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, laser-
light 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,
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
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.
 Crimson Trace Railmaster Pro CMR-204
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.
The Rail Master Pro has been programmed with
4 Activation Modes but has been factory set to
the Light/Laser Constant On Mode.
• Light/Laser Constant On
• Laser Constant On
• Light Constant On
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
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.
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
 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
 This product complies with 21 CFR 1040.10