Revolutionizing Dry Fire Practice: An In-Depth Review of the Mantis TitanX Training Pistol

Based on the YouTube Video:

Title: Mantis TitanX Review: Dry Fire Training Pistol for Better Shooting Accuracy with Mark Kelley

Channel: On The Range Podcast

Upload Date: January 13, 2026

Duration: Approximately 12 minutes 50 seconds

Link: https://youtu.be/2RvEDqzBaz4

Mantis TitanX Review: Dry Fire Training Pistol for Better Shooting Accuracy with Mark Kelley

Introduction

In the world of firearms training, dry fire practice stands out as a fundamental yet often underutilized method for honing shooting skills. As Mark Kelley, owner of Kelley Defense and co-host of the On The Range Podcast, explains at the video's opening (0:00), "When it comes to firearms training, you can never do enough dryfire. And if you're not doing it, you need to start or you're never going to reach anywhere near your full potential." This sentiment sets the stage for a detailed review of the Mantis TitanX, a new dry fire training pistol designed to make practice more engaging and effective. Kelley stresses that "80% of your training should be dryfire training" (0:00), highlighting its role in building muscle memory without live ammunition. The TitanX, modeled after popular Glock pistols, incorporates a visible laser for instant feedback, allowing users to see shot placement during trigger pulls. Priced under $200, this tool promises accessibility for Glock owners seeking realistic drills. The video, featuring hands-on demonstrations, underscores why such innovations could transform routine practice into a pathway for improved accuracy and confidence.

The Critical Role of Dry Fire Training Mantis Review

Dry fire training forms the backbone of the discussion in the video, with Kelley repeatedly emphasizing its necessity for skill development. At 0:00, he asserts that without consistent dry fire, shooters limit their progress, as it allows for repetitive practice of fundamentals like trigger control and sight alignment. The Mantis TitanX is positioned as a solution to common barriers in dry fire, such as lack of engagement or feedback.

• Benefits Highlighted: Kelley notes that dry fire enables safe, cost-effective training at home, focusing on mechanics without the need for range time or ammo. As discussed at 0:42, the TitanX enhances this by providing immediate visual cues through its laser, helping users identify issues like trigger jerking.

• Comparison to Traditional Methods: While traditional dry fire with real firearms is effective, Kelley points out at 9:06 that tools like the TitanX add excitement, encouraging more frequent sessions. He shares personal use cases, such as integrating it with timers for draws and reloads (8:20).

  
  

Visually, the video supports this section with close-up shots of Kelley handling the pistol, demonstrating trigger pulls that activate the laser dot on a target, illustrating the tactile and visual feedback loop (3:04).

Unboxing and Initial Setup

The video dives into the practical aspects starting with an unboxing segment, showcasing the TitanX's packaging and components to give viewers a sense of what to expect. At 0:42, Kelley opens the box, revealing a sturdy carrying case that houses the pistol and accessories. He describes the contents in detail: "It comes in this nice box in this case... You have the pistol itself, which is a Glock 19... They have the Glock 19, the Glock 17, and the Glock 45" (0:42).

• Included Items:  

  • The TitanX pistol, a lightweight replica in bright reddish-orange for safety.

  • Two spare weighted magazines that mimic the feel of a loaded 15-round Glock 19 magazine.

  • Instructional cards for quick reference.

  • A USB-C charging cable for the battery.

  • A sticker and an Allen wrench for adjustments.

Kelley comments on the pistol's weight at 3:04, noting it's "super, super light" compared to a real Glock but gains realism with the magazines inserted. The unboxing visuals include Kelley laying out each item on a table, with camera zooms on the pistol's features like the trigger safety and ambidextrous magazine release (3:04). This section emphasizes ease of use, as the device is "straight out of the box ready to go" (9:06), requiring minimal setup beyond charging and target placement.Design Features and FunctionalityA core part of the review focuses on the TitanX's build and operational features, which Kelley demonstrates extensively. At 3:04, he highlights the pistol's design: "It has the trigger safety on the actual trigger... The action does not rack... It’s got a Picatinny rail... It’s milled out for an optic and it’ll take an RMR and an RMR C."

