What's Hot at SHOT 2024: Strikeman New Laser Training Products

Mantis is expanding its Blackbeard X dry-fire training system to accommodate AR-10, FN Scar (Heavy and Light), and AK-47 platforms. The system replaces the standard bolt carrier group and charging handle, allowing for rapid, simulated firing without racking the handle. This enables users to practice trigger control, reset, and sight alignment with their actual firearm's trigger weight and feel, using a battery-powered magazine.

This video reviews three top firearm training and gear products for 2025. It highlights the Dryfire Mag for striker-fired pistols, the 945 Industries Everyday Carry Bag for off-body concealed carry, and the Mantis Blackbeard X for AR-15 dry fire practice. The instructor emphasizes the importance of dry fire for improving trigger control and firearm proficiency.

This analysis from Active Self Protection, hosted by John Correia, breaks down a real-world self-defense incident where a clerk successfully defended against armed robbers. It highlights critical lessons on everyday carry, purposeful compliance, identifying 'go signals,' the importance of sighted fire over point shooting, and the consequences of staging firearms. The video emphasizes learning from mistakes to improve personal defensive strategies.

This video analyzes a critical incident where a father, a corrections officer, successfully defended his children from an armed robber in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Featuring insights from John Correia of Active Self Protection, the analysis covers the defensive intervention, legal justification, marksmanship, and crucial post-incident protocols. The Mantis Titan X smart laser training pistol is also highlighted for its realistic dry-fire practice capabilities.

This comprehensive comparison, informed by over six months of regular use by an experienced instructor, evaluates the Mantis Laser Academy and Strikeman dry-fire training systems. It details differences in packaging, accessories, app functionality, and performance, highlighting the Mantis Laser Academy's superior app features, accessory bundle, and reliable shot registration as key advantages over Strikeman, despite a higher price point. The expert recommends Mantis for serious dry-fire training.

This guide details the installation and use of the Mantis Blackbeard, a dry-fire training system for AR-15 rifles. It replaces the bolt carrier group and uses a magazine-shaped battery pack to allow for repeated trigger pulls without manually cycling the action. The system also incorporates a laser that fires with each trigger pull, aiding in sight alignment and trigger control practice, and can be zeroed to simulate point of impact.

This video provides an expert-level overview of a heavily customized AR-15, nicknamed the 'Zombie Destroyer', built for a thematic zombie apocalypse scenario. The build features an extensive accessory loadout including multiple optics, lasers, and flashlights, along with a high magazine capacity. The demonstration includes rapid fire, engagement of Tannerite targets, and unique shooting techniques, showcasing the rifle's capabilities and the instructor's proficiency.

This video details an extreme AR-15 meltdown test, pushing a custom build to its limits. Expert instructor Eric demonstrates the process, highlighting component durability and failure points under sustained fire. The test concludes with a catastrophic barrel failure after 830 rounds, providing valuable insights into the platform's resilience.

This guide details the process of conducting an extreme durability test on an AK-47 variant, specifically the Definitive Arms VEPR, as demonstrated by Iraqveteran8888. The test involves sustained full-auto fire to induce critical heat failure, followed by inspection of components like the barrel and gas block. The expert assessment highlights the rifle's resilience, lasting 895 rounds before failure, and compares its performance to other platforms.

This guide details a 700-round rapid-fire stress test on a Yugo M92 PAP AK-47 variant, demonstrating the platform's legendary durability under extreme heat. Performed by Eric from Iraqveteran8888, the test highlights safe handling of overheated firearms and concludes with a tribute to Mikhail Kalashnikov's engineering legacy. The firearm successfully completed the test despite significant heat buildup.