The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro has a lot going for it: a large viewing window, a clear aiming point, and a top-loading battery compartment that makes routine maintenance convenient. But one question comes up frequently when people consider mounting one on a pistol: Can you still use your iron sights with a DeltaPoint Pro installed?
The answer is yes, in many configurations. However, getting the iron sights to appear at the right height inside the DeltaPoint Pro's window isn't always straightforward.
Unlike some lower-profile pistol red dots, the DeltaPoint Pro has a relatively tall optic body. Depending on your firearm, slide cut, and mounting plate, standard-height iron sights may sit too low to be visible through the optic.
That doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace your sights immediately. It means you need to understand how co-witnessing works and what your particular setup requires.
What Does Co-Witnessing Mean on a Red Dot Sight?
Co-witnessing refers to having your firearm's iron sights visible and usable through the viewing window of an installed red dot optic.
The iron sights and red dot are separate sighting systems. When properly configured, the iron sights provide an alternative aiming reference if the electronic optic becomes unavailable.
There are two common terms you'll encounter when researching co-witness setups: absolute co-witness and lower-third co-witness.
Absolute Co-Witness
In an absolute co-witness arrangement, the iron sights appear relatively close to the center of the optic's viewing window.
When you align the iron sights, their sight picture occupies a substantial portion of the window.
This configuration can provide a familiar visual reference, but it also means the iron sights are more prominent when looking through the optic.
Lower-Third Co-Witness
With lower-third co-witness, the iron sights sit lower in the optic's window.
That leaves more of the central viewing area unobstructed when you're using the red dot.
The irons remain available as a separate sighting system, but they don't dominate the sight picture.
For many pistol owners, this is an appealing compromise.
However, the terms "absolute" and "lower-third" originated largely in rifle-optic discussions. On pistols, actual sight placement varies significantly, and the labels aren't always used consistently.
What matters is whether the iron sights are visible, properly aligned, and usable with your particular optic installation.
Why Is Co-Witnessing More Complicated With the DeltaPoint Pro?
The main issue is the DeltaPoint Pro's physical height.
The optic has a relatively tall housing, and its window sits above the mounting surface.
When you install the sight on a pistol, the bottom edge of that window may sit higher than the firearm's existing iron sights.
If the iron sights don't extend high enough, you won't be able to see them through the window in a usable way.
There are several factors that determine the final result.
Optic body height: The DeltaPoint Pro's design places the viewing window relatively high above its mounting surface.
Slide cut depth: A deeper compatible optic cut can position the sight lower relative to the slide.
Mounting plate thickness: If an adapter plate is required, it can raise the optic further.
Iron sight height: Taller front and rear sights may be needed to provide a usable sight picture.
This is why two people using the same DeltaPoint Pro can report completely different experiences with co-witnessing.
One may have visible iron sights with a direct-milled slide, while another may find that the factory sights disappear below the window when the optic is mounted on a plate.
Can You Use Factory Iron Sights With a DeltaPoint Pro?
Sometimes, but you shouldn't assume they'll work.
Many pistols come with iron sights designed for use without an optic. Those sights may be too low to clear the DeltaPoint Pro's housing.
For example, a pistol with a relatively shallow optics-ready cut and an adapter plate may position the DeltaPoint Pro high enough that standard sights are unusable through its window.
A pistol with a deeper direct-milled cut could produce a different result.
Some factory optics-ready pistols also come with taller sights specifically intended to work with certain red dot configurations.
The important point is that factory iron sights aren't all the same height.
Before buying replacements, confirm whether your existing sights are actually visible through the installed optic.
Do You Need Suppressor-Height Sights for the DeltaPoint Pro?
Possibly, but the term "suppressor-height sights" doesn't tell you everything you need to know.
Suppressor-height sights are generally taller than conventional pistol iron sights. They're frequently used with red dot optics because they can extend above the optic's mounting base and become visible through the window.
However, different manufacturers offer different sight heights.
A set marketed as suppressor-height may work with one optic and slide combination but not another.
That's particularly relevant with the DeltaPoint Pro because its taller body can require more sight height than some lower-profile optics.
Rather than purchasing the tallest sights you can find, determine the actual height required for your specific setup.
Excessively tall sights may occupy more of the viewing window than you want.
The goal is to achieve a usable iron-sight picture without unnecessarily obstructing the red dot.
Does the Mounting Plate Affect Co-Witness Height?
Absolutely.
The mounting plate can make a meaningful difference in how high the DeltaPoint Pro sits above the slide.
Consider two otherwise similar pistols.
The first has a slide directly milled for the DeltaPoint Pro footprint. The optic sits in the dedicated cut without a separate adapter plate.
The second uses a modular optics-ready system with an adapter plate between the slide and the optic.
Depending on the dimensions of each mounting system, the second configuration may position the optic higher.
Even a relatively small difference in mounting height can determine whether a particular set of iron sights is visible through the window.
This is why you shouldn't rely on a sight-height recommendation without knowing which mounting system was used.
A recommendation for a direct-milled slide may not apply to a plate-mounted installation.
What About the DeltaPoint Pro Rear Iron Sight Accessory?
One feature that distinguishes the DeltaPoint Pro from many competing red dots is Leupold's optional rear iron sight accessory.
The DeltaPoint Pro housing is designed to accommodate a compatible rear iron sight attachment.