• Key Design Elements:  

  • Laser System: Activated by the trigger, the laser emits a visible dot for shot tracking. A top button allows mode switching—short press for constant mode, another for blinking (5:32). Kelley shows this in action, noting, "You can actually see where the dot is when you depress the trigger" (3:04).

  • Trigger Mechanism: Features a tactile reset with an audible click, closely mimicking a real Glock. As Kelley states at 3:04, "This has a trigger reset... You can hear the click, you can hear the reset."

  • Adjustability and Compatibility: The laser's point of impact is adjustable via the Allen wrench for windage and elevation (3:04). It includes a Picatinny rail for lights and an optic cut for RMR/RMC sights. The battery port is on the side, with ambidextrous controls.

    
    

The video's visuals are particularly helpful here, with slow-motion close-ups of trigger pulls and laser activation against a wall target (5:32), allowing viewers to see the dot's movement and understand how it aids in diagnosing shooting errors. Kelley also mentions the fixed action as a limitation, preventing slide racking (9:06).

App Integration and Practical Training Drills

The TitanX's integration with technology elevates it beyond a basic replica, as explored in the video's mid-section. At 6:10, Kelley explains the Bluetooth pairing: "This will connect to some multiple apps that Mantis has... by just pushing it and putting it next to the phone or the iPad... for the Mantis Laser Academy or just the Mantis X."

• Setup Process:  

  1. Pair the pistol with the app on a phone or tablet.

  2. Mount a target (e.g., B8 bullseye or silhouette) on the wall.

  3. Align the device's camera with the app to track shots.

     
     

Kelley praises the constant laser mode for "a much more expedient way of training" (6:10), providing instant feedback on stability and aim. For real-world applications, he demonstrates holster compatibility at 8:20: "This being a replica training aid for the Glock 19, it fits perfectly in all my holsters for my Glock 19... The magazines fit in the magazine pouches really well." He describes drills like holster draws with a pro timer and tactical reloads, annotating times in a Firearms Training Notebook (8:20).Screen recordings in the video show the Mantis app interface, displaying shot analysis and target hits (6:10), reinforcing how the tool turns solitary practice into data-driven improvement.

Advantages, Limitations, and User Considerations

Kelley provides a balanced assessment of the TitanX's strengths and weaknesses, ensuring viewers get a "no BS overview" (0:00). In the pros/cons segment at 9:06, he lists several advantages.

• Pros:  

  • Immediate usability: "All you have to do is take it out of the case, have something to aim at on the wall, and you can pull the trigger" (9:06).

  • Versatile feedback: Steady or blinking laser for checking dot stability and trigger control.

  • Realistic feel: Close trigger reset, ambidextrous features, and optic options.

  • Affordability: "This is under $200... compared to other devices that were close to 400 bucks" (9:06).

• Cons:  

  • Not a real firearm: "You’re not using your actual firearm... The trigger is pretty good, but it’s not exact" (9:06).

  • Fixed action: Limits practice on magazine releases and speed changes.

  • Optic limitations: Only supports RMR and Shield RMRC, which may not suit all users.

Visually, Kelley gestures to the pistol while discussing these points, with no new demonstrations but references to earlier footage (9:06).

Conclusion

The Mantis TitanX emerges from the video as a practical tool for enhancing dry fire training, particularly for owners of Glock 19, 17, or 45 models. Key takeaways include its emphasis on making practice accessible and engaging through laser feedback, app integration, and realistic handling, all while underscoring that "80% of your training should be dryfire" (0:00). With features like adjustable lasers, weighted magazines, and holster compatibility, it addresses common training gaps, though limitations such as the fixed action and optic restrictions remind users it's a supplement, not a replacement, for live fire. As Kelley concludes at 10:10, "If you have a Glock 19, a Glock 17, and a Glock 45, and you feel that you don’t do enough dryfiring and you believe that this would get you excited about doing dryfire, I think you should consider it." In a field where consistency is key, the TitanX prompts the question: How much untapped potential lies in overlooked dry fire sessions?

On The Range Podcast Team