Meprolight M22 Review — A Battery-Free Red Dot Sight?

By Andy Grossman

If you have ever used any electro-optics on your pistols or rifles, I can guarantee you have had battery life concerns at some point. It isn’t that crazy of a concern since batteries die and we all know they fail at the most inopportune times. Every manufacturer claims to have the best battery life on the market with every new model of electro-optic they release, but the problem is you are still relying on a battery at the end of the day and batteries fail way too often.

The Meprolight M22 red dot sight in action during live fire testing on the Springfield Armory SAINT rifle.

Well, lucky for all of us, Meprolight came up with an innovative solution to the battery life problem. They made an electro-optic that is actually not electronic at all. I know, that sounds confusing, but it is actually amazing because it doesn’t need a single battery or overnight charging on the nightstand. It actually uses fiber optic and tritium to do the same thing the electronics do. With a little ingenious engineering, the Meprolight Mepro M22 Self-Illuminated Reflex Red Dot sight was created, and again, there are absolutely no batteries needed.

The Details

Let’s talk about what makes it special before we get into the actual field testing of this optic. Obviously, the lack of batteries is the main draw to the M22, but If you look around the top, sides and front of the lens, you’ll see a number of wires surrounding it. These are the fiber optic wires that are illuminated by an external light source — usually the sun or lights in a room.

A laydown product photo showcasing the Meprolight M22 red dot sight mounted on the Picatinny rail of a Springfield Armory SAINT rifle. The optic’s quick detach (QD) mounting system is prominently displayed, emphasizing its ease of use. The matte black finish of the sight complements the rifle, showcasing a sleek and modern aesthetic. The compact design allows for compatibility with additional attachments, such as magnifiers or night vision devices. This image highlights the practicality and durability of the QD system for shooters needing reliable, fast adjustments in dynamic situations. — The Meprolight M22 red dot sight is shown here securely mounted on the Picatinny rail of a SAINT rifle. This QD mount ensures rapid removal and reattachment, ideal for versatile shooting scenarios.

Looking at the top of the main housing of the unit, you’ll see a groove that runs inside the housing. From here, the light that is gathered is projected onto the lens, showing the reticle — much like a battery-powered red dot. In order for the optic to also function in low- or no-light conditions, there are internal tritium vials that provide the light needed to project onto the lens like the fiber optic source. So, no matter what lighting situation you’re in, you have a usable, illuminated reticle to stay in the fight.

I must admit it is a little strange having an optic on my rifle that has no buttons or switches to deal with. There’s no trying to turn the optic on or off or worrying about brightness levels. The M22 is always on, and the brightness level depends entirely on how much external light is available. You will find adjustments screws on the top and right side of the main housing, which operate just like any other sight works when zeroing your firearm.

A close-up image of the Meprolight M22 red dot sight's base, clearly showing the quick detach (QD) mounting system. The detailed view emphasizes the locking mechanism and its compatibility with Picatinny rails. The robust design ensures a secure fit while allowing fast removal or reattachment when needed. The compact and efficient mounting system complements the optic's overall durability and ease of use. This shot highlights the engineering precision of the QD system for shooters who value performance and reliability. — A close-up of the Meprolight M22 mounting base highlights the precision-engineered quick detach system. This innovative design offers reliability and speed for tactical and range use.

The M22 boasts a completely new housing than its predecessor, the M21, upon which it is based. The M22 is substantially smaller than the old M21, and just looks more modern. The M22 has a nice low profile on a rifle and will easily accept a magnifier or night vison device with no obstruction to the sight picture. The optic comes with a quick detach QD mount already installed, which makes mounting to a top rail on your rifle a breeze.

Meprolight M22 Specifications

Magnification: 1X
Display Window Dimensions: 1” x 0.8” (25 x 20 mm)
Power Source: Fiber Optic (Day) / Tritium (Night)
Aiming Point Diameter: Bullseye 3.5/40 ; 10 MOA Triangle
Reticle Color: Red
Dimensions: (L x W x H): 99 x 50 x 68 mm (3.9 x 1.97 x 2.68 in.)
Weight: 260gr (9.2oz.)
Windage/Elevation Adjustment: 1 MOA
Total Windage Adjustment: +/- 60 MOA
Height Over Bore: 1.5″ (39mm)
Water Resistance: 66ft for 1 Hour (20m)
Working Temperature: -40°F to +140°F (-40°C to +60°C)
Storage Temp: -40°F to +160°F (-40°C to +71°C)
Mount: Integral QD Picatinny mount

Range Time

I mounted it on my Springfield Armory SAINT Victor AR to test it out and run it through the paces. I can say it does work, and it works very well. Shooting in daylight or indoors, the M22 performed perfectly and shined as bright if not brighter than any battery-powered red dot I have experienced. I had no issues with it picking up light no matter what the situation was; however, there was one issue that I discovered.

