Ever wish you could hone your shooting skills without stepping foot on the range? With ammunition prices constantly on the rise, dry fire training is the smart shooter’s secret weapon. Dry fire, the practice of using your firearm (unloaded, of course!) without live rounds, lets you build the fundamentals of marksmanship safely and conveniently in your own home.

The right dry fire training system can transform your practice sessions. Let’s take a look at the top picks for 2024 and find the best one to take your shooting to the next level.

Best dry fire training system

System #1: Mantis X10 Elite

Click here to get the Mantis X10

• Type: Sensor-based (attaches to your firearm)
• Best For: Trigger analysis, overall form refinement, experienced shooters seeking data-driven improvement.
  • Pros:Detailed shot tracking pinpoints specific improvements (anticipation, flinching, etc.)
  • App offers various training drills and challenges
  • Works for rifles and handguns
  • Cons:Higher price point
  • Requires some familiarity with the app for full value
• Price Range: $$$

System #2: Laser Ammo SureStrike

Click here to get the SureStrike Premium Plus Kit

• Type: Laser cartridge
• Best For: Pistol shooters, aiming practice, new gun owners prioritizing basics.
  • Pros:Affordable entry point into dry fire practice
  • Instant visual feedback on shot placement
  • Works with laser targets for interactive drills
  • Cons:No in-depth trigger control analysis
  • Primarily for handguns
• Price Range: $

Mantis Laser Academy – Standard Training Kit

System #3: SIRT Training Pistol

• Type: Dedicated training pistol (non-firing)
• Best For: Brand new shooters, learning safe firearm handling, recoil-sensitive individuals.
  • Pros:Simulates weight and feel of a real firearm
  • Promotes safe gun handling habits from the start
  • Resetting trigger for continuous practice
  • Cons:Doesn’t utilize your own firearm
  • Some shooters find it less “realistic” for draw practice
• Price Range: $$

System #4: CoolFire Trainer

• Type: CO2-powered recoil and reset simulation
• Best For: Shooters focused on realistic feeling practice, AR-platform practice.
  • Pros:Most realistic recoil sim compared to laser/sensor systems
  • Allows for magazine changes and malfunction drills
  • Can be used with your own upper for exact replication
  • Cons:Highest price point of most systems
  • Requires space and CO2 canisters
• Price Range: $$$$

System #5: DryFireMag

Click here to get the Dry Fire Training Magazine

• Type: Trigger reset for your own firearm
• Best For: Budget-minded shooters, shooters wanting realistic practice with their own gun.
  • Pros:Extremely affordable solution
  • Works with nearly any semi-auto pistol
  • Focuses purely on clean trigger reset
  • Cons:No shot analysis or target practice capability
  • Best as a supplement to other systems
• Price Range: $

LaserLyte LT-TTL Laser Trainer Pistol Full Size Glock 19

Conclusion

Dry fire training brings the range to your living room, and the right system accelerates your shooting progress while saving serious cash on ammo. Whether you’re a beginner building basics or an experienced shooter honing your edge, dry fire is the way to go. Remember, there’s no single “best” solution – what matters is finding the right tool to achieve your shooting goals!