Editors’ Picks 2019: Leupold Freedom RDS

posted on March 27, 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. **
edpicks17.jpg

Leupold’s Freedom RDS is the embodiment of rugged reliability. A 1X 34 mm tubular red-dot sight, the Leupold DNA is obvious in the optic’s aesthetics—including the gold ring—and more importantly in its durability. A friend at Leupold made no bones about the fact that the Freedom RDS is so tough that the company’s heavy-recoil testing apparatus, nicknamed “The Punisher,” would likely break down before the red-dot if the two were paired in an endurance duel to the death. The scope comes ready for use in a robust rail mount that would be equally at home atop an AR rifle platform or a big-bore revolver. It features a 1-m.o.a. red, illuminated-dot reticle with eight brightness settings—controlled by the left-side activation button—and 1/4-m.o.a. adjustments for windage and elevation are facilitated by a capped turret and exposed, target-style dial, respectively. Leupold will also offer the Freedom RDS with a custom bullet-drop elevation dial calibrated for the .223 Rem. cartridge. The RDS is powered by a 2032 battery, and energy is conserved with Leupold’s proven motion-sensor technology which automatically turns the dot on and off based on movement. Best of all, the base model for this do-anything red-dot has a suggested price of just $299. leupold.com

Latest

Taurus RPC
Taurus RPC

Review: Taurus RPC

Taurus’s RPC brings a large-format pistol to the company’s lineup of revolvers and affordable semi-automatic pistols.

Old Meets New: The Springfield Armory Kuna Tri-Lug and .40 S&W Models

The iconic tri-lug muzzle of the H&K MP5 is now available on the Springfield Armory Kuna, allowing it to more closely match the original HS Produkt design while also allowing for easy mounting of suppressors.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 7, 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.

Review: High Desert Cartridge Company Ammunition

Ammunition brands like High Desert Cartridge may not be as well-known as larger makers, but they can still offer excellent bang for your buck.

Beretta Introduces Shotgun-Based Turret System for Drone Defense

Beretta Defense Technologies has introduced the LIVET Remote Controlled Weapon Station, an AI-driven turret system that can bring eight Benelli M4 Drone Guardian shotguns accurately to bear on incoming unfriendly drones.

Competition Ready: Winchester's New Super Match Ammunition

Winchester Ammunition has answered the call of competitive shooters with its new Super Match lineup, comprised of cartridges tailored to perform in a variety of events.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.