Firearm optics are evolving fast. For years, open emitter red dot sights have dominated the handgun market. They’re compact, effective, and for the most part, affordable.
But recently, shooters from tactical professionals to weekend warriors are turning to enclosed emitter optics. Unlike their open-emitter cousins, closed-emitter optics protect the internal components from things like dust, rain, and mud. The trade-off, though, is price. On average, you will spend more cash for an enclosed emitter optic than an open one.
Even though they are on the bulkier side, I have grown to appreciate these types of optics. Not because I like the size and square shape of the optic on my gun, but because of the added reliability they offer.
More companies are producing enclosed emitter optics, and I’ve been working to evaluate some of them. But for now, here are three that I have already tested and used. I found each one to be of great quality and a great choice for those shopping for a new handgun optic.
1. Aimpoint ACRO P-2
Aimpoint is legendary for making durable, reliable optics. Originally a Swedish company, Aimpoint pioneered red dot technology, especially for military applications. One of the most recognized and used rifle optics in the world is the Comp M2. It is still being used today by the military and police around the world.
On the handgun side, Aimpoint introduced the ACRO P-2 in 2021. It has become a popular optic over the past few years and is regarded as one of the best.
The ACRO P-2 has an aluminum housing and has been subjected to a lot of rigorous testing. This includes surviving repeated drops from 10 feet, submerged testing, and harsh environmental exposure. Its closed emitter prevents the dot from washing out in wet or muddy conditions.
One thing I noticed with the Aimpoint compared to a lot of other brands is the specs when it comes to durability. Most optics these days have some type of water rating, with IPX7 being the most common. With the ACRO P-2, however, you get a water submersion rating of 115 feet. That’s much greater than the 1-meter-for-30-minute rating of IPX7.
The optic uses a CR2032 battery, with a run time of 50,000 hours of constant operation at a mid-level brightness setting. It has a 3.5 MOA dot, which is ideal for quick acquisition without sacrificing precision.
Its footprint is specific to Aimpoint’s ACRO mounting standard, but they offer adaptor plates for the most common footprints.
If you want military grade toughness, this is as good as it gets.
ACRO P-2 Specs
- Battery: CR2032
- Battery Life: 50,000 hours
- Dot Size: 3.5 MOA
- Footprint: Aimpoint ACRO
- Weight: 2.1 ounces
- Waterproof: Yes (Submersible up to 115 feet)
- Price: Approximately $599
2. Steiner MPS
Steiner is another company that has a reputation for precision and reliability. Originating in Germany, Steiner optics have long been trusted by military and law enforcement globally. The Steiner Micro Pistol Sight (MPS) was introduced in 2021 and quickly became a popular optic.
The Steiner MPS uses a single CR1632 battery, which gives the optic a runtime of 13,000 hours on medium brightness settings.
It was tested by using military-grade shock tests and carries a shockproof rating of 1,000 g. The submersion rating is 10 meters, or 33 feet. This isn’t as high a rating as the ACRO, but unless you’re going deep-sea diving, you won’t know the difference.
It has a 3.3 MOA dot and 8 brightness settings, 2 of which are night vision compatible. The mounting footprint matches the Aimpoint ACRO pattern, so it will work with any ACRO-style plate adaptors.
The MPS is just a little cheaper than the ACRO, but you get a lesser water rating and much lower battery time. Keep in mind, however, the battery on these types of optics can be swapped out in a matter of seconds.
Specs
- Battery: CR1632
- Battery Life: 13,000 hours
- Dot Size: 3.3 MOA
- Footprint: Aimpoint ACRO
- Weight: 2.05 ounces
- Waterproof: Submersible to 33 feet
- Price: Approximately $499
3. Swampfox Kraken
Swampfox Optics might be newer to the optics scene, but they have become a popular brand. Their products are affordable compared to other brands, but they are still durable.
Swampfox released the Kraken in 2022, and I’ve been using it for a while now. It’s about the same size as the other two optics mentioned above. Currently, I have this one mounted on my Glock 47.
The Kraken optic runs on a CR2032 battery and has a life span of about 10,000 hours of continuous runtime. It’s a 3 MOA dot, making it comparable to the other two. Like Steiner, Swampfox used an ACRO-style mount and includes two plate adaptors with the optic—one for the RMR and one for the MOS.
It has 10 settings, with two of those being compatible with night-vision. I think I forgot to mention this on the other two optics, but the Kraken also has an auto off/on function (like the ACRO and MPS). This has become a common feature on most optics, so I often forget to bring it up.
Durability-wise, the Kraken’s frame is made from 7075 aluminum, which has also become standard for quality optics. It surprisingly has a shockproof G Force rating of 1,500 Gs, which is higher than the Steiner.
When it comes to water, the Kraken carries an IPX7, which is the lowest of the three on this list, but still sufficient for most people. A nitrogen-purged, sealed body helps make the optic reliable, even when submerged briefly.
Specs
- Battery: CR2032
- Battery Life: 10,000 hours
- Dot Size: 3 MOA
- Footprint: RMR and MOS included
- Weight: 2.2 ounces
- Waterproof: Yes (Submersible up to 1 meter)
- Price: Approximately $349
Three optics, three choices
I feel like all three of these optics are reliable and function about the same. They all have auto on/off, and they all have night vision settings. Battery access is the same on all three, and they are all about the same size.
So, what’s the best choice? For me, it’s not about which one is of better quality but rather which one has the features I need. If you are going to be in extreme temperatures, crazy water depths, or accidentally dropping it from a plane, you may want to go with the ACRO P-2. It’s also the most expensive of the three.
A good alternative is the MPS, which is still of great quality but has a slightly lower rating on water, temperatures, and battery life. But unless you need those added perks, you can save about $100.
For those who want a great quality optic that will hold up well to everyday use, the Kraken is a perfect choice. It has an excellent shock rating and day/night settings. The run time and water rating are the lowest of the three, but they are still good ratings. The advantage of this one over the other two is the price. You can find the Kraken for about $350 and even cheaper when it’s on sale.
Picking the right one is a hard decision. But luckily, I’m not here to tell you which one to pick, but to share some insight into three good choices. I’ve done my part; now the rest is up to you.
