I get excited when any new light comes out for a rifle. Ok, not just lights; I get excited about any new rifle and any new rifle accessory.
Each piece of gear you carry or attach to your rifle should have a purpose, and the Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO meets a specific need. That is, the option to change from white to IR light with the flip of a switch.
ProTac VIR PRO
The ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO was displayed at SHOT Show 2026 as a dual white-light and IR rifle-mounted light. This is interesting to me because there are not very many dual-function lights on the market. Sure, if someone uses IR a lot, they may want a dedicated IR light. But for those who mostly use white light but want the option to use IR, this is a great set-up.
It delivers about 1,100 lumens of white light with a 400-meter beam distance. For IR, it uses a 940nm IR LED by simply toggling a switch on the end of the light.
Measuring 5.65 inches in length, it has a profile similar to Streamlight’s HL-X series. It weighs approximately 8.8 ounces, including the rechargeable battery. This makes it compact enough for short-barreled rifles, even though the light has a decent run-time.
Speaking of batteries, the VIR PRO has multi-fuel capability, which I love. You can power the light using:
- One Streamlight SL-B26 USB rechargeable battery pack.
- Two CR123A lithium batteries.
On the high white light setting, you get about two hours of continuous use. In IR mode, the light will provide up to nine hours of illumination. The IR PRO has an integrated rail clamp for MIL-STD-1913 rails and includes an M-LOK adapter in the box.
What you may notice differently about this light at first glance is the rectangular-shaped head. Some have mentioned the head of the light is on the larger side. Well, it has two lights built into the head of the housing, so yes, it is. But it’s still not what I would call bulky or too large.
ProTac VIR PRO Specifications
- Dual-Spectrum Output: 1,100 lumens (40,000 candela) of white light and 2,300 mW of 940nm infrared illumination.
- Multi-Fuel: Runs on one SL-B26 USB rechargeable battery pack or two CR123A lithium batteries.
- Smart Safety Cutoff: Integrated head-mounted toggle that physically prevents accidental white light discharge while in IR mode.
- Jack-Cap Tail Cap: Built-in redundancy with both a push-button switch and a port for the included remote pressure switch.
- TEN-TAP Programming: Allows users to choose between three operating programs (High/Strobe, High only, or Low/High).
- Mission-Ready Mounting: Includes an integrated Picatinny rail clamp and a dedicated M-LOK adapter in the box.
- Professional Durability: IPX7 waterproof rating (1 meter for 30 minutes) and constructed from 6000-series machined aircraft aluminum.
- Compact Profile: Measures 5.65 inches in length and weighs just 8.8 ounces with the rechargeable battery.
Why you need IR capability
Standard white light is excellent for target identification, but it also gives away your position instantly. Infrared light, however, is invisible to the naked eye. It works by emitting light on a wavelength that only night vision devices (NVGs) can detect.
An IR light is needed when ambient light, like moonlight or starlight, is too low for your NVGs to produce a clear image. It “floods” the area with invisible light. This allows you to navigate or identify targets while remaining completely hidden from anyone who is not using similar technology.
The VIR PRO has a safety cutoff as well. This feature prevents you from accidentally activating the 1,100-lumen white light while you are in IR mode.
A lot of people see the benefits of having some type of night vision for home defense, hunting, etc. Even if you don’t have any NVG devices right now, it’s nice to have an IR light already set up on your rifle if you ever plan to.
I mounted mine on the Sons of Liberty MK-1 AR pistol for testing. And so far, the VIR PRO has been a great light.
What’s in the box?
As I mentioned above, the light comes with a Picatinny rail mount attached to the light, but also has an M-LOK mount. The tail cap works with or without a remote pressure pad, but for those who want to use one, it comes with the pad.
I swapped out the rubber remote pressure pad mounts for a metal rail mount that clamps on. This will make sure the pressure pad isn’t pulled off by mistake. It also comes with a rechargeable battery and charging cable.
Operation, Programming, and Pricing
Streamlight used their TEN-TAP Programming for this light, which I also like. It allows you to customize the light’s operation to suit your specific needs. By tapping the switch rapidly nine times and holding on the tenth, you can cycle through three programs:
- High / Strobe (Factory Default)
- High Only
- Low / High
Some prefer the brightest light they can get and leave it on the high mode. I ended up changing mine to low/high so it would always turn on in the low mode. When I’m searching indoors, I don’t want to blind myself with a bright light reflecting off the walls and doors.
The toggle switch on the head of the light has three positions: IR, Off, and WH. This makes it easy to select either IR or white light, or simply turn it off, so it doesn’t accidentally turn on when you don’t want it to. The switch is easy to reach, and the more I use it, the more I like having it there.
Does it stack up to other lights in this price range?
In terms of value, the ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO has an MSRP around $400, though street prices are often closer to the $300 range. High-end dedicated IR illuminators can run twice that price. For an “all-in-one” solution, this is a great price point.
I mounted the VIR PRO on the rifle before I began testing the MK-1. My experience with rifle-mounted accessories is that a long day on the range will determine if it’s durable. Many of us have watched someone fire a round only to see their light fall off the gun. Some of us have even experienced this first-hand…
During my testing time with the MK-1 rifle, I made sure to work in the light with some of the drills, even when it wasn’t needed. This allows me to test the run-time of the battery, get used to the light controls, and make sure the light and mount are solid on the gun. So far, I haven’t found a single issue with the VIR PRO.
Again, the end of the light is larger than other “compact” lights, but there is a reason for it. I didn’t find the larger head of the light got in the way, and the light isn’t really that much heavier than other lights either. Overall, this is a great light that I plan to keep using.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary illumination specifications for both the white light and IR modes?
The ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO delivers 1,100 lumens of white light with a beam distance of 400 meters. For infrared use, it features a 940nm IR LED. Users can toggle between these modes using a three-position switch (IR-Off-WH) located on the head of the light.
How does the “Multi-Fuel” capability work for this model?
This light offers dual powering options, allowing you to use either:
- One Streamlight SL-B26 USB rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack (included).
- Two CR123A lithium batteries. The runtime varies by mode, offering approximately 2 hours on high white light and up to 9 hours in IR mode.
What mounting hardware and accessories are included in the box?
Streamlight provides a kit, including:
- An integrated MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail clamp and an M-LOK adapter.
- A remote pressure pad with two rubber Picatinny rail mounts.
- A tail cap that functions with or without the pressure pad.
- A rechargeable battery and charging cable.
What is “TEN-TAP Programming,” and how can it be customized?
TEN-TAP allows you to select from three different operating programs by rapidly tapping the switch nine times and holding on the tenth. The available cycles are:
- High / Strobe (The factory default).
- High Only.
- Low / High (Ideal for indoor use to prevent self-blinding from reflection).
Why is the head of the VIR PRO rectangular and slightly larger than other compact lights?
The head has a larger, rectangular profile because it houses two separate light sources, the white LED and the IR LED, within a single unit. Despite the larger head, the light remains relatively compact at 5.65 inches and weighs only 8.8 ounces, making it suitable even for short-barreled rifles.
