{"id":153527,"date":"2022-03-20T12:04:33","date_gmt":"2022-03-20T16:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=153527"},"modified":"2022-03-20T12:04:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T22:54:47","slug":"deltapoint-micro-leopolds-new-red-dot-sight-for-the-dot-curious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/deltapoint-micro-leopolds-new-red-dot-sight-for-the-dot-curious\/","title":{"rendered":"DeltaPoint Micro: Leupold’s New Red Dot Sight for the “Dot Curious”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"DeltaPoint
Esstac\u00a0Shooter’s Belt<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0KYwi Pouches<\/a>,\u00a0Leupold DeltaPoint Micro<\/a>, Glock 23, and\u00a0Safariland holster<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Micro red dot sights on pistols have gone from gamer range toy to mainstream everyday carry. The technology is continually improving, and the costs keep dropping. Many traditional shooters are considering whether a red dot might make sense for their everyday carry pistol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt takes too long to find the dot.\u201d That is the most common complaint of shooters attempting to get used to a red dot on a pistol. The small diameter (9mm) of the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro<\/a> (DPM) tube is a\u00a0ghost ring sight with the front sight post in the middle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPM sits at the same height as factory iron sights. There is a large traditional rear sight with a recessed dot on each side post and can be lined up with a front sight dot in the normal, 3-dot sight fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
There are also dots built into the frame (which I enhanced with a silver sharpie) to form a large 3-dot sight with the factory front sight. There is a red dot in there too. There are eight adjustable brightness settings, which help the dot remain visible in any environment. This shows the highest setting. The photo focus doesn’t depict the visibility of the front sight, it can be easily seen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The big advantage of red dot sights is target focus. In any light conditions, you get a glowing red dot superimposed on the target. Under stress, shooters may find it difficult to shift focus from the target to the front sight. Shooters with vision problems may not be able to focus on the front sight at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are an experienced iron sight shooter, you are probably not excited about putting in the hours of practice and the cost of a new red dot sight, slide, suppressor height backup sights, and holster. Leupold’s DeltaPoint Micro sight is the perfect dot to transition iron sight-trained shooters. Mounted directly to the rear sight dovetail in your Glock or M&P, the DeltaPoint Micro<\/a> works like a ghost ring sight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
DeltaPoint Micro is a fully enclosed, low-profile red dot sight that attaches directly to the rear sight dovetail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What’s the Big Deal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DeltaPoint Micro<\/a> is a fully enclosed, low-profile red dot sight. Designed specifically for low-profile concealed carry. It provides the advantages of a miniature red dot while the low height to bore maintains the iron-sight sight plane for an intuitive sight picture. It is a Leupold with all the quality and rugged performance that Leupold consumers expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
Most Red Dot Sights add an inch to an inch or more to the height of a pistol requiring a new holster. The DPM fits most holster designs including law enforcement retention holsters that lock into the ejection port such as this Safariland holster. The bail does not work with the DPM.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What if the Battery Dies or the Dot Fails?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you can’t see the dot because the battery dies or your dot fails, looking through the DeltaPoint Micro’s tube forms a ghost ring sight right in front of our eye. There is no need for suppressor height sights. DPM mounts on the factory rear sight dovetail an unmodified slide aligning with the height of a factory-height front sight. An added benefit is that if you like your holster, you can keep your holster, it fits in almost any holster making the Micro a simple upgrade for Glock and S&W.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
Measuring 2.25 inches long by 1.25 inches high, DPM sits about a half-inch above the top of the slide. DeltaPoint Micro\u2019s cylindrical tube housing serves as a ghost ring rear sight co-witnessed with the OEM front sight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Set Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I got a Glock 23 (Gen3) police return gun a while back. It has no modifications or upgrades (OEM sights) so it has lived in the darkest corner of my safe since I started teaching with Red Dots three years ago. This was the perfect candidate for a one-step techno make-over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why .40 caliber? It was a police gun; it was pretty cheap and I have been able to find a little .40 ammunition, so Glock 23 for the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
