MeproLight vs Trijicon – Reflex, Scope Reviews 2023

 meprolight vs trijicon reflex, trijicon reflex vs meprolight m21

Photo by Program Executive Office / CC BY

Two industry titans in the optics world, Trijicon, and Meprolight, are remarkably different but still have much in common. Both Trijicon and Meprolight build firearm optics for armed forces, Trijicon supplies a number of optics to the U.S. Military, while Meprolight is a hometown favorite with the Israeli military. Both companies have an excellent reputation in the consumer market and have served faithfully in the War on Terror. While both are known for their night sights, their scopes and reflect optics are also highly rated.

Some design features of their optics are both shared and unique. Both companies produce optics that provide a battery free illuminated reticle. Both do this by providing an external device to gather light. Trijicon and Meprolight are both cutting edge companies, and both have received numerous awards for their optical undertakings.

Having these two titans show down in a Meprolight vs. Trijicon battle gives an interesting look and analysis of the optics and what they offer their users.

Meprolight vs Trijicon Overview: ACOG vs M21

Trijicon Acog

Meprolight M21

We mentioned that both companies have optics that have seen military use, and here they are. Sure, these companies may have more than one optic in military use, but these are the general issued rifle optics, the most common by these companies you’d see on a rifle. The Meprolight M21 and the Trijicon ACOG are generally issued to a variety of different branches and are well reputed by the soldiers wielding them.

The Meprolight M21 is a reflex sight that utilizes a fiber optics and tritium to absorb light and turn it into a usable reticle. The M21 features a battery as well, to supply a reticle during the night, or extended low light operations. The M21 is built to be simple since every able Israeli citizen serves, and the optic needed to be easy for everyday folks to use, from the infantryman to the desk clerk. The M21 reflex is a superb combat optic that is capable of being used and abused and has no issues working in rough desert environments.

The Trijicon ACOG is the chosen optics of the United States Marine Corps and serves with numerous Army and Navy units as well. The Trijicon ACOG is renowned for its legendary toughness, and its long service life. The ACOG is designed for professional soldiers and has a 4x magnification. The ACOG’s illuminated reticle is powered by tritium and fiber optics and will last throughout the night off of a daylight charge.

Trijicon ACOG What's the Big Deal?

Meprolight vs Trijicon Round 1: Durability

Both optics are sealed from the environments and are both waterproof and submersible. The ACOG (see full specs) is waterproof up to 100 feet, giving it an impressive depth. The Meprolight M21 is capable of hitting 55 feet. This consideration is hardly important for most of us, but it does give Trijicon an edge.

The Meprolight (see full specs) has been in service of two decades now, twice the service life of the Trijicon and the Israelis seem generally happy with the optic. In this time, the Israeli military has fielded a number of different rifles, and the Meprolight M21 reflex sight moved from rifle to rifle. The Trijicon doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon, and after ten years of service, it’s proven itself on the battlefield.

Meprolight M21- Review

Meprolight vs Trijicon Round 2: Versatility

The ACOG is a longer-range optic that allows shooters to engage out to eight hundred meters with the bullet drop compensator. The ACOG is night-vision compatible and has the ability to use a variety of accessories. The ACOG’s limitations evolve around the fact it has to match a certain barrel length and particular rifle load for the BDC to be accurate, limiting the optic to mostly the AR platform.

The Meprolight can and has been moved to a variety of different platforms, including rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns. The Meprolight M21 is night vision capable and can utilize a magnifier for longer range engagements. That being said the optic is not going to be effective past 300 yards due to reticle restrictions.

Meprolight vs Trijicon Round 3: Cheaper Options

The M21 and ACOG are great optics, but they can expensive. Both Trijicon and Meprolight have budget friendly optics that still perform quite nicely. Trijicon’s MRO optic is introduced at considerably lower price than the ACOG. Likewise, the Meprolight Tru-Dot M5 RDS is usually cheaper than the M21 too. (As with all costs, though, there are constant fluctuations so check the latest price online.)

Meprolight M5 Tru-Dot RDS

Trijicon MRO

The MRO is Trijicon’s latest optic and is different from their traditional optics. The circular red dot sight looks more akin to an Aimpoint than anything else. The MRO is a compact optic with a 25mm objective lens. When fitted with a high rise adapter, the MRO easily co-witnesses with standard AR sights. The MRO is incredibly light and requires very little rail space to mount.

The Meprolight M5 RDS is a square optic, akin to an EoTech than an Aimpoint. The M5 is a very simple and very robust optic. The red dot sight offers a large field of view, an easy adjustment, and zero procedure, and is quite lightweight. The M5 features an auto shut-off switch to prevent unnecessary battery consumption and runs off a single AA battery for 15,000 hours of battery life.

Meprolight Tru-Dot RDS Overview

Meprolight vs Trijicon Reflex Sights: Durability and Versatility (M5 vs MRO)

Both the M5 and the MRO are waterproof and submersible, with the Trijicon model coming in first with 100 feet of submersion versus 55 feet for the M5. The MRO is tested to the same standards as the ACOG and made from the aluminum as well. The M5’s durability comes not only from its construction, but its simplicity. The optic simply has very few point of failure.

Versability-wise with the M5 and MRO, this one is a clear tie, the M5 and MRO can both use magnifiers and are both night vision compatible. The MRO and M5 are both made for close range shooting, out to two hundred yards, and both can get extend that a bit with a magnifier. Both reflex optics will also work well with a variety of different weapons, with the MRO having the advantage in terms of size. The MRO could easily be mounted on a large caliber revolver, whereas the M5 is a bit large for that purpose.

AR15 Trijicon MRO Red Dot Review

Meprolight vs Trijicon Conclusion

Both Meprolight and Trijicon have had a lot of success in the tactical optics market. Both companies are continuing to innovate, never satisfied with their last design. In the tactical optics world, Trijicon and Meprolight lead the charge when it comes to rock-solid reliability and tough as nails optics. Regardless of which one you choose, I believe you’ll be more than satisfied. Good luck!

  • Owner of Reloaderaddict.com, Boyd Smith is a major handgun enthusiast, and although he owns Glocks, he prefers the revolving wheel type. His go-to guns are a Smith & Wesson 642 Performance Center for carry and a Ruger GP100 in the nightstand biometric safe (he has kids). He loads both revolvers with old-school 148-grain Federal Gold Medal .38 wadcutters. It’s OK if you think he’s a wimp. Email him.

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