New for 2018: Taurus Spectrum with Viridian Laser

For quick target acquisition, having a laser on a concealed-carry gun offers a number of benefits. With the Taurus Spectrum, reviewed here at Shooting Illustrated, the benefits are even clearer, since the laser provides enhanced reaction time for those who could struggle in low-light conditions with the gun's low-profile, non-illuminated sights. Now, Taurus is shipping an all-new model of its Spectrum .380 that comes factory-equipped with a Viridian E-Series laser.

"Taurus continues to put out unique, make-sense firearms," Viridian Weapon Technologies President and CEO Brian Hedeen said. "The American-made Spectrum is an exciting product and we're happy to have several laser sights for those who purchase this ideal concealed-carry option."

Each Taurus Spectrum comes equipped with the Viridian E-Series red-laser sight, which comes mounted on the trigger guard and features a 5mW laser that can be seen easily up to 25 yards in bright, daytime conditions and up to a mile at night. The laser is powered by a single 1/3N battery and features a battery life of more than six hours in constant-on mode.

To activate the laser, users can depress one of two activation buttons located on either side of the housing, providing fully ambidextrous operation. To preserve battery life, the laser includes an auto shut-off component that turns the laser off after five minutes. Built with a strengthened housing molded from polymer, the entire unit only adds .78 ounce to the weight of the gun, including batteries.

The Viridian E-Series lasers are included on select all-black models of the Taurus Spectrum, which is a striker-fired design using a double-action-only trigger mechanism. Stand-out features of the Spectrum include an ergonomic design combined with overmolded touch panels, offering consumers a comfortable, easily shootable pocket pistol designed for personal-defense use. The suggested retail price on the laser-equipped model of the Taurus Spectrum is $359.