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FOG HORN

Crimson Trace Rail Master Pro a compact ambidextrous laser and light package for
your railed pistol or long gun. By: Sal Palma

2014
Twobirds Flying Publication

Crimson Trace Corporation, CTC, pioneered the laser grip concept for handguns in 1994. This year, 2014, the company celebrates its 20th year of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence. The CTC has earned a global reputation for producing innovative and exceptional laser aiming and lighting accessories for firearms. In January of 2014, the company launched the Rail Master Pro; building on its success with the Rail Master product line. They introduced the Rail Master concept in 2012 to meet increasing user requirements driven by the growing number of railed handguns entering the market, and because Rail Master accessories are compatible with Picatinny and Weaver style mounting rails, the Rail Master lasers and tactical lighting

equipment were readily accepted as capable and fitting ultra-compact long gun accessories. The initial Rail Master offering consisted of a red laser aiming module in a compact polymer housing. That was followed by a tactical L.E.D. light, and in 2013 a green laser version was introduced. Setting aside for a moment the fact that the Rail Master represented a credible departure from the ubiquitous heavy and bulky rail mounted laser and laser/light accessories, its innovative push-on, push-off activation paddle was, in every respect, a stroke of genius. It meant that rather than manipulating an activation paddle with an up and down motion of the thumb, the shooter can now, without adjusting his or her grip, easily and naturally push on the ambidextrous paddle to engage the laser or light. At SHOT SHOW 2014, Crimson Trace announced its new addition to the Rail Master line, the Rail Master Pro. I had an opportunity to test drive the new CTC Rail Master Pro and loved it. You have to be enamored by companies like Crimson Trace because they consistently surpass themselves, and the Rail Master Pro, Universal Red Laser Sight & Tactical Light, is an excellent example of that.

Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Crimson Trace Rail Master Pro a compact ambidextrous laser and light package for your railed pistol or long gun.
To begin, the new laser/light is built on an aluminum body. It is the first aluminum bodied Rail Master produced by CTC and has an exceptionally solid feel. The compact package houses a laser aiming module as well as a 100 lumen tactical L.E.D. white light. Integration of a laser and light in the same housing is also a first for Crimson Trace. The mechanical engineering that went into packaging the Universal Red Laser Sight & Tactical Light, as CTC refers to its product, is worthy of mention.

2014

The push-on and push-off activation paddles make using the Rail Master Pro ergonomically correct, fast and uncomplicated. Its hard to avoid praising this arrangement because it is so well thought out and so effective. The Rail Master Pro doesnt stop at compactness and ergonomic correctness; it is also feature rich, offering four shooter selectable modes of operation. Laser only Light only Laser + Strobe Laser + Light

Accessing each mode is achieved via the paddles. The operator simply pushes on both paddles, simultaneously, for about 2 seconds, moving to the next mode very straightforward.

In comparison to equivalent accessories on the market, the Rail Master Pro is very compact, so it sits very close to the pistol frame or upper receiver. Furthermore, the housing does not protrude wildly beyond the width of the mounting rail, and its streamlined body sweeps to the rear terminating into two, ambidextrous, polymer paddles. To gain full appreciation for how well executed the CTC Rail Master Pro is, all one need do is compare it to the prevailing technology, which I might add is current SOF issue. So, its easy to get excited about CTCs new Universal Red Laser Sight & Tactical Light. One CR2 battery powers the 5mW red laser and 100 lumen tactical light. Run times will vary

Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Crimson Trace Rail Master Pro a compact ambidextrous laser and light package for your railed pistol or long gun.
with environmental conditions, but 2 hours of continuous laser use is about maximum. To help with battery longevity, CTC included a preprogrammed 5 minute auto shut-off. Thats a very nice feature, and one I wish Id had on my last outing. On my way to a shooting event, I bumped my carbines laser activation paddle, which fired the laser inside the case; by the time I got to my destination the batteries were shot. Bummed out I was! In an age where weapon mounted lights are pushing the 600+ lumen output range, the 100 lumens delivered by the tactical light component of the Rail Master Pro may seem stingy and lacking that well defined hot spot the hotter lights produce. Well, think again! The lens used in the Rail Master Pro throws a broad white flood illuminating all corners of a room. You cannot ask for much more than that. In closing, CTCs Rail Master Pro gets my vote for 2014 Engineering Excellence! It is a superb integration of a laser aiming module with a tactical light in a robust, compact and straightforward package. But, what has me in complete arousal is the push-on / push-off activation approach taken by its designers. Youve got to love the Rail Master Pro Universal Red Laser Sight & Tactical Light. But, before you can do that you have to try it, and its $279 M.S.R.P does not get in the way of what is sure to be a lasting romance. The Rail Master Pro is available in a red or green laser. Check them out! -SP Manufacturer Specifications

2014

Platform: Rail Master Material: Polymer Attachment: Rail Attachment Activation Location: Switch Activation Sighting: Factory Sighted at 50' Battery Type: One CR2 Lithium Battery Laser Output: Up to 5mW Green Laser Activation Mode: Switch Activated Laser Visibility: Approx .5 Inch Diameter at 50 Feet User Adjustable: Windage and Elevation Installation: User Installed Warranty: Three Year Full Warranty Color: Black Dot Size: Approx. 0.50" at 50' Light Output: 100 Lumen LED White Light Light Specs: 100 Lumen LED

Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

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