You don’t get to the finish line without putting in the work, right? The best way to train with your firearm is on the range with a bunch of ammo. But with the prices of ammo, a shortage of time, and other obstacles, making it to the range regularly isn’t always possible. And honestly, how many times do we actually train when we do make it to the range?
Though the medical community won’t recognize my illness, my self-diagnosed “Sudden Acute Gun Buying Syndrome” is real… And when I do make it to the range, half the time I’m testing out a new gun, not training.
So, I like to do some training at home and plan my range trips to get in some good drills with live ammo. Combining both has helped me train more than I used to.
But I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to me talk about a lack of range time. So, I’ll jump right into it and go over the Dry Fire Mag.
What is the Dry Fire Mag?
The Dry Fire Mag is a training tool designed to fit inside the handgun’s magazine well. It simulates trigger pull and reset without needing to rack the slide. This means you can practice realistic trigger presses repeatedly without breaking your rhythm.
For those who want the assistance of a laser, Dry Fire Mag also provides a laser kit, powered by Laser Ammo Training Technologies.
The laser training kit pairs a chamber-inserted laser with the Dry Fire Mag. This allows you to see exactly where your shots land when you press the trigger. The laser activates every time the trigger is pulled, providing instant feedback on accuracy and shot placement.
This combination is ideal for improving sight alignment, trigger discipline, and rapid sight picture recovery. With the Dry Fire Mag and a laser, your dry fire training becomes far more effective and engaging.
Features and Compatibility
I have the Dry Fire Mag for a 9mm Glock pistol. This one works with most 9mm Glock pistols, including Gen 3, 4, and 5 models.
They also make the Dry Fire Mag for the Sig P320 and P365, as well as the single-stack Glock 43x/48. Prices average $98 for the Dry Fire Mag and $299 for the mag and laser kit combo.
Pairing it with the MantisX 10
The MantisX 10 is a high-tech training system that attaches to the rail of your Glock and connects to an app on your phone. It analyzes every trigger pull, providing data on your accuracy, movement, and shooting performance.
The only issue with using this system on a single action gun is that you must reset the trigger each time you pull it. This is why the MantisX 10 and Dry Fire Mag work perfectly together.
Using the DryFire Mag
Setting up the Dry Fire Mag and laser is pretty simple; just follow these five steps.
- Charge the Dry Fire Mag using the USB-C port on the side. When the internal light shuts off, the mag is fully charged.
- Install the provided battery into the laser cartridge (see photo below).
- Perform a safety check on your handgun to ensure it is unloaded and the chamber is empty.
- Insert the laser cartridge into the chamber of the gun and close the slide.
- Insert the Dry Fire Mag into the magazine well.
The Dry Fire Mag kit comes with several small (2-inch by 2-inch) reflective targets that make the red dot easy to spot. These are perfect for training anywhere inside your home.
I like to use this system for target acquisition training because you can pull the trigger multiple times and see where your laser is hitting with each shot.
Again, for an optimal training experience, pair the Dry Fire Mag with the MantisX 10 so you can run some of the drills on the app. I like to use my iPad so I have a larger screen to see when I’m using the app. We have an article on the Mantis X 10 system if you would like to learn more about that as well.
Getting the laser cartridge out of the chamber
When you are done training, the laser cartridge does not fall out, and the gun’s extractor will not pull it out either. But don’t worry, this is normal. Dry Fire Mag provides a barrel plunger in the kit for pushing the laser back out of the chamber.
Just make sure to remove the DryFireMag from the magazine well before you lock the slide in the back position. At this point, you can simply push the laser out of the chamber.
Perfect for training anytime, anywhere
I like just about any gun accessory, including training devices. I mess with them for a while, but often end up placing them on a shelf somewhere. Because this thing is so simple, however, I’ve found myself using it for just a few minutes each morning.
One of my favorite things to do with the DryFireMag is practice drawing from my holster. Because I work in law enforcement, I often use a duty holster with Level 3 retention. As we all know, multiple retentions on a holster require good muscle memory. The DryFireMag allows you to draw the gun and fire several “shots” at a target whenever you would like.
For the price, this is a great training tool/accessory to keep around the house. You can get in a few minutes of training even when life has you busy with other things. Some need training more than others, and I’m one of the “others,” so I really like tools like this.
Stay safe and keep on training.
