Comprehensive List of Popular Dry-Fire Firearm Training Tools
If you’re serious about improving your shooting skills without burning ammo, dry fire practice is essential—and easier than ever thanks to a wide range of dry fire tools and gear. Whether you’re brand new and wondering how to dry fire safely at home, or a seasoned shooter looking to level up your routine, the right dry fire gear can make all the difference.
In this article, I’ve curated and categorized the best tools on the market—from laser trainers and app-connected systems to printable targets, diagnostic sensors, and training pistols—to help you build an effective, realistic, and engaging dry fire setup that fits your goals and budget. I bet I'm the only person you have heard of that has a separate dedicated range bag for my dry fire gear… and it doesn't fit most of it.
I've separated the best gear on the market into 8 high-level categories. Use the table of contents to jump to any category.
So here are some of the top tools and educational products I've used to aid in my dry-fire practice.
Table of Contents
🔒 Safety & Dry Fire Enablers
Our first category is for products that ensure safe manipulation and prevent negligent discharges. Additionally, these products can make it easier to manipulate the gun in a more realistic way.
BarrelBlok & MagBlok
BarrelBlok, which comes with MagBlok, is a great tool to ensure safety and eliminate potential training scars simultaneously. For a reasonable price, you have the comfort of knowing, AND SEEING, that your firearm is safe while also being able to rack the slide without slide lock. The Barrelblok not only gives you a visual confirmation that the gun is inert but also protects the firing pin from potential damage that can be caused by dry fire.
The included MagBloks (which can also be purchased independently) can be used in conjunction with a number of other dry fire tools as well.
I like BarrelBlok so much that gun manufacturers should include it with every gun sold.
Learn more about the benefits of BarrelBlok and MagBlok here.
Snap Caps or Dummy Rounds
Dummy rounds (the more generic name for Snap Caps) are fantastic for both dry fire and live-fire training. An affordable tool that everyone should own. In Dry Fire they work great to confirm basic functionality of the firearm, prevent firing pin damage, and help beginners practice the basics of loading and unloading the firearm.
In live fire, they can be used to create malfunctions for the purpose of practicing clearing malfunctions. There is even a specialized double-feed dummy round designed to produce a type three malfunction.
Learn more about the many uses of dummy rounds
Zetasix SafeSnap
The SafeSnap is a springy cylinder insert that facilitates dry fire in a revolver while reducing the risk of damage from the hammer impacting the cylinder directly. I think of it as a revolver BarrelBlok in many respects including how it visibly alerts the user and others in the environment that the gun is inert.
Shop the Revolver SafeSnap here.
🔁 Trigger Reset Devices & Mechanical Enhancers
Our second category consists of tools that help you cycle the slide or reset the trigger so you don't build a training scar of manually cycling your slide after each trigger press. It also helps to run various drills or exercises that require multiple shots.
Original DryFireMag
DryFireMag is an innovative product. It is essentially a replacement magazine for your handgun that creates a simulated trigger press that resets without racking the slide. Instead, there is a very audible clicking sound with each trigger squeeze. It can facilitate a lot more trigger presses in dry fire. They are only available for a relatively small number of the most popular handguns on the market.
See our review of the DryFireMag for more information
Glock E-Trainer
The Glock E-Trainer is a simple device that is attached to the slide of your Glock handgun. It prevents the trigger from breaking and prevents the firing pin from releasing. So the Glock-E-Trainer allows operation of the trigger without needing to rack the slide to reset the trigger. It stays in place as you run the slide or conduct reloads etc. As a result, the Glock-E-Trainer is a very economical and simple device that plays a good part in any dry fire training strategy.
How can you use the Glock E-Trainer in your practice?
Shop the Glock E-Trainer Here.
🔦 Laser Shot Indication Tools
LaserDot Trainer
Laser Inserts allow you to drop a laser-activated cartridge into the chamber of your real firearm. Made popular by Laser Ammo, a laser is emitted each time the firing pin strikes. There are a lot of competing products on the market that look the same. Some are made to a higher quality and provide a more consistent fit and thus a more reliable experience. We recommend the “LaserDot” from Ready Up Gear.
Find out how you can use the LaserDot Trainer in your dry fire practice.
LaserLyte Universal Laser Trainer
This competitor to the LaserDot is unique enough to list separately. It doesn't activate from a firing pin strike. Instead, it detects vibrations caused by pressing the trigger, and from that measured vibration, emits a laser. Its significant advantage is its universality for all calibers of handguns, but it hasn't been as reliable at detecting the trigger vibrations as I would like.