A photo of the author standing on a shooting range, holding a Springfield Armory SAINT rifle outfitted with the Meprolight M22 red dot sight. The rifle is prominently displayed, with the optic clearly mounted on its Picatinny rail. The author's stance and setting emphasize the practical testing of the optic in a live-fire environment. Bright outdoor lighting highlights the sleek design of the optic and its integration with the rifle. The image conveys confidence and showcases the usability of the Meprolight M22 in field conditions. — Pictured on the range, showcasing the SAINT rifle mounted with the Meprolight M22. The self-illuminated red dot sight complements the rifle’s performance in any lighting situation.

If you are inside a darker space looking outside, the fiber-optic cables have less light to work with than being in the direct sunlight you are looking out into. So, it makes everything appear bright to your eyes, with the reticle a bit muted. You can still see it, but it definitely isn’t as vibrant to the eye as when you are in direct sunlight or even just in the darker room not looking outside. This is not a deal breaker at all, but it is something of which to be aware.

The M22 is offered currently in two different reticle configurations, the 3.5/40 MOA bullseye or the 10 MOA triangle. I personally got the chance to look through and use both. I honestly like the Bullseye setup a bit more than the triangle, but that is just personal preference. I personally would love to have the option to just have a 3.5 MOA dot with no bullseye, and I wouldn’t doubt it if that came to market soon. The track record of Meprolight and the fact the Israel armed forces trusts their products daily gives me peace of mind knowing how great of a product I have on my gun.

The author is seen aiming a Springfield Armory SAINT rifle equipped with the Meprolight M22 red dot sight. The fiber optic cables surrounding the optic’s housing are clearly visible, gathering ambient light to illuminate the reticle. The rifle is firmly supported, with the author focusing intently on a distant target. The self-illuminating optic eliminates the need for batteries, relying on fiber optics and tritium for all lighting conditions. This image captures the precision and reliability of the M22 during live-fire testing on a shooting range. — Focused on the target, the shooter demonstrates the Meprolight M22 mounted on a SAINT rifle. The fiber optic cables visibly gather light, ensuring a clear reticle even in daylight conditions.

The way I look at this optic is as a truck gun optic, and I don’t see how you can beat it. I live in Michigan where the weather can change three times in one day quite often, so a truck gun optic is going to take a beating from extreme cold to extreme heat sometimes in the same day. This can destroy batteries, so not having a battery powering your optic is a big advantage. I know that every time I grab my truck gun the reticle will be there to guide me, no matter what. The M22 would also act as a great home defense option or just fun range set-up, especially with a magnifier behind it for the latter.

Whether you see the M22 as a survival optic, home defense option or just fun range tool, I highly recommend it. With a price of $449.99 online, it really is right on par with similar optics on the market that I would put in the same category.

The author is captured shooting a Springfield Armory SAINT rifle outfitted with a Meprolight M22 red dot sight and a suppressor. The suppressor extends the rifle's barrel, demonstrating a focus on reduced noise and improved performance. The M22 optic sits securely on the Picatinny rail, providing a clear reticle powered by fiber optics and tritium. The setup showcases a balance of advanced firearm accessories designed for precision and reliability. The scene emphasizes the practical use of the rifle and optic combination in a dynamic shooting environment. — The shooter fires the Springfield SAINT rifle equipped with a Meprolight M22 red dot and suppressor. This combination highlights the rifle’s versatility and the optic’s adaptability to advanced setups.

The M22 isn’t going to replace all my battery-powered optics but it definitely will hold a strong place in the line-up for truck guns and home defenders. Reasonably priced, well made, attractive and dependable, the M22 checks all the boxes and creates a few of its own to check.

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