TFB Review: Meprolight MCO PRO Closed Emitter Red Dot
In the increasingly competitive red dot market, closed emitter optics have been gaining popularity for their durability and protection against the elements. The Meprolight MCO PRO is a relatively new entry in this category, promising a combination of ruggedness and versatility. I had the opportunity to test this optic in the field, and here's what I found.
Specifications: Meprolight MCO PRO
The MCO PRO features a closed emitter design that shields the internal components from environmental factors like rain, snow, and dust. It offers a user-selectable 3-segment reticle system with multiple brightness settings to accommodate various lighting conditions. Here's a breakdown of the key specs:
- Mount: MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny)
- Emitter Type: Closed
- Dimensions: 2.06" x 2.28" x 1.59" (52.3 mm x 58.1 mm x 40.4 mm)
- Weight: 5.33 oz (151.3 g) with battery
- Body Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery Life: 25,000+ hours at setting 5
- Reticle: 3-Segment SpeedRing (2 MOA Dot, 2/68 SpeedRing, SpeedRing with 1.5 Mil holdover dots)
- Brightness Levels: 10 Daylight/2 NV
- Illumination Modes: Auto & Manual
- Windage/Elevation Adjustment: 0.5 MOA per click at 100 yards
- Adjustment Range: ±30 MOA (both windage and elevation)
- Eye Relief: Infinite
- Parallax: Free at 50 yards
- Waterproof Rating: IP67
The Meprolight MCO PRO comes with an MSRP of $439.99, positioning it competitively among other closed emitter optics on the market. For the price, you're getting a feature-rich optic with multiple reticle options, robust construction, and admirable battery life. When compared to other closed emitter options, the MCO PRO offers solid value, especially considering its construction and versatile feature set.
“Unlock the ultimate shooting experience with the all new Meprolight® MCO PRO. Our advanced closed emitter design shields against all elements for peak performance in any environment. It features a user-selectable 3-segmentreticle with 10 Day/2 NV brightness settings allowing you to customize visibility for every scenario. Setting 5 gives you an impressive 25,000+hours of battery life, complemented by automatic and manual brightness control along with a convenient Shake Awake feature. Plus, the recoil block ensures alignment and zero hold. It is IP67 water/dust proof rated. This durable optic is built for precision. Enhance your setup with a 1.93”riser (available separately) for initiative night vision use and delve into a new level of reliability and accuracy.”
First Impressions: Meprolight MCO PRO
The MCO PRO arrives in a stylish, modern package similar to the Tru-Vision SR I reviewed. The presentation is clean and thoughtful, with all components securely arranged. Inside the box, you'll find the optic itself mounted on a display stand, a lens cloth, two different Torx wrenches, a small retractable tool with a Torx bit specifically for the battery compartment, and a CR2032 battery.
My immediate impression was that the MCO PRO has a smaller footprint than some competing closed emitter designs while still offering a generous viewing window. The aluminum housing feels robust without adding excessive weight. At just 5.33 ounces with the battery installed, it's noticeably lighter than many options in this category.
The side-loading battery compartment is a nice touch, though I found the two tiny screws a bit fiddly—I'd almost prefer a single larger screw that would be harder to lose. The included tool for battery installation is handy, but it's one more thing to keep track of when you're at the range. I don’t think it’s entirely fair to critique a small tool, but it would be nice if it had a hole for a key ring or something. It legitimately would be handy for a range bag tool, but as it sits, it'll get lost at the bottom of the bag.
Range Time: Meprolight MCO PRO
I mounted the MCO PRO on my Zastava M70 for testing. I used the mount that comes included with the optic, which provided a comfortable shooting position plus a UTG side mount to actually get it to mount to my gun. The mounting process itself was straightforward, though I did find myself wishing for a quick-detach system like the one on the Tru-Vision SR.
Testing conditions were typical Minnesota winter—30 degrees and windy—which didn't provide much opportunity to test the closed emitter design against rain or dust. However, the cold temperature had no noticeable effect on the optic's performance.
The glass clarity on the MCO PRO is excellent, providing a clear sight picture without distortion. The reticle remained crisp at moderate brightness settings, though I did notice that at higher brightness levels in lower light conditions, there was some fuzziness around the edges that made the smaller elements of the multi-reticle pattern more difficult to distinguish. For most practical shooting scenarios, this wouldn't be an issue.
One of the standout features is the auto-brightness function, which performed surprisingly well. Unlike some other optics I've used, where the automatic adjustment can be jarring or slow to respond, the MCO PRO transitioned smoothly between different lighting conditions. I typically disable this feature on other optics, but the MCO PRO's implementation was good enough that I left it enabled throughout my range session.
Zeroing the optic was straightforward, with positive and precise clicks for both windage and elevation adjustments. The 0.5 MOA per click adjustment provided a good balance between fine-tuning capability and making meaningful changes with each click. I experienced no issues with holding zero during my testing. Below is a 5 shot group at 25 yards standing.
I didn't have the opportunity to thoroughly test the shake awake feature during this range session as it wasn't my top priority for the initial evaluation. Similarly, I can't provide meaningful data on the battery life claims, though the 25,000+ hour rating at setting 5 is pretty typical if it holds up in real-world use.
Final Thoughts: Meprolight MCO PRO
The Meprolight MCO PRO offers a compelling package for those looking for a closed emitter red dot sight. Its combination of a compact form factor, multiple reticle options, and clear optics make it a versatile option for various applications. The build quality feels solid, and the attention to detail in features like the auto-brightness system shows that Meprolight put thought into the user experience.
What impressed me most was how Meprolight managed to pack so many features into a relatively small and lightweight package without compromising on durability or optical clarity. While there are some minor quibbles—like the small battery compartment screws and lack of a quick-detach mount, plus the fact that you need to purchase the 1.93" riser separately—these don't significantly detract from what is overall a quality optic.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Meprolight for allowing TFB and myself the opportunity to try out their MCO PRO Closed Emitter Red Dot. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think. Do you believe that the MCO PRO is worth spending your money on? Would you mount this on your tactical build? Would this be your go-to optic for your home defense gun? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
Staff Writer: TheFirearmBlog & AllOutdoor.com | Certified Gunsmith | Published Author | Firearm History Enthusiast
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Case the base be removed? I assumed so since a riser was mentioned but wanted to get confirmation. I'd love one of these but would prefer a lower mount, and maybe somebody out there might actually make one.