Guide
Magnetic Gun Mount Guide: 9 Smart Checks Before You Buy
Magnetic gun mount buying guide: universal magnet or model-specific mount? 9 smart checks on fit, optics, placement, install, safety and the law.
A magnetic gun mount is one of the simplest ways to give a handgun a dedicated place in a vehicle or at home. The idea is easy to understand: a strong magnet holds the pistol so it is not sliding around a console, buried in a glove box or loose under a seat, where it can shift or fall while you drive. But not every magnetic gun mount works the same way, and the differences matter once you start driving on rough roads or reaching for the pistol in a hurry.
This guide covers nine checks to run before you buy a magnetic gun mount. It explains the difference between a universal magnet and a model-specific magnetic mount, what to ask about optics and accessories, where to place the mount, how installation works, and why safety and local laws belong on the checklist. At The Ready’s mounts are used as the example throughout, since they combine rare-earth magnets with a body shaped around one specific pistol. The checks apply to anyone who regularly carries a firearm in a vehicle, from hunters to law enforcement officers.
Key takeaways
- “Magnetic” describes how a mount holds; “model-specific” describes what it was shaped to fit. A mount can be both.
- Match the mount to your exact pistol model, then check optic and accessory clearance.
- Check reach, knee clearance, controls and airbag zones before choosing a spot.
- Use proper hardware and surface prep, and follow the instructions in the box.
- No magnetic gun mount replaces locked storage. Know the laws where you drive.
What Is a Magnetic Gun Mount?
A magnetic gun mount is any mount that uses magnets to hold a firearm in place. Most fall into one of two groups.
Universal magnets are typically a flat or slightly curved magnet, often rubber-coated, that attaches to a surface. They are designed to hold many different firearms, and the owner decides how the pistol sits each time.
Model-specific magnetic mounts, also called slide-specific mounts, combine magnets with a body shaped for one pistol model. At The Ready builds its mounts this way: each mount is designed from the actual slide of the firearm it is made for, printed from premium ABS plastic and fitted with rare-earth magnets. The shape positions the pistol and the magnets help hold it.
Neither description tells you everything about a particular product. That is why the checks below focus on the questions that matter for your firearm and vehicle, whichever type you choose.
Universal Magnet vs. Model-Specific Magnetic Gun Mount
The table below compares the two approaches in general terms. Details vary by product, so always read the specifications for the exact mount you are considering.
| Question | Universal magnet | Model-specific magnetic mount (At The Ready) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is built to hold | Many firearms | One pistol model, designed from its actual slide |
| Pistol position | Set by the owner each time | Same position every time, set by the mount’s shape |
| Optics | Varies by product | Optic-compatible version (+$10) for every model except the IWI Desert Eagle |
| Materials | Varies by product | Premium ABS plastic body with rare-earth magnets |
| Installation hardware | Varies by product | Screws, VHB tape and primer included |
| Customization | Usually limited | 25 colors for base, tab and text, plus up to 18 characters of text |
| Price | Varies by product | From $95; optic version from $105 |
A universal magnet can be a reasonable choice for some owners. A model-specific magnetic gun mount is designed for owners who want the pistol to return to the same position every time.
See the model-specific magnetic mount made for your pistol.
Find my modelCheck 1: Does the Magnetic Gun Mount Fit Your Exact Pistol?
Fit is the first and most important check. With a model-specific magnetic gun mount, choose the listing that matches your pistol’s exact model, not a similar-looking one. At The Ready’s catalog is organized by manufacturer and then by model for that reason.
Some examples of how specific the catalog is:
- Glock: separate mounts for the Glock 19, Glock 17, Glock 43, Glock 48 and more
- SIG SAUER: separate mounts for the P365, P365 XL, P365 Macro, P320 and more
- Springfield: separate mounts for the Hellcat, Hellcat Pro and Hellcat RDP (Springfield Armory’s official Hellcat series page shows how the versions differ)
- Smith & Wesson: separate mounts for the M&P Shield Plus, M&P Shield EZ and others
If your model, generation or variant is not clearly listed, ask At The Ready before ordering. A shared family name is not proof of fit.
Check 2: Will the Pistol Sit the Same Way Every Time?
Consistency is the main reason people choose a dedicated mount over a loose holster in a door pocket. When the pistol always sits in the same orientation, you always know where the grip is and how the firearm is pointed.
