRP:
Ruger MK IV Blast Shield Magazine Disconnect (TK24N0271RED1) $21.99
MK IV 22/45 Cornerstone Thumb Rest Safety by Tandemkross (2826N0263BLK1) $55.99
Game Changer PRO Steel Compensator (TK00N0269) $59.99
Ruger MK IV 22/45 hiveGrip (TK26N0277BLK1) $39.99

Latest

Kimber 2K11 Comp F
Kimber 2K11 Comp F

New For 2026: Kimber 2K11 Comp

Kimber increased its 2K11 product line with the addition of two models with single-port compensators.

AR-15 vs. Bullpup Rifles: Which One Is Right For You?

Though bullpup-style rifle designs have become popular elsewhere in the world, they aren't nearly as popular with the American shooting public as the ubiquitous AR-15.

2025 Year-End Gun Sales Dip Ahead Of $0 NFA Tax Stamp Enactment

Firearm sales were down in December 2025, reflecting a pause that may be attributable to enthusiasts waiting for the official start of the $0 NFA tax stamp that became official in January 2026.

Preview: Muddy DV8 Enduro Jacket

The softshell component in Muddy’s all-season DV8 camouflage layering system, the Enduro Jacket is designed for warmth, water-resistance and ruggedness while also emphasizing silent mobility.

Review: Savage 110 Trail Blazer Rifle in 22 Creedmoor

Savage’s new 110 Trail Blazer rifle offers top-shelf performance at entry-level pricing.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 9 mm Pistol in a PHLster Holster

In this week's episode of "I Carry," we have a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 9 mm pistol with a Meprolight MPO Pro-S red-dot sight carried in a PHLster Skeleton kydex holster.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.