Looking for an Effective Dry-Fire Training System — What Do You Recommend?

Guns & Gear DIY
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Hi everyone,

I am looking for a good dry-fire training system that I can use at home to get some practice in without making frequent trips to the range. A friend recently recommended the Mantis Laser Academy Training Kit:

https://www.amazon.com/Mantis-Laser-Academy-Standard-Training/dp/B09G5VP93W

I have read a few reviews, but before buying, I would like to hear from people who have actually used it.

Does it genuinely help with trigger control and accuracy, or does it end up sitting in a drawer after the initial excitement wears off? How reliable is the app and laser detection in day-to-day use?

Also, if there is a good and reliable option available at a lower price, I would appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

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The Mantis is pretty unique in that it shows you all of your movement before, during, and after trigger pull. So it will help you identify “why” you are shooting low-left and help you fix it. I highly recommend it, and I don’t think there are other options similar to it. I’ve had mine for years, I don’t use it as often as I did when i first got it, but still bring it out to help diagnose when my grip is sloppy and causing me to pull (or push) shots. It also helps as a timer to see how fast your draw, first shot, etc are.

The laser kit from Mantis is a good value, but there are several competitors out there that do the same. I think they are roughly similar costs for similar setups, so it just depends how many targets, how large those targets are, and the camera integration you want. This tracks how accurate you are, but won’t really help you diagnose any issues other than “you missed”.

The Mantis will work with anything that has a pic rail, or takes one of their custom mags with a pic rail on the baseplate. Most of the laser systems will work with any pistol, mag, trigger combo.

The issue that neither of those options helps with is resetting the trigger after you pull. So every time you “shoot”, the laser system tells you whether you hit or not and mantis tells you all about your grip and trigger pull… then you have to rack the slide to reset the trigger. It is a topic of debate whether or not racking the slide after every shot builds a bad habit.

I use the DryFireMag which auto-resets the trigger after each pull. So now I can take several shots and not have to worry about racking the slide. They are compatible with several major brands, but not all, and the mags are only in full size which means it wont flush-fit your 10rnd micro 9mm. They also don’t work with any other brand’s laser so if you want to use a laser system you have to use their laser.

Happy to answer any other questions on these you may have

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I went with G-Sight at g-sight.com . It kind of depends on how often and how serious you want your training to be. Mantis and others offer features that G-Sight does not. But, at a cost. Some of the systems even require that you purchase their proprietary targets to make the system work. But G-Sight has many free targets, and will work with just about any target you have. But on the downside, the G-Sight drills aren’t as in depth or intense. So if you want to do serious and frequent training, the extra money is probably worth it. But if you just want a simple way to do some basic target practice at home, then G-Sight may be a more affordable solution.

FYI - This info is based on the research I did back 10+ years ago, when I was in the same situation as you. Any or all of these vendors may have drastically changed their offerings or pricing since then. So if you find conflicting information, do not accepts my ‘review’ as the gospel.

Once you get your laser bullet (from a system vendor or individually elsewhere), there are also 3rd party apps available that you may be able to use in addition to the app provided by the chosen system. Those will vary significantly in features and pricing. Basically all they are selling is the app, without the hardware. You will have to check your app store to research those as well.

I just know that G-Sight was the most affordable and simplest system available back when I was looking. And still works just fine today, with no additional fees.

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"I found out I have taught myself a bad habit. I holstered up and took my 9mm 1911 that always shoots where I point it to the draw and fire section of the pistol gallery. I drew and shot a dueling tree knocking the steel target to the other side. I immediately reached up to pull the hammer back with my support hand! Why in the world did I do this? Because I have been training with a Strikeman laser cartridge at home. I have to pull the hammer back between shots to get another shot with the laser system.

Fortunately I have a plan to break the habit. There’s a Taurus G2C sitting in my safe. The striker hits the laser hard enough to work without racking the slide between shots. In other words I have infinite ammo as fast and as many times as I can pull the trigger."

