Cocking for Dry Fire - Novice Discovery

[Craig_AR]

OK, I just figured this out, even though many here may have known it for ages. This post is for other novices who may have shared my previous level of ignorance.

I just bought a MantisX for training, so now dry fire practice with my M&P 2.0 9mm requires cocking for each shot. For several days I was pulling the slide all the way back and releasing, as if chambering a round, for each cycle. Then I stumbled into the discovery that i need only pull the slide back about one quarter of the way and hold it as it closes, with no spring slamming it back. This makes re-cocking much quicker and easier, speeding the dry fire training, too.

Reading the thread Slingshot that slide a few moments ago prompted me to post this note.

 

[somethingbenign]

Nice find. I think the unsung benefit to dry fire is the familiarity you gain with your gun as you "play" with it in a safe fashion. Keep up the good work.

 

[murf]

a lot of bottom feeders work that way.

luck,

murf

 

[BreechFace]

Just a tip, the Taurus G3's are a great Mantis tool as they have second strike capabilities and ergonomics are similar to many other Glockish clones. So no re-racking for Mantis training.

 

[jmr40]

Most striker fired pistols do the same.

 

[LiveLife]

M&P 2.0 9mm ... need only pull the slide back about one quarter of the way ... This makes re-cocking much quicker and easier, speeding the dry fire training

Yes and like resetting the striker/hammer not requiring pulling the slide all the way back, resetting the trigger does not require returning all the way to front.

Resetting the trigger until it "clicks" allows faster follow up shots.

 

[MedWheeler]

Yeah, my Kel-Tecs are like that (P32 and PF9.) You can even "second-try" a dud round at the range by doing that.

Before I discovered that myself, I was loading all five Snap-Caps in the magazine for dry-fire practice, then repeating after five clicks. Now, I only need one.

 

[nofendertom]

I have seen many 1911 shooters rack the slide to cock the hammer rather than just cock the hammer.

 

[wiscoaster]

Isn't it great to learn something new about your firearm? Yeah!! Keep on that path!!

 

[LoonWulf]

I have seen many 1911 shooters rack the slide to cock the hammer rather than just cock the hammer.

admittedly I catch myself doing that.........

 

[Shawn Dodson]

https://www.dryfiremag.com/

 

[Craig_AR]

https://www.dryfiremag.com/

Dang it, you just cost me $80!

For all.. check it out. They have a discount code sale on, $20 off any standard DFM mag.
Also, they are selling a DryFireMag with MantisX built in (DFMX) for Glocks and S&W models. ($20 code does not apply to the DFMX, but LE/Mil/1st Responder can get the $10 discount on the DFMX.)
Note that the MantisX 3 and 10 support both dry fire and live fire; the DFMX obviously supports only dry fire.

 

[mpofficer31a]

I use laser trainers in the same way, but be aware of the potential to learn bad habits...

You don't want to get a in situation where you learn muscle memory to only partially move your slide. If you ever need to fix a malfunction in a bad situation, you could revert to a bad habit at the worst time possible...

Not to get preachy, but when your stressed, you will do what you do most often.

 

[Archer]

I use laser trainers in the same way, but be aware of the potential to learn bad habits...

You don't want to get a in situation where you learn muscle memory to only partially move your slide. If you ever need to fix a malfunction in a bad situation, you could revert to a bad habit at the worst time possible...

Not to get preachy, but when your stressed, you will do what you do most often.

You just saved me a lot of typing, I was about to write the same.

 

[Craig_AR]

You don't want to get a in situation where you learn muscle memory to only partially move your slide. If you ever need to fix a malfunction in a bad situation, you could revert to a bad habit at the worst time possible...
Not to get preachy, but when your stressed, you will do what you do most often.

That is the very point made in several of the testimonial videos for DryFireMag. One reviewer admitted to spending several days dry firing at home, then on the range racking his slide out of habit after a shot, spewing a live round to the ground.

And that is why I popped for dry fire mag after looking over the site and videos.

Note: the current models do not work with laser trainers, but apparently the company is working on a version that can operate with laser trainers.

 

[Archer]

Even ball-and-dummy drills can bite you this way. I make sure I do an actual tap-rack-bang whenever I run B&D drills, for the same basic reason- under stress you'll default to the things you do the most in training.

 

[Spats McGee]

Maybe I'm just too cheap for my own good, but for $16, I went with this barrel blocker: https://www.amazon.com/BarrelBlok-F...ds=dry+fire+barrel+plug&qid=1600720283&sr=8-4

 

[Craig_AR]

https://www.dryfiremag.com/

Important info about the Dry Fire Mag!
The Dry Fire Mag (DFM) for my M&P 2.0 arrived today.
It does not work with my Mantis X3. I ran the Mantis Shot Detection diagnostic three times to confirm that the X3 was not reacting to the DFM trigger click.
I just got off the phone with DFM tech support desk, from whom I learned that the Mantis cannot feel the DFM trigger click when mounted on the rail. The Mantis must be mounted on the bottom of the DFM to react to the trigger click.
Major Update after MantisX Help 9-23-20.
Stephen at MantisX told me that using the DFM usually need a change in the MantisX
Settings Shot Detection Mode from Dry to SIRT/DFM.
That worked@
I can now happily use the DFM with my MantisX3.

 

[Spats McGee]

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

 

[Craig_AR]

...[/QUOTE]
Major Update after MantisX Support 9-23-20

See the earlier report: Stephen at MantisX Support helped by telling me to change the MantisX App Settings Shot Detection Mode from Dry to SIRT/DFM. Success!
I am keeping the DryFireMag.

 

[Craig_AR]

I am keeping the DryFireMag.

To ensure clear update on this thread for anyone following see above. MantisX Support helped me adjust the MantisX App for Settings: Shot Detection Mode from Dry to SIRT/DFM to allow it to detect the DFM shots.
I have canceled my refund request with DFM and am happily training with the two items.