Shop LaserLyte's Universal Laser Trainer here.
Smart DryFireMag
Mentioned earlier in this article the original DryFireMag is an effective trigger resetting device. The SMART DryFireMag includes the same trigger resetting benefits but also emits a laser from the gun, making it an enhanced option for those who want both a resetting trigger and accuracy-related feedback. It includes a laser cartridge in partnership with LaserAmmo.
Shop the Smart DryFireMag here.
Mantis Blackbeard
The Mantis Blackbeard is an electronic device that installs into your own AR-15 pattern rifle and electrically resets the trigger after each trigger press. It allows for repeated trigger presses without needing to manually cycle the rifle.
See our review of the Blackbeard for more details
Shop the Mantis Blackbeard Here.
📱 Laser Training Systems with App-Based Feedback
This category is for all the software on the market that interacts with your training gun to provide you with feedback about accuracy etc.
LASR App – Laser Training Software
Of all the options in this category, this is my favorite non-VR tool. The LASR (Laser Activated Shot Reporter) software is a phenomenal app to facilitate more effective dry fire training. It will work with any laser training device like the SIRT or the Laser Dot Trainer.
LASR Classic works on any Windows-based computer. LASRX is a newer version of LASR that works with internet-connected device, including your phone. It is hard to do it justice in just a sentence or two but trust me; you will want this. It will run specific drills, call reloads, work with multiple targets, provide shot times, and has endless other unique features.
Learn more about LASR and its capabilities in this review.
Mantis Laser Academy
Mantis Laser Academy is a laser-shot recording smartphone application with built-in training modes. You use the provided targets, sync them with the app on your phone, position your phone to see the targets and get to work. I appreciate the different modes, drills, and including training modules. The package includes a laser cartridge insert which has value on its own.
Learn our review of the Mantis Laser Academy.
Shop The Mantis Laser Academy.
Laser Academy from Mantis is a complete, at-home, dry fire, laser training kit.
Strikeman
The Strikeman training system is very comparable in concept to the Mantis Laser Academy. They have also invested a lot in their technology and user experience. They offer various bundles and options.
ACE VR – Virtual Reality App
ACE has been on the cutting edge of VR firearm training, and as this kind of technology gets more affordable, the feedback continues to be positive from defensive and competitive shooters. Of all the options in this category, this is my favorite non-VR tool. The LASR (Laser Activated Shot Reporter) software is a phenomenal app to facilitate more effective dry fire training. It will work with any laser training device like the SIRT or the Laser Dot Trainer.
Watch this video of us testing ACE VR.
🎯 Targets (Visual, Reactive, Printable, or Video-Based)
When you conduct your dry fire practice what are you going to aim at? You could use any lightswitch or a post-it note on the wall of course but sometimes you can gain more by using specific targets. The ACE VR system described above could fit in this category , but here we focus more on tools that are dedicated to be targets for use in dry fire with or without a laser-style training gun or device.
ConcealedCarry.com Free Printable Targets
Our training team has put in some time and energy to create over a dozen effective targets you can download for free from our site and print on your black and white printer on normal copy paper.
Click here to download them now
Scaled Cardboard Targets
If you are a USPSA or IDPA competitor, you might find value in targets you recognize that are scaled down for use in dry fire.
PopUp Mini Targets
Designed by Mike Ox as part of his dry fire curriculum, this targets fold down and fit in your pocket and then popup when you are ready to do some training. Sold in the three-pack you see below, these can be put about anywhere in your home or hotel room.
DryFireKing
DryFireKing is a Patreon subscription that provides subscribers with regularly released videos that can act as a training target array. Especially valuable for competitive shooters this gives you an analog to a shooting stage that you can put up on your home computer monitor or TV and practice with.
LaserLyte Laser Targets
LaserLyte makes a number of training targets that respond to a laser “impact” from any laser training device or gun. They can be fun to use provide good visual and auditory feedback.
🧠 Sensor & Diagnostic Feedback Devices
MantisX Rail Mounted Device
MantisX is the original system for diagnosing shooting problems. It mounts to your gun and sends data back to an app on your phone after each shot. Since the original product release they have expanded options to include the MantisX3 and MantisX10. This is the king of dry and live fire diagnostic feedback. If you want to understand how you are moving the gun, even in microscopic ways, as you press the trigger, the Mantis will help you figure that out.
📘 Books, Drill Decks & Structured Curriculum
Dry Fire Primer Book
This book was previously only available for Kindle but now is in print. This book is an excellent tool for any gun owner starting regular dry fire practice. It contains helpful suggestions and drills.