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I have the Mantis X and have had it for a few years but, do not have the laser academy. I love mine. I would like to get the laser academy to go with it. To get around trigger resets, I purchased a Glock 19 replica BB gun. At the time I purchased the Mantis X, my carry was the Glock 19. The trigger on the BB gun resets so, I can get multiple trigger pulls without having to rack the slide. There are many drills in the Mantis app that I can run using the BB gun.

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Mantis here as well. Love it for a couple things, one being point shooting, the other is it showed my issues shooting subcompacts as I could see the beam shaking when I shot. It’s helped with both issues.

Just using the laser bullet these days, point shooting at door knobs and bad guys on the monitor.

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Everything depend what do you want to practice. There is no system within $100 - $200 price range that allows you to train everything.

I’d recommend Mantis-X Laser Academy Training System. This system has everything you may need for basic training.

If you have hammer fired DA/SA or DAO handgun - you will have everything for more advance training. If you do not have such handgun, you can invest in Mantis TitanX Handgun, that works with Academy to achieve same result.

Now you’ve got everything needed to train all manipulation and handling skills.

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Ive had the Mantis X for a few years and still use it several times a week. It has defintely helped with my draw and trigger pull. unfortunately there is no dryfireMag for my EDC so I do have to rack for follow up.

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I posted this 11 months ago. I am happy to say dry fire training with the G2C has corrected my self-induced bad habit. :+1:

I quickly lost interest in the Strikeman target feedback system and predominantly use the laser cartridge only for point shooting now. I occasionally use the laser cartridge aiming with iron sights. If I see where the laser hits, then I know its not going where I was aiming :rofl:

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Mantis. Draw to first shot time is important. First hit wins.

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The trigger reset issue is actually one of my biggest concerns with dry-fire training, so it is interesting to hear your experience with the DryFireMag. Being able to take multiple shots without racking the slide every time definitely sounds more realistic.

From what you described, it seems like the Mantis is better for diagnosing shooting mechanics and trigger control, while the laser systems are more focused on hit/miss feedback. Have you found that the DryFireMag alone is enough for meaningful practice, or do you still get the most benefit when combining it with the Mantis system?

I appreciate you sharing your long term experience with all three options. That kind of real world feedback is much more helpful than product reviews.

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Thanks for the insight. G-Sight sounds like a good budget-friendly option for basic dry-fire practice, especially with no ongoing fees and the flexibility to use different targets. Out of curiosity, if you were buying today, would you still go with G-Sight, or do you think the extra features of Mantis are worth the higher price?

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Using a Glock 19 BB replica for trigger resets is a clever solution, especially since it lets you run multiple drills without constantly racking the slide.

Have you found the BB gun trigger feel close enough to your actual Glock 19 for training purposes, or is it mainly useful for practicing the mechanics and drills in the Mantis app?

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That is exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about. Thanks for sharing a real world example of how dry fire habits can carry over to live shooting. It is interesting that you caught the issue quickly and already found a workaround. Have you found that training with the Taurus has helped break that habit or did it take a while to retrain yourself?

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Good question… It has been so long since I did this research, that I would probably have to do it all again just to see what has changed. That being said, I have been very happy with my past G-Sight purchase. And I am still using their system as I intended to use it back then, with no additional fees since my original purchase. Basically, it’s a simple and cheap system, for basic training.

Just taking a quick look at their site today, what I purchased back then was very similar to the QUANTUM PACK TRAINING SYSTEM they seem to be offering today. Although mine had the ELMS cartridge, since they didn’t have the Quantum back then. But the pack basically included the cartridge, one target, the app access, and a holder for the phone. I added a tripod for the holder, and downloaded some of their other free printable targets. And as they mention on their site, their cartridge is also compatible with other apps. I have also used the I-Target Android app.

I’m also using an older Android phone that was left over from a phone upgrade that I did sometime in the past. So you don’t have to use your primary device if you don’t want. Any old phone or tablet would work, as long as it has a supported OS version.

