Trigger Point Technology’s Tactical Rail Accessory Management System (TRAMS)
Today’s defensive rifle is not your Grandfathers gun anymore. With the increasingly dangerous and unpredictable times we live in now, Grandfather would be lining up just like we are to acquire an AR platform or other rifle. And then there is the myriad of accessory modules we have available. Current technologies and accessories are probably at their highest pinnacle so far, with white lights to IR Illuminators, to various lasers, etc. More and more people are realizing that Weapon Mounted accessories are not just a force multiplier, they are a necessity. What we don’t have is a clean way to deal with these various modules and their cables or switches..
Enter Trigger Point Technology’s “Tactical Rail Accessory Management System” or TRAMS. This is probably the more expensive of the various solutions out there for dealing with the tape switch’s, buttons, electrical tape, zip ties and Velcro – but Boy, is it the cleanest, neatest, rugged, and most configurable!
The TRAMS Basic utilizes a Mag well adapter band to incorporate an air filled pressure switch connected by a cable to the TRAMS Module. This button switch is located where it is a natural indexing point for your trigger finger, and it is ambidextrous. This frees up your support hand for other tasking, rather than pressure switches. The TRAMS module is the brains of this system. At only 4 oz and waterproof to two atmospheres, it controls the activation of your accessories. Inside are four independent switches to pre-select or disable up to four accessories. Its 1/3 N battery has about a 3 year life. The TRAMS has a thumb wheel with three positions including off. This allows you to group your accessories. For instances on channel A, you have your IR Illuminator and IR Pointer, and on channel B, you have your White light and Visible laser. Both worlds instantly available with a channel knob. No need to figure out which tape switch is what. Your support hand is free to deal with doors, radios, etc…
The proprietary “Shepard Clips” and “Rail Crossing clips” are the neatest item in cable management. Gone are the duct tape, electrical tape, zip ties and Velcro of yesterday. These clips are tough! And they are the best cable management in hazardous situations or where things such as trees and brush can grab your cabling. The cabling provided with the TRAMS kit from the mag well button to the TRAMS is stainless steel with a stainless steel mesh jacket. Man, you have to really want to cut this cable to do so. A free included cable plug mod is available should you not have the right plug end on your accessory. Additional plug mods are really reasonable. Custom installation by our gunsmiths has all the plugs, caps, etc. safety wired for even more security from Murphy.
The TRAMS Advance is a Military and Law Enforcement restricted sales item which incorporates a trigger switch activation capability. I know, I know, I’ve heard it all. Activating your accessories by your trigger finger on the trigger??!!? Well, I say, “Come on, Think about it”. Just like we do not search with our muzzle or search with our white weapon light (Bullet magnet anyone?), – you do not use your trigger to turn on and off your accessories. You use the mag well button. However when you do have a threat in front of your sights and your finger does go to the trigger to send rounds down range, you will immediately have light and laser confirmation of where you are shooting just by touching the trigger. This is also a last ditch warning that you are about to place rounds in motion. The trigger switch activation takes approx. 1 ounce of pressure, well below your rifles trigger pull to fire a shot. This trigger is slotted and designed to allow debris such as sand, to readily fall away and not interfere with operation in any manner.
I will say that the Shooting Sports industry has done a superb job at getting the word out regarding the three fundamental gun safety rules. The feedback on the trigger switch is overwhelmingly negative, esp. with the bean counters, legal types and others. Operators and gun slingers who actually do the work and go into harm’s way, immediately see the benefit. Actually we don’t even have to explain the product, just place it in their hands and they ask how much and when. When our testing showed a .3 second advantage in a lethal hostile encounter, that’s huge. Then the FBI’s unofficial testing showed a .4 to .6 second advantage! Wow, A half second advantage in a gun fight? That’s a no brainer with gun slingers worldwide. Not so much with legal types and bean counters worried about liability. But when was the last time they had to make entry?
There is a Glock version of the TRAMS concept coming this summer. A new visible green laser, purposely designed form factor to fit the form, dimensions, rail, etc. of the Glock, it actually looks like part of the firearm, will be coming out. The laser has the typical button activation on the side of the laser for the trigger finger or support hand activation. This product places a small magnet (size of a sesame seed) on the Glock trigger safety lever which works as the laser activation switch. Again with the sobbing and hand wringing of having a trigger activated accessory. Get real! You would activate the laser with the laser button, not the trigger, if you want it steady on. The trigger switch is a last ditch activation when you are going to trigger in a hostile encounter. This causes the laser to pulsate 8 times a second on your target and is your final warning you are about to send rounds down range; or correct your aim cause you are a little off. The trigger lever activation is approx. 1 oz. Well below what it takes to break the typical Glock 5.5 pound trigger. Even if the laser is off, the trigger turns it on flashing green. AGAIN, You do not search with your muzzle, weapon lights or lasers. That is what the hand held light we all carry is for. Get your head out of your weapon, get your head up and get into your gunfight!
However if you do encounter a threat and your finger goes to the trigger, rest assured you do not have to worry about which tape switch to press, the accessory is already on.