Getting enough firearms training can be as challenging as sticking to a New Year’s resolution to eat less Ok, at least for us normal, food-loving people. But the MantisX 10 System is a one-stop-shop for just that by removing some of the obstacles that often get in our way.
If we’re being honest, making it to the range can be just as difficult as getting to the gym. We plan for it, we say it’s going to happen soon, but — life happens, right?
Beyond finding the time, we also face rising ammunition costs, expensive range fees, and unpredictable weather. I’ll be the first to admit—I don’t get to the range nearly as often as I should or want to.
Because of this, I’ve found myself turning more and more to the MantisX 10 Training System. Designed for both dry fire and live fire practice, it’s a versatile solution for any type of training.
If you haven’t heard of MantisX before, it provides real-time feedback and performance analytics using a small device that attaches to your firearm and pairs with a smartphone app.
Let’s take a closer look at the Mantis system and how it works.
What is the MantisX 10 Training System?
The MantisX 10 Training System is a high-tech firearm training tool designed to help shooters improve their skills. That’s the technical answer, anyway. In simple terms, it uses a small device that attaches to a Picatinny rail — or other mounting point — to track the movements of your gun with a small sensor. The sensor connects to an app on your smartphone. It analyzes every movement, detecting even the slightest barrel dip or shift in real time.
Once connected, the MantisX 10 system records movement patterns before, during, and after each trigger pull. It then transmits this data to the MantisX app, providing instant feedback on shooting mechanics. The app detects common errors—like jerking the trigger, improper grip, or anticipating recoil—and offers suggestions for improvement.
MantisX also offers various training modes, including live fire, dry fire, and even CO2-powered training for airsoft users. What’s cool about this system is its ability to adapt to your skill level while tracking your progress over time.
One of my favorite things about MantisX is that you can use it at the range with live ammo or at home. Being able to run drills at home isn’t just convenient—I’d go as far as to call it a game-changer.
Using the MantisX App
The MantisX app is the brain of the training system, translating data from the sensor into actionable feedback. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and connects to the MantisX 10 sensor via Bluetooth. Once set up, it records every shot and provides instant analysis to help users refine their shooting techniques.
Setting up the app
When you first launch the app, it prompts you to create an account to track your progress. This is especially useful if multiple people use the same MantisX 10, ensuring your training data remains separate.
The app also lets you customize settings for the firearm and caliber you’re using. In the settings menu, you can select between handgun or rifle, left- or right-handed shooting, caliber, and more.
Once you’ve completed the setup, you can then go to the main menu where there are a ton of drills to select from. Along with these drills, the app will also function as a shot-timer and provide audio cues and voice instruction.
Drills and Courses within the app
Drills
- Open Training
- Shot Timer
- Par Timer
- MantisX Benchmark
- 20 Second Benchmark
- Time Benchmark
- Endurance
- Compressed Surprise Break
- Primary Hand Only
- Support Hand Only
- Decision Drills
- Reload Drills
- Cadence Drills
- Hostage Rescue Drills
Courses
- MantisX Introduction
- Basic Marksmanship
- Advances Marksmanship
- Elite Marksmanship
- Basic Combat
- Advanced Combat
- Elite Combat
- Double Action Diligence
- Basic Concealed
- Advanced Concealed
Tracking and feedback
Here is where you see the benefits of using the MantisX 10 system. After each shot or drill, the app assigns a score based on shot consistency and smoothness. A higher score indicates better technique, while lower scores highlight areas for improvement. Users can also review a historical performance chart to track progress over multiple sessions.
Beyond just data, the app provides personalized suggestions and visual corrections to help shooters refine their technique and improve efficiency.
In addition to individual training, the MantisX app offers a competitive mode where users can challenge friends or join global leaderboards. This gamified aspect keeps training engaging and fun while maintaining the focus on skill development. With its detailed performance breakdowns, the app is an invaluable tool for shooters looking to maximize their training efforts.
On the Range with the MantisX 10
The genius thing about the MantisX 10 system is it works the same on or off the range. Just attach it to the picatinny rail of your handgun or rifle. The kit also comes with Picatinny rail adaptors for various setups, including one that mounts the MantisX to the base plate of your handgun—allowing you to incorporate holster draws into your training.
During live-fire sessions, the MantisX app continues to provide real-time feedback after each shot or drill. It captures key data points such as recoil control, trigger press, and shot consistency, helping you identify weaknesses you might not have even noticed.
For example, if a shooter pulls shots low and left, the app might suggest adjusting trigger control or grip pressure. Instead of blindly burning through ammunition, users receive actionable data that helps them make meaningful improvements.
Another useful feature for live-fire training is the shot timer, which tracks speed and efficiency during rapid-fire drills. Competitive shooters and tactical operators can use this data to fine-tune their draw speed and split times. The app also logs shooting sessions, making it easy to review past performance and set training goals.
Training at Home with the MantisX
Ok, so this is probably why most people find this system so handy. Besides providing feedback at the range, MantisX 10 allows you to do some actual training at home.
Dry-fire practice eliminates recoil, which makes it different from live-fire training—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It allows shooters to focus on trigger pull, sight alignment, speed, and other fundamentals without the distraction of recoil. By honing these details in dry-fire training, shooters can translate those improvements to live-fire sessions.
I remember standing on the range during the police academy, dry-firing our Glock handguns for hours. Even without live rounds, we were still building muscle memory and refining technique—something the MantisX system takes to the next level with its instant feedback and performance tracking.
If your handgun isn’t double-action, you’ll need to manually reset the trigger after each shot.
One training tool I use alongside the MantisX 10 is the Smart Dryfire Mag. This training magazine, designed for specific handguns (like my Glock 19/17), keeps the trigger reset. That means I can pull the trigger repeatedly without having to rack the slide.
Mantis is also about to release their own training Glock handgun called the Titan X (check out our video here). It has a continuous-pull trigger, a built-in laser, and full compatibility with the MantisX app. These are two different options for making your training even more realistic right at home.
Other reasons to use Mantis X
Let’s face it — ammo isn’t cheap. We wouldn’t have called it cheap before, but now we know better, right? Prices keep climbing, and in a couple of years, we’ll probably look back and think today’s prices weren’t so bad.
Beyond ammunition costs, range fees add up quickly. Indoor ranges are typically more expensive than outdoor ones, but either way, it’s another expense to factor in.
When cost isn’t the issue, weather often is. There are far more outdoor ranges than indoor ones, and while I prefer shooting outside, that comes with its own challenges. I know—a real tactical, elite warrior guru would train in any conditions. But let’s face it, thunder and lightning or sub-zero temperatures don’t exactly make most of us eager to head out.
When you have the MantisX system, you can do some quick training at home to keep your skills up until you hit the range again.
The foundation to other Mantis training systems
At SHOT Show 2025, Mantis revealed some exciting new training systems set to hit the market this year. In addition to the Titan X training pistol, they’re expanding the Blackbeard system to support AKs, SCARs, and other rifles. They’re also launching an interactive shooter system that uses a projector in your home for even more immersive training.
All of these new systems integrate with the MantisX app. I guess you could say the app is the foundation for their training systems. Once you have the app, you can train with each system and continue receiving real-time data.
I often say I hate technology because it never seems to work exactly how we want — but who would’ve thought 20 years ago we’d have access to tools like this? It’s cool, it’s helpful, and it’s exciting.
