Get on Target & Transition With Speed!

By Adam Green On Apr 15, 2024

I’m a big fan of adding a magnifier to rifles, and especially AR pistols. They are low maintenance, easy to use, and can make target acquisition and impact a breeze. The Meprolight MMX3 and MMX4 magnifiers are some of the simplest magnifiers ready to go out of the box. They come set up on a Picatinny rail mount, and no zeroing is required so that it can go straight on a rifle. There are benefits to using a magnifier, which we’ll dive into, as well as what red dot or holographic sights are compatible with the MMX3 and MMX4.

One of the most obvious purposes of a magnifier is to increase the effective range of red dot sights. To be clear, a magnifier magnifies both the dot and the target, and they do not change the MOA of the reticle since both are increasing in size. I have attended many shooting competitions where a magnifier is faster than an LPVO scope. In fact, some shooters are better with a magnifier paired with a red dot optic reticle they know than with a scope. Now, I wouldn’t run a magnifier beyond about 150-200 yards, but if I’m shooting a competition that’s all about speed with targets in that range, a magnifier with a red dot would be the right gear.

Quick Target Acquisition

The big benefit of the MMX3 or MMX4 is how easy it is to continue to shoot with both eyes open and acquire targets quickly. A magnifier/red dot combo enables more target-focused shooting rather than sight-focused when aiming at specific targets. LPVO scopes are great, but they require a learning curve to acquire the target quickly and line up the reticle to make the correct shot. Many shooters get tunnel vision behind a scope and will search for their intended target through the scope, which is a slow process. They’ll also play with the magnification ring, zooming in and out, trying to find a target. The biggest benefit I see to a magnifier is making it possible for newer shooters to hit targets at a farther distance while keeping both eyes open to find and impact the target.

Optic Compatibility

This might seem obvious, but the red dot, reflex, or holographic sight you want to magnify must be of the same height as the MMX3 or MMX4 for you to be able to see your sight. Meprolight magnifiers work with both 1.5-inch and 1.93-inch height-over-bore optics. They also come with a riser if needed. Some optic designs work well with magnifiers, including Holosun, EOTech, Aimpoint and more. These companies manufacture red dot optics and 1x reflex sights set up for the height of a magnifier, so no riser is needed for the optic or magnifier. They also have designed reticles that are valuable to use with a magnifier, featuring a circular ring to calculate distance, with a specific MOA dot or multiple dots for set yardages.

I happened to have one of Holosun’s newer optics, the Solar Charging Rifle Sight (SCRS), which comes mounted on a 1.63-inch riser. What I love about this optic is it is available in the Multiple-Reticle System (MRS), which gives you the choice of using a 2 MOA dot, a 65 MOA circle, or both together. The Meprolight MMX4 with this powerful reticle system was the winner of the combinations I tried. It doesn’t matter if you prefer green or red for your optic selection, as the Meprolight magnifiers have good clear glass that doesn’t change or affect the reticle’s color.

Manipulating Meprolight magnifiers is fast and easy.

Mounting the Magnifier

The MMX3 and MMX4 micro magnifiers attach to any MIL-STD-1913 rail directly behind your optic. They have a QD lever that locks down to mount onto the gun or lifts upward to take it off the gun. I recommend keeping both your magnifier and red dot optic mounted on top of the upper receiver and not on your handguard. The handguard is more likely to move and shift, which can cause your sight to lose zero. It’s also easier to swap uppers if needed without having to remove and reattach optics or magnifiers.

With little room on most upper receivers, your red dot or reflex sight will mount as far forward on the upper receiver without attaching to the handguard Picatinny rail. The MMX3 and MMX4 are 2.8 inches and 3.2 inches in length, respectively. Compared to other magnifiers on the market, these don’t take up a lot of room so that it won’t be as crowded on your upper. Just like a scope, it is important to set the diopter to your eyesight once the magnifier is mounted. With this setup, you might need to extend your rifle’s stock or, if possible, your AR pistol’s brace to look through the magnifier comfortably.

Deploying the MMX3 and MMX4

Deploying the MMX3 and MMX4 is simple: side-flip it down or side-flip it up. I tested these magnifiers on AR pistols with short barrels chambered in .223 and 300 BLK. The MMX3 or MMX4 does not move when flipped up in use or flipped down and out of the way. A good magnifier won’t accidentally flip up or down even when it experiences a high level of recoil or gun movement. Meprolight passed the test regarding the magnifiers staying in the shooter’s desired position while shooting and moving the gun around.

Many popular red dots work well with magnifiers.

What’s in the Box?

Each magnifier comes with two rubber covers, one black and one FDE. A height spacer to raise the magnifier to match a high optic is also included, along with the screws to make this change. Meprolight also includes a torque wrench to adjust the adapter’s nut on the Picatinny mount. Finally, Meprolight includes a keychain with two adjustment wrenches to change the elevation or windage to center up the red dot optic or reflex sight in the magnifier. I appreciate manufacturers who include all the tools you need with the product.

Ready to magnify your red dot or reflex sight? Meprolight offers a good quality and affordable option in both the MMX3 and MMX4 magnifiers. It’s a personal preference on which magnification level you might be interested in and depends on the size and distance of the targets you plan to shoot. I am very happy with the presentation of the magnifiers and the durability I have experienced so far with both.

For further information, visit meprolight.com.