First Impressions: Mepor-21

[Tomac]

For my new SAR-2s I decided to try something a little different from the Kobras that I'd used before (and were stolen along with the first pair of SAR-2s). I've used the Meprolight tritium sights www.hescosights.com (http://www.hescosights.com) on my handguns and AKs before (too bad they've discontinued the AK sights) so opted to try their Mepor-21 reflex sight (looks very similar to the Trijicon Reflex but has the light gathering around the rim of the HUD instead of in the front). The Mepor-21s arrived with a Weaver base so I immediately attached them to the new K-Var KV-04 mounts only to discover it made them sit too high for fast and easy use (forget a cheek weld, not even a chin weld). However, by removing the Mepor-21 Weaver base (a variety of mounts are available & interchangeable) and the KV-04 Weaver rail I was able to securely mount the Mepor-21 directly to the KV-04 by drilling just one hole in the KV-04. Now the Mepor-21 sits lower over the receiver cover than my old Kobras and are now much faster and easier to use. The 4.2MOA dot is very bright at night and in daylight, it looks a little dim in a room w/ambient light/electrical illumination. Something new for the Mepor-21 is a photochromatic lens filter which automatically lightens/darkens in sunlight like some of the eyeglasses they now sell. I've got a couple of these on order and I'll post how well they perform once they arrive. The new SAR-2s are ready to go and I'll post a range report on them and the Mepor-21s tomorrow when I get back from the range.
Tomac

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[teamafx]

Can you post a pic of it? I would like to see it.

Steve


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If Sam Colt made men equal then Mikhail Kalashnikov made a few superior.

[Tomac]

Teamafx, I don't have one I can post (yet, will have to get the film developed first) but you can see a pic of it at Hesco's website: www.hescosights.com (http://www.hescosights.com) .
Tomac

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[Narleyman]

Tomac, these sound pretty interesting. Would like to know how they compare to the Kobras you had before. Which you like better and why. Also if they are worth the extra cash. Thanks

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[Tomac]

Narleyman, IMHO price is the biggest drawback to the Mepor-21 (I got mine from Natchez for $240/ea). Until I get to the range I can't post a definitive comparison between the Kobra and Mepor-21 but for now I'd have to say the biggest advantages of the Mepor-21 are no batteries (to buy or go dead), switches or knobs to adjust, just use it. The biggest advantages of the Kobra are price ($150), adjustable intensity and different reticles. If you're on a budget I'd say go Kobra but if you've got the bucks to spend and want a no-hassle "just use it" sight then check out the Meprolight/Trijicon reflex sights.
Tomac

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[teamafx]

Your taking to long! I need to see it now! I looked at it on there page and a gun shop in town has 2 of them in stock. I am going to go look at one this afternoon.

Steve


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If Sam Colt made men equal then Mikhail Kalashnikov made a few superior.

[Tomac]

The only weakness in the Mepor-21/Trijicon style reflex sights that I can find is when you're in a darkened room trying to aim out a window into daylight. The ambient light and tritium lamp aren't sufficient to adequately illuminate the dot. I'll see if the photochromatic lens helps with this when it arrives. Interesting note: During my "darkened room aiming out a window into daylight" tests I discovered that if you shine a light onto either the fiber optics array or the cable underneath the unit then dot brightness increases significantly. I think I'll contact Hesco/Meprolight about a small add-on light/battery combo for auxillary dot lighting during those rare times when the ambient light/tritium won't do.
Tomac

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[teamafx]

I went and looked at it and I liked it. $325 is to much so if I get one I will mail order it. Now I just need to see how it looks on you gun.

Steve


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If Sam Colt made men equal then Mikhail Kalashnikov made a few superior.