Dry Fire Training With Laser Simulation
Do you train as often as you should? None of us do. We are all subject to life and the various distractions and conflicts that come with it. Dry fire training has always been the preferred solution by the industry but with modern technology dry fire training has evolved into laser simulation.
Not only is getting to the range often difficult, range training alone also sets up the shooter for almost certain failure -Jacob Paulsen (President, Concealed Carry Inc.)
The Reasons We Don't Get to The Range Often Enough
Call them reasons or excuses the reality is life gets in the way. It takes time and money (gas, fee/membership, ammunition, targets) both of which are limited resources. Being safe at the range also requires a certain amount of physical and mental energy that I often don't have at the end of the day.
Even If We Trained As Often As We Should The Range Still Leaves “Training Gaps”
The range isn't a very good training environment. The environment and often the range rules prevent us from training a lot of things we know we should like:
- Moving while shooting
- Drawing from a holster
- Shooting at multiple targets
- Shooting from behind cover
- Rapid fire
Add to this that we can't learn to deal with situations that are so common in every day defense like dealing with innocent civilians, going up and down stairs, close quarter combat, and low light conditions.
The Solution of Dry Fire Training
Dry Fire training has long been the solution of the gun community for dealing with these setbacks. Traditionally dry fire training consisted of using an unloaded and inspected handgun without ammunition or with training (dummy) ammunition to do training at home. Dry fire allows us to deal with the majority of the issues laid out above. At home one can train the right types of environments, draw from concealed, and practice moving. Dry Fire training is really the single most significant strategy that I have found separates the professionals from the novices.
The Old School Methods Have Drawbacks
While very practical I always felt that little sense of healthy fear when I was dry firing my gun at home. No matter how many times I checked and inspected it I was still afraid of some sort of discharge and I had to be super careful to make sure I reloaded the gun after each training session so it would be ready for defensive use should I have a real life encounter. The constant back and forth of loading and unloading was mentally exhausting.
In addition, Dry Fire has the disadvantage of not giving any accuracy or target related feedback. You don't know if your trigger control, grip, and stance are any good because you don't have any feedback from where you are hitting the target. Also, without the noise that accompanies the use of real ammunition you can't use a shot timer to judge your speed.
Also, many semi-automatic pistols make it hard to dry fire train as they limit your ability to practice multiple trigger pulls without racking the slide after each trigger squeeze.
The Core Advantages of Laser Simulation
Laser simulation training pistols and inserts make you feel safe and give you greater feedback. Consider this about laser simulated pistols:
- There is no concern for doing any damage to your real gun while training
- You get immediate feedback about your shots, particularly when used with L.A.S.R. software
- You have no need to fear about unloading or inspecting the firearm since Laser pistols are inert
- When combined with L.A.S.R. you can get shot times and other great reporting
The Industry's Top Laser Training Tools
You really have two options for Laser Simulated Training. You can invest in a laser ammo insert, which, as it suggests is inserted into your real firearm and emits a laser when the firing pin comes forward or you can invest in a completely separate and unique training pistol. I personally favor the training pistol as it just works better for me to keep separate my training gun which I can pick up anytime and train with VS my response weapon which is always loaded and ready for an encounter.
The top tool in the industry is the SIRT. Recently we put together a promotional video about this product. Watch it by clicking below:
Great points Jacob. Getting more EFFECTIVE training, undoubtably results in more people being proficient, safer and more confident!
Yet remember not all semi automatic pistols should be dry fired without snap caps or an O ring that blocks the hammer from contact with firing pin. Some pistols like a CZ p01, you can bend the firing pin retainer roll pin. I hear so many times that modern pistols can be dry fired, a few times yes but not repeated. A practice fire pistol is a good choice. Believe me, I know about bending firing pin retainers because of dry firing. Also, a good choice when buying a pistol is get one new in a sealed box, not off the shelf, hundreds of people probably dry fired it in the gun store.
Do you find that using the SIRT pistol will transfer over to you regular EDC pistol. I have several different pistols and us a laser lyte cartridge in them for dry fire. I find that each pistol has it’s own sight characteristics, weight and grip and that makes them just a little different from the other.
Great article, thanks for covering this topic.
Warren, it may or may not really transfer over. They now make the SIRT in 3 models… a Glock 17, a M&P, and a sub-compact pistol which closely resembles a Shield or G43. So if you carry something very similar to one of those 3 I would say yes it transfers really well. Otherwise you may do well to stick with some sort of laser cartridge!
Sorry I missed the part about damaging the gun. That is one reason not to repeat dry fire many pistols. As I said in previous comment.
I have been teaching for 45 years plus. I still use dry fire drills and stopage drills. With both revolver and semi-auto.
Dan Devine
In addition to laser inserts I also have CO2 pistols that I can practice with. One of the CO2 pistols is nearly identical in functionality with my EDC, right down to safety, slide operation and magazine changes. Obviously not the same recoil.
I use a laser cartridge for draw and fire practice with both my 45 semi and my 357 revolver, excellent practice tool, my skills have increased significantly
You don’t provide enough information on the laser product. You give reasons to use it and thats it. Do you get updates, when you pay $120 is it yours? Again, you withhold information and expect folks to blindly buy.
I recommend reading all the information on the product page where it is sold. Those details are not the purpose of this article but here are the answers. Yes you get updates. When you pay for the LASR software you own a license to use that software for life. Hope that helps!
Could you explain the difference between the red and the green? Also, what do you need to install the software, and can it be magnified on any surface such as a wall?
SIRT pistols are available in models with Green or Red lasers. Green is a more expensive upgrade and is preferable to people who don’t see red (color blind). The software can run on any internet-connected device via the web browser. Your phone, tablet, laptop, or any computer will work. The software isn’t “projected” or magnified anywhere. Instead the camera on your device is “looking” at ANY surface (such as a wall) and as a user you trace or map out objects in that camera view that you identify as targets. The camera and software then “see” the laser dot from the training pistol or device and record it.
Is the Pink Rhino laser training cartridge any good?
It is comparable to any other on the market.
Do I have to rack every time I fire?
SIRT pistols do not require any action between trigger press. SIRT stands for shot indicating RESETTING TRIGGER
No. SIRT stands for Shot Indicating RESETTING TRIGGER and no action is required between trigger presses.
What would be the closest model SIRT to the Kel Tec P17?
Is it possible to get a SIRT that matches the grip of the P17?