Within the already hot pistol optic market, enclosed red dots seems to be the fastest growing segment…for reasons that should be obvious. You want to keep water, dirt and other gunk out of the sight so nothing gets between the emitter and the back of the front window. Having to stop to clean out your reflex sight to make it functional again can slow you down when you need your pistol most.
There are lots of pistol optic options out there, but only a handful really compete in the upper level of the toughest, most durable units that are made to stand up to the worst conditions and keep on working. One of the sights in that group is Steiner’s MPS…Micro Pistol Sight.
The German-made MPS is built like a Panzer and meant to take just about anything you can throw at it when mounted on a full-size or compact handgun. This is a duty-use sight that you can rely on to stand up to the rigors of daily carry and regular use. Like most enclosed emitter sights these days, it mounts using ACRO pattern plates that are made by a growing list of makers for most popular pistols out there.
The MPS runs on a standard CR1632 and is rated at 13,000. The battery compartment is on top of the unit making it easy to get to. Steiner chose to use a small slot on the access compartment, meaning you can’t open it with a coin. That’s a mistake in my book. Instead you’ll need to use a screwdriver, a knife blade, or the handy-dandy tool that comes in the box with the MPS.
The MPS has auto shut-off capability — after 13 hours — and you can disable it if you choose.
The MPS has the standard, rubberized two-button +/- design for adjusting brightness. The buttons take some pressing to adjust them. You have to want to raise or lower the brightness level, which is a good thing. You won’t be accidentally changing anything. There’s also a feature to lock in your favorite brightness level if you want. Just pressing both buttons at the same time and hold them for five seconds.
The optic quality of the MPS is absolutely first rate. There’s the usual (very) slight blue tint, but the excellent glass means the 3.3 MOA red dot is ultra-crisp and clear at any brightness level. Even the at the highest setting — which is very easily visible in the brightest daylight — the dot is clear with minimal halo or starburst effect.
Mounting the MPS requires an ACRO pattern plate, which Steiner doesn’t include. You won’t have any problem finding one for pistols with the most popular mounting patters (RMSc, RMR, etc.). They usually cost about $30 or so.
The MPS has an IPX7 waterproof rating and is advertised as designed to work in the most punishing conditions. I dunked mine in water for about 45 minutes and that didn’t phase it. Then I put it in the freezer overnight. When I picked it up the next morning, the frost kept me from seeing through to the front sight, but the dot was working just fine and very visible on the rear window.
While designed for use on pistols, the MPS would be equally at home mounted on a standard carbine or PCC, either on its own or as an offset to an LPVO.
The Steiner MPS is an incredibly tough, well-built red dot sight that will outlive most of the people who buy it. If you want an optic for your compact of full-size EDC pistol, you’ll pay more, but you’ll likely never have to buy again. If you work or compete with your pistol regularly and need something to stand up to tough treatment, use and abuse, the MPS is one of a very few red dot sights that can promise to take what you’re dishing out.
Specifications: Steiner MPS Enclosed Red Dot Sight
Magnification: 1x
Reticle: 3.3 MOA dot
Weight: 2.05 ounces
Length: 1.89 inches
Battery: CR1632
Battery Life: 13,000 hours
Mount: ACRO
Brightness Settings: 6 plus 2 night vision compatible
Made In: Germany
MSRP: $631.99 (about $499 retail)