Pistol optics are constantly evolving, with current models seemingly light years beyond what we had just a few years ago. Closed emitter red dots are charging to the fore with their greater durability and reliability. The Meprolight MPO Pro-F is one of those closed emitter optics providing that performance while also offering attractive versatility.
Meprolight sent me an MPO Pro-F for another project last year, for which it proved an excellent choice. So, I was glad for the opportunity to do a standalone review for CADRE Dispatch. It’s gotten plenty of work over the last few months and I have a firm grasp on how it performs. Let’s start with the specs.
Meprolight MPO Pro-F Specifications
- Closed Emitter
- RMR Footprint
- Machined 7075 Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Housing
- Objective Lens Diameter: W: 0.95” x H: 0.7”
- User Selectable 3-Segment Reticle
- Reticle Size: 3 MOA Red Dot or 33 MOA Red Bullseye/Dot
- +/- 30 MOA Windage/Elevation Travel
- 10 Daylight and 2 Night Vision Settings
- Manual and Auto Brightness Adjustment Capability
- Shake Awake Capability
- Power Source: 1 CR1632 Battery
- 20,000+ Hour Battery Life
- IP67 Waterproof Rating
- Fog Proof
- Weight: 1.8 ounces
Meprolight MPO Pro-F Features
The MPO Pro-F’s rugged construction is apparent. The 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum housing is nonetheless lightweight, whether on a handgun or something else. I’ve run it on an IWI Masada Tactical pistol and a Grand Power Stribog subgun. Those two guns take a beating in my system. We run them hard and the MPO Pro-F has held up very well.
The reticle is also versatile, offering the user three choices in the same optic. You can cycle through them as you like, choosing from a plain 3 MOA red dot, a 33 MOA red bullseye ring, or the dot inside the ring.
The control buttons are large and tactile, with both on the housing’s left side. The battery tray is on the right side, meaning you aren’t required to remove the optic to change the battery. That’s pretty much standard these days, but it bears mentioning, especially if you’re used to older red dots.
Windage and elevation are adjusted via the tactile dials on the housing’s right side and rear, respectively. The dials are easily visible and easy to reach. You’ll need a tool or a coin to operate them.
The glass is very clear, aided by the enclosed, gas purged housing that prevents fogging. The beauty of the enclosed emitter is being able to prevent fogging, as well as eliminating the possibility of debris affecting your optic’s performance or blocking the emitter entirely. The housing is bulkier than open emitter optics, but all things being equal, the closed emitter unit is tougher and more reliable.
The MPO Pro-F ships with an RMR adapter plate; a screwdriver/Torx wrench; three sets of screws; and one CR1632 battery.
Running the MPO Pro-F
Meprolight sent me the MPO Pro-F for my Stribog SPA3G subgun, which I was using for another project. Running a subgun means quick target acquisition, numerous transitions, and general knocking around. I tend to beat up my Stribog. That means the optic undergoes the same treatment. A closed emitter red dot seemed like an absolute necessity, and I’m glad I went that route.
The MPO-F’s large objective window gives me a nice field of view, and I’m glad I have choices with the reticle. I quickly decided on the bullseye ring/red dot combo since it helps me acquire targets and transition quickly. My Stribog is not a precision firearm, and I don’t treat it like one. The ring/dot reticle is perfect for that. But I like that I can go to the single dot, or even just the ring, if I want.
It Runs on Handguns Too
I had no plans to run the MPO Pro-F on a pistol until I was assigned this review. So, in the interest of science, or something like that, I pulled the optic and installed it on my IWI Masada Tactical pistol. I chose the Masada Tactical because it’s RMR compatible, but it’s a great gun anyway, so no worries there. I prefer a lower profile red dot on my handguns, when I use an optic at all, so the larger closed emitter model took a little getting used to. The 1.8-ounce weight wasn’t an issue at all.
Zeroing was easy, and the MPO Pro-F has held zero perfectly whether on the Stribog or the Masada Tactical.
I ran the pistol a lot like the Stribog, but I also shot it more precisely using just the dot. The optic itself performed great, with the large window and bright reticle keeping me on target. The housing’s bulk didn’t bother me, but I don’t think I would use such a large optic on a carry gun. Maybe from a battle belt with a proper holster where the size isn’t such a big deal. But again, the MPO Pro-F ran great on the handgun.
The 9mm ammo for these tests was kindly provided by my friends at Global Ordnance.
A Proven Optic
This review was easy to write since I’ve been running the MPO-F for several months and I already knew that I liked it. It also helps that Meprolight supplies optics to the Israel Defense Force, which also carries some weight. It’s hard to argue with something the IDF uses successfully.
But optics, like any other product, are subjective. People like different things for different reasons. The MPO Pro-F does what I want for the job I’ve assigned it. Some shooters also like a closed emitter dot on handguns. It works great for that too. Nor would I hesitate to use it on a carbine if I needed that.
This is a quality, versatile optic that can fill several roles very well. And it’s built by a proven company whose products perform in the most demanding environments. That’s the kind of product I want. If that sounds like you too, maybe check out the Meprolight MPO Pro-F red dot. It might be what you’re looking for.
