I'm looking to practice dry-firing before I take my M&P 15 to the shooting range. I have a Glock that has a dry-fire device that allows for repeated trigger pulls without having to rack the slide. I really like it and it has improved my trigger discipline, as shown by my front sights wandering much less.

Does anyone have any experience and/or opinions on the Mantis Blackbeard (kinda price at $215) or similar products which allow repeated trigger pulls without having to use the charging handle?

Along those lines, I wonder if it's really necessary to buy the Mantis, or similar device, for the AR15, in that trigger discipline I'm gaining from my Glock should be transferable to the M&P 15?

Thanks

I don't even know what a Mantis Blackbeard is, but why not just take the upper off and dry fire away?

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Thanks.

I think I was a little unclear in my initial post, so I modified it but only for clarity's sake, based upon your response.

My understanding (and I might be wrong) is that dry firing with the lower detached won't work optimally. Here's why. First, there would be no front iron sight, so I can't get feedback from the small front sight. Second, I would have to re-cock the trigger each time. Third, I thought that dry firing an AR15 without a snap cap could damage the lower.

As a firearms instructor I'll say that (obviously) dry firing should be part of everyone's practice routine. But dry firing with an AR can be a challenge. An AR needs to be charged every time you pull the trigger. The Blackbeard system (Blackbeard: the auto-resetting trigger system for AR-15 - Mantis) allows you to fire away with multiple trigger pulls for an entire training session (actually much longer.) In addition, each trigger pull fires a laser so that you can track your shot or use a shooting practice system like L.A.S.R. (LASR | Dry Fire Laser Training Systems | Target Practice At Home).

Next Level Training (Home - Next Level Training) offers their SIRT pistols (trigger re-setting and laser firing pistols) and the STIC accessory which allows you to insert one of the SIRT pistols (currently it has to be a SIRT 110) to mimic the use of an AR. They also sell (or used to sell) the SIRT Bolt, which is their system to convert an actual AR into a laser training platform. The issue with using the SIRT STIC is that it does not replicate YOUR AR. It is basically a generic training platform, though a very serviceable one.

The SIRT Bolt and Blackbeard replace your bolt carrier group and charging handle (and Blackbeard also requires use of their "magazine") in your OWN AR. The difference between the SIRT Bolt and Blackbeard is that the SIRT Bolt requires some fairly complicated (depending on your AR) adjusting to get the trigger to reset reliably with each pull. Blackbeard is drop-in simple. However the SIRT Bolt allows you to practice magazine exchanges, while the Blackbeard system does not (unless you buy multiple magazines, but since they are actually USB chargeable power supplies, they are probably fairly expensive and you probably don't want to be ejecting them onto the ground!)

I've used all three - and like all three. I have used my SIRT STIC extensively (but keep in mind that it does not eject magazines, although you can manually pull them and insert new ones.) All three systems have their pros and cons. The SIRT Bolt and Blackbeard are the most realistic since each let you use your own AR. And each have pros and cons as I've outlined above. It is a matter of personal choice. One thing to consider. The Blackbeard system with a green (brightest) laser is retail $249, the SIRT Bolt with green laser is (was - I cannot find it in stock anywhere) $199. (The SIRT STIC in a bundle with the required SIRT pistol with a green laser is $550 - you can of course, buy the STIC and the pistol separately, or get just the STIC - for $239 - if you already have a SIRT 110 pistol.)

And of course, remember, this dry fire-type training is great for trigger control, sight alignment, rifle manipulation (to various extents as detailed above), etc., but of course there is no recoil to deal with.

As I said, I have all three systems. If I could have only one...boy that's a tough one! (Probably the Blackbeard and the STIC - I know that's two, but unlike Highlander, in this case, there can be two!)

Hope that helps.

double tap post

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Never dry fire an AR with the upper removed unless you have something in place to keep the hammer from slamming against the rear of the mag-well area, or you seriously run the risk of cracking the lower there.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

With no hammer stop I believe you could damage the hammer or fire control system.

Saying that I never dry fire. Seems a waste to me. When I pull the trigger I want to hear a boom.

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S&W Accumulator

Dry firing will not hurt either the hammer, or FCG at all as long as the upper is on. You do however, run the risk of cracking the lower if the upper is off. SEE POST 6.


Dry firing is a great training tool when done correctly.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Because that will destroy the lower receiver.

The Mantis Blackbeard does not involve the trigger falling. There is no danger of damage.

And dry firing should be part of every shooter's practice regime....