Leupold Announces Freedom Red Dot Sight

by
posted on January 16, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
leupold_freedom_rds_moa_lead.jpg

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., has introduced the all-American-made Freedom RDS (Red Dot Sight), a new tubular red dot that's built to perform in extreme conditions, and won't break the bank.

Designed, machined and assembled at Leupold's Beaverton, Ore., factory, the red dot sight—created for recreational shooters and hunters alike—will be available in two models: One features capped precision ¼-MOA click adjustments, the other a precision exposed BDC elevation turret that ships with measurements out to 500 yards for standard 55-gr. .223 Rem. ammunition. The RDS is designed to install easily with an included mount that sits at the optimal sight height for use on AR-style rifles. That said, it can also be removed and mounted using any 34 mm rings.

“Consumers have been asking for an American-made, value-priced red dot for as long as we’ve been in the marketplace,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The Freedom RDS delivers on that task and more, bringing with it innovative features like the custom BDC elevation turret, allowing end-users to easily dial up for longer shots.”

Both models of the Freedom RDS feature a 1 MOA dot reticle that’s supported by Leupold’s battery-saving Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which puts the sight into a battery-saving standby mode after five minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion, it instantly activates the sight, so it’s ready when you are. A manual mode allows the sight to be shut off when not in use.

The scratch-resistant lenses feature Leupold’s Twilight Red Dot System, which delivers standard color consistency and premium lens clarity. The RDS is 100 percent fogproof and waterproof and features 80 MOA of adjustment in both elevation and windage. A 34 mm maintube design measures at under 5.5” and weighs less than 7 ozs.

“The RDS features lightweight construction that disperses recoil energy and creates unrivaled durability,” said John Snodgrass, product line manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It’s been tested and verified on our Punisher, and it absolutely lives up to Leupold’s legendary standards for ruggedness. It won’t fail you, at the range or in the field.”

MSRP is expected to be under $300 for the standard MOA adjustment model; under $400 for BDC model.

Both RDS models are backed by Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee.

For more information, visit Leupold.com.

Latest

Crosman Raiden 01
Crosman Raiden 01

Affordable, Full-Auto Fun: The Crosman Raiden BB Gun

Over the past two decades, the world of BB guns has gotten way more sophisticated than the simple muscle-powered models of our youth. A case in point is Crosman’s new-for-2026 Raiden.

New Dragons: Managing Muzzle Flash From Today's Suppressors

Muzzle flash has always been an issue for those who employ firearms seriously, and with today's crop of suppressors, there are design elements to be aware of.

Gun of the Week: Mossberg 590R Chisel

For those who are seeking a shotgun that's a bit more heavy-duty, Mossberg's 590 line offers plenty of options, and one of the latest is the striking 590R Chisel.

The Armed Citizen® June 12, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

A Cathartic Journey Back to Midway Arms & the MidwayUSA Foundation

NRA CEO & EVP Doug Hamlin returned to MidwayUSA, a place he first visited decades ago in the early 1990s as publisher of Guns & Ammo magazine alongside the late, great Robert E. Petersen.

Review: Steiner MPS-C

The new Steiner MPS-C is the compact but rugged, closed-emitter optic we’ve all been waiting for.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.