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A reflex sight/red dot mounted on a carbine is a fine thing, especially for fast shooting at closer ranges. But what if distances are longer and/or the shooter’s vision isn’t what it used to be? That’s why Meprolight made the MMX3 Micro Magnifier!
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When my evaluation MMX3 Magnifier arrived, I already had the red dot, in this case a Meprolight Tru-Vision reflex sight. The pairing was obvious. Tru-Vision mounted forward, MMX3 right behind it.
I mounted the two optics onto a Ruger LC Carbine chambered in 10mm AUTO and a Sig Sauer AR-15 in 5.56 NATO. The two optics plus the firearms created a fine tactical and shooting triple play. The red dot by itself worked great for fast shooting, while a flip of a lever had the magnifier in place for more precise shots.
Meprolight
Founded in 1990, Meprolight is the primary red dot and battle optic supplier to the Israel Defense Force (IDF). Israel requires every citizen to serve in the IDF. Which means almost every Meprolight employee, from the top on down, brings first-hand, military knowledge to the job. Many staff acquired this knowledge on actual battlefields.
So, when Meprolight advertises its products as “battlefield tested,” it’s a lot more than some marketing tag line. Knowing very well what is at stake, Meprolight staff make sure their products truly are ready for tough conditions and dangerous situations.
The MMX3 Magnifier
Compact and weighing just 6.1 ounces, the MMX3 features elevation and windage dials that provide precise field-of-view (FOV) line of sight alignment with the co-mounted red dot sight. A wide FOV enables rapid target acquisition with both eyes open.
The MMX3 micro magnifier attaches to any MIL-STD-1913 rail, using the included quick-detach mount. When not in use, the magnifier flips easily and securely out of the way.
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Seeing Red
The Tru-Vision reflex sight features a 2 MOA LED red dot reticle, with 12-day and 4-night brightness settings, plus an automatic brightness control system for clear visibility of the red dot in any lighting condition. The optic sells standard with a quick-release Picatinny rail mount.
A single CR123 battery powers the optic; at the mid-level brightness setting, Meprolight rates the unit at continuous “ON” use for two years. All this in a unit weighing in at just ten ounces and is only 3.1-inches in total length.
Ruger
I mounted the red dot and magnifier on the Ruger LC Carbine first and zeroed the optics at 30 yards with the red dot. Once I was pretty much on target, flipped the MMX3 into place and used this magnified approach to fine tune the zero. I punched five shot groups at 1.0-inches at this distance and slightly under.
Then I moved onto 50 yards and began shooting for accuracy with the MMX3 in place. My groups averaged 1.5- to 2.0-inches shooting from a rest. Groups got smaller as I got more used to the rig, and my final two groups at this distance came in at a pretty impressive 1.3- and 1.25-inches using Hornady Critical Duty ammo. No way I could have done that with the Tru-Vision alone.
Sig’s Little Bro
Sig Sauer’s MCX-SPEAR LT IR is the gun maker’s 5.56 NATO version of the MCX-SPEAR line, kind of the “little brother,” AR-15 version of the other SPEAR rifles, essentially top-end AR-10’s.
Both optics went on the MCX- LT rail easily, and I zeroed the two at 50 yards. As I did with the Ruger, I first used the Tru-Vision to get on target, then used the red dot plus magnifier to fine tune.
For this rifle, I made five shot groups with the Tru-Vision only and then did so with the red dot plus magnifier. I took a couple of seconds between shots to get back on target.
Consistently, the red dot only groups went from 2.0- to 2.25-inches, the Tru-Vison with MMX3 much closer to 1.5-inches. I took my time on the last groups and punched in five rounds of House of Payne .223 Rem. 55-grain FMJ at 1.25-inches.
Of note, I did all my shooting with both firearms at my outdoor range in north-central Wisconsin, in December 2024 and January 2025. The winter temperatures on the days I shot went from 27 degrees Fahrenheit with the Ruger to 14 degrees with the Sig. The Ruger shooting was done in snow flurries.
None of these conditions affected the MmmX3 or the Tru-Vision, except the snow on the lenses which easily wiped away.
Quality and Prices of the Meprolight MMX3
The MMX3 in tandem with the Tru-Vision is a pricey set up. At the suggested retail, the two together represent an investment of $880.00. A quick tour of the Internet found the optics available for closer to $800 total, though shipping may also apply.
Still not cheap. But quality rarely is, and the MMX3 together with the Tru-Vision are very much a quality pairing. Plus, true to its battlefield DNA, Meprolight made both units rugged and reliable, and very functional even in poor environmental conditions.
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One must pay for all that.
And, of course, one can purchase and use the MMX3 Magnifier alone and use their existing red dot, too.
Specifications: Tru-Vision Red Dot from Meprolight
Red Dot Diameter: 2.0 MOA
Windage/Elevation Adjustments: .5 MOA
Brightness Levels Adjustments: 12 Day, 4 Night, Plus Auto
Power Supply: 1x CR123 Battery
Body Material: Metal Skeleton, Polymer Hood
Weight: 10 Oz.
Dimensions: 3.1” L x 2.2” W x 2.5” H
Rear Window Dimensions: 1.14” W x .78” H
Mount: Picatinny Rail Quick Release, MIL-STD 1913
Environmental Rating: MIL-STD-810
MSRP: $549.99
Specifications: Meprolight MMX3 Micro Magnifier
Magnification: 3X
Objective Diameter: 18 mm
Exit Pupil: 6 mm
Tube Material: Aircraft Grade Aluminum
Length: 2.8″
Center Height: 1.58″
Center Height w/Riser: 1.75″
Net Weight w/Mount: 9.47 Oz.
Eye Relief: 2.65″
Mount: Picatinny Rail Quick Release, MIL-STD 1913
Working Temperature: -4˚F to 122˚F
Submersion Rating: IPX7
MSRP: $329.99
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