A universal magnetic gun mount leaves that orientation up to you each time you place the pistol. A model-specific mount sets it with its shape. At The Ready describes the goal as keeping the firearm “in a safe, secure, and consistent position, even on the roughest terrain.”
Whatever you choose, practice placing and removing the unloaded pistol until it is the same motion every time.
Check 3: Does It Work With Your Optic and Accessories?
Pistol-mounted optics are now common, and they change the shape a mount has to clear. Before you buy a magnetic gun mount, confirm how it handles an optic.
Every At The Ready pistol mount except the IWI Desert Eagle mounts offers an optic-compatible version. Choose “Optic: Yes” on the product page, which adds $10.00 to the price. The optic option is designed to clear a pistol optic, but it does not by itself confirm clearance for every weapon light, laser or other accessory.
If your pistol carries a light, share the light’s make and model with At The Ready and ask about clearance before you order. That quick message is the easiest way to avoid a mount that does not fit your real setup.
Carry a Glock 19 with a red dot? Choose Optic: Yes on the Glock 19 mount page.
Build a Glock 19 mount
Check 4: Where Will You Install It?
A magnetic gun mount is only useful if it is in the right place. At The Ready’s photos show mounts on the side of the center console and on lower dash and console panels in vehicles. At home, the company lists nightstands, headboards, coffee tables, offices, desks and walls as other locations.
Before choosing a spot in a vehicle, sit in your normal driving position and check:
- Reach: can you reach the grip without leaning far out of your seat?
- Knee clearance: will your knee hit the grip when you move between pedals?
- Controls: does the mount block the shifter, climate controls, ports or storage?
- Airbags: check your owner’s manual for airbag locations and keep every mount out of deployment zones. NHTSA’s air bag guidance from NHTSA explains how frontal and side air bags deploy.
If your knee is the problem, the angled mount adapter ($14.99) angles the mount away from your knee and is available for right-handed or left-handed setups. It works with At The Ready mounts and other standard quick-draw mount systems.
Grip too close to your knee? Add the angled mount adapter for $14.99.
See the angled adapterCheck 5: How Is the Magnetic Gun Mount Installed?
A strong magnet does not help if the mount itself comes loose. Look at what hardware is included and whether it suits your surface.
At The Ready includes mounting screws, VHB adhesive tape and primer with each mount. Installation steps and warranty information are inside the packaging, and the company stresses that proper installation is essential for longevity and function. You can also watch the installation video before you start.
A general order for most installs:
- Dry-fit the mount with the unloaded pistol from your normal seating position.
- Choose the screws, or the VHB tape with the included primer, based on the surface.
- Clean and dry the surface, then apply the primer as directed.
- Press the mount firmly into place.
- Give the adhesive the time the instructions call for before relying on it.
Check 6: What Is It Made Of?
Materials tell you a lot about how a magnetic gun mount is designed to hold up. At The Ready mounts are printed from premium ABS plastic and fitted with rare-earth magnets. ABS is a tough, widely used engineering plastic, and rare-earth magnets are known for their strength relative to their size.
For any mount you consider, look for a clear statement of the body material and magnet type. If a listing does not say, ask the seller.
Check 7: Where Is It Made, and Who Supports It?
When you have a question about fit or installation, it helps to reach a real person who knows the product. At The Ready mounts are designed, printed and assembled in Wylie, Texas, and the company is veteran-owned and operated. Contact details are listed on the site, and the team can help you check mount options and clearance for unusual models or accessory setups.
For any magnetic gun mount, check whether the maker offers a way to ask about compatibility before you buy.
Check 8: Can You Customize It?
A mount is something you will see every day, so it is worth making it yours. At The Ready offers 25 colors for the base, tab and text, and up to 18 characters of custom text. The text color cannot match the tab color. Custom orders are no extra cost.
Many universal magnets come in one finish. If appearance matters to you, look for customization options before you buy.
Check 9: Does It Support Safe Storage and Local Laws?
A magnetic gun mount is a way to keep a firearm in a known position while you are present. It is not a safe, a lockbox or locked storage. Keep that difference in mind when you plan your routine.
- Do not leave a firearm in a mount in an unattended vehicle. Take it with you or move it to locked storage.
