a few more pictures
I've had a chance to shoot the Shield with the new Viridian laser since the last time I posted. For the most part, I've had a positive experience with it. I initially had a little more trouble sighting it in than I thought I should have. I used the iron sights as a reference when I initially adjusted the laser, and that worked to get me on the target, but for some reason I kept having trouble with the sights moving around. Evidently even though I had thought that I had tightened the mounting screws down sufficiently, I guess shooting the gun caused the sight to move enough that I found the mounting screws loose again and I had to retighten them. I retightened the mounting screws and since then I've had no problems. Hopefully when I replace the batteries, the laser won't move and I won't have to readjust the sights again.
Speaking of batteries, Viridian advertises that the batteries last up to six hours when on full time. I may have had the laser on for about 30 minutes or so sighting it in and just generally getting used to it, plus about 1 1/2 hrs at the range, and the battery indicator light is flashing red, indicating that the battery will need changing soon. I'm a little disappointed so far with the battery life, but we'll see how much longer they last before they need changing.
More than ever I can see how a laser sight will be helpful in extremely low light or no light conditions, but for use in daylight, I would not use it at all, even though the green laser is better than the red as far as it's ability to be seen.
Another opinion on the Viridian and it's activation. In comparing the Viridian with my CT laser grips on my M&P 40c I feel that the way the CT laser grips activate is much more intuitive than the Viridian. I still feel that way, but when you consider the fact that the Viridian laser comes with a pocket holster which automatically turns the laser off when holstered, and the gun will be holstered except when it's being used, it really isn't that big of a deal. You can leave the laser turned on when it's normally holstered, and when you draw it, it will automatically turn on. And if you are going to use it at the range in daylight, you can manually turn the power off, just as you would do with the CT. The only difference is that the Viridian has to be in a holster to turn off the laser (with the power on) while the CT can be left with the power on but the laser isn't activated until you grip the gun. In either case the firearm can be picked up and the laser will be automatically activated.
So far my impression with the Viridian green light laser for the Shield is mostly positive. It is a compact, good looking laser that makes the Shield much more effective gun when used in low light or no light conditions, and at the same time, in my opinion, has no negative effects on the handling and operation of the Shield when it is used without the laser. Overall, I'm very satisfied.
Viridian R5 laser for Shield first impressions pt 2
Linear Mode
