New Product Highlight: Meprolight M22
Meprolight is pushing the boundaries with a new compact illuminated optic that requires no buttons or batteries to operate.
PPT Editor. Marine vet, hunter, and long-range shooter. Articles in 10+ major publications
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Of all the red dots we saw at SHOT Show, the Meprolight M22 might have been the most exciting.
The M22 is compact, lightweight, tough enough to meet the military’s standard, and produces an illuminated reticle without ever needing a battery.
Specs
- Magnification: 1x
- Reticle: 3.5-MOA dot and 40-MOA outer ring; 10-MOA triangle
- Power source: Fiber optic, tritium
- Brightness: Self-adjusting
- Adjustment interval: 1 MOA
- Window size: 1” x 0.8”
- Weight: 9 oz.
Features
- No batteries
- Night-vision compatible
- Self-adjusting illumination
At a glance, the M22 looks like a run-of-the-mill reflex sight. It’s compact but not unusually small. The reticle is useful, with either a 3.5-MOA dot and 40-MOA outer ring or a nifty 10-MOA triangle, but that’s nothing new.
Not even its ability to handle impacts and submersion in water is particularly noteworthy these days. But things get interesting when you start looking for the battery compartment, though, because there isn’t one.
This red dot runs on fiber optics during the day and tritium vials (with a 10-year lifespan) at night. A sensor on the top of the housing automatically and continuously adjusts brightness to the surrounding environment.
With no power switch and no brightness controls, there’s no need for buttons on the M22. That keeps weight and size down, so this is about as minimalist as it gets.
We got a peek at the M22 at SHOT Show. The 1-inch window has a blue tint, but not enough to be distracting. The view through the window is clear, and the dot is easy to pick up in all kinds of lighting conditions. Brightness adjustments were nice and quick.
Meprolight is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Even though this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a self-illuminating optic (long live the mighty ACOG), having a tritium backup for low-light settings and a total package that’s this compact and durable is something to get excited about.
If you’re concerned about access to fresh batteries, the M22 is a must-have optic. The last argument for iron sights might finally be dead.
We’re currently seeing retail prices of $450 for the Meprolight M22.
What do you think of the new Meprolight M22? Let us know below. For more awesome compact red dots, check out our guide to the best PCC optics.