VIRIDIAN WEAPON TECHNOLOGIESReactor 5 Gen II Red Laser, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield with ECR Instant On Holster, Black, Fits: S & W M & P Shield

I have long wanted a nice laser for my Springfield XDE. When I saw that this was available, I ordered it immediately.I have the Viridian CL5 laser on my home defense pistol and am very pleased with it. I naively expected the same quality in this device as I found in the CL5.Unfortunately, there are so many bad things about this laser it is difficult to know where to start.When I opened the package there was no manual inside. However, on a cardboard insert it said "Quick Start" so I started there.Step 1 - Mounting "Refer to operators manual" - There was no manual (What value is quick start if it refers you to the -non existent- manual?Step 2 - Operation "Pressing the power button cycles through the modes. These is nothing to show you where the power button is, but after hunting for a while it was obvious that button was a little indented rubber circle that does not protrude from the housing. I was not able to turn the laser on of off with my fingers. I had to resort to the tip of a pen to do so.The laser comes with what the call an ECR holster and turns on when the pistol is removed from the holster. That seemed to work for a little while. However, this means that the laser is unusable unless the gun is in the holster.Say you want to carry the pistol in the glove box or keep it in your nightstand. There is no way to turn the laser on unless the pistol is pulled from the holster or you have some pointed object available to push the power button. "Excuse me Mr. badguy, can I borrow your pen?".It gets worse. The entire device is made of plastic. That in itself wouldn't be bad but the three mounting screws which separate the two halves of the device to allow for battery insertion and provide a bit of play to slide the device on the pistol rail simply tighten into the plastic which means if you over tighten you strip the plastic.It gets worse. Most rail mounted lasers have a screw that goes from one side of the device to the other and fits through the notch in the rail to ensure the laser won't slide off the rail. This device has no such screw.I tried three times to mount the laser but in each case after holstering the pistol and drawing it repeatedly, the laser slid off the rail and remained in the holster. something as simple as something to slide through the rail would likely have prevented this.I hate returning things and I hate writing bad reviews but I don't want anyone else to waste their time with this product.The attached photo shows the power button circled in red and the mounting screws circled in blue. Viridian Reactor 5 Gen 2 Red Laser Sight Pistol Handgun w/INSTANT-ON Holster (Springfield XDE)

I love this thing. Haven't had to resight it in yet since I did the initial after install. It is on my daily carry weapon which makes that impressive, if it hasn't gotten knocked off from all the movement and bumping around then I'm happy, let alone the 500ish rounds that have been fired as well.I also love the instant-on function, not having to worry about fumbling around trying to turn it on, or making sure my hand isn't too dry for those touch sensor ones, it's just draw, put the dot on target, aim if you feel like it but unnecessary, and take down the threat.I just have had fun shooting from some pretty unorthodox positions lately and practicing the quick draw building that muscle memory.

Update: 08/09 So after using it for a few weeks I had to remove a star the laser is great and all but for some reason mind shuts off after a couple hours in the holster sometimes it doesn’t other times it does. For the most part if I leave it in the holster and then pull it out anytime after an hour it’s off. Then there’s days where I don’t pull it out all day and then draw and it’s on still. So that being a glitch was one thing I noticed. The other is a holster a lot of people complained about it at first I didn’t see an issue so after using it for a few weeks I had to remove a star. the laser is great and all but for some reason mine shuts off after a couple hours in the holster sometimes it doesn’t other times it does. For the most part if I leave it in the holster and then pull it out anytime after an hour it’s off. Then there’s days where I don’t pull it out all day and then draw and it’s on still. So that being a glitch was one thing I noticed. The other is a holster a lot of people complained about it at first I didn’t see an issue. The little flap kind of was pointless to me I don’t usually wear a belt so I have I WB Carry. But the one thing that really got me is when the holster when moving around would push on the mag release in my clip would fall out or be hanging halfway out. That for me was a dealbreaker I actually purchased a different laser that comes with the flashlight on it as well. It was on here I believe it’s called streamlight with great reviews so gonna compare and will let you guys know if it’s any better. I purchased this thinking it was a great product especially considering it’s $250 anywhere else but like I said the laser is great it’s just that the holster sucks so by a different one really I don’t know if the holster was the issue with the laser shutting off automatically or if it was some thing that was glitching. I still would recommend this to a friend I just wouldn’t recommend using the holster as it’s kind of hard to get a quick draw/holster your gun with this holster. Takes two hands for me to put it back I have to open it with one and push it in with the other, Blackhawk and other holsters are way more economical for concealed carry especially having the lock button.I was going to buy this on cheaper than dirt and it was 250 bucks so I checked Amazon and found it for $84 I think. Was it easy to install and line up my sites. I would recommend this is a great buy and so far it’s held up nice. By far one of the best investments I made besides a ghost trigger. The holster is a pain in the ass to get the gun and out of if you’re carrying IWB But other than that no complaints I love it I just need to take it to the range to get a better adjustment on the laser right now it’s dead on the center of my front sight at 20ft. But I’ve been told to use a bore laser and others said to just take it to the range and do it that way. If you’re debating buying this I highly suggest you get it the only other thing I think that would be more convenient and this is the laser sights they have that go where the spring is those look really convenient and pretty bad ass.

"Included' holster - SO WHAT---- the 'included' holster is at best a 3-star, and that is a big push. But the worse part if that unless you are left-handed you are in a mess to turn on the laser since the ON button is on the left side - only. For those that rather select their own quality holster or even none at all, and you are right-handed - forget the 'turn-on' as you draw, it is not going to happen. NO Where in the description does it state, clearly, that the on/off button is located on the left-side. No other laser have I ever purchased that had the on/off button located only on the left-side. Only 20% of the population is lef-handed.