The Viridian R5 Reactor green laser on the new Glock 43.
Viridian Green Laser Lights have been extremely popular laser point of aim devices, and their new Reactor Series green lasers for the very popular Glock 42 and Glock 43 appear to be another winners as well. Viridian has made green aiming lasers for firearms both popular and affordable on many of the most popular firearms in the market today.
The Viridian R5 Reactor Series also offers red laser options if that is your preference, as well as a tactical light in the Radiance option.
Viridian R5 on the Glock 42, .380 caliber pistol.
Viridian Reactor R5 Lasers
The Viridian Reactor R5 series of green laser products, are designed especially for the most popular concealable firearms on the market. Positively attaching to the single Picatinny rail section and the front of the selected pistol’s trigger guard, the Reactor R5 lasers can be very securely fashioned to the user’s concealed carry pistol.
Viridian’s Reactor R5 Series of lasers provide (3) options to the shooter. The most versatile is the R5 green laser, for aiming in all types of lighting conditions. The second is a red laser option, for those who prefer red over green. Finally, the Radiance R5 offers a tactical white light for illumination over targeting.
The (3) Viridian R5 options: green laser, red laser, and tactical light.
Many armed confrontations (whether law enforcement involved, or armed citizens) occur in low light or dark conditions. Though a laser aiming system is outstanding for startle or reflex shooting, having the ability to see your target and positively identify the threat is perhaps even more important – especially in the legal hurdles that will most definitely follow any shooting.
The Reactor R5 models include options for the following popular handguns:
- Glock 42
- Glock 43
- Glock 26/27
- Ruger LCP
- Ruger LC380
- Ruger LC9
- Smith & Wesson Shield 9/40
- Sig Sauer P238
- Sig Sauer P938
- Springfield XDs
- Kahr Arms PM9/40
- Kahr Arms PM45
- MSRP: $239.00 (green laser)
- MSRP: $149.00 (red laser)
- MSRP: $119.00 (tactical light).
Viridian R5 Green Laser Features
Viridian understands the needs of concealed carry handgun users, and has packed the R5 Reactor Series with features to meet their needs. The Instant-On™ Enhanced Combat Readiness™ feature turns the R5 laser or light on as soon as the firearm is withdrawn from the holster. This alleviates the need for the shooter to worry or fumble with small control features during a critical incident.
The Instant-On Tacloc holster for Viridian R5 lasers is just one option.
Not satisfied with a superior laser aiming sight, and the ECR feature, Viridian designed, and includes with each purchase, an ECR™ enabled hybrid holster for each R5 laser handgun. The hybrid holster is especially designed to turn on the R5 Instant-On feature, and fit the chosen handgun
Benefits of Lasers on Back-Up/Off-Duty
[easyazon_link identifier=”B010R1T0UC” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Viridian’s R5 Reactor green lasers[/easyazon_link] are well thought designs, ready for the difficulties of concealed carry armed confrontations. Though an armed off-duty officer, or a CCW licensed armed citizen should always be aware of their surroundings, a surprise attack can happen.
When a sudden armed confrontation occurs, the Para-Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight), kicks adrenaline into our bodies at high gear. Serious, and targeted training can help us compensate and control the sensory deprivation that comes with this kind of adrenaline dump, but we are fighting our own body’s attempt to prepare the large muscle groups while sacrificing fine motor skills.
Fine motor skills help us sight our handguns, control follow-up shots, and keep good trigger control. A laser can make targeting so much faster and confident in those situations, that I would support their use on these smaller back-up or off-duty pistols.
Viridian R5 Green Lasers for Glocks
I especially highlighted the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N11Q5KY” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Viridian R5 green lasers for Glocks[/easyazon_link], because Glock continues to dominate American law enforcement sidearm selections. Viridian has been very wise in their selection of firearms for custom designed R5 laser aiming devices. Glock is still one of America’s most popular handgun manufacturers, and the inclusion of the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N11Q5KY” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Glock 42[/easyazon_link] (.380), and [easyazon_link identifier=”B010R1T0UC” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Glock 43[/easyazon_link] (9mm) have been an answer to decades of customer demands for a single-stack concealable Glock.
The F.B.I. recently selected Glock to fulfill their transition to 9mm handguns, giving Glock an $85 million contract over several years to fulfill an order outfitting nearly 20,000 F.B.I. Special Agents.
Viridian has full-size pistol options as well.
With what has been estimated at 65% of the American law enforcement market, the need for adequate back-up pistols, and off-duty handguns remains high. Many departments (like mine), require the back-up pistol to be the same make as our duty pistol (currently the Glock 22).
I have carried a [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NWK6F7W” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Glock 27[/easyazon_link], sub-compact .40 caliber, on my ballistic vest for nearly 10 years. The new Glock 42 and Glock 43 provide a very nice option, that is slimmer, lighter, much more concealable. These two new Glock CCW pistols are also strong contenders for off-duty carry, particularly in summer when many are wearing shorts and light clothing making larger pistols harder to keep concealed.
When considering options for a back-up or off-duty handgun, especially one that is sub-compact or a slim single stack option, the
The Benefits of Green Lasers
Green lasers have been touted as superior to red lasers due to their superior visual targeting light in overall lighting conditions. Green lasers are especially beneficial in daylight or high light conditions, over the more common red lasers performance.
The red lasers are much closer to the natural light wave frequencies of sun light, and are therefore much harder to locate during bright situations. Green lights are on a different wave length, allowing them to remain bright and easily identifiable even in the brightest sunlight conditions.
Green lasers are also easily identifiable during low light or dark conditions, making them the most versatile laser aiming device option. The drawback with green lasers is they are more difficult to produce, and therefore the price is higher than the more common red lasers. Shooters should consider their most likely use and need for a laser aiming device, and choose appropriately.
Viridian is a recognized leader in the laser aiming sight market, and the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N11Q5KY” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]R5-G42[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B010R1T0UC” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]R5-G43[/easyazon_link] are especially designed to fit some of the most popular new concealable pistols.
Lasers and Law Enforcement
In the 1980’s, when red laser aiming devices were first hitting the market hard, everyone seemed to think they were the next great “must-have” item for firearms. The horribly cheesy movie “Cobra” saw Sylvester Stallone wielding red laser equipped sub-machine guns. Though lasers have good features, like quick target acquisition, dust particles in the air would often give away the officer’s position as well.
Flashlight technology literally exploded in the early 2000’s, and has not stopped yet. A powerful light, particularly a strobe, can blind and disorient a threat while providing superior target and threat identification while allowing the officer to sight the suspect with red dot (reflex) sights or traditional iron sights.
Final Thoughts
The Viridian R5 Reactor green lasers are outstanding options if you prefer a laser aiming device. The R5 Reactor’s Instant-On feature is outstanding and what I believe is a critical feature for CCW situations. Green lasers are more expensive, but they provide better sighting options across the possible lighting conditions.
A laser could be a good feature for police back-up or off-duty firearm, and if selected the Viridian R5 green laser would be an excellent choice. However, for law enforcement purposes, a good tactical light is more critical in my opinion. If you had to choose between a laser and a light on your pistol, I would go with the light.