Gideon Valor Mini Gen 6: One of the First Optics Built Specifically for the Glock Gen 6

The Glock Gen 6 hasn’t been out long, but the aftermarket is already starting to catch up. One of the products that immediately caught my attention is the new Gideon Optics Valor Mini Gen 6.

Instead of taking an existing optic and relying on one of Glock’s included adapter plates, Gideon built this version of the Valor Mini specifically around the new Glock Gen 6 Optic Ready System (ORS). The optic mounts directly to double-stack Gen 6 models including the Glock 17, Glock 19, and Glock 45 without an adapter plate between the optic and slide.

That alone makes it one of the more interesting early optic options for the Gen 6 platform.

Direct Mount Is the Big Deal

Glock changed things considerably with the Gen 6 optic system. Instead of the traditional MOS setup, standard-frame Gen 6 pistols use the new ORS system with included optic plates designed around several common footprints.

That gives shooters plenty of options, but I’ve always liked the simplicity of a true direct-mount optic.

Fewer pieces. No adapter plate. A cleaner-looking setup. And most importantly, the optic can sit lower on the slide.

Gideon recognized that opportunity quickly.

The Valor Mini Gen 6 is shaped specifically for the Gen 6 ORS slide and mounts directly to it. Gideon lists it as compatible with the Gen 6 Glock 17, Glock 19, and Glock 45.

I don’t want to definitively call Gideon the first company to do this because the Gen 6 aftermarket is moving quickly, but they are certainly among the earliest companies I’ve seen offer a purpose-built, direct-mount enclosed optic for the platform.

And I think that deserves some credit.

Instead of waiting to see where the Gen 6 market went, Gideon jumped in early with something specifically designed around the gun.

It's Still a Valor Mini

The other part I like is that Gideon didn’t have to completely reinvent the optic.

The Gen 6 version keeps the enclosed-emitter concept of the Valor Mini but packages it specifically for the new Glock.

You get a 3 MOA dot available in red or green, a 20.5 x 16 mm window, 10 brightness settings, shake-awake functionality, and a side-loading CR1620 battery. That side-loading battery is particularly nice because you don't have to remove the optic and potentially disturb your zero just to replace the battery.

For a carry-sized optic, that checks a lot of boxes.

I’ve also become increasingly fond of enclosed emitters on carry guns. Whether you're dealing with sweat, dust, lint, rain, or just everyday debris, enclosing the emitter removes one more potential problem.

Putting It on My Glock 19 Gen 6

Of course, specs only tell part of the story.

I picked up my Glock 19 Gen 6 from Brownells, and that pistol has quickly become one of the guns I’ve been using to evaluate what the new Gen 6 platform actually brings to the table.

Brownells doesn't currently sell Gideon Optics, so this isn't one of those forced product mentions. They were simply part of how this particular test setup came together.

I got the Glock through Brownells, I've been using ammo I picked up through Brownells to put rounds through it, and now the Valor Mini Gen 6 gives me another piece of the Gen 6 ecosystem to evaluate.

That's really what I care about: how does the entire setup perform when you actually shoot it?

Does the optic stay zeroed?

How does the window feel during presentation?

Does the lower direct-mount position make a noticeable difference?

How easy is it to track the dot during recoil?

And after putting a meaningful amount of ammunition through the gun, does the optic hold up?

Those are the questions that matter more to me than reading features off a product page.

The Gen 6 Aftermarket Is Getting Interesting

One of the biggest questions whenever a new firearm generation launches is how quickly the aftermarket will support it.

Glock obviously has an enormous advantage there. Companies know there will be Gen 6 pistols in shooters' hands, so we're already seeing manufacturers respond.

What Gideon did with the Valor Mini Gen 6 is exactly the kind of product development I want to see.

Don't just make an adapter.

Build something for the platform.

A direct-mount enclosed optic makes sense for the Gen 6, particularly for someone setting up a Glock 19 or Glock 45 as a carry gun.

It also gives shooters another option beyond simply taking the optic they already own and attaching it through Glock's ORS plate system.

More options are always good.

Final Thoughts

I'm still putting rounds through this setup, so I'm not ready to give the Valor Mini Gen 6 a final long-term verdict yet.

But from a design standpoint, I'm impressed with Gideon's decision to support the Glock Gen 6 this early.

The direct mount is the standout feature.

It keeps the installation simple, eliminates the adapter plate, keeps the optic low, and gives the entire package a much more purpose-built appearance.

Now it comes down to testing.

I'll continue putting rounds through my Glock 19 Gen 6 and the Valor Mini to see how the combination performs over time.

If you're looking at the new Valor Mini Gen 6, you can check it out directly through Gideon Optics and use code JAYWETH.

And if you're building out your own Gen 6 setup, Brownells is also worth checking for the Glock itself, ammunition, magazines, and the other gear you'll need to actually put the setup to work.

As always, the goal isn't just to show you new gear.

We're going to shoot it and see if it actually works.

Disclosure: I am a Gideon Optics affiliate, and code JAYWETH may provide me with affiliate compensation when used. That relationship doesn't change the opinions or conclusions expressed here.