Green Laser?

[XD45-ACP]

found this the other day, anyone have experiance with this product?


Viridian Green Laser Sight - Fits Glock, Springfield XD, Walther, Sig - by Laser Aiming Systems

[jamstutz]

I don't have a green laser sight but I have a green laser pointer.

While the green laser is somewhat brighter than the red laser, the batteries don't even last half as long.

[BIGchiefKODIAK]

I wish lasermax had a guiderod with green laser, then yes I would get a laser for the gun.

[Jameson]

Their sites sure cool. I think I like the look of the green laser but it would be hard to drop $300 on it.

[ForTehNguyen]

green lasers are a shorter wavelength therefore greater frequency than red, they are more expensive and suck up more power. Blue lasers are even more expensive and power hungry than green

[drgonzo]

I've got one for my XD40 Service.

Things I like about it:

• Green laser is easy to see.
• Choice of continuous light or one of three pulse modes.
• Ambidextrous activation.
• Easy to adjust
• Easy to take off/put on.

Things I don't like about it:

• Bulky.
• Hard (impossible?) to find a holster for it. Like I said--bulky.
• If I leave it attached to the gun and put the gun/laser in a case, the pressure from the case padding sometimes activates the laser resulting in dead batteries. This is a PITA when you find out at the range.
• Expensive.

I use it mainly as a training tool. You might think you're Mr. Rock-solid-steady-grip but when you point your weapon downrange and turn on the laser, you'll find out just how shaky you are. I like it and have been satisfied with it but IMO this is NOT a great choice for a carry weapon for two reasons:

1. The bulk makes for an unwieldy laser/gun combination.
2. Activating the laser requires a separate motion of (at least one of) your fingers. This might seem trivial but my sense is that in a defensive shooting situation, you're going to go into 'point and shoot' mode. If you want a laser for self defense shooting, Crimson Trace laser grips would be a much better choice IMO.

I have no biases or disclosures regarding either Viridian or Crimson Trace. I'm just an average Joe who's used both. I've got some Crimson Trace grips on my SW442 that's my carry gun.

[XD45-ACP]

thanks for the replys, i think i would only use it as a training tool as i too belive in a defensive situation, laser or not the target would be less then 5 yards anyway. What do think of the crimson trace? also do they affect your grip on the weapon?

[Ken_XDm40]

Thomas Otteson, a representative from Veridian, has assured me by email that the model made for the XD, the Veridian SXD, will fit an XDm.

[drgonzo]

Originally Posted by XD45-ACP

thanks for the replys, i think i would only use it as a training tool as i too belive in a defensive situation, laser or not the target would be less then 5 yards anyway. What do think of the crimson trace? also do they affect your grip on the weapon?

On my SW442 the CT grips help me a lot. The SW442 comes with Uncle Mike's synthetic grips. The CT grips have a padded backstrap which helps me handle the recoil much better. I don't know for a fact but I'd be pretty sure there are other grips for J-frames that have padded backstraps too. CT makes two versions of grips for the J-frame, the difference being one is 'standard' while the other is a little longer to get your pinky on the grip. I've got the 'standard' grip from CT. As you probably know, CT grips have the activation switch positioned so that when you grip the gun, the laser activates--no additional motion required. Also, no problem fitting my J-frame into a pocket holster.

I'm not a great shot but if I draw from my pocket, shoot from the hip, and use the CT grips I can empty the 442 (5 shots) in about 4 seconds and put the shots in a 12" group from 7 yards. Like I said, I'm not that great a shot but it seems to me that that would get the job done in a defensive shooting situation. If I don't use the laser and draw shooting from the hip my shot pattern will spread out to 24"+ which isn't too good. I'd like to try a practice defensive situation with a moving target and/or me moving but I don't have a range nearby where I could practice that. I have a feeling the experience would be eye-opening.

Since I don't have CT grips for my XD, I can't really comment extensively on them. From pics I've seen and from the CT web site, it looks like the CT grips for the XD slip on over the existing grip and add a little bit of width. Doesn't seem like a big deal to most people and I don't think this interferes with a holster but YMMV.