- Keep firearms away from children and unauthorized users at home and in the vehicle.
- Follow the basic rules of firearm safety every time you place or remove the pistol.
The NSSF’s Project ChildSafe program offers free safe-storage resources. For vehicle carry, laws differ by state and sometimes by city. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action keeps a state-by-state gun law reference that is a helpful starting point, and your state’s official statutes are the final authority.
Using a Mount at Home
Vehicles get most of the attention, but many owners want the same consistency at home. At The Ready mounts can be installed on a nightstand, headboard, coffee table, desk, office or wall, using the same hardware as a vehicle install.
At home, the questions change slightly:
- Who else is in the house? Children, guests and anyone not authorized to handle the firearm change what is appropriate. A mount does not restrict access, so plan for locked storage when needed.
- What is the surface? Solid wood, painted drywall and laminate each behave differently with screws and adhesive. Pick the method that suits the material.
- Can you reach it in the dark? A bedside mount should be reachable from your normal sleeping position without knocking anything over.
If you want the same setup in the bedroom, a second mount gives the pistol a known place in both.
Practice With Your New Mount
A new mount only helps if the motion of placing and removing the pistol is familiar. Once your mount is installed and the adhesive has set, practice with an unloaded firearm and a safe direction in mind.
- Confirm the pistol is unloaded, then check it again.
- Place the pistol in the mount from your normal seat position.
- Remove it slowly with a full, proper grip, keeping your finger off the trigger.
- Repeat until the movement is smooth and the same every time.
- Look for anything that gets in the way, such as a seat belt, a bag or a knee, and correct the setup if needed.
Short, regular practice sessions build more confidence than one long session. If anything about the placement feels awkward after a week, move it now rather than living with it.
Magnetic Gun Mount Buying Checklist
Use this quick list before you place an order:
- The mount matches my exact pistol model.
- I chose the optic-compatible version if my pistol has, or will have, an optic.
- I asked about clearance for any light or other accessory.
- I dry-fit the location for reach, knee clearance, controls and airbags.
- I know whether I need the angled adapter.
- The mount comes with suitable hardware for my surface.
- I have a plan for locked storage when I leave the vehicle.
- I checked the laws in the places I drive.
Magnetic Gun Mount FAQ
Is an At The Ready mount a magnetic gun mount?
Yes. At The Ready mounts use rare-earth magnets in a premium ABS plastic body. Unlike a universal magnet, each mount is designed from the actual slide of one specific pistol model.
What is the difference between a universal magnet and a model-specific mount?
A universal magnet is designed to hold many firearms, and the owner sets the position each time. A model-specific magnetic gun mount is shaped for one pistol model, so the pistol sits in the same position every time.
Does a magnetic gun mount work with a red dot optic?
It depends on the mount. Every At The Ready pistol mount except the IWI Desert Eagle mounts has an optic-compatible version for an extra $10.00. The optic option does not by itself confirm clearance for lights or other accessories, so ask about those before ordering.
How much does a model-specific magnetic gun mount cost?
At The Ready mounts start at $95.00, and the optic-compatible version starts at $105.00. The optional angled mount adapter is $14.99. Custom colors and text are included at no extra cost.
Where can I install a magnetic gun mount?
In vehicles, common placements are the side of the center console and lower dash or console panels. At home, mounts can go on a nightstand, headboard, coffee table, desk, office or wall. Always check reach, controls and airbag zones in a vehicle.
Is a magnetic gun mount a replacement for a gun safe?
No. A mount holds a firearm while you are present. Use locked storage whenever you leave the firearm, and keep it away from children and unauthorized users.
Find the Right Magnetic Gun Mount for Your Pistol
The best magnetic gun mount is the one that fits your exact pistol, clears your optic, sits where you can reach it and is installed the right way. Start with your manufacturer, choose your model, then pick your colors and text.
Want a deeper example? Read our Glock 19 car mount guide or the overview of vehicle pistol mounts by manufacturer.
Shop model-specific magnetic mounts for Glock, SIG SAUER, Springfield, Smith & Wesson and more.
Find my mountAbout At The Ready
At The Ready designs, prints and assembles model-specific pistol mounts in Wylie, Texas. Each mount is built from the actual slide of the firearm it is made for. We are veteran-owned and operated.
