Meprolight CRIS: Tritium Backup Irons Built to Co-Witness With a Pistol Dot

The short version: Meprolight's CRIS is an all-metal set of backup irons made to sit in the lower third of a pistol red dot's window, so you still have usable sights if the optic quits.

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Red dots are now close to standard on defensive handguns, but any electronic sight can fail. Meprolight builds the CRIS (Co-Witness Reflex Illuminated Sight) to back up its MPO dot sights, though it also works with other pistol optics. Taller irons that co-witness with the dot also give you a quick way to confirm the dot's zero at a glance.

The design choices are aimed at keeping the dot picture clean. The front post carries a Swiss tritium vial ringed in black so it doesn't fight the reticle for attention, and the rear notch has no tritium at all. Reviewer Todd Burgreen notes that leaving tritium off the rear also lowers the price compared with sights that use tritium front and rear.

Burgreen also points out two practical perks: the lower-third height avoids the holster snags that tall suppressor sights caused, and the irons help new dot shooters find the reticle by putting it right above the front post they already know how to pick up.

Key specs

• Construction: all metal
• Front: Swiss-made tritium insert with a blacked-out surround
• Rear: all-black, serrated, squared U-notch, no tritium
• Height: lower-third co-witness with Meprolight MPO or other pistol dot sights
• Mounting: GLOCK-pattern dovetail, a cut many other makers also use

Summary by GunWinner based on reporting by Athlon Outdoors. Deal links are affiliate links; GunWinner may earn a commission. Prices change quickly, so confirm at checkout.