Here is a review of this book from A Girl and a Gun.
Shop the Dry Fire Primer Book Here.
Dry Fire Training Reloaded Book
This book from Ben Stoeger is an at home training manual specifically written for practical shooting competitors. It includes suggested drills, log sheets, and tips to help you grow your skills.
Shop the Dry Fire Training Reloaded Book Here.
Dry Fire Training Cards
The cards include more than 50 proven dry fire drills shooters use to help develop skills. These cards are a great and easy resource to help your practice sessions stay fresh and well-rounded.
Shop Dry Fire Training Cards here.
TACOST Training Cards
This fantastic training program built into a deck of cards comes from Jeff Gonzales and the team at Trident Concepts. There are three different “decks” you can buy—one deck designed specifically for dry fire with a SIRT or other laser simulation training gun.
Shop TACOST Training Cards here.
Skill Challenge Dice
The Skill Challenge Dice are designed to help the gun owner engage in more enjoyable and more challenging training sessions. The dice can be used in both live and dry fire, alone or with friends or students. The set is made up of 6 dice: The weapon die, direction die, position die, hand die, malfunction die, and project die. Roll any number of them you wish to use to create a combined shooting challenge.
Shop Skill Challenge Dice here.
Concealed Carry 21-Day Challenge
This guided practice curriculum is a video, online-based training program designed to run 21 days, though the student can consume it at whatever pace they desire. It builds skills over time by providing you with daily exercises to complete, as well as daily educational videos from over a dozen industry experts on various topics relating to Concealed Carry.
Access to Concealed Carry Challenge here.
🔫 Standalone Training Pistols
Now, perhaps the category you have been waiting for. Dedicated training guns or ways to convert your carry gun into a dedicated training gun. Here we have laser based tools, a recoil-capable option, and more.
SIRT Training Pistols by Next Level Training
The SIRT (Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger) Pistol by Next Level Training is the industry's most recognized training pistol, and it is my favorite. The SIRT is available for most of the most popular everyday carry (EDC) guns from Glock, Smith and Wesson, and Sig Sauer.
Lasers are available in green or red, and the larger models have removable magazines. The guns have a “take-up” laser and a trigger with the approximate weight of the genuine firearm. The models even have a functioning rail for accessories.
Learn about the SIRT in this review.
Shop SIRT Pistols by Next Level Training.
LaserLyte Laser Trainer Revolver Snubby
LaserLyte makes several dedicated laser training guns. Their semi-auto options I can't recommend, but their Trainer Snubby is the only dedicated revolver option that projects a laser that I'm aware of. It is a decent training analog in many respects, including a trigger that has a long double-action pull.
Shop The LaserLyte Revolver Snubby.
CoolFire Trainer
The CoolFire training system replaces a few simple internals of your real firearm and operates on gas. It allows the user to use their real gun for real training with a laser point of impact. Available for many popular handguns, the CoolFire system isn't cheap but is hard to beat for real-life simulation.
Learn more about the CoolFire Trainer here.
Shop The Cool Fire Trainer Here.
Airsoft Guns
There are a lot of Airsoft guns designed to look and feel like your real firearm. These often have some amount of recoil and can be outfitted with laser-emitting barrels or inserts.
In Summary
Ready to Build Your Dry Fire Arsenal?
Whether you're just starting or looking to upgrade your setup, DryFireProShop.com has everything you need—from safety tools and laser trainers to targets, training pistols, and more. We’ve handpicked the most effective dry fire gear so you can train smarter, safer, and more often.
Shop now and take your dry fire training to the next level.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2019. In 2022 we republished it with several updates. This current version was updated again with various tools added and links fixed in 2025.
If you have a 1911 cal.45 pistol with hammer a #2 pencil with eraser at strike point in the weapon, put a piece of paper up securely and from about 6 in. aim at your dot or what ever you put there and snap shoot at the target and reduce the size of your group with practise
Jacob,
Like you I have just about every dry fire training tool. I have found that the best thus far is the Cool Fire Trainer. It is specific for YOUR firearm and The LASR training software. I’ve tried SIRT, DryFireMag, Airsoft and they all fall short of my needs and expectations for a number of reasons. From the inability to practice reload drills, to horrible triggers, to just a limited number of choices of firearms for training. CoolFireTraining to me is the closest to simulate live fire. Im glad that MantisX make the mounts on the mags. When It was mounted on a pic rail you couldn’t draw from a holster (flashlight holsters might work, never tried it)