So long way around..;. Yes I would probably buy G-Sight again, if I was looking today. Quality product, with one time purchase. For basic dry fire training and practice. But if you want a more robust system that challenges you more (like an actual in person trainer may be like), then Mantis or others may be more of what you need.

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In my opinion, the trigger pull on the BB gun is similar to the Glock 19. Another plus is that I do not have to have CO2 for the trigger to reset. It’s manufactured by Umarex. They have a G17 clone that cycles the slide when fired but, that requires CO2. The BB guns are fairly inexpensive. Mantis has also developed a few TitanX handguns that are clones for more of real-feel training that includes laser for for accuracy training.

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Yes it did, and Yes it took a while to retrain myself. I feel like I am recovered now :+1:

I spent the last 12 years of my career designing simulated training systems for the military. We did everything we could think of to ensure the simulated training did not provide any negative training. Based on my background, I am a little embarrassed I negatively trained myself - I didn’t think it could happen to me - but it did.

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That’s exactly what I suggested - TitanX with Mantis Academy.
There is nothing against using several tools for different skills… but isn’t it better to have everything combined and practice the way you actually shoot?

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Yes

I think it’s a pretty good option at a mid-level price point (in comparison with other options). Any dry-fire you can do will help tremendously. If you can avoid manually racking the slide and add feedback (laser and or mantis) then you get the “most” benefit… but also at the “most” cost.

You can do dry-fire practice for basically free. Just point at a target (wall switches are everywhere in your house, or just print some out on 8.5x11 and painters tape to the wall, or even just painters tape “x”), pull the trigger. The ages old technique of putting something on the slide (like an empty case) and don’t let it fall will really help with trigger control. You can get really far, and I would say better than most people, just doing this.

It’s when you want to step up your dry-fire game that ends up costing you money :wink:

The type of firearm you are wanting to train with matters. Is this a small CCW or your full-size home defense pistol? Is it striker fired (aka Glock, etc) or a hammer fired DAO or DA/SA?

If it’s DAO or DA/SA the “racking after pulling the trigger” issue isn’t really an issue. You just keep pulling the trigger and the hammer keeps falling.

If its striker fired, then you need to be either really aware of what you’re doing so you don’t build bad habits, specifically racking after every trigger pull. You have to interrupt that “auto rack” by doing something else in between (like a pause or look around or say something etc). For me, that was really difficult so I looked for an alternative. YMMV

If you’re running something that needs a slide rack in between trigger pulls and you want to avoid that, then you have several options.

@Jerzees mentioned the Mantis TitanX and that’s a really good value for the money. I don’t have experience with it personally, but it sounds like it feels like a “real” Glock trigger, and is the same dimensions, weight, fits same holsters, and is even optics-ready. Not only does it auto-reset the trigger, but it also includes the laser. If you are using a Glock for CCW or HD (like a Glock 19/17) this is a shoe-in, easy choice.

SIRT has been making training pistols forever (the OG) and has models in different sizes and a few more manufacturers (S&W, Sig, plus Glock). Same benefits as the TitanX but are notably more expensive.

One of the biggest advantages of the TitanX and SIRT, IMO, is that it is very clear you are practicing with a non-firearm and you have zero chance of putting a hole in your TV (or worse).

DryFireMag is an “in-between” option in that you don’t replace the whole firearm, but rather use your own firearm and just swap out the magazine. So it’s your trigger, optic, grip, light, etc that you would normally use. They support more brands/models than TitanX or SIRT. If you get the non-laser compatible magazine its relatively cheap but the one that comes with a laser (it has to be their laser) it gets really pricey.

Another “tweener” is CoolFire, which replaces your barrel with a CO2 cartridge that not only resets the trigger but actually runs the slide giving you felt recoil. They support a good number of brands/models but also get see that cost going up.

All of them have AR15 compatible options as well.

As far as advice… If you are running a Glock for CCW/HD I’d probably start and stop my search at the TitanX. If you are running another brand/model I’d see who has a compatible option at the best price. If you’re running something that isn’t covered… you have to be OK with training something that is not similar to your firearm …or… then you just have to rack the slide :slight_smile:

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