What is the best training system for AR-15?

The Mantis Blackbeard system is widely considered one of the best training systems for AR-15 rifles, especially for dry fire practice. It offers significant advantages in improving trigger control, sight alignment, and overall shooting skills without the need for live ammunition.

Mantis systems are generally worth the investment for shooters looking to enhance their skills and performance. They provide valuable feedback and realistic training experiences, which can translate to improved accuracy and confidence on the range.

What is the difference between Blackbeard and Blackbeardx?

What is the difference between Blackbeard and Blackbeard? There are 3 key differences between the Mantis Blackbeard and Blackbeard X: 1. Laser: The Blackbeard X includes a built-in laser that provides immediate visual feedback on your shot placement, whereas the original Blackbeard requires a separate laser cartridge. 2. App Integration: The Blackbeard X seamlessly connects to the MantisX app for advanced data tracking and analysis of your shooting performance. 3. Price: The Blackbeard X is generally more expensive than the original Blackbeard due to its additional features.

What is the best dryfire simulator?

While the Mantis Blackbeard system excels at dry fire training for AR-15s, the best overall dry fire simulator might depend on individual needs and preferences.

BlackbeardX: Dry Fire Laser Training System with Smart Analytics + Feedback

$ 319.00

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BlackbeardX Dry Fire Training System

The BlackbeardX takes the Blackbeard auto reset trigger system into an entirely new dimension.

The BlackbeardX dry fire training system contains the MantisX technology that has changed the way shooters improve their marksmanship skills.

Hone your skills faster than ever before with real-time feedback on your shooting technique, smart coaching, and actionable analytics via the MantisX Pistol/Rifle app.

Blackbeard + MantisX = BlackbeardX

…But there's a whole lot more than just an auto resetting trigger system.

In addition to static shooting analysis, the BlackbeardX unlocks unprecedented capability to analyze and improve dynamic shooting: high-speed movement with multi-target engagements. It sounds powerful because it is. Nothing has ever analyzed your capabilities like this before.

You can find out all the nitty-gritty here.

But here’s the gist. BlackbeardX:

Resets your trigger during dry-fire training
Provides laser visualization
Analyzes on-target delay score
Assesses over travel score for multiple targets
Helps you find effective transition paths when shooting

There’s no AR-15 dry fire system quite like this. In fact, there’s no other dry fire training system quite like this. BlackbeardX works well with AR-15s in addition to a range of other rifles plus more to come!

How It Works

Installation takes less than a minute. Pop the rear pin, remove the bolt carrier group, drop in BlackbeardX, put the magazine in place to provide the power, and you're off to the races. It's a 20 second change-out. Dry fire away, counting how much money you're saving with every sweet trigger break and reset that you hear. BlackbeardX will automatically reset your trigger on your rifle up to 10 times per second so you can dry fire like you live fire.

What is Included?:

Blackbeard Bolt Carrier Group
BlackbeardX Magazine Powerbank
MantisX Pistol/Rifle app compatibility

Technical Details:

650 nm, 60ms, Class 3R - Red laser
520 nm, 60ms, Class 3R - Green laser
780 nm, 60ms, Class 3R - IR laser

Laser color variants, and laser class available upon request.
Full-auto variants available upon request.

Compatibility (AR-15):

Firing chamber independent (compatible with 223/5.56, 300 BLK, 6.8 SPC, etc.)
Not compatible with the Timney DH3
Not compatible with the Fostech Echo 2
Not compatible with the PSA Custom Single Stage Drop-in
Compatibility cannot be guaranteed on TriggerTech triggers
Not compatible with lowers that feature a Colt pinned Sear Block (what is a Sear Block?)
Compatibility cannot be guaranteed on 80% Lowers (what is an 80% Lower?)

Compatibility (AR-10):

Compatible with most DPMS pattern AR-10s
Compatible with most SR25 pattern AR-10s

Compatibility (MCX):

Compatible with Rattler SBR and MCX-SPEAR LT variants.
Not compatible with the MCX-SPEAR variant.

