MantisX Review [2021]: The Best Gun Training Tool?

I’ll cut to the chase, the MantisX X10 system is my favorite dry fire training tool and it has made noticeable improvement in my (and my friends’) shooting.

However, not sure if it’s for you? No worries, that’s why I put together everything you need to know to make up your mind for yourself in this Mantis X review.

Mantis X Background

Dry fire training is, without a doubt, the number one way most shooters can improve both their speed and accuracy.

I’ll say it another way: if you want to get better at shooting, you better be dry firing.

However, dry firing, as with any other type of practice, must be done correctly in order to achieve a positive result. For example, if you dry fire practice by repeatedly “jerking the trigger,” then you’re not going to get any better at shooting. Instead, you’re only going to get better at what you’re practicing: “jerking the trigger.”

So, how do you know that you are dry firing the “right way?” And how do you diagnose errors when you’re dry firing so that you can work on fixing them? After all, it’s hard to tell what you’re doing wrong or what “shot” would be a miss if there aren’t little holes on a target.

Enter the Mantis X dry fire training system– hands down the BEST tool I’ve used to improve my dry fire training (which improves my shooting). It’s also a lot of fun when you’re using it with friends (even remotely).

By using a sensor that attaches to your firearm, you can track your trigger control, reaction time, and even how you draw the firearm with their free smartphone app.

MantisX Features

Other Mantis X Models

MantisX X10 Review – Our Take

There should be no surprises here – we started this Mantis X review by explaining that we love this system and it is our new favorite training tool.

So, why do we love it so much?

Great question.

Although MantisX has been around for a few years, we hadn’t heard of them until SHOT Show 2020. I was called over to their booth to check out what they offer and… well… it looked gimmicky. A little device that clips onto a firearm and that uses an app to make you a better shooter?

Well, my “no, thanks” turned into a “hell yes, please” after I tried it.

Here’s a bit of a housekeeping note: If you’re someone who’s unwilling to see how the Mantis X system can make you a better shooter (e.g. you think you don’t have room for improvement or refuse to consider how this tool can make you better), you might as well leave now because you’’d spend your time better checking out gun-bunnies on Instagram.

Still here? Awesome.

For my standards, I’m an “ok” pistol shot. I enjoy shooting pistols, I used to spend a lot of time competing in IPSC/3-gun matches (I try to avoid IDPA matches like the plague – or is “like Covid” more appropriate?) and I even have my “E-ticket” from Gunsite.

However, long-guns have always been my specialty and more tax dollars have been spent training me in the military as a special operations sniper than I’ll likely ever pay back. 🙂

So, when I score about 90% with the Mantis X drills, it makes sense. I’m better than most, but far from the best.

However, within two days of using my MantisX X10, I can shoot more accurately. I kid you not. I am not noticeable faster, but I can now shoot tiny little ragged holes with my pistol when I often avoided shooting anything but steel because I liked shooting fast and not being accountable for perfect accuracy.

I shot mediocre groups on paper before. I laugh when I see the little tiny groups I shoot now. There is ZERO hesitation when I say that about 2 hours with the Mantis X system made the difference.

I really saw the difference with my friends who aren’t as familiar with pistols. I’ve seen them shoot at the range, use the MantisX system for a few weeks and improve from 50%-ish results up to 85-90%-ish results and then shoot again at the range. Their improvement is 100% noticeable with real ammo on real targets.

Before I used MantisX, I would dry fire a LOT. But, the only measure of how well I was doing was whether I saw the front sight of my pistol move. With the MantisX system, I had real feedback before and during the “shot” that I could use to improve.

I’m known for telling my sniper students that I’d rather they do something wrong and know why it was wrong than do something right and not know why or how. This is because once you know what’s wrong, you can fix it. If you don’t know what you did right, you can’t do it again.

This is clearly the reason I love the Mantis X system. Every other tool I have used, including live-fire on targets, will tell you whether you succeeded in making a good shot or not. The HUGE missing piece has always been not being able to know what you did right or wrong.

The MantisX system fixes that.

Back to SHOT Show: When I was asked (as I am non-stop during the show) what I have seen that I liked, I sent everyone to 2 booths: the MantisX booth and the Decibullz booth. Folks were shocked that my two recommendations were for accessories but I think that these are both game-changers and close to necessary for shooters.

In the app, I recommend that everyone use the MantisX Benchmark test as the very first thing they do. It will help you see your improvement even after only a few minutes. After that, you can go through the various drills they offer, see great results (including a trace of your firearm before the shot) and get coaching to fix common problems.

Having the sensor attached to the dust-cover of my pistol via the accessory rail is nice, but I really think that the magazine baseplate option is much better. With the magazine baseplate adapter, you can use your current holster (and maybe even pistol light) to train with. With the X10 system, this allows you to analyze your draw stroke.

As you’re getting better and if you’re like me, having fun, you’ll want to link up with your friends on the system. You can search for and add friends in the app to compare results, hold each other accountable for training, and compete.

If you get the MantisX system, share your benchmark score in the comments below, or, better, yet, find me in the app (I’m “cleckner”) and let me see how you’re doing and remind me to get off the computer and practice more.

MantisX Pros and Cons

MantisX Accessories

There’s one accessory for the MantisX system that I believe is an absolute must-have for your MantisX system, and that’s the Magazine Baseplate Adapter.

The Mantis X magazine baseplate adapter isn’t just one size fits all. For example, the one above fits the Glock 43. However, they make a bunch of different adaptability options for different makes and models. This adapter allows you to continue to use your standard carry holster to train which allows you to perfect your draw stroke without having to fire a shot.