Bill Rogers of Rogers Shooting School has been applying common sense to shooting for quite some time. True to that mantra, Rogers, with its partner HolsterOps.com has relased the TRT, or Tap-Rack Training Aid. In short, these are inserts that go into the top of a magazine and keep the slide from locking back, allowing shooters to do active weapons manipulation and reloads without having live ammunition or dummy rounds (that always get lost under the couch).

What are the Tap-Rack Training Aids and Why Do They Help Training?

Rather than wax-on wasting electrons, Bill Rogers created a video breaking them down simple-style:

Performance of Tap-Rack Training Aids

The TRT’s come in very simple packaging in either 9mm/.40 (orange) or .45 (yellow) form. Removed from the packaging, they are very simple and very smooth plastics. The top of the TRT is shaped to engage the feed lips of a magazine and the bottom is designed to interface with most magazine followers. To use, insert the TRT on an empty magazine, insert into a pistol, and tap-rack-bang. Repeat cycle until you are tired and remove the TRT.

My only complaint is that the TRT does not work with a loaded magazine. I suspect this is purposeful to avoid ADs, but it does not allow you to train or practice with the weight of a loaded magazine. I would love to see an optional accessory weight available.

The Good

• Its really nice to use a product that works as advertised with no mess, no fuss, and no modifications needed to the parent weapon system.
• Bright colors make these easy to identify versus ammunition.

The Notable

• Available in two versions: 9mm/40 and .45. No word on other calibers though I would suspect the two would work for a larger gamut. I do not have weapons past the usual three, so I was not able to test it further.

The Bad:

• This is subjective but I really think they missed the bus by not molding these so they can be used with loaded magazines. Yes, some may complain about potential safety issues, but the fact would be the gun would load the plastic piece if it picked it up.

Final Thoughts:

These things are just plain simple… and that’s a good thing. Insert into a magazine and run all the tap-rack-(no) bang drills you want. The slide does not lock and the TRT never popped out, even under very vigorous full-speed practice.

For only $5 for 3 TRT’s available direct from HolsterOps.com, these are a no-brainer in my mind for training. I have thoroughly enjoyed them for 3-gun practice. Nothing like getting reps in while at home.