Compatibility (SCAR):

Not compatible with select fire variants.

Red laser NSN: 5860-01-724-1631

Note: This product does not include a Laser Academy access code. Laser Academy access can be purchased separately in the Laser Academy app (Android, iOS) or by purchasing the Standard or Portable Laser Academy kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the difference between the MantisX Shooting Performance System, Laser Academy, and Blackbeard? + -

MantisX is a motion-based shooting system that analyzes movement during the firing process. Based on this movement, the system is able to give you feedback on likely errors in your technique and what you might be doing to cause those errors. Think of it as a diagnostic tool, like a study guide, that you continue to use to improve until it is time for the test.

Laser Academy gives you point of impact data while dry-fire training with your firearm. It will give you hit locations, the time between shots, and scores depending on the target used. Laser Academy is the test. Obtain sight picture, press the trigger, and if you are getting great scores, you know all the work you put into the study guide paid off. If not, get back to the study guide.

Blackbeard's base function is to reset the trigger in AR-15 rifles without breaking your form to rack the charging handle while practicing in a dry fire scenario. The laser-enabled variants allow use with various laser-based training systems, including Mantis Laser Academy.

Will your product automatically reset the trigger on my firearm? + -

Yes, for Blackbeard. Otherwise, MantisX and Laser Academy will not automatically reset the trigger on firearms that are not double action. As such, manually resetting the trigger for each shot will be required.

Are your products Made in the USA? + -

Mantis products are proudly made in the United States of America. We do all the assembly, programming, testing, and shipping out of our offices in Illinois.

Are your products covered by a warranty? + -

Yes. Mantis products are covered by a two year warranty. Pink Rhino products are covered by a one year limited warranty. If the product fails during normal use within the warranty time frame, we will repair or replace your device.

MantisX Shooting Performance System

What if my gun doesn’t have a rail? + -

We think that's a perfect excuse to get another gun. If your budget doesn't allow for that, buy a rail adapter for your gun.

How long is the battery life on the MantisX Shooting Performance System (X2, X3, X7, X8, and X10 Elite)? + -

8+ hours on a full charge. The MantisX has a rechargeable battery that is not user serviceable. It is charged by a micro USB cable and lasts 8 to 10 hours on a charge.

How do I know if the X3, X7, or X10 is fully charged? + -

The power light will turn off when your device is fully charged.

Will MantisX fit in my holster? + -

The original MantisX (without the quick detach screw) has been confirmed to fit well in holsters made to accommodate the Streamlight TLR-1/TLR-1 HL weapon mounted lights. Holsters designed for similar sized lights may also work well. Holsters designed to accommodate the Surefire XC1 or Olight PL Mini II have been confirmed to work well for the X2, X3 and X10 Elite. We also offer custom holsters.

What devices are compatible with the MantisX app? + -

The MantisX app is available in the Apple App store, the Google Play store, and the Amazon Store. It will work on most modern tablets and smartphones (iPhone, Samsung, etc.) that support Bluetooth 4.1+ (with Bluetooth Low Energy support). Also, the operating system version must meet a minimum version requirement (currently 9.0+ for iOS and 4.3+ for Android, this is subject to change.) If you're looking for an inexpensive tablet that works great with the MantisX, we sell the Kindle Fire on our store.

Will you ever be able to connect multiple MantisX units to one phone? + -

Probably not - Bluetooth uses a one-to-one connection, which means one MantisX to one phone. Unless future Bluetooth technology changes that, you'll need one phone for each MantisX you want to be using.

What calibers does MantisX work with? + -

MantisX works on any caliber of firearm, including harsh recoiling firearms. It's very tough - and if it fails during normal use, we'll repair or replace it for you within the two year warranty period. See our torture testing here.

Does MantisX work on both pistols and rifles? + -

Yes - MantisX has settings for being used with either a pistol or a rifle.

Does MantisX support live fire and dry fire? + -

The X3, and X10 support both life and dry fire. The X2 is dry fire only. Read more about dry fire detection.

