The DP51 is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol produced by Daewoo Precision Industries of South Korea. It is a compact, lightweight pistol with an unconventional trigger mechanism called "fast action". The frame is composed of an aluminum alloy with a matte finish, while the slide is of blued steel.

The "fast action" trigger mechanism allows a cocked hammer to be pushed to its down position while still keeping the mainspring compressed. A light pull on the trigger causes the hammer to flick back, after which the pistol would behave in conventional single-action (SA) mode.

The pistol can also be fired in conventional single- and double-action (DA) modes.

The "fast action" mode allows the trigger travel of DA mode and the trigger weight of SA mode. This allows a more accurate first shot due to the ligher weight of the trigger. It is also safer due to the longer trigger travel required to fire the pistol.

The factory magazines are 13-rounders. Smith & Wesson 59-series magazines purportedly are compatible with the DP51.

The pistol also has ambidextrous safeties and 3-dot sights.

It is also equipped with a firing pin block; the firing pin is blocked from moving forward unless the trigger is in its rearmost position.