By Michael A. Black | Contributing Editor
Images courtesy of Mantis
Mantis is a weapons system company specializing in combining shooting instruction with digital enhancement to provide instant digital analysis and feedback, and their latest product is the Blackbeard X, an upgrade of their Blackbeard dry-firing device which can transform your AR-15 to a training rifle.
This innovative company specializes in using high tech apps that help a shooter improve his or her skills with firearms and also offers an impressive selection of shooting drills designed to help take your marksmanship to the next level. The company is a regular at the annual Shot Show in Las Vegas both on the convention floor and at the Industry Day at the Range event at the Boulder Range.
The company’s flagship device is the MantisX, a unique sensor device that attaches to the accessory rails of your weapon. This accessory is about the size of a laser/flashlight attachment and is made of lightweight durable plastic. It’s secured with a single bolt and measures the movement of your firearm through your trigger-pull. (It is important to note that it can be used on pistols and rifles alike, and also on archery bows.)
Tiny gyroscopes in the MantisX smart sensor continuously track even the slightest movement of your firearm before, during, and after every shot to provide an immediate computerized analysis. The device simultaneously sends this data to your smart phone, tablet, or computer precisely detailing the exact movements and patterns. This enables the Mantis app to immediately tell you what was wrong with your trigger-pull and offer tips on how to correct it.
Many of the things which affect your shooting, such as the ever-so-slight dipping of the muzzle in anticipation of the recoil, can adversely affect your shooting. The shooter is often unaware of these little quirks, many of which are too slight to be observed by a range instructor who’s standing behind you. The Mantis X provides the range instructor a simultaneous evaluation and allows him to provide corrective instruction. The app also provides a computerized explanation in case you’re using the device by yourself. You simply press the TRAIN button and an on-screen explanation detailing what corrective action is necessary will appear. There’s also a special adapter kit available that fits on the magazine for weapons that do not have rails.
The Mantis X sensor is activated with the press of a button, and takes only a few seconds to calibrate after connecting with the special app on your tablet, smart phone, or computer. The shooter must input some basic information for the diagnosis, such as if the shooter is right or left handed, what type of weapon is being fired, and whether the session is dry-fire, live fire, or using an air-gun. There are numerous shooting drills available on the app that emphasize engaging multiple targets and even offer an in-depth analysis of drawing your weapon from its holster and firing.
The Blackbeard was primarily designed for the AR-15 rifle. It was introduced at the 2022 Shot Show and features a specially designed bolt carrier group and battery-powered magazine made of durable polymer. Its unique orange color makes it very distinguishable from a regular magazine. It fits into the rifle just as the regular bolt carrier and locks in place with a cotter pin. The magazine is then inserted. (This entire process of removal and insertion takes about 10 to 20 seconds.)
The rifle can then be dry-fired in rapid succession without any recharging of the trigger between shots. The Blackbeard electromechanically resets the trigger just as if you’d fired an actual round. There’s also a laser that shows you where you’re hitting. You can fire up to ten dry fire shot per second, depending on the dexterity of your finger. The magazine, which contains a battery pack that powers the dry firing, is good for 75,000 shots and requires no gun modifications. It also has the same trigger weight, break and reset.
It’s ideal for military and police training scenarios, such as building searches and practicing the engagement of multiple targets. Safety wise, there’s zero chance of having an accidental discharge during one of these training sessions. With this built-in safety factor, the Blackbeard can be used in virtually any location, not just on the range or in specially built live-fire houses, without the danger of doing any damage while also offering realistic, hands-on training without the expense of using live ammo.
The new Blackbeard X uses the same bolt-carrier cartridge as the Blackbeard, but comes with an upgraded 30-round-sized magazine that can interface with all the apps and training drills available in the flagship Mantis X. This offers some new enhancements that provide previously unparalleled data, such as providing the amount of time the shooter is on target before squeezing the trigger, how long the transition time is between targets, and the movement arc in transitioning between various targets. It can now be connected to all of the training drills available on the downloadable apps.
These drills allow the shooter to practice firing at multiple targets and immediately provides analytical data on the shooter’s movement patterns and trigger pull. A display of colored trace lines delineates the movement arcs in transitioning between multiple targets and analyze the effectiveness of each engagement, indicating wasted or extraneous movement patterns.
A detailed shot-by-shot breakdown shows how long the shooter stayed on target post-shot and how much time was spent transitioning from one target to the next. It shows how the speed changes were impacted by the shooter’s movements, and how these movements were affected by the speed changes. A detailed shot-by-shot breakdown of how long the shooter stayed on target post-shot is also provided.
As previously stated, the new Blackbeard X allows you to use the same bolt carrier assembly as the previous Blackbeard editions when you upgrade to the newer, Blackbeard X. You simply have to purchase the new, 30-round magazine. You can also upgrade by your previously purchased Blackbeard by simply exchanging the older 20-round magazine for the new one. (Details on how to do this are on the company website, MantisX.com.) It should be noted that all the apps associated with the company’s devices can be downloaded at no cost.
Blackbeard X is available to civilians, military, and police at a price ranging from $319 to $349, depending on the type of laser included. The laser modules come in red, which costs the least amount, and green, the more expensive color. There is also an infrared laser module option.
Mantis X proudly notes that all of their products are designed and manufactured in the USA, including the microchips in the devices.
For more information on the Mantis X products and the Blackbeard and the Blackbeard X, visit the Mantis website at WWW.MANTISX.COM.
