I took note of the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro (DPP) reflex red dot sight for several reasons when it arrived nearly 10 years ago.
The most prominent being its 2018 involvement with the U.S. Marshal Service’s Special Operations Group (SOG) Staccato handgun package.
Because Leupold also played a role in that project, and because Leupold products consistently warrant consideration due to their inherent quality and thorough R&D, the quality and utility of the entire package was elevated.
Remember, miniature red dots (MRDs) on serious-use personal defense handguns are a relatively recent phenomenon. A decade ago, it was the Wild West in terms of manufacturers coming up with products, with the market deciding what worked.
At the time I was new to both handgun red dots and 2011 platforms. Something resonated with me reading about the U.S. Marshal process used to select the SOG.
The Staccato P handgun and Leupold DPP seemed made for each other. I’m not ashamed to admit I soon created my version using a Staccato C2 with the Leupold DPP mounted. I haven’t looked back. The Leupold-equipped Staccato C2 remains one of my primary personal defense handguns.
Leupold’s DDP is different, starting with the view. The DPP, with its convex aspherical DiamondCoat2 lens treatment versus a concave lens/housing design, offers an enhanced non-distorted field of view.
It is hard to convey what a difference it makes between the slightly upward curve versus the downward. I urge readers with any doubts to compare products side by side to get the full effect. The DPP’s aircraft-grade aluminum housing is further backed up by a surrounding steel shroud for extra protection and durability.
Leupold listened to customer feedback about the DPP’s predecessor and addressed issues such as dot intensity and adjustment methods with the DPP. Two reticle versions are available: a 2.5-MOA or a 6-MOA red dot. Three, if you count the DPP night vision (NV) compatible variant. (More on this later to discuss which dot size is recommended for various uses.)
Leupold upgraded the DPP’s auto-brightness sensor technology, which relies on ambient light conditions.
You can also manually set the intensity you want via a push button. The dot can be adjusted for sighting in at 1 MOA per click. No frictionless twist and hope windage and elevation adjustment as found on some red dots.
The DeltaPoint Pro features tool-less CR2032 battery replacement. The battery is accessible without removing the sight from the weapon, thus alleviating resight-in concerns. Leupold has integrated their Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which puts the sight into a battery-saving standby mode.
Conversely, when the MST senses motion, it turns on, an important consideration for maximizing battery life. There is a manual off mode as well. The Leupold DPP is waterproof to 66 feet, durability that should allay fears of operating in harsh conditions.
EMBRACE THE DOT
Established shooters will need some orientation/training to get comfortable finding the red dot as seamlessly as they do their normal iron front sight.
The practice will be worth it. New shooters will take to the concept like ducks to water, as there is nothing to “unlearn.” I found the Staccato C2/Leupold DeltaPoint Pro combo one of the easiest red dot handguns to transition to.
After a few drills, the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro’s 2.5MOA dot is “just there” upon presentation. There was no going back with my journey down the red dot path.
Drills consisted of drawing from concealment to see if the DeltaPoint Pro red dot was easy to acquire when operating in haste. Various scenarios engaging targets from behind cover or on the move were also employed.
Magazine change drills were done for the dual purpose of getting a feel of manipulating Staccato C2 with Leupold DeltaPoint Pro installed and making sure the red dot was seamlessly picked up after reloading and back on target. It was quickly determined that the Leupold DPP red dot had great potential in terms of accuracy, speed, and extending effective engagement distances.
Quick reactive shooting with the Staccato C2 is still very possible using the DeltaPoint Pro’s window as a ghost ring — albeit a large ghost ring — if forced to react spontaneously to a threat.
The Staccato C2, equipped with a Leupold red dot, came into its own for precise fire at any range compared to iron sights.
This statement became even more true as distances increased. The ability to consistently ring a steel silhouette target at 50 yards, even out to 100 yards with regularity, was validation that red-dot equipped handguns are here to stay.
While technological quick fixes are not to be used in lieu of training, red dots on a personal defense weapon cannot be ignored.
After my experience with the Leupold DPP on the Staccato, I have used the DPP on multiple platforms. I am not talking about just different handguns, but to include carbines, shotguns, and pistol caliber carbines (PCCs).
Leupold offers a lightweight Picatinny mount for easy adaptation. Even if the Leupold DPP is not your primary sight on a long gun, an offset mount is suggested for reactive, up-close target work.
While already having a superior field of view on a handgun thanks to the thin housing “disappearing,” this is really evident (or non-evident, as it were) on a shoulder-mounted weapon. The Leupold DPP “floats” its dot out in front of you for instant acquisition.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DOT
My preference is for smaller MOA dots in my MRDs.
Thus, I choose the 2.5MOA dot for my Leupold DPPs. The general rule of thumb is that smaller MOA dots, say 2-3 MOA, are for greater precision or longer range, with larger dots, 6 MOA or larger, for quick acquisition in close quarters and/or moving targets.
There is also discussion that a larger dot size is easier to pick up during the recoil cycle for faster follow-up shots. My “hot take” is that with a quality red dot, such as the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, with proper intensity settings, indexing the smaller dot on the target has never been a problem, while a larger dot covers up too much of the target, especially as the range increases. For me, the negligible advantage is not worth this.
Leupold has you covered with DPPs available with 2.5MOA and 6MOA dots, along with night-vision compatible DPPs.
Your favorite frame colors are available, if you like black and FDE. Made in the USA, weighing only 1.95 ounces with a Leupold Lifetime warranty, the DeltaPoint Pro has stood the test of time, providing MRD performance and durability.
Consumers have rewarded it by voting with their wallets, making it a popular choice.
SPECIFICATIONS: Leupold DeltaPoint Pro
Mounting Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro with additional Picatinny rail mount
Magnification: 1x
Objective Lens Dimensions: 28mm x 20mm fully multi-coated
Reticle: 2.5 and 6 MOA Red Dot are available
Brightness Settings: 8 levels, including 2 for night vision in the DPP NV model
Battery Life: 1600 hours, low intensity managed by Motion Sensor Technology
Material: 7075 Aluminum
Adjustment Range: 60 MOA for windage and elevation
Weight: 1.95 ounces
Additional Features: Auto brightness/Motion Sensor Technology
Battery: Top-loading CR2032
MSRP: $449-549, depending on model