[SHOT 2022] Mantis Blackbeard AR Dry Fire Trainer

Mantis showed off their Blackbeard AR Dry Fire Training System at SHOT Show 2022 Industry Range Day. This unique system is a drop-in replacement for the bolt carrier group and charging handle of a standard AR-15. It also uses a battery pack in the magazine well, which powers the Blackbeard and resets the trigger after each pull. Instead of constantly racking the charging handle to the rear, you simply pull the trigger again and again.

The battery pack/magazine is advertised to last up to 100,000 shots between charges. It also features Indicator lights on the magazine, which display the percentage of battery remaining with the push of a button.

The version of the Blackbeard on display featured a green laser unit, but it is also available with a red laser, an infrared laser, or no laser at all. The controls for the laser are accessible through the ejection port. The laser can be locked in a “constant on” mode for zeroing, as opposed to the quick flash that happens with each trigger pull in normal mode.

Laser-equipped Blackbeards can be used with the Mantis Laser Academy system. Simply put, Laser Academy is a app which uses the camera in your cell phone to view laser “hits” on targets. This allows you to track times and scores while dry firing. Even without the Laser Academy system, the laser can still be used to help you see your hits on normal household dry fire targets like light switches.

The Blackbeard was previously featured in our 12 Days of Christmas gift ideas guide for good reason. It costs $199 without a laser, $219 with a red laser, or $249 with a green or IR laser.

Product Specifications

• 650 nm, 60ms – Red laser
• 520 nm, 60ms – Green laser
• 780 nm, 60ms – IR laser