Mepro M22 Review: Is It The Ultimate Self Illuminated Reddot?

Imagine this, you’re getting ready to line up a shot and your red dot suddenly goes dark. No spare batteries, no backup irons, no warning. Just you and now a useless piece of glass. It’s a worst-case scenario that could be all too real.

That’s where the Mepro M22 comes in. Using fiber optics and tritium, the M22 is always on, no buttons, no power sources, no failure points. In this review, we’re taking a hands-on look at the Mepro M22 to see how it performs, where it shines, and where it might fall short.

Meprolight M22 Overview

The Mepro M22 is the next-gen version of the legendary M21 reflex sight that’s been trusted for decades by the Israeli Defense Force and law enforcement around the world. It keeps that same rugged, battle-proven reliability but in a slightly smaller, more compact footprint.

What really sets it apart is the dual illumination fiber optics during the day, and premium Swiss tritium vials at night. No batteries, no buttons, just automatic transition depending on the lighting. It’s always on and always visible, no matter the conditions. The build is tough as nails and designed to handle whatever abuse you throw at it. It’s also compatible with night vision and magnifiers like the Mepro MMX3.

You can get it in a 10 MOA red triangle which is what i opted for, or a 3.5/40 bullseye, with options for red or amber. It comes with a QD Picatinny mount and Meprolight backs the tritium with a 10-year warranty.

What’s in the Box

• Meprolight M22 sight
• User manual
• Lens cleaning cloth
• Multi Tool for adjustments

Tech Specs

Specification	Details
Magnification	1x
Display Window Dimensions	1” x 0.8” (25 x 20 mm)
Power Source	Fiber Optic (Day) / Tritium (Night)
Aiming Point Options	10 MOA Triangle or 3.5/40 MOA Bullseye
Reticle Colors	Red or Amber
Dimensions (L x W x H)	99 x 50 x 68 mm (3.9 x 1.97 x 2.68 in.)
Weight	260 g (9.2 oz)
Windage/Elevation Adjustment	1 MOA per click
Total Adjustment Range	±60 MOA
Height Over Bore	1.5″ (39 mm)
Water Resistance	66 ft for 1 hour (20 m)
Operating Temperature	-40°F to +140°F (-40°C to +60°C)
Storage Temperature	-40°F to +160°F (-40°C to +71°C)

Key Features

Self Illumination

The M22 doesn’t require batteries or manual brightness adjustments. Its fiber optic system gathers ambient light during the day, while the tritium stores light and illuminates the reticle in low-light or nighttime conditions. You never have to worry about a battery or electronic malfunction, just mount it and go.

Tritium-Powered for 10 Years

The tritium inside the M22 provides continuous illumination in low-light and dark conditions without needing recharging or power. It’s maintenance-free and backed by a 10-year warranty on luminance, making it ideal for long-term use.

Rugged Construction

The M22 is built from anodized aluminum with a sealed housing, submersible up to 66 feet. It’s shockproof, waterproof, and combat-proven—designed to take abuse and keep zero under hard use.

Quick Mounting System

The optic includes an integrated Quick Detach Picatinny rail mount system. It installs easily, and offers consistent zero retention, even after rough handling or repeated removal.

NVD and Magnifier Compatible

The M22 is fully compatible with night vision devices and magnifiers like the Mepro MMX3 or MMX4. Whether you’re running a nighttime setup or reaching out further with magnification, it slots in easily.

Design and Build Quality

First thing I thought when I picked the M22 up is this thing’s a tank. But not in a bad way, more like… it’s a unit. It feels solid and overbuilt, in the best way possible. It’s definitely longer than your average red dot, so depending on your rifle setup, it might feel a little bulky. But weight-wise, it’s not bad at all, it feels pretty similar to an EOTech.

Visually, the Mepro M22 looks awesome. The design is super unique with clean lines, and nothing about it feels cheap or thrown together. There are subtle Meprolight logos on each side, not too flashy, just clean and well-placed. The outer housing is made from a tough, high-strength polymer, and underneath it all is an aluminum frame.

The included QD mount locks down tight and holds the optic secure, but I do wish it had a locking tab. It hasn’t come loose on me, but that extra bit of security would’ve been nice in case it ever snagged on something. The glass is nice and clear, but does have a slight blue tint, it goes unnoticed most of the time unless you are thinking about it. The triangle reticle is clean, crisp, and super easy to pick up. One of the most unique touches? The fiber optic strip that wraps around the window, it’s not just for looks but to allow the fiber optic to grab light from any direction.

Setup

I threw the M22 on my RPP Tactical Lever Action build (full build breakdown click here), the QD clamp worked great. It locks down tight with no wobble at all. That said, I do wish it had some kind of locking tab, hasn’t been an issue yet, but I could see it catching on gear or something and popping loose. Just something to keep in mind.