Is the MantisX Shooting Performance System compatible with SIRT pistols? + -

Yes, MantisX gen 2 (X2, X3, X10) is compatible with SIRT pistols. Be sure to enable the "SIRT / DFM" firing mode under SETTINGS > Shot Detection Mode > More > SIRT /

Is the MantisX Shooting Performance System compatible with DryFireMag trigger reset magazines? + -

Yes, MantisX gen 2 (X2, X3, X10) is compatible with DryFireMag (DFM) magazines. Be sure to enable the "SIRT / DFM" firing mode under SETTINGS > Shot Detection Mode > More > SIRT / DFM. The original MantisX was not designed with SIRT pistols in mind, but it will work in most cases by enabling High Sensitivity mode.

Blackbeard AR-15 Trigger Reset System

What is sight height over bore and what is holdover? + -

Sight height over bore refers to the physical offset between the bore of the firearm and the aiming mechanism (iron sights, reticle in an optic, etc.). This offset will cause the bullet impact to be lower vs. the point of aim when shooting at close ranges. As an example, at 5 yards, using an AR-15 with traditionally configured iron sights, M193 ammo, and a 100 yard zero, the point of impact is expected to be approximately 2.46 inches lower than the point of aim. Holdover refers to the degree to which a shooter must aim higher than their intended point of impact in order to achieve that point of impact at close distances.

Is Blackbeard compatible with firearms built using an 80% lower + -

Due to potential deviation from specifications that may result from loose or inaccurate jigs and other variables during the completion of an 80% kit, we cannot guarantee compatibility. If an 80% lower receiver is finished correctly in spec, then Blackbeard should be compatible with that lower.

Which configuration/laser is best for my needs? + -

Get the non-laser version if you do not plan to use a laser enabled training system. Get the red laser version if you want a visual signature and/or you plan to train with a laser based training system (such as Laser Academy). Get the green laser version for increased visible distance over the red laser variant. In equal lighting conditions, you can see the green laser at further distances than the red laser. This version is also compatible with Laser Academy. Get the IR laser version if you are using an IR-based training system or if you are using night vision.

The laser adjustment screws won't allow me to move the laser to match my sights/reticle, how can I fix this? + -

Sight height over bore for most AR-15's will result in the point of impact being lower than the point of aim at shorter ranges (generally 25 yards and shorter). At very close distances, this difference can be significant. Getting the laser dot to match the sights is likely physically impossible because the laser movement is restricted by the bore of the rifle. Even if it were physically possible, setting the laser Point of Impact (POI) to match the Point of Aim (POA) at close ranges is not going to replicate the relationship between POA and POI that you will experience with live ammo. Because of this, we do not view this physical limitation to be a negative. - That being said, if you have a reason for matching POA and POI, you can simulate this setup by using our Laser Academy system via modifications to the SHOOT TO CALIBRATE feature.

What is this Blackbeard? + -

Blackbeard resets the trigger of your mil-spec AR-15, so you can train without using all of your ammo, and without manually resetting the trigger after each shot.

Is Blackbeard compatible with my rifle? + -

If the receiver accepts standard AR-15 Bolt Carrier Groups, triggers, and magazines, then Blackbeard is very likely to be compatible. We have run into a few cases where unusual trigger hammer profiles are incompatible, but this is uncommon. The system does not interface with the chamber. As such, non-223/5.56 chambers should work without issue.

Is Blackbeard compatible with firearms built using an 80% lower? + -

Is Blackbeard available for PCC? + -

If your PCC receiver accepts standard AR-15 Bolt Carrier Groups, triggers, and magazines, then Blackbeard is very likely to be compatible. Otherwise, a PCC version of Blackbeard is not available at the present time.

Can I use the Mantis Blackbeard in an AR-15 equipped with the Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter? + -

Yes. No change is needed. No filler is needed for the gap between the rear of the BCG and the buffer weight.

Is the non-laser variant of Blackbeard compatible with Pink Rhino Laser Cartridges? + -

"No. There is no firing pin (or similar) mechanism in place which is required to activate the button on the Pink Rhino Laser Cartridge."