Stock police trade-in gun, a Glock 23, seemed a perfect candidate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zeroing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leupold recommends initially centering the dot in the rear aperture and aligning it with the top of the front sight. That should put you very close to zero without firing a shot. The elevation screw moves the point of impact 18 minutes of angle (MOA) per revolution, and the windage screw moves POI 36 MOA per revolution. That equates to about 2 inches and 4 inches of adjustment per full revolution at 15 yards, respectively. This put me on the target at 15 yards where I zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
The direction of travel is clearly marked on the sight. Turn the top windage screw counterclockwise to adjust to the right. Turn the bottom elevation screw counterclockwise to move rounds up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The sight adjusts an Allen key which is provided. There are no clicks but this isn’t as big a deal as I thought. You can insert the key and use the tail to turn in 1\/4 revolution increments for fine adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At The Range<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The DeltaPoint Micro points just like your iron sights making it point fast and sight intuitively. DPM displays the accuracy you expect from Leupold. It comes out of the holster with no hassles. Reloads and malfunction clearance are no different than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was centered up at 15 yards in one adjustment. I like a 15 shot zero because I can see the holes as I shoot and it is good out to 100 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
I zeroed at 15 yards and had no problems with practical accuracy as fast as I could pull the trigger.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After some multiple target drills, I moved the target to 25 yards. While this is not exactly a sniper group, it was standing unsupported and represents acceptable accuracy with all A-zone hits. 15-yard zero working fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
25 Yards was as easy as 15.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back to steel at 50 yards, also unsupported. All hits except a couple of close misses that were all me (overconfidence from initial rapid hits and not paying enough attention to the trigger). With a 15 yard zero and a little support, this is a simple shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
Out to 50 yards with steel was simple. The trigger press requires some attention, but the sights will put you on target every time if you do your part. I like steel at ranges where I cannot see my holes for immediate feedback.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DeltaPoint<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The flat front and enclosed design make it possible to rack the sight against a barricade with one hand if the situation requires it. The DeltaPoint Micro is waterproof, fog-proof, and backed by the company\u2019s lifetime warranty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
The view from the front shows the emitter. Like Leupold\u2019s scopes, DPM features DiamondCoat II, a scratch-resistant treatment that maintains a clear sight picture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Optics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The view through the glass is clean and crisp with no color shift. The red dot is a bright color that really grabs your attention. This fully enclosed optic is fog proof and waterproof. The DPM is IPX7 rated, it can be submerged for 30 minutes up to a meter and still function. It is rugged enough to rack off barricades or hammer nails. The lenses are covered in DiamondCoat II, a scratch-resistant treatment that makes the lens surfaces tough too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The battery is mounted on the rear of the sight. The Glock models have a near 90-degree square back, while Smith & Wesson\u2019s backplate is angled. The battery compartment is covered within a rubber cap. The cap is also the illumination control button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To take the slide off, you will have to unscrew the rubber battery cap and remove it, but the optic stays zeroed on the slide. If you want to take the parts out of the slide, you will need to remove the DPM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
The battery compartment and rubber compartment were removed from the sight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are eight different brightness settings. You can toggle through these settings by pressing the rubber button under the sight. To indicate a low battery, the dot will drop one level in intensity when the battery is drained. When the battery has only a few days of life left, the reticle will flash 10 times when powered on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DeltaPoint Micro can run for up to 3\u00bd years at a medium setting from the single CR1632 battery. It has an internal motion sensor that automatically turns off power to the unit after 5 minutes of idle time. Any movement turns the optic on. Clearly, for carry use it should remain on and at the ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DeltaPoint
There is one control. Pressing the button underneath the rear of the Micro adjusts the brightness of the dot. Hold the button for a couple seconds to manually shut it off. When turned on, it returns to your previous brightness setting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Specifications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n