Now in terms of size, it’s long (about the same length as the receiver on my lever action) but actually fairly slim. It’s not overly heavy, but it does take up a good chunk of rail space, especially compared to micro red dots. On some rifles that might be a dealbreaker. For my setup though, it worked just fine.

Performance

Sight picture is a bit on the smaller side for how big the body is, but once you’re behind it, it’s clean and clear. I went with the triangle reticle because it felt different and honestly, I ended up really liking it. It’s crisp, sharp, and easy to track. The tip gives you that precision aiming point, and the full triangle is quick to pick up under pressure. The blue tint in the glass is noticeable, but it didn’t bother me or get in the way while shooting.

I zeroed the Mepro M22 at 50 yards the adjustments were firm and tactile. I have had it on the gun for about 500–750 rounds now. No shift, no re-zero needed. The reticle stays bright in daylight, and in low light it works really well. Even in a dark room, the tritium does its job to stay visible. I haven’t been in a lighting condition yet where I couldn’t see the reticle.

Also a quick note there’s been no fogging issues either, even in cold weather. And probably the best part of using the Mepro M22? I never once had to think about battery life or wonder if the reticle was going to flicker or dim. It’s just always ready to go. That peace of mind is hard to beat.

Overall Rating

Reliability and Performance – 5/5
This thing just works. I’ve had zero issues with it losing zero, the reticle stays bright in daylight, and it’s still usable in low light or dark rooms. No batteries, no stress. It’s the kind of optic you can trust to always be ready.

Sight Picture – 4.3/5
It’s a little on the smaller side considering the size of the optic. Once you’re behind it, it works fine, but some might expect a wider window. That triangle reticle though? Big fan. It’s different and just works really well for fast or precise shots.

Design and Build Quality – 4.7/5
It feels like a tank. Solid, unique, and clean-looking. Nothing on it feels cheap. The polymer shell and metal frame combo is a great touch, and the whole thing feels like it could take serious abuse. The only knock is the QD mount not having a lock.

Ergonomics – 4.4/5
Super easy to use, just mount it and go. No buttons, no settings to mess with. But yeah, it’s long, and depending on your rifle setup, the size might be a factor. Still, it balances well and doesn’t feel heavy once it’s on.

Value – 4.6/5
For what you get, a rugged, always-on optic with tritium and fiber optic illumination, it’s worth the price. It’s not trying to be a budget red dot, and it delivers on reliability and simplicity. coming in at a MSRP of $499.99 but can often be found at retailers like Optics Planet, Midway USA and Brownells for cheaper.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Final Thoughts

The Meprolight M22 is one of those optics that doesn’t try to do everything, it just does a few things really well and nails it. No batteries, no settings, no nonsense. You throw it on your rifle, zero it, and it’s always ready. That kind of simplicity is rare these days, and honestly, it’s refreshing.

Yeah, it’s a little long. And yeah, the QD mount could use a locking feature. But after running it for a while, I never once had to second-guess if it was going to work. The triangle reticle ended up being one of my favorite parts, clean, quick to use, and something different from the usual dot or chevron.

If you’re someone who wants a dead-simple optic that’s built like a tank and just works no matter what, especially for a go-to rifle or even something more unconventional like my lever gun, this is a solid pick. It’s earned its place in my lineup.

FAQ

Does the reticle work in complete darkness?
Yes, the tritium takes over when there’s no ambient light. It won’t be super bright, but it’s definitely visible. Even in a pitch-black room, I could still pick it up without any trouble.

Is the triangle reticle hard to get used to?
Not at all. I actually really liked it. The tip gives you a nice aiming point for precision, and the shape makes it quick to find. If you’re used to red dots, it won’t feel much different other then looking at a new shape, but it will grow on you fast.

Does the optic hold zero after removal?
Yes, I’ve taken it off and thrown it back on with no noticeable shift in zero. The QD mount holds tight and consistent. Would’ve been nice to have a locking latch, but it still locks up solid.

Is the blue tint distracting?
It’s noticeable, but not distracting. You see it more when you’re looking at light-colored targets or bright backgrounds. Didn’t affect performance for me.

Can I co-witness with irons?
Not really. It’s too tall for a lower-third or absolute co-witness with standard AR-height irons. This optic is more of a standalone solution. But it does have a qd mount so having irons still isn’t a bad idea since it can removed in less than a second.

Is it too big for smaller rifles?
Depends on your setup. It’s slimmer than an EOTech but longer, so if your rifle is already tight on rail space, it might be a bit much. On a full-size rifle or lever gun like mine, it feels right at home.

How long does the tritium last?
According to Meprolight, the tritium is good for about 10 years. No maintenance or charging needed. Just always on.

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