Firearms proficiency is a perishable skill. It’s like they say about your body as you age; If you do not use it, you lose it. Basically, your skills can diminish, just like anything else, when ignored.
Consistency is key to building and maintaining perfect muscle memory. Repetitive, correct movements create actions on instinct. This includes a smooth draw, proper grip, consistent trigger control, and more.
Most people today would agree that regular dryfire helps you diagnose trigger press issues without the distraction of recoil or noise. Checking your gear also confirms that your holster and gun are ready for action. In a high-stress event, you want your actions to be quick and automatic. Regular training is how you get there.
Even when I make it to the range on a regular basis, I’ve developed a habit of training at home. It may be 15 minutes or an hour, but I train at home just a little each day.
I’ve also gotten in the habit of using three different types of training systems. Here is a quick rundown of each system and why I use them.
1. Mantis Systems: TitanX, Blackbeard, and MantisX App
Mantis is one of my favorite companies that produces training systems. They combine physical training tools (like the Blackbeard or TitanX) with an app that offers data-driven feedback.
This technology helps you correct errors right away and build muscle memory at the same time.
The MantisX App is the heart of the system. The app analyzes your movements before, during, and after the shot. It gives you a score and suggests exactly what you need to fix for better precision. It also tracks the movement of your barrel and shows you what you did right and wrong.
For handguns, the new Mantis TitanX is just awesome. This is a laser training pistol with a realistic feel of a Glock pistol (other models coming soon). It includes a smart laser and a trigger that resets automatically. The TitanX allows you to run high-volume drills with instant feedback on the MantisX app. It even fits most standard Glock holsters and has weighted magazines for mag change drills.
The Mantis Blackbeard is a system that replaces the BCG and magazine in your AR-15 (other models are available). Like the TitanX, it allows you to pull the trigger and gives a short burst of laser so you can see where you are hitting. It resets the trigger for continuous training.
Both the TitanX and the Blackbeard will sync with the MantisX training app.
Why do I use Mantis products?
With the TitanX and Blackbeard, I can train with either my rifle, handgun, or both at the same time. Performing transition drills is extremely beneficial with these two systems, as you can fire both and see where the laser is hitting.
I also do a lot of mag-change drills with the TitanX laser pistol. Because the magazines weigh the same as a loaded mag, you can practice firing, change mags, and fire again. Using the app, I can work on drawing and shooting, shoot/don’t shoot drills, and more.
DryFireMag and Laser Kit
The DryFireMag is a popular device that turns your Glock into a training pistol. Using an inert magazine that fits in your pistol’s magazine well, the DryFireMag resets the trigger on your Glock pistol. A small laser also fits into the chamber of the gun and gives a momentary laser burst when you pull the trigger.
Once inserted, it mechanically resets your trigger after each pull. This means you can keep your hands on the gun and your eyes on the target. You perform realistic, rapid, and repeated trigger presses.
Pairing the DryFireMag with the optional laser cartridge allows you to see where you are hitting as you pull the trigger. Like the TitanX, it provides a split-second laser burst as you pull the trigger.
Some may wonder why I would use this when I have the TitanX training pistol. My reason is that I want to use my actual handgun as part of my training. While you can mount a light and optic on the TitanX, I want to train with the optic on my gun.
What I like to do is start out with a few minutes of training on the TitanX pistol, often in combination with my rifle. But during my last few minutes of training, I like to switch over to my actual handgun (with the DryFireMag installed). This helps to make sure everything is functioning on my duty gun and keeps my skills with it sharp.
You can’t perform mag-change drills on this setup, which is why I do that on the TitanX.
Airsoft Guns
So, if you train with the Mantis system and use the DryFireMag in your real duty/combat gun, why are airsoft guns needed? For me, it adds the “fear factor” to your training. Anyone can shoot a training pistol at a target on the wall. But when you have someone shooting back at you with something that hurts, things change.
Of course, airsoft bb’s are not realistic, and with thick clothes, you don’t even feel them hit. But with a good airsoft gun and thin clothes, it stings enough that you would rather avoid it.
During my career in law enforcement, I learned that a target that shoots at you is not so easy to see, let alone hit. Stopping for a split second to aim at a target is not so easy when you’re trying to move, not get hit, and shoot at the person shooting at you.
For me, airsoft guns are a perfect way to develop some skills that you will never get on the range.
Mix up your training
Again, none of these training systems is meant to replace live-fire training at the range. There are skills you learn with a real gun, firing real ammunition, that you cannot learn with a training gun. Likewise, a training gun allows you to learn a few skills that you cannot learn on the range.
The more well-rounded your training is, the more you will benefit from it. It doesn’t have to be the same training systems I use, but the point is, find multiple ways to train. If you don’t have time to hit the range, you should still be able to perform five minutes of training at home.
Learn new skills, improve those skills, then maintain those skills. All your training systems should support you along that journey.
