Here we are, a year into our two weeks lockdown. Many of us refuse to give up on our ability to train, which drives many of us to train at home. Firearms training at home limits us to a degree, but if you think you can’t retain or even build skills at home, you have another thing coming. Seriously, firearms training at home can be more than dry firing at a light switch for 15 minutes a day.
There are lots of methods, and we’ve talked about some. However, let’s talk about a few pieces of gear you can use at home to train. Equipment that can spice things up and make your firearms training at home much more dynamic and exciting.
1. MantisX
Dry fire firearms training at home completely changed with the advent of the MantisX dry fire device. Pop this bad boy on your rail, and you can receive feedback on everything from your trigger press to a poor grip. Dry fire is likely your at-home focus, but the MantisX measures live fire performance as well.
With the app, you get a metric ton of information that allows you to make corrections and identify faults. You can use the device on handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Plus, it can measure your draw, your gun swing, and more. There is even a series built into the app that walks you through a variety of training techniques.
2. Laser Dry Fire Cartridge
Laser dry cartridges also make dry fire training a lot more fun. These are some of my favorite training devices for firearms training at home. They look like a cartridge and squeeze into the chamber. When the firing pin strikes the rear, it shoots a little laser. The laser provides instant feedback on where you are aiming and where you are hitting.
Numerous targets and apps allow you to also capture where you are shooting and give you a reactive target system. Some are simple as apps that are aimed at a paper target that can detect the laser shot. Others are dedicated targets that do the same. They make firearms training at home a whole lot more fun.
3. PTS Barricade
Training for cover can be done with walls inside your home, but true barricade training is tricky. Good luck getting your significant other to allow you to drag in a Viking Tactics barrier. Instead, check out the PTS Barricade devices. The PTSB Lite corrugated plastic barricade, in particular, is the way to go for firearms training at home.
This little barrier weighs 2.7 pounds, has four barrier ports, folds up for easy storage, and is perfect for use inside and out. It’s perfect for both dry fire practice and live fire practice. The PTS Barricade system is perfect for training in the kitchen, the bedroom, on wherever else you can set a barrier up.
4. Replica BB Gun
Umarex and SIG Sauer absolutely rule the air gun market. SIG obviously just makes replicas of their guns, but Umarex makes replicas of tons of company’s guns. Both companies build 1:1 air guns that fit and function with holsters, mag pouches, and more. Models with reciprocating slides make it easy to learn to track sights, work reloads properly, and even practice repeated trigger pulls.
As far as fun goes, it’s hard to beat these BB guns for fun firearms training at home. Setting up a little BB gun range is easy to do and is perfectly safe as long as you have a simple backdrop. You can practice drawing and engaging, reloads, and combine it with your PTS Barricade to get some proper training in.
5. TRT Tap Rack Dry Fire Training Aids
If you want to do a little firearms training at home on the cheap, then the TRT Firearm Training Aids are a great investment. For ten bucks, you get devices that squeeze into your magazines and prevent the follower from engaging a last round bolt hold-open device.
The purpose is you can faithfully practice tap rack bang drills and reloading drills accurately. Since the bolt doesn’t lock to the rear, you can easily replicate the motions of the slide or charging handle. These devices are made for automatic pistols and rifles that use AR 15 magazines. They are super cheap and super handy.
Getting Your Reps In
Getting a little firearms training at home can be as fancy or as simple as you choose to make it. Having options will often increase the fun, and if it’s fun, you are more likely to pursue it. I’ve been using all of the above options, and there is something great about being able to train in pajama pants while listening to Joe Rogan’s Podcast. Hopefully, I’ve given you folks some food for thought on how to make your quarantine training a little more fun and more dynamic.
