Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Steiner is taking what worked and shrinking it down.
The company just announced the MPS-C, a more compact version of its enclosed emitter pistol optic, aimed squarely at the concealed carry crowd. Same core design philosophy, just trimmed down to better fit today’s smaller carry guns.
And honestly, that’s the play right now.
Big optics had their moment. Now it’s all about getting that durability and enclosed emitter reliability into something that makes more sense on a carry pistol.
That’s exactly what Steiner is going after here.
The MPS-C keeps the fully enclosed emitter setup from the original MPS, meaning your dot isn’t getting wiped out by lint, sweat, rain, or whatever else your daily carry throws at it. That alone is a big deal for anyone actually running a gun day in and day out.
Housing is a hard-anodized aluminum build with reinforced sidewalls, so it’s not pretending to be rugged, it’s built for it. But the bigger headline might be the weight.
1.13 ounces.
That’s light enough that you’re not going to notice it on a compact or micro pistol, which is usually where optics start to feel top-heavy.
Size-wise, it’s tight too, just over an inch in every direction. Steiner also went with an RMSc footprint, which opens the door for a lot of popular carry guns without needing weird adapter plates.
On the glass side, you’re getting a clean 1x optic with a 1.6 MOA dot. That’s a smaller dot than a lot of carry optics, which should help with precision without totally sacrificing speed, assuming your eyes can pick it up quickly.
The window is recessed and protected by a metal shroud.
Brightness gives you 12 settings. Ten for normal use and two for night vision. Nothing groundbreaking there, but it covers the bases.
Battery life is solid, too.
Steiner is claiming up to 46,000+ hours on the lowest setting and around 13,000 at medium. Pair that with shake-awake and a selectable auto-off, and you’ve got a setup that should realistically run for years without much thought.
That’s kind of the whole point of a carry optic, you don’t want to be babysitting it.
MSRP lands at $574.99, which puts it right in that premium compact optic category. Not cheap, but not out of line either, especially for an enclosed emitter from a brand like Steiner.
At the end of the day, this isn’t some wild reinvention. It’s a refinement. Smaller footprint, lighter weight, same durability mindset.
Learn more HERE.
Steiner MPS-C Specs:
- Magnification: 1x
- Footprint: RMSc
- Reticle: 1.6 MOA red dot
- Brightness: 12 settings (10 visible, 2 NV)
- Weight: 1.13 oz
- Dimensions: 1.46 x 1.27 x 1.08 in
- Window: 20x16mm
- Housing: Class III hard-anodized aluminum
- Battery: CR1632
- Battery Life: Up to 46,125 hours
- Features: Shake-Awake, auto shutoff
- MSRP: $574.99
*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! ***
Available on GunsAmerica Now
is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.