On the Blackbeard Bolt Carrier Group, is the housing separation along the 6 o'clock side normal? + -

Yes.

Laser Academy Training System

General

Do you have a guide for setting up and using Laser Academy? + -

Yes! See our Laser Academy Knowledge Center for in depth guides on all things Laser Academy.

How does Laser Academy stack up against other laser-based training systems? + -

We’ve compared the best laser training systems for you to contrast pricing, what’s on offer, as well as customer feedback to help you discern the value of these systems before you buy.

COMPATIBILITY

What devices are compatible with the Laser Academy app? + -

Android (v7.0 or greater) and iOS (v10.0 or greater). Older devices will have stricter lighting condition requirements due to camera hardware limitations.

Does Laser Academy work with the MantisX Shooting Performance System? + -

The two systems can be used in conjunction with one another. The presence of one system does not change how the other system functions. Two smart devices are likely to be needed; one for each app.

Does Laser Academy work with my laser cartridge? (G-sight, LaserHit, etc.) + -

If the laser cartridge is a red or green laser, then the system is expected to work.

What is the max range Laser Academy supports? + -

The max range is determined by the phone/tablet camera and lighting conditions. There is no arbitrary max defined by the software.

Can I use my DryFireMag trigger reset system with Laser Academy? + -

No. DryFireMag disables the firing pin function and the firing pin function is required to activate the laser cartridge.

Target

How do I set up the Smart Targets? + -

A flat surface with each corner of the target unobscured (this includes shadows that may fall near or over the fiducial). The distance between target and camera is usually 1-3 yards, but you may find zooming in with the camera allows greater distances.

Can I print out larger targets? + -

Yes. The electronic version of the targets are available HERE and can be used to print larger sized targets.

What is the size/scale of the Smart Targets? + -

Can I get X target in the app? + -

Send a request to our customer service team to request new target types.

Are Smart Targets required to use Laser Academy? + -

No, but they make using the system a lot more easy and intuitive, with automatic target detection and automatic scoring. Laser Academy allows you to define manual hit zones in cases where Smart Targets are not used.

Pink Rhino Laser Cartridge

How do I put the Pink Rhino laser cartridge in my gun? + -

Here is a video demonstrating how to install the laser cartridge.

Can I use Pink Rhino laser cartridges with a DryFireMag? + -

No. DryFireMag disables the firing pin function and the firing pin function is required to activate the laser cartridge.

Does X laser cartridge size work with my gun? + -

The correct size of Pink Rhino laser cartridge is determined by the chambering of the firearm. Check the barrel to determine which caliber is appropriate for your firearm.

How long does the Pink Rhino last? + -

This varies from one firearm to the next based on firing pin design, spring pressure, and how far the firing pin protrudes from the breech face. Most firearms will allow thousands of rounds before maintenance replacement of the end cap is required.

How accurate are Pink Rhino laser cartridges? + -

A deviation of 0.25" per yard is the max acceptable.

Order Processing and Shipping

Does Next Business Day shipping require a signature? + -

Yes. If you are not available when the delivery is attempted, the shipment will most likely be held. Contact the local distribution center for the shipping carrier to determine if other options may be available.

Does Mantis offer a payment plan? + -

Yes, payment plans are available through PayPal at checkout. Subject to PayPal terms and conditions.

When will my order ship (i.e. order processing timeframe)? + -

Orders for in-stock products will usually ship Monday-Friday (except holidays or holidays observed). In most cases, domestic customer orders for in-stock products with free shipping are estimated to be processed within 2-5 business days. Orders with expedited shipping are estimated to be processed within 1-2 business days. These timeframe estimates are not a guarantee and can increase based on a number of factors. Please contact our customer service team for an estimate on our current order processing timeframes.

For international orders, are there taxes or fees? + -

Other than shipping charges, we do not assess taxes or fees for international orders. You can expect Customs to charge a tax/duty and possibly fees. It is the responsibility of the recipient to pay for any fees or assessments that Customs may require.

Do you ship internationally? + -

Yes. International shipping is available