Featured Viridian ECR Instant-On holster upgrade kit Recoil Staff June 29, 2014 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Viridian is, as many of you reading this know, a company that designs, builds, and manufactures self-defense products for military, law enforcement, and civilians- all here in the USA. Located out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, they are perhaps best known for their green weapon mounted lasers and holsters that provide ‘instant laser ignition'. One of their recent releases is the ECR (Enhanced Combat Readiness) Instant-On holster upgrade kit. The ECR was designed to give customers the ability to modify their current holsters to activate a Viridian laser the moment the weapon is drawn, or, as they put it, to “ignite your Viridian the moment you draw”. This design activates the laser and WML on your pistol immediately when it clears the holster with no buttons or sliders necessary. To enable the system, one would turn on their WML/laser system and leave it activated while holstering. Because of the way the ‘Instant-On System' functions, the light system would be deactivated when holstered and activated when unholstered and vice versa. This eliminates the need to activate the laser manually under stress, but it also means you'll have to deactivate it manually when the weapon is drawn if there is a need for a more subdued approach. This will obviously suit some end users while turning others away – you'll have to make the decision whether ECR is appropriate based on your individual needs. More information on the ECR Upgrade Kit here. Note that this is an informational FYI only; we have not tested the upgrade kit, nor can we speak to its durability, but for $15 it won't break the bank to try it out. You can keep up to date on this and other new releases from Viridian on their many social media pages. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or visit their website. Watch a discussion with Viridian's Joe Houser. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.