Dry Fire Training with a SIRT Pistol (Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger)
Dry fire pistol training is realistic and highly valued for defensive tactics, personal self-defense, law enforcement and military training. Here are examples of what leading firearm experts and information providers have to say about dry-fire training and the SIRT Pistol.
SWAT MAGAZINE: Excepted from an article by Monte Gould – SWAT Magazine (swatmag.com/article/sirt/training/pistol/)
The SIRT Pistol is tremendously convenient for high-volume training. The lasers help identify mechanical trigger issues, ensuring proper trigger mechanics and sight alignment when breaking the trigger.
It allows you to focus on prepping the trigger, the break, re-set, and proper trigger control, all this while forcing the shooter to focus on the sights correctly and never having to fire a shot.
SIRT is not a replacement for live-fire training, but a supplement. There is no recoil impulse simulation or slide operation during use.
The SIRT Pistol is an incredible training tool. It is ideal for training in vehicles in place of real weapons and for safety during demonstrations. It can be routinely used when demonstrating entry tactics and/or building search methodologies. It’s an excellent tool for students during the “crawl, walk, run” phases of training inside locations and during complex exercises for safety.
Law enforcement agencies are using SIRT Pistols, having integrated them into defensive tactics training. SIRT is a perfect training tool for anyone who owns or carries a weapon. Many federal, state, and local police agencies and branches of the U.S. Military are now using these devices and integrating them into regular training.
GUNS & AMMO MAGAZINE: Excerpted from an article by -Richard Nance, Guns & Ammo – September 30, 2020
Dry-fire training is excellent for maintaining and improving our pistol skills. Mike Hughes, a former patent attorney, USPSA shooter and a contestant on “Top Shot,” founded Next Level Training in 2010. Hughes invented a professional-grade laser-training pistol that offered similar handling characteristics as a loaded pistol. The pistol features a “Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger,” hence the name “SIRT.”
A credit to Next Level Training’s engineering, SIRT pistol dimensions are so exact that they fit holsters designed for the live-fire pistols. Weight is also similar, which adds to these pistols’ realistic handling.
The simulated magazine, also weighted, is removable in the same manner as a live-fire pistol. Practicing reloads with extra magazines is very beneficial.
In training with them, I’ve come to appreciate the attention to detail. Front and rear sights closely replicate the sights on a Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P, so the aiming process is familiar.
The resetting trigger is a benefit to training because the slide doesn’t cycle between shots. The trigger’s functionality and feel extremely close, meaning dry-fire trigger repetitions will transfer to live-fire shooting.
SIRT pistols have two lasers. The first is a red take-up indictor, which is illuminated by pressure on the trigger. This feature reinforces proper trigger prep and reset. Resist the temptation to use this laser to aim or deactivate it with the flick of a switch.
The second laser is the red- or optional green-shot indicator. This laser is illuminated when the trigger breaks, and it represents where the shot would have impacted. A dot indicates a smooth trigger press while a dash indicates trigger control that needs work. Such feedback is what we’re after.
USCCA: Excerpted from an article by the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) – 12/14/2019
“Shot Indicating” refers to the laser that shows where a round would impact on the target. “Resetting Trigger” is the ability of the trigger to be repeatedly prepped, shot and reset. This is an advantage over dry-firing with most semi-autos because you don’t have to cycle an action for every trigger pull.
A SIRT pistol is a simulation training tool because you can practice factors such as trigger control, grip and follow-up shots. It is also helpful for practicing skills that typically are not permitted at the range, such as shooting from the ground (simulating that you fell down or were immobilized) or shooting in and around a vehicle.
NOTE: Additionally, you can practice skills and critical techniques that would otherwise not be safe with a live firearm like stripping, retaining, disarms, etc.
Responsibly protecting ourselves and our loved ones demands constant work and improvement. The SIRT pistol provides protectors with a means to hone their bodies and minds.
NRA WOMEN: “What Neuroscience Confirms about Dry Fire Practice” by Becky Yackley posted on October 10, 2022
“We fall to the level of our training.”
There is a quote many who teach firearms skills like to reference. “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” The origin of this quote is traced back to ancient Greece and Greek lyrical poet, Archilochus.
The reason that people like to apply this quote to practice with firearms (or any martial art) is that it highlights the human brain’s likelihood to default to our habits. Default to what we know, the muscle memory or repetition that we have built up is what will likely be our “default” mode.
NOTE (as previously noted): Practicing skills that typically are not permitted at the range, such as shooting from the ground (simulating that you fell down or were immobilized) or shooting in and around a vehicle are critically necessary.
Performing skills and critical techniques that would otherwise not be safe with a live firearm like stripping, retaining, disarms, etc. are equally critical to developing excellence in concealed carry and defensive firearm tactics and abilities.
Further, it is vastly important to practice under stress with time and distance pressure. Dry fire training delivers these concepts in high degree. It goes quite a distance beyond typical firing line range skills.
A GIRL AND A GUN: Dry-fire Practice – Essential Training by Julianna Crowder- January 8, 2019 (https://www.agirlandagun.org/tag/dry-fire/)
Dry-fire practice is an essential part of your training. When done correctly, dry-fire practice reinforces safe gun handling habits as well as a convenient (and inexpensive) way to build your skills using repetition without having to be at the range.
Dryfiring is the practice of “firing” a firearm without live ammunition present, while practicing the manipulation of a firearm with an inert training platform such as a SIRT training firearm or other tools that measure performance. It does not only mean pulling the trigger, it can also be used for practicing drawing from the holster, loading/reloading, sight picture and many other skills. A lot can be accomplished with dry fire practice, it is a valuable part of training that often gets missed!
Dry-fire practice will develop shooting-related motor skills and help you be in “auto pilot” mode when using your firearm. Dryfire practice is excellent at identifying and fixing bad habits such as flinching, eye blinking, and lack of follow-through.
Here are 6 benefits from our friend Mike Ox at Dryfire Cards and why he says dry fire practice is so important for you:
- Learn how to grip your gun so that the sights AUTOMATICALLY come into alignment—without conscious thought—every time you draw.
- With the right grip, your sights will automatically come back into perfect alignment after each shot so you can shoot fast, accurate follow-up shots.
- Vision drills and tips that will allow you to aim faster and easier, even if you are cross-eye dominant or have trouble seeing your front sight clearly.
- Learn a single technique that will allow you to confidently hit targets from 10 feet to 100 yards (or more).
- You’ll learn how to train SMARTER so that you can improve 10x as much using 1/10th the time and money as shooters who only do “traditional” training.
- You’ll learn specific ways to practice so that your skill level won’t fall off a cliff under high stress.
It is possible to shoot 2x faster and 2x tighter groups in only 21 days using techniques that cost less than a single trip to the range!
Dry-Fire Training Gear includes SIRT Laser Training Pistol – safe, effective, and innovative. The Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger (SIRT) Training Pistol was developed by shooters for shooters, to complement, not replace, live fire training. It is a training pistol with the look, feel and approximate weight a real firearm provides enhanced dry-fire practice. The Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger (SIRT) system assists shooters in developing proper grip and trigger control without spending money on ammunition. The auto-resetting trigger activates two lasers – one when pressure is applied to the trigger and the other displays “shot” placement. Features standard sights and a functional magazine release that enables users to practice reloads using the included weighted training magazine. Those that have used the SIRT say they have experienced a significant increase in performance in their shooting abilities. The extra daily practice, even as little as concise 10 second drills a day, can add huge gains over time.