Training: SIRT vs Laser vs Airsoft vs Dry Fire

[lenkevy]

My sole gun is a Glock 43. Along with maintaining muscle memory, I'd like to become a little more accurate. I haven't found a G43 training gun, except for a Blue Gun which I don't want because I can't practice trigger control. Therefore, it seems I can:

1. Buy a SIRT, Laser or Airsoft. There are no compact Glocks from these companies, so I would have to buy a non-Glock compact training gun. The Walther PPS airsoft-style gun, for example, might be a decent substitute as it is similar in size and trigger to the G43. SIRT has a generic compact pistol, but it doesn't have a Glock-style trigger.

2. Buy a SIRT, Laser or Airsoft replica of a Glock 19. Although it is larger than my G43, it is a Glock with similar trigger.

3. Dry fire my G43 with caps. The issue here is that I can't tell if my accuracy is improving. With one of the other guns, I know if I am hitting a target across the room.

I'm not Mr. Money Bags, but I don't need the cheapest option. I'd like the best options, and go from there. Thank you for your thoughts!

[rtadlock]

Try Laserlyte, it goes into the chamber and will work on any gun in that caliber. The firing pin/striker will hit the back of the lazerlyte like a snapcap and it will display a red dot. You can buy targets that will make a sound when you hit as well.

It does wear down after a couple of thousand times but the replacement backings are around $10 if I remember correctly.

[rodralig]

Get a Glock 19 or 17 and practice your fundamentals. If you are correctly practicing - it will carry over to your Glock 43.

I have gone through the works - I have a SiRT, had LaserAmmo, had the CoolFire; but I find that for the needs of most shooters, OLD SCHOOL is best.


Addednum:

• The SiRT doesn't really have the same trigger. It is flat-faced and a more predictable/consistent pull than a real Glock trigger.
• For accuracy - all you need to focus on is the front sight. Looking at the laser, etc. will teach you bad habits (NO follow through / NOT calling the shots). Google "handgun white wall drill" - this is what you need for accuracy.

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Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[1911su16b870]

FWIW SIRT now makes a sub-compact laser/trigger training aid.

I am a big fan of the Dry Fire Mag https://www.dryfiremag.com/ in the Glock pistol.

...or just do "traditional" dry fire work at home which only costs you time and no money bags...

Another thing about accuracy is really, really look at your front to rear sight alignment superimposed on the target. Equal height and equal light - front sight post "I" to rear sight "U" notch, a lot of folks think its good, but really off a bit...for RH shooters, low left is usally a combo of too much trigger finger on the trigger, not enough support hand pressure, dropping the gun to "see the holes" - lack of followthrough...

Dry fire will help, but remember the brain needs to learn to enjoy the bang of the cartridge firing-let it happen without interfering.

[Mute]

Dry fire is always a good thing, but the advantage of the SIRT is not having to cycle your slide to reset the trigger. Makes things a bit more convenient. Also there is software available to use with a webcam and a pc or tablet that has targeting programs that react to the laser on the SIRT.

[rodralig]

Dry fire is always a good thing, but the advantage of the SIRT is not having to cycle your slide to reset the trigger.

https://dryfiretrainingcards.com/blog/dry-fire-cord/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqISb13HJ7g

Makes things a bit more convenient. Also there is software available to use with a webcam and a pc or tablet that has targeting programs that react to the laser on the SIRT.

https://lasrapp.com/

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[Stumpfenhammer]

I have used everything mentioned so far in this thread and own a SIRT and airsoft -- if you like any of those things get them...but...all you need is your pistol, some dummy rounds, and a zip tie or folded piece of paper to keep the breech slightly open so you can get a little travel on the trigger.

If I'm doing single trigger pull drills I reset after each shot, if I'm doing multiple target drills I reset once before the drill, so I get a "click" on the first pull and I just pull the dead trigger on the subsequent targets (using the slightly-out-of-battery zip tie trick).

Not saying there isn't some value in a SIRT, airsoft, DryFire Mag, Laserlyte, Mantis, etc, but if you already know how to shoot they aren't requirements for an effective dry fire practice.

The SIRT is now used mainly for Combatives practice with a partner, hip shooting, and showing newbies how not to muzzle their feet.

YMMV of course

[nitroxdiver]

[tanks]

...


3. Dry fire my G43 with caps. The issue here is that I can't tell if my accuracy is improving. With one of the other guns, I know if I am hitting a target across the room.

...

If you are watching your front sight you can tell where it is when you pulled the trigger and even more important if it has moved after.

[baranski]

Use snap caps and a Mantis at the range, the snap caps will induce a dry fire and the mantis will pick up on your mistakes and record them.


Attend Front Sight.

[lenkevy]

Here is what I've decided:

If money was no object, I would buy a second G43. Then, I'd go to the Glock store and buy a trigger reset kit and magic bullet. That would allow me to train with a real Glock, not have to rack after every shot, and use a laser. For targets, see below. There is a good online video about the Glock set up.

My decision:

1. Buy the SIRT Pocket Pistol. From videos and reviews, it seems to be closer to the G43 than the LaserLyte...especially the size of the grip.

2. Buy two LaserLyte Steel Tyme targets. Super easy to set up for quick training. Plus, I like being able to sit down in the living room and practice trigger control and aiming from a chair as my wife watches Hallmark movies and I pretend to. I'll set the targets up around the room.

3. SIRT recommends the target software system from LASR. However, the LASR system requires that I take the time to pull out my computer or phone, align the camera, set up targets, get the software dialed in, etc. I don't want to always have to do that. If the LaserLyte seems lacking, I can buy the LASR target system later on. (SIRT pistols, by the way, work with both LASR and LaserLyte.)

4. As for Airsoft, I decided I didn't want to deal the BBs. When I want to train with live rounds, I am able to do so with a 10-minute drive to a friend's house who lives in the country and the location meets the county requirements for shooting.

Thanks for all the input! You guys are awesome...I always learn a lot when I post. Really do.

[JoyfulJoker]

Got this from Beau at T3 pros. Massive improvement in control and accuracy after 30 days. I do it whenever possible. I use a snap cap. I have a DA/SA pistol do SA is harder. I shoot DA better now.
Stopped using the mantis after learning this .

[lenkevy]

Got this from Beau at T3 pros. Massive improvement in control and accuracy after 30 days. I do it whenever possible. I use a snap cap. I have a DA/SA pistol do SA is harder. I shoot DA better now.
Stopped using the mantis after learning this .

Got what from Beau?

[JoyfulJoker]

https://pistol-training.com/archives/5185

[wurger]

Or you could buy a bunch of cheap 9mm, go to the range an actually shoot your actual gun.

Shooting airsoft is like 1/100 shooting a real gun.

That whole "muscle memory" thing is a load of crap if you aren't dealing with the real recoil, kaboom, smoke, and flash of shooting RS.

Airsoft "training" is really only relevant if you are going up against other people who are going to shoot you if you don't shoot them first. That is the value of airsoft.