How to Mount M-LOK Rifle Weights (No Gunsmith Required)

Adding weight to your rifle is one of the cheapest, most effective upgrades you can make for PRS, NRL, and long-range competition. More mass means less felt recoil, faster follow-up shots through the scope, and a steadier hold at the bench or off a bipod. Most shooters assume that means a trip to the gunsmith. It doesn’t. If your chassis rifle or M-LOK-compatible forend already has open slots, you can add Benchsteady weights yourself in about five minutes with tools you probably already own.

What You’ll Need

Benchsteady M-LOK weight(s) sized for your open slot(s)

M-LOK T-nuts and screws (included with every Benchsteady weight)

A 5/32” hex wrench or bit (most M-LOK hardware uses this size - check your specific weight’s spec sheet)

Optional: blue threadlocker if your rifle sees heavy recoil or you plan to swap weights often

Step by Step

Step 1 - Pick your slot(s). Front-heavy placement near the muzzle tames muzzle rise more aggressively; weight closer to the receiver keeps balance more neutral. Most PRS and NRL shooters split the difference and spread weight across two or three slots.

Step 2 - Drop in the T-nut. M-LOK T-nuts insert into the slot and rotate 90 degrees to lock behind the rail. You’ll feel it seat into place.

Step 3 - Set the weight and thread the screws. Line up the Benchsteady weight over the T-nut, insert the included screws, and thread them by hand until snug.

Step 4 - Torque it down. Tighten to snug plus a quarter turn - you’re locking out play, not building an engine. Overtightening can strip the T-nut.

Step 5 - Check for movement. Grab the installed weight and try to rock it. If it shifts at all, back it out and reseat the T-nut before your next range trip.

That’s the whole process - no drilling, no gunsmith visit, no permanent modification. Add or remove weights any time you want to tune balance for a different stage, position, or match.

How Much Weight Should You Add?

That depends on your rifle, your position, and your event - a PRS gun set up for barricades and positional stages usually carries less added weight than a dedicated NRL or bench setup built to be as stable as possible. We cover exact recommendations in our companion guide on how much weight to add for competition versus hunting rigs.

Benchsteady weights are precision sand-cast and machined in the USA specifically for M-LOK chassis rifles used in PRS, NRL, and long-range competition, with the tolerances to seat flush and stay put through recoil, match after match. Browse the full lineup in the shop to find the right weight and finish for your setup.