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Crimson Trace is always expanding their product line. In this case they’ve added several new red laser grips to the Master series.
In the past all of the Master series used a plastic material with a wood grain finish. In addition to new G-10 grips they have also added real Rosewood and Cocobolo wood with red lasers.
Most of these grips are for the 1911 but another has just been released for the S&W “J” frame round butt made of G-10 synthetic. Another 1911 is the Springfield Armory EMP. Compact and full size as well as round butt 1911 grips are available.
I contacted Crimson Trace for a set of these grips in Cocobolo but they were sold out of all the genuine wood grips. They did send a set made of G-10 for the 1911.
Stats:
Platform Lasergrips®
Attachment Grip Replacement
Activation Location Front Activation
Sighting Factory Sighted at 50′
Master On/Off Switch Yes
Batteries For Life Yes
Battery Type Two #2025 Batteries
Laser Battery Life Over Four Hours
Laser Output 5mW Red Laser
Activation Mode Pressure Activated
Laser Visibility Approx .5 Inch Diameter at 50 Feet
Wrench Size 0.028
User Adjustable Windage and Elevation
Installation User Installed
Warranty Three Year Full Warranty
Color Brown
Dot Size Approx. 0.50″ at 50′
After receiving the G-10 set and installing them I used these grips for a number of weeks testing them at all hours of the day and night. All of the shooting was done at night. One thing to note is each grip set has a slim plastic piece than goes under each grip panel. These are to keep dust and other contaminants from entering the electronics.
As you can see from the photo each grip panel has a battery connected to the electronics. The current runs from each side to the center of the rubber portion of the grip where the activation button is located. When this button is depressed the circuit is complete and the laser is activated. Releasing the button turns off the laser until it’s depressed again. A master off/on switch is located on the left grip and activated by sliding to the left and right. Only when this switch is turned on will the grip button work.
My Sig Tac Ops comes with a magwell. Any 1911 with a magwell installed will leave a small gap between the bottom of the grip and magwell. I understand in the future they will be making a set for use with magwells. It doesn’t look bad it just looks a bit out of place.
The power of the red laser Master series is the same as the green laser. At night they are equally easy to see. Throw distance is several hundred yards. In anything other than darkness the green laser is preferable. The human eye picks up the green portion of the light spectrum better than the red. The graph below illustrates this.
The black G-10’s I used have a very good grip surface that prevents your hand from slipping even in hot weather when your hands are sweaty. The pattern varies in the direction the cuts are made which also provides a better grip.
Windage and elevation are adjusted as usual with a small hex wrench, which is used at the top and side of the lasers lens.
Conclusion:
This particular model is well made and appears sturdy enough to last many years. The G-10 is a handsome grip but I must say a set in Cocobolo would be very nice looking on most any finish.
I did find one advantage to the red laser over the green. Run time is many hours more with the red than the greens three hours or so. Finally I have a set of Crimson Trace grips that I’ve had for a number of years and they still work as well as the day I bought them.
MSRP is $399.00 on the website. Street cost is closer to $325.00.
