Today, I’ve got a video for you that’s a first of it’s kind. I get asked all the time about various laser training platforms, including the SIRT Dry Fire Pistol, the M&P SIRT, the SIRT Pocket Pistol, Laser-Ammo’s laser barrel insert for airsoft guns, and the CoolFire Trainer.
It took me awhile (monthS) to get enough time working with all of them to be able to do a review that would have any value.
There seems to be a new trend of doing “unboxing” videos where people review products as they’re opening the package for the first time. I guess there’s some value in this, but what I really want to know is how gear works when you actually use it.
I say this in the video, but it’s worth repeating. I know and like people from each company. Some of them are good friends. That being said, I have spent thousands of dollars buying laser training gear because I like it and use it. And my review reflects those experiences more than my relationships with people at the companies.
None of the products are perfect, but no training is perfect. That being said, there is TREMENDOUS value in going through 21 Day Alpha Shooter, 30-10 Pistol, Concealed Carry Masters Course or our most advanced training, Draw Stroke Mastery with any of the 5 of these laser training tools.
The video is a little long, so if you’re looking for information on a specific model, here’s where to go:
SIRT Glockform laser trainer: at the start (Discount training package at http://dryfirepistol.com)
SIRT M&Pform laser trainer: 4:00
SIRT Pocket Pistol: 4:40 (Discount training package at http://pocketdryfirepistol.com)
Laser-Ammo laser barrel for airsoft: 7:15 (TRY using discount code ox18 at checkout at http://laser-ammo.com…it didn’t work when I checked it last night, but I emailed them to get it working again)
CoolFire: 10:00 (Use discount code ox18 at checkout for $10 off at http://CoolFireTrainer.com)
I cover benefits and limitations of each, special considerations for training on the road, training late at night or early in the morning, training in different temperatures, training around pets, training with neighbors, using a laser trainer that’s slightly different than your real steel, and the best options for 1911 owners.
As always, if you’re looking for the best at-home or in-department training to use with each and every one of these laser trainers, you really need to go through the 21 Day Alpha Shooter program or Draw Stroke Mastery for more advanced shooters.
If you’ve got more questions that I didn’t answer, let me know by commenting below.
Know anyone who could use this info? Please share it with them.
11 Comments
James C Diefenbach
July 31, 2020I have question about the SIRT 110 pistol that you sell on dryfirepistol.com. Is the slide metal or plastic.
I would prefer the gun to weigh the same as the real Glock 17 weighs.
Thanks.
Jim Diefenbach
Ox
August 2, 2020Great question. It’s plastic. There is a metal version…and that’s the first version that I bought, but what I found over time and through testing is that there is no appreciable difference in the effectiveness of the training with metal vs. plastic.
In short, you don’t want to develop a technique that is so fragile that the difference matters.
You want to be able to pick up a Glock 26 or a Glock 19, 17, or 34 and be able to use the identical performance…regardless of whether you’re limited to 10 rounds, have a full capacity mag, a mag with +4 tungsten baseplate, or a partially used mag.
We’re building resilient skills for chaotic situations and when you train in that way, it just doesn’t matter that much whether you use a polymer or all steel frame for your SIRT.
If you’ve got any questions on this, please let me know.
Ronald Koldon
January 24, 2020I have the SIRT 110 and am looking at the SIRT Pocket Pistol: for girl friend. Does it have the dual lasers like the 110? Can you shut off the aiming laser like the 110? I want to use it with the laserlyte targest so cant have the aiming laser on.
Thanks
Ox
January 24, 2020Yes, it has the dual lasers and you can turn off the take-up laser.
Grandpa
April 7, 2018What do you recommend for on who shoots Sigs?
Laser ammo
April 17, 2018Laser ammo has options for all makes and models and calibers of firearms. Cigs are also available through laser ammo
Joe Fahy
April 7, 2018Yeah, I have a box of tried and failed tactical experiments! And let’s not speak about holsters. And who knows these grips and sights may end up in that same bin! I am driven to simplifying my equipment but improve my “position.” And yes switching sighting systems is expensive. After numerous magnified scope erector tube failures, Bushnell Tactical, multiple Trijicon MGO,… and reddot failures, primarily Eotech, I transitioned all my carbines to Elcans: 4x, 1-4x and 1.5-6x, expensive but dirt simple and so far rock reliable.
Great “talking”with you! I do follow your work, as you do know what you are talking about. Thanks!
Oh, BTW, the positioning of handgun sights relative to the dominant eye: I, with a safed and empty handgun, posed in front of a mirror, and damn the sights once aligned in the mirror, the pair, the real and reflected, were not in front of my dominant eye!! I had to rotate my head ~10deg to the left to get everything lined up. A huge improvement thanks to you, Ox. Thanks again.
