We all know we need to practice our shooting more often. However, for many, regularly visiting the range can be a challenge. Dry-fire practice is a great way to assess your performance, identify areas for improvement in your training and increase your confidence. Additionally, dry-fire practice saves you the time and money spent driving to the range, range fees and ammunition.
What is Dry-Fire Training?
Dry-fire training is a way to practice your firearms skills without the use of live ammunition. It allows you to practice the fundamentals of shooting from the comfort of your living room, including stance, drawing from the holster, sight alignment and improving trigger control.
When we do so, though, we should always practice firearm safety and apply the four rules of gun safety as if it were real ammunition we were using.
I chose four beginner-friendly, easy-to-use products that are affordable and readily available to the average gun owner. Two books were recommended to me, “The Dry Fire Primer” by Annette Evans and “Dryfire Reloaded” by Ben Stoeger, and two laser target kits: Mantis Laser Academy and Strikeman Marksman Kit.
“The Dry Fire Primer” by Annette Evans
This is a straightforward, simple paperback book with no photos but a lot of information. It guides the reader through the importance of dry-fire practice, the supplies needed, how to safely set up your dry fire area and detailed tips for achieving results with the basics of dry fire.
I love the ‘Removing Barriers’ section. The author explains that one of the more challenging aspects of of steady dry-fire practice is maintaining a regular schedule, so convenience is crucial. Evans suggests setting up a dry-fire “dojo” and even a pair of dedicated “dry-fire pants.” These pants will have your dry-fire belt and holster ready and hanging where you will reach for them. I thought this was brilliant because if you must dig through your equipment to find a holster, belt, your gun to set up your mini range each time you want to practice, your cozy sweatpants and a snack will win. Another great idea from the book is to create a practice journal, which can be as simple or as fancy as you like but can be an essential piece of your success puzzle.
“Dryfire Reloaded” by Ben Stoeger
My daughter was frustrated with the progress she was making with her new horse. “I know she can do so much, but I’m having trouble finding things to challenge her with, so we end up going around and around,” she said. My suggestion to her was to find a book, app or website with drills that she and the horse could do together to build her confidence and measure success. “Dryfire Reloaded,” by Ben Stoeger, a multi-titled IPSC and USPSA champion, is the type of book I suggested, but for dry-fire practice rather than horses. Having a nice new gun is exciting, like a new horse, but if you only ride it around in circles, you aren’t going to have as much fun as when you can take it out and put it through paces with measurable markers. This book features skill-gaining drills, a space to record your progress, and oodles of wise tips for improvement.
Both of the books I have mentioned were written before many laser dry-fire kits were available on the market. They are excellent stand-alone books but combining them with the following two products could lead to even more success in dry-fire practice.
Two different laser-training kits were used for this review: the Mantis Laser Academy Pistol Training Kit and the Strikeman Marksman Kit. While similar, both kits have distinct differences. After spending time visiting each website, video library and online video channel, I felt that I set things up correctly. I set up practice sessions with each kit using my Walther PDP-F and the 9mm laser cartridges that accompanied each kit.
Mantis Laser Academy
The standard Mantis Laser Academy is just one offering from the innovative Mantis company. I chose to review this item from Mantis because it adds several pieces to the smaller portable kit, including more targets and a tall tripod, which I liked. I would have preferred the whole Laser Academy kit came in a zippered carrying case, but it comes nicely packaged.
The Mantis Laser Academy app, which users can easily download, doesn’t require a subscription. When you purchase the kit, you receive a lifetime access code that unlocks 31 guided drills and gives the owner access to all future drills and updates.
The setup for the Mantis Laser Academy is very manageable. Any questions I had were answered easily with one of several professional videos on their website and in the app, so I was up and running quickly. The app is well-organized, featuring videos, drills, personal statistics and games. I was initially distracted by the sound effects but quickly became accustomed to them and found that even though they can be silenced, I liked to be able to hear my progress without having to identify shots and scores visually.
The Mantis Laser Academy, which retails at $159, is a step-by-step training process that keeps you interested and progressing, building on each skill through videos, drills, quizzes, multiple-player challenges, and automatic scoring.
Strikeman Marksman Kit
The Strikeman Marksman Kit comes in a zippered soft-side case and has everything you need to begin your practice immediately. It is easy to set up and the app gives one target for aimed practice. The app has a free version that comes with your kit that allows you to train with the provided target either by shot count or session length. You can view your history to see your improvements over time, your average shot-score distribution and more. Users may upgrade the app from the basic account to the subscriber Strikeman Pro for additional targets, drills and metrics to show score, highlighted scoring zone and the firearm chosen for the session. In the Strikeman Pro subscription, you may also compete with other users and earn badges as you progress.
The Strikeman Marksman Kit retails for $189.99 and comes outfitted with one laser cartridge, a three-piece target, and a phone mount for the provided tripod. You may upgrade your app from the free subscription to the Strikeman Pro for $9.99 per month or $79 per year, which gives you more target and drill options.
Put More Dry Fire in Your Life
If you’re ready to take your target practice to the next level without breaking the bank on expensive ammunition or leaving your living room, dry fire practice is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Take a look at these products and begin your dry fire journey while building your skills and improving your accuracy.
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