Review: Meprolight MPO PRO-F

Disclosure: The Meprolight MPO PRO-F was provided to the author by Meprolight for the purpose of this review. The pistol used in testing is the author’s personally owned handgun. All opinions are the author’s.

In a sea of available optics, you can find something for any budget. However, as the old adage goes, you often get what you paid for. A company that puts that statement to the test is Meprolight. Although the company’s offerings sit in the middle of the pack when it comes to budget, it delivers higher-end quality. Meprolight released its MPO line in 2024 and has been making a statement with models like the MPO PRO-F since.

Founded in 1990 as the primary red dot sight, sighting system, and battle optic supplier to the Israel Defense Force (IDF), Meprolight understands the importance of durability. Much of this knowledge is borne of experience, as every citizen in Israel is required to serve in the IDF. This includes Meprolight employees. So, they are not working from theory; they are building the tools they would want to carry.

Fortunately for us, Meprolight brought its robust product line to the American market. We have benefited since, with the addition of American-engineered and developed micro-red dot sights. They offer simple controls, durable, rugged construction, and practical designs.

The Meprolight MPO PRO-F

Featuring a 7075-T6 aluminum housing, the enclosed-emitter MPO PRO-F is designed to withstand hard use in harsh environments. The enclosed design provides an IP67 waterproof rating, so it can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes. Likewise, it is fog-proof, so you maintain a clear sight picture in any condition.

The MPO PRO-F features a 0.95” x 0.7” objective lens for a wide field of view. Displayed in the ample window is the user-selectable, 3-segment reticle system. Available in your choice of red or green, you can select between a 3 MOA dot, a 33 MOA outer ring, or a 3/33 MOA bullseye. The reticle has a travel range of +/- 30 MOA with a windage/elevation adjustment of 1 MOA per click.

Operating on a single CR1632 battery, the MPO PRO-F boasts 20,000+ hours of battery life (on setting 5 with 3 MOA dot). The left side of the optic hosts the controls to cycle through 10 daylight and 2 NV (night vision) settings. Correspondingly, the brightness settings can be adjusted manually or set to automatic.

The obverse side of the housing holds the side-loading battery tray, so you don’t have to remove the optic to swap the battery. To help preserve battery life, the unit shuts off after 15 minutes of inactivity. However, the shake-awake feature ensures that it gets into the fight when it senses movement.

The MPO PRO-F is a large, blocky, “mailbox-style” enclosed optic that weighs 3.1 ounces. So, it isn’t ideal for compact pistols and is better suited to full-size options like the Springfield Prodigy DS Comp.

Benefits of the 3-Segment Reticle System

I mentioned that the MPO PRO-F has a multi-reticle system, which is something I am drawn to in optics. The obvious reason is that everyone has different preferences when it comes to shooting. However, another reason I like it is the ability to change the reticle for different scenarios.

I have astigmatism in my right eye. So, red dots often produce a bright starburst pattern and often result in slightly presenting as two dots. This can cause issues with establishing the proper POA (point of aim).

For this reason, I like to run the dot-and-circle combination. The circle doesn’t “ghost” quite as much as the dot. So, I can use the circle to center the dot. Likewise, I can center my target in the circle to help establish POA a little more quickly without fighting the “starburst.”

However, not everyone suffers from astigmatism and doesn’t like their window cobbled up with a bunch of stuff. So, the ability to simplify your field of view with the dot alone is desirable to most shooters.

Let’s go back to the circle reticle for a minute. Another benefit of the circle is for a shotgun. When running the MPO PRO-F on a shotgun, use the circle without the dot, and you have a makeshift pattern frame. I’m not suggesting that all of your shot will land in the circle, but it will definitely give you a nice frame of reference.

Meprolight MPO PRO-F Specifications

Mounting the MPO PRO-F

The MPO PRO-F lists the RMR footprint. However, this isn’t entirely correct. What I mean is that it does not directly mount to your pistol via RMR, as you would expect. Instead, it utilizes a proprietary direct-mounting plate that acts more like a Weaver-style mount.

That said, the plate does have the RMR footprint. So, it will fit on any pistol with the RMR cut. However, you can also purchase plates for more specialized pistol platforms. Likewise, you can also purchase a Picatinny riser with an RMR footprint and shotgun plates.

Fortunately, the Prodigy DS Comp features the RMR footprint in its available Agency Optic System (AOS) plate system, so I was able to install the MPO PRO-F with the plate I had on hand.

Unfortunately, due to the plate, the optic sits high on the slide. Even though the Prodigy employs AOS plates, the MPO PRO-F sits above the sights. So, you will not be able to co-witness the sight with your Prodigy. So, make sure to check/change your battery every year. A good rule of thumb is to change it when you change the batteries in your smoke detector.

On the Range

Fortunately, I received both the MPO PRO-F and the Prodigy DS Comp at almost the same time. So, like any kid with a new toy, I couldn’t wait to install the optic and get to the range. However, before heading to the range, I did a basic zero by slaving the optic to my irons. As I mentioned, I couldn’t co-witness. So, I just got the dot centered with the rear and front sights. Then, I did the best I could to approximate elevation.

Once at the range, I set up my DOA Shooting Bench and Ransom Rest at roughly 20 yards. As it turned out, I was really close to zero with the adjustments I made at home. In fact, my first shot was about 2” high, but dead center. So, I made the necessary elevation adjustment and managed a single 2” hole in my target. Not bad for my first interaction with both the Prodigy DS Comp and the MPO PRO-F optic. This is a match made in Heaven.

Once I was dialed in, I moved to a standing position and started ringing steel. The smooth performance of the Prodigy DS Comp combined with the precision of the MPO PRO-F almost felt like cheating. The Prodigy shot really flat, and the reticle of the MPO PRO-F was fast and easy to reacquire.

Live The Armory Life. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly gun giveaways!

For me, the automatic brightness setting wasn’t hitting the mark. The astigmatism in my right eye causes a starburst when the reticle is too bright. So, I opted to run it with the manual brightness setting. I particularly like the placement of the brightness buttons. It was very easy to adjust the brightness up and down with the thumb of my support hand, without overly affecting my grip.

Parting Shots

Every once in a while you come across a pistol-and-optic combination that makes you a better shot. This was that for me.

The 3-Segment Reticle System, durable and waterproof housing, large window, long battery life, easy brightness adjustments, and side-loading battery are what really counted here for me. Not to mention the performance. I could not believe how fast I had it zeroed and how dialed in it was with the Prodigy DS. It was like they were made for each other.

Although it isn’t going to be my concealed carry gun, the Prodigy DS Comp and MPO PRO-F make the perfect combination for duty or home. However, you could install the MPO PRO-F on the new Prodigy DS Comp 3.5-inch AOS for a CCW option. Just remember, although the pistol is smaller, the big optic sitting atop it is still quite large for concealed carry. But it sure is functional.

Carry accordingly.

Editor’s note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the “Go To Forum Thread” link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!

Join the Discussion

Go to forum thread

Featured in this article

Meprolight Mepro MPO PRO-F

9^mm

1911 DS Prodigy™ AOS