FOG HORN

2015
Twobirds Flying Publication

Crimson Trace LG-919 Master Series Lasergrip

Copyright 2015, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

FOG HORN

2015
Twobirds Flying Publication

Crimson Trace LG-919 Master Series Lasergrip

By: Sal Palma

Its no accident that anytime one debates

weapon lasers, the name Crimson Trace
Corporation (CTC) dominates the discussion. In
comparative reviews, CTC products, like the
Laserguard, Rail Master Pro and the
companys Lasergrips are consistently ranked
in the top five. The reason for that success
hinges on plain talent. CTC is not just an
innovator, for innovation sake, they add real
value with every product they make. You wont
find fluff in any of their offerings. By that I
mean, they all enhance the shooters
experience in a measurable and meaningful
way.
CTC
Lasergrips,
for
example,
have
revolutionized the handgun with such impact

that gun manufacturers now include them with

their many offerings. However, that market
position has not been without its challenges,
and those revolve around holsters. With
shooters making a rapid transition from Level 1
leather holsters to the more secure Level 2 and
Level 3 Kydex tactical varieties, finding a holster
that will accommodate the laser housing on the
pistol grip has been a challenge for both the
company and its customers. This is a story thats
about to change with the introduction of the
Master Series Lasergrip from Crimson Trace.
In this review, I take an in-depth look at the LG919 Master Series Lasergrip for the 1911 pistol
in your life.
The Master Series Lasergrip is a combination
fashion
statement
and
performance
enhancement for what would otherwise be
your plain Jane 1911. Crimson Trace uses G10
and select natural woods to create a visually
stunning grip that incorporates a laser aiming
module. That said, what excites me most is its
precision micro laser lens, which makes Level 2
and Level 3 holstering less of a problem. But,
before getting into holstering Ill touch on the
electronics package.

Copyright 2015, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Crimson Trace LG-919 Master Series Lasergrip

CTCs Lasergrips are surgically clean. A heavy

duty flexible copper trace connects the two
CR2025 power sources with a rubber molded
pressure switch located on the front of the grip.
The trace then supplies power to the lasers
electronics package, which is embed in the grip
and in turn drives, via a single wire running in a
dedicated channel, the laser. It could not have
fewer components and still function. Its an
important point to make because in performing
routine maintenance on your pistol, youll be
removing the grips regularly and the last thing
youll want to see is a wad of loose wires.

Crimson Trace also includes two Mylar panels

that sit between the pistols frame and the laser
grip acting as dust covers; keeping unwanted
dirt and debris from the power source and grip

2015

electronics. The combined effect of a surgically

clean design and the dust panels ensure
standard setting reliability and durability.
All of CTCs Lasergrips provide what the
company has trademarked as Instinctive
Activation. Its undoubtedly marketing lingo
but what it means operationally, and this is an
important differentiator, is that once you
establish your grip the laser is active. As long as
the master switch is in the ON position, you
come out of your holster with the laser ready to
be placed in use. This is a huge tactical
advantage.
So, why do you need a laser on your home
defense or conceal carry pistol? The only
acceptable reason is for fire control when the
situation or circumstances prevent you from
using your iron sights.
Aiming lasers do not replace your primary
sighting mechanism, they supplement it - a
point that I will harp on with a few more
sentences.
The only time you align your laser sight with
your iron sights is when youre confirming zero;
with CTC Lasergrips, this is a procedure you
perform once; thereafter, your laser backs up
your iron sights.
Heres how I use a laser.
1. In low light conditions where I cant see
my front sight post.
2. When firing from a covered position
where I cant bring up my sights
without exposing my torso.
3. Firing from a disabled position, where
injury prevents me from presenting my
pistol.
4. Firing in close proximity to the threat
where extending would create a
retention problem.

Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Crimson Trace LG-919 Master Series Lasergrip

Some folks may also see a laser functioning as a

deterrent and I wont argue the point; however,
in my humble opinion, if you need to pick up a
firearm to discourage someone, they constitute
a threat that needs to be incapacitated.
Alright, so weve established some very good
reasons why you need an aiming laser. Next, Id
like to look at the practical aspect that should
guide your decision to Lasergrips and not the
alternatives. The best way to reach that
conclusion is by looking at the alternative.

This is a common tactical arrangement, but how

practical is it for conceal carry or in home
defense. Moreover, how feasible is it when
your pistol lacks a Picatinny mounting rail? Do
you buy another pistol thats equipped with a
rail system? No! Youll gain the tactical benefit
of an aiming laser by installing laser grips and
CTC Lasergrips are the only game in town.
Besides being a handsome grip, the Master
Series LG-919 uses a precision micro laser lens
that is fully adjustable for wind and elevation.
Its housed in a low profile and compact housing
that solved, at least for me, the holstering
problem.
Earlier laser grips used a laser housing that was
longer and larger, and while they didnt present
a problem when using Level 1 holsters, the
minute the shooter transitioned to a Level 2 or

2015

Level 3 Kydex holster, the grips laser housing

would not fit the holster.
This was not an impassable constraint, but it did
require the shooter to manually flair the holster
at the right spot with a heat gun to create room
for the grips laser housing.
The new micro laser lens takes that issue off the
table, for most of the major Kydex tactical rigs,
while concurrently supporting an ambidextrous
thumb safety.

The two photos above show a very nice fit with

the G-Code RTI tactical holster. This is a huge
plus for the LG-919 especially in military and
tactical LE circles.
Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Crimson Trace LG-919 Master Series Lasergrip

2015

So, for me, when you combine grip size and

shape, with texturing and its G10 material you
end up with a winner and that is precisely what
Crimson Trace has achieved with its Master
Series LG-919 Lasergrip G10 A WINNER!

-SP

Manufacturer Specifications

By the way, the LG-919 Lasergrip is designed to

be fully compatible with the CTC Lightguard, so
that old 1911 youve had sitting around longer
than your wife can easily be brought into the
21st Century with functional and highly reliable
equipment. Both accessories have independent
ON/OFF switches and both feature instinctive
activation. Thats what I call a win-win scenario.
Ill close my review of the LG-919 Master Series
by discussing ergonomics.
Recognizing that pistol grips are like shoes or
underwear, what is comfortable to one may not
be comfortable to others, I found the slight
palm swell designed into the LG-919 G10 to be
superbly comfortable. This grip is hand filling;
allowing the pistol to sit solidly in the hollows of
your palm providing an excellent grip. I think
weve all had experience with pistol grips that
fatigue the hand and the subsequent
deleterious effect on shooter performance. You
dont get that with the LG-919, at least with
these hands.

Material G10
Attachment
Grip Replacement
Activation Location
Front Activation
Sighting Factory Sighted at 50'
Master On/Off Switch
Yes
Battery Type
Two #2025 Batteries
Laser Battery LifeOver 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
Finish Textured G10 Grip with Rubber
Overmold Activation Pad
Installation
User Installed
Warranty
Three Year Limited
Warranty
Color Black
Dot Size Approx. 0.50" at 50'

Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved