Does anyone use a laser for dry fire?

[rjk2475]

Looking for recommendations for a laser training setup

 

[jak67429]

I have used a few of them. depends on what you sre doing. the bullet type are cheap and work OK but you need to manually recock any gun that isn't double action. the srt has a few different complete training guns. there software is pretty good. we used the srt with a Glock and a ar adapter to help with our junior team during winter months. I used a 9mm bullet to help with my draw and sight when I switched to carry optics. the mantis is nice because you can alos use it for live fire to help diagnose trigger control issues.

 

[JR24]

I use iTarget Pro.

I like it for out of the holster work and precision dry fire during workouts (usually after a heavy bag set and some free weights) to work on fundimentals with tired muscles and an elevated heart rate.

 

[LeftyRed]

I use the Laser Academy from Mantis. Really like it.
Lefty

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

No. I'm kind of old school when it comes to dry fire drills.

I'm aware of whats available I just don't think its worth the squeeze.

Maybe if I could "try before I buy" I might think different. I have yet to run across that situation.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I broke a firing pin dry firing. RIA was nice and sent me a new one in 2 days. But no more of that for me. I shoot my air pistols when i want to practice indoors. I use a bullet trap to catch the pellets.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I broke a firing pin dry firing. RIA was nice and sent me a new one in 2 days. But no more of that for me. I shoot my air pistols when i want to practice indoors. I use a bullet trap to catch the pellets.

Thats unfortunate but any major manufacturer nowadays is all but certain to be ok to dry fire. Many mention this very thing in the owners manual.

My experience is based on Glock, S&W, Ruger, Taurus, and Canik. Zero issues.

YMMV...

 

[rjk2475]

any more user opinions on iTarget?

 

[JR24]

No. I'm kind of old school when it comes to dry fire drills.

I'm aware of whats available I just don't think its worth the squeeze.

Maybe if I could "try before I buy" I might think different. I have yet to run across that situation.

You could track down a cheap Chinese copy of the laser bullets on Amazon or whatever and download the free app from a place like iTarget. Then all you'd need is something to hold your phone still and you're good to go.

I think the Pink Rhino bullets (which might be by Mantis?) a bit cheaper but I swear I've seen what look like the same things for like $20 in the past.

I will say I broke the butt end of one of my laser bullets from iTarget and they replaced it both free and quickly, so I was happy there.

 

[jmorris]

Not really but I did make a laser gun and target to play with. You might be surprised how well you can do point shooting playing with one.

The photo cell on the target is inside the orange straw, the black straw in the bullseye of the target slides over it. With a direct hit the buzzer sounds. The “gun” is a 3v laser, two AA batteries (held in place with the zip tie), that charge the capacitor, a pull on the trigger switch allows the laser to discharge the capacitor, making the “shot”.

 

[jmorris]

any more user opinions on iTarget?

Ok, I just downloaded the app and I like it. I’ll have to get it kid tested and approved but I went here.

https://www.itargetpro.com/blogs/get-our-app/get-our-app

and downloaded the app.

Set up a target.

Manually aligned it (well sort of) to the red target template on the app and started shooting.

Pretty neat, especially for something that’s free.

It’s a lot easier to hit than my tiny bullseye and keeps score as well as track of the misses.

 

[rjk2475]

The above looks great, but too techy for me; any benefit from using just a laser cartridge?

 

[rjk2475]

I use the Laser Academy from Mantis. Really like it.
Lefty

I've been looking at this. How did you decide on this system?

 

[shoobe01]

Have a SIRT like my pistol, with a cheap eBay chinamart RDS even, right on my desk. When bored, go do drills.

Have a SIRT bolt for the carbine. I use it less, because of the changeout time. Vague plan to make me a dedicated trainer sometime. On the list for a 3D printer friend is him modding a printed lower to be a not-gun for safety, and legal things (run a short barrel, etc).

I have seen, but do not use, the targets. No issues just seeing where I hit, correcting. I don't do it for trigger control as much as gun control. Use it to clear the house and work on movement, angles, sighting, etc. Go do something like shoot all light switches. Or, set targets around the house, find them. When driving I also bring it on trips, do the same in hotel rooms. Aside from safety (and recocking!) it clicks a lot less than a real gun.

Anyway, love and highly suggest the SIRT. I have some snap cap lasers also: Meh.

 

[LeftyRed]

I've been looking at this. How did you decide on this system?

I had ALOT of time to research while shoulder was/ is healing. I called companies and this seems to be the best set up for me. Plus I have had a couple of other Mantis laser trainer, their earliest ones that mounter to the light rail. And found them a great aid for trigger control and steady grip.

Plus the laser cartridges allow you to use your real carry pistols, not a larger range size pistol, at least for me. And opens eyes of some people on what they can carry and what they can shoot. I ordered extra cartridges for my 642 so I can practice two shots at a time. Really improved my one handed and off hand shooting.

Lefty

 

[jmorris]

The above looks great, but too techy for me; any benefit from using just a laser cartridge?

Kids enjoy playing with it. I am more of a dry fire guy as I am from sight focused, not looking for a dot to be projected somewhere down range.

I do find them to be helpful when swapping optics around though.