Joe Fahy
April 7, 2018Thanks for taking the time and making this review video, Ox. I did not know about the SIRT Pocket Pistol. As you said each implementation has its place in you firearms training.
We have the SIRT G17, SIRT M&P9 as well as airsoft versions of each and CoolFire kits for both weapon platforms.
A couple things we noticed:
:using propane(cheaper than green gas) with silicone lubricant, the oderant added to the propane for leak detection, can get very objectionable when used indoors. It puts my wife into some respiratory distress. We only use it outdoors or with a fan blowing away from the shooter. Locally green gas is not readily available.
: the SIRT G17 is a Gen 3, meaning that the mag release is not reversible. As a right handed shooter I have moved the mag release on my Gen 4 to the RHS of the frame, using my trigger finger to actuate the release. As I can not reach the mag release with my thumb without changing my grip, doing this eliminates having to change my firing hand grip to actuate the mag release with my thumb. Some judicious Dremel machining on the fram and mags would probably allow the conversion. The SIRT M&P9 mag release was easily reversed on my wife’s trainer.
: on the our SIRT G17, the trigger takeup laser is RED, while the shot indicator laser is GREEN. These are easily reversed within the slide of the trainer by swapping leads, allowing you to use the trainer with most laser sensing targets. The SIRT M&P9 is a completely different design requiring some point to point wiring modifications, but doable with the same result.
:there is an IR module available for the SIRT G17. CoolFire also has an IR module that fits any of their barrels.
:the physics of recoil is reversed in direction when no projectile exits the barrel e.g. CoolFire and airsoft with the magazine slide catch depressed. The recoil is downward, not upward. This is not really a problem as reacquiring the sight picture is still practiced. It was a little weird at first.
:another gadget I use in weapon based dryfire, airsoft, CO2 dryfire and live fire is MantisX. It is a module that mounts to your pistol rail or mag base plate that communicates over a bluetooth link to the MantisX app running on your smart device. When started, the device is sending its position data(X,Y,Z) continuously to the phone. When the trigger press impulse is sensed, the data stream representing the movement of the pistol during aimimg, trigger press an follow through are recorded and displayed on the phone. There are a LOT of training features in the app, it’s worth a look. ~$150.
Ox
April 7, 2018Great stuff, Joe! Thank you. We ran into the same issue on using propane and silicone, but I kind of thought we were the only ones. I appreciate you saying that. FYI, if it gets cold enough, I switch over to red gas.
Great tip on switching the red/green lasers for camera/target pickup!
The recoil on the CoolFire isn’t going to be an issue for the vast majority of shooters. If you’re holding isometric tension (which 95+% of shooters do), the CoolFire provides a gut check on whether or not you’re letting your grip get too loose during dry fire practice. But for shooters who are tuned into their gun and have a conditioned flex to actively manage recoil, it’s something to keep an eye on. Knowing that limitation, I’ve still had good performance with the system myself and with other shooters.
I met with the MantisX guys at SHOT and we are trying to figure out how to incorporate my brain based diagnostics with their system.
Thanks again!
Joe Fahy
April 7, 2018Thank you, Ox.
Have you seen the “Support hand grip assist sleeve” from Warren Tactical Series. In short it is a rubber grip sleeve with a directional integral rubber ridge, ~3/8″ high, that is parallel with the grip long axis. To me, it acts as a backstrap for my support hand . I’m trying them out on my glocks, the G26 required some abrasive material removal. But potentially the G26 might benefit the most from this sleeve when using the G26 10rd mags. Like to know what you think.
BTW Warrens’s figure “8” Sevigny, dot over dot, sights are a hit for me. When I was on his site I came across the sleeve.
Ox
April 7, 2018I have only had the pleasure of spending time with Scott a couple of times, but I’ve got friends who worked with him for a few years and I think the world of him. He does a LOT of stuff that I like, but don’t use. Both the support hand grip assist sleeve and the figure 8 sights fall into that category.
Why?
When I carry, the majority of the time, the left side of my grip is pushed tight against my skin. I don’t want it to stick out any more than necessary. That being said, I think it’s a great tool if it fits your carry/shooting style.
On the 8s, it’s my goal to have as few sighting systems on my guns as possible. Most of my pistols have 3 dots. A couple of revolvers & .22s just have black sights. I have to say that I’ve shot pistol sights that are superior to what I use, but I don’t want to change out all of my sights and I want as much consistency as possible from gun to gun.
I wouldn’t discourage you from getting/using either of those tools. And, if you are getting a boost in performance from using them and haven’t run into any drawbacks, then I’d go full speed ahead 🙂
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