FOG HORN
October 2018 Twobirds Flying Publications
Crimson Trace Railmaster Pro-CMR-204
Copyright 2018, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Crimson Trace Railmaster Pro CMR-204
Crimson Trace Railmaster Pro – CMR-204 By: Sal Palma
Today’s conceal carry customer has a broad range of firearms to choose from and whether your cup of tea is a pistol or revolver, there is a veritable cornucopia of platforms to choose from, and chances are that Oregon based Crimson Trace Corporation offers a light, laserlight combination to fit each and every one of them. This review is about one of CTC’s products, the Railmaster Pro laser-light accessory. Crimson Trace rolled out the Railmaster Pro in 2014. It was a significant event because prior to its introduction, the company’s focus was on firearm specific laser grips. So, the launch of a rail mounted laser-light accessory created the company’s first universal fit product. The Railmaster and Railmaster Pro are at home on the accessory rail of a pistol, shotgun or rifle,
2018
and although the Railmaster Pro has been around for 4 years, it still deserves a considerable amount of ink. I could talk about a 100 lumen light and a red or green laser, adjustable for wind and elevation and pre-zeroed at the factory for 50 feet, but that’s just data. What I would like to devote some time to is the approach Crimson Trace took in implementing its rail mount and the subsequent benefits. One of the challenges faced by CTC’s competitors is their lack of flexibility positioning a laser-light on the very chintzy accessory rails found on compact and subcompact frames. Laser-light accessories with fixed Picatinny mounts result in the laser-light being placed well forward of the muzzle usually on the first slot. In that position, the shooter is then forced to reach forward to operate the paddles, which breaks the grip. This is not an unbearable condition but Crimson Trace engineers found a better way. The Railmaster mounting architecture consists of two important features, the rail key (CTC calls them inserts) and an adjustable clamp.
You’ll note that the insert can be pressed into the body’s well in one of two orientations. This feature alone allows the shooter a degree of front to back flexibility in the rail placement. Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Crimson Trace Railmaster Pro CMR-204
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2018
Laser with Light Strobe
To select the desired mode start with the laser and light being off then hold both activation paddles down for 3 seconds to cycle through the modes. Release the buttons when you have the desired mode selected.
The adjustable clamp can be moved along the length of the body to adapt the Railmaster or Railmaster Pro to different rail lengths. This adjustment, in combination with the insert orientation, makes it possible to get the activation controls close to the trigger guard overcoming a particularly pugnacious problem with rail equipped conceal carry pistols.
Notice that the clamp positions in the images above allow the ambidextrous activation paddles to be placed just forward of the trigger guard, so they’re accessible with either the trigger finger or the support hand thumb without breaking your grip.
Last, but not least on the list of highly desirable features, is the 5 minute auto shutoff feature. When left on, the Rail Master Pro will remain on for 5 minutes before automatically shutting off, an event indicated by a quick pulse of the laser and light at the end of the five minutes. In closing, Crimson Trace engineers have created a very tidy and compact light/laser accessory that will gracefully adorn just about any Picatinny accessory rail on even the most difficult platforms. The Rail Master Pro is robust, reliable and effective even in challenging environments. With the introduction of the Railmaster and Rail Master Pro, Crimson Trace has a uniquely universal weapon mounted accessory. No other weapon mounted accessory provides the adaptability and flexibility that you’ll get from CTC’s Railmaster line. -SP Manufacturer Specifications
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Light/Laser Constant On
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Laser Constant On
GREEN BEAM INTENSITY: 5mW peak, 515-532 nm, Class 3R laser BEAM DOT SIZE: Approximately 0.5 inches diameter at 50 feet BATTERIES: One (1) CR2 lithium battery; two hours of illumination LIGHT INTENSITY: 100 lumen LED ACTIVATION: Instant Activation™ - Tap on, tap off with auto shut off at five minutes WARRANTY: Three-year full warranty
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Light Constant On
This product complies with 21 CFR 1040.10
The Rail Master Pro has been programmed with 4 Activation Modes but has been factory set to the Light/Laser Constant On Mode.
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved