So, why should you learn about dryfire training at home? Well, just for starters, ammo ain’t cheap, range time takes time, and some days you just don’t feel like packing up and driving 30 minutes just to punch a few holes in paper. We get it. Between work or school, kids or colleagues, and the 14,000 other things life throws at you, it’s hard to train as much as you should.

Good news, though: there’s a way to keep your skills sharp without spending a dime on ammo or stepping foot outside your house. It’s called dry fire training, and it’s the not-so-secret weapon of top-tier shooters, tactical nerds, and everyday concealed carriers who want to get better without going broke.

Let’s break it down for you.

What the Heck is Dry Fire?

Dry fire is simply the act of practicing with your firearm without any live ammunition. No bang, no brass flying, no holes in the drywall (hopefully). Just good old-fashioned trigger time.

It includes everything from practicing your draw stroke to refining your reloads and sharpening your sight alignment. You can even run full drills right there in your living room (hey, you’re already spending hours on Call of Duty in there right?).

Why Dry Fire Works (And Why You Should Be Doing It)

You know that saying, “Amateurs practice until they get it right, pros practice until they can’t get it wrong”? That’s dry fire in a nutshell. It’s reps without recoil, letting you build muscle memory, speed, and consistency without burning through a single round of 9mm.

Here’s what you get:

• Better trigger control (goodbye, flinch)
• Faster draw times (because half a second matters)
• Improved accuracy (when it counts most)
• A whole lot more practice (because it’s FREE)

If you’re serious about results, a great place to start is the MantisX guide to getting better with laser targets. It’s a killer breakdown on using feedback to train smarter.

Is It Safe for Your Gun?

Short answer: yes, unless you’re running a rimfire (those .22s are a little sensitive). Most modern centerfire firearms are built tough enough to handle dry firing without issue. That said, if you want to baby your gun, pick up a few snap caps or dummy rounds—your firing pin will thank you.

How to Get Started Without Screwing It Up

Look, this isn’t rocket science, but there are a few ground rules to keep your dry fire sessions productive—and safe.

Step 1: Clear your firearm. Triple-check. Then check again.

We don’t care if you just checked it. Check it again.

Step 2: Find a safe direction and a solid backstop.

No, your TV doesn’t count. Think brick wall, fireplace, or a cardboard target with a Kevlar vest behind it if you’re feelin’ fancy.

Step 3: Make a plan.

Don’t just stand there like a confused mall ninja. Write down a few drills—draws, reloads, presentations—and stick to ’em. Need a place to start? Check out these two pistol drills MantisX recommends. They’re simple, practical, and straight from the pros.

Step 4: Keep your training kit separate.

No live ammo in the same room. Not on the same shelf. Not even in the same zip code, if possible. Accidents happen when people get lazy.

Step 5: Keep it short and sharp.

10–15 minutes is all you need. Quit while you’re still focused. Sloppy reps build sloppy habits, and we’re not here for that.

Bonus Tip: Add a Little Tech

If you want to kick things up a notch, grab a smart training device like the MantisX system. It attaches to your gun and gives you real-time feedback on everything from trigger pull to grip alignment. It’s like having a coach that doesn’t eat all your snacks or judge your form in sweatpants.

Wrap-Up: Train Smart, Stay Sharp

Dry fire is the hidden gem of firearms training, and it’s one of the smartest things you can do to stay sharp between range days. It’s cheap, safe, effective, and yes—dare we say it—kinda fun.

So grab your pistol, clear it, and start stacking reps. Because when the time comes to go loud, all those quiet hours will pay off big.

Need gear for dry fire practice?

Come visit us at Adventure Gear South—we’ve got everything from snap caps and timers to full-blown dry fire laser systems. And if you’re not sure what you need, just ask. We don’t bite. Unless you try to dry fire at our coffee machine.