This provides an alternative to relying exclusively on a conventional rear sight positioned behind the optic.
However, the accessory doesn't automatically solve every co-witnessing issue.
You still need a compatible front sight of the appropriate height, and the overall configuration must work with your firearm.
Not every DeltaPoint Pro variant or mounting arrangement should be assumed to support the same accessory configuration.
Before purchasing the rear sight attachment, verify compatibility with your specific DeltaPoint Pro model and firearm.
It's an interesting feature, particularly for pistol owners whose optics-ready slides place the red dot where the original rear sight would otherwise be located.
Does Co-Witnessing Mean the Red Dot Must Sit on the Front Sight?
Not necessarily.
This is a common source of confusion.
A red dot and a set of iron sights are two independent aiming systems.
When both are properly zeroed, their aiming references may appear close together under certain viewing conditions, but the red dot doesn't have to remain visually centered on the front sight during normal use.
A reflex sight allows the dot to appear at different positions within the viewing window as the viewing angle changes.
The iron sights, by contrast, require the front and rear sight references to be aligned with each other.
Trying to force the red dot to sit on the front sight every time can create unnecessary confusion about how the two systems function.
The better approach is to understand that the optic and irons have separate sight pictures.
Is Lower-Third Co-Witness Better for the DeltaPoint Pro?
Many shooters prefer having the iron sights positioned lower in the window because it preserves more of the optic's open viewing area.
This is particularly relevant with the DeltaPoint Pro.
One of its primary advantages is its large viewing window. Installing unnecessarily tall iron sights can reduce the amount of unobstructed space you have available.
A lower-positioned iron-sight picture can help retain that open feeling while keeping the irons accessible.
But there's no universal reason that lower-third co-witness is the correct choice for every firearm.
Some shooters prefer a more prominent iron-sight picture. Others prioritize keeping the window as clear as possible.
And depending on the pistol, mounting system, and available sight heights, achieving an exact lower-third position may not be practical.
The right configuration is one that provides usable sights without compromising the intended function of the optic.
What If Your Iron Sights Aren't Visible Through the DeltaPoint Pro?
If your existing sights sit below the window, it doesn't automatically mean the optic is incompatible with your firearm.
It usually means the mounting height and iron-sight height don't provide a usable co-witness arrangement.
Before replacing anything, identify the specific slide, optic mounting system, and iron sights currently installed.
Then consult the firearm or sight manufacturer's compatibility information.
A qualified gunsmith can help determine whether compatible taller sights are available and whether the mounting system is appropriate.
Avoid modifying mounting components or substituting hardware simply to change the optic's height.
The mounting system needs to remain secure and manufacturer-compatible regardless of your preferred sight picture.
Do You Actually Need to Co-Witness Your Iron Sights?
Not every red-dot-equipped firearm has a usable iron-sight co-witness arrangement.
Whether you need one depends on your intended use, equipment, and preferences.
Some range-focused setups prioritize an unobstructed viewing window and rely primarily on the electronic optic.
Other owners place a higher priority on retaining an independent mechanical sighting system.
There are also practical limitations to consider. Even when the irons are visible, a damaged or obstructed optic window can affect their usability.
Co-witnessing is therefore a useful feature, but it shouldn't be treated as a guarantee that iron sights will remain usable under every possible optic failure.
The important thing is to understand what your configuration actually provides.
DeltaPoint Pro Co-Witness Compatibility: Common Questions
Will Standard Glock Sights Co-Witness With a DeltaPoint Pro?
Standard-height Glock sights are often too low to provide a usable sight picture through a plate-mounted DeltaPoint Pro.
However, compatibility depends on the Glock model, slide cut, plate, and specific sight heights.
Can a DeltaPoint Pro Co-Witness on a SIG P320?
Some SIG P320 configurations can accommodate a usable iron-sight arrangement with the DeltaPoint Pro, but the required setup varies by slide generation and optic cut.
Certain configurations may also support Leupold's rear iron sight accessory.
Check the exact slide and sight compatibility before purchasing additional parts.
Does the DeltaPoint Pro Need Taller Sights Than a Trijicon RMR?
It often does, depending on the mounting arrangement.
The DeltaPoint Pro's relatively tall body can make co-witnessing more challenging with conventional-height sights.
However, the final sight height depends on the firearm and how each optic is mounted.
Can You Use the DeltaPoint Pro Without Backup Iron Sights?
Yes. The DeltaPoint Pro can function as a standalone electronic sighting system.
Whether you want an additional iron-sight system is a separate decision based on your intended use and preferences.
Final Thoughts: Can You Co-Witness With a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro?
Yes, the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro can support co-witnessing with iron sights, but compatibility isn't guaranteed with every pistol or mounting arrangement.
The optic's relatively tall body means standard-height sights may not be visible through its window, especially when an adapter plate raises the mounting position.
Depending on the firearm, the solution may involve compatible taller sights, a manufacturer-supported mounting configuration, or Leupold's optional rear iron sight accessory.
The most important thing is to evaluate the entire system rather than assuming that any set of suppressor-height sights will work.
If you're comparing DeltaPoint Pro configurations or researching whether the optic is right for your firearm, explore the available Leupold red dot sights at Optics Force.
Understanding how the optic mounts, how high it sits, and what iron-sight options your firearm supports will help you make a more informed purchasing decision.