At this year’s SHOT Show, Cool Fire brought along their newest models of their CO2-powered training system. The system will soon be available for the Springfield Hellcat and Hellcat Pro, SIG Sauer P365 and P365XL, the Glock 43 and Glock 43X.

So if you’re unfamiliar with how the Cool Fire Trainer works, here’s how they explain it:

Each pull of the trigger will activate the CO2-powered mechanism to cycle your pistol’s slide. We call this Semi-Automatic DryFire. Your hands will feel a realistic “kick,” which will force you to grip the pistol properly. Your trigger will reset for the next shot. Your eyes will need to reacquire the sight picture for the next shot.

The system uses your pistol’s existing frame and slide, all you have to swap out is the barrel. This means the profile of your pistol isn’t affected and you can train with your holster. The barrel contains the working parts and valves and a reservoir to hold the CO2. The trainer is made from nickel-plated aluminum. The idea is not to simulate exactly but to reset your slide for ‘semi-auto dry firing’ and to allow you to practice reacquiring your sight picture.

Cool Fire training system various sized for various types of pistols (Matt Moss/TFB)

The CO2 reservoir holds around the same number of shots (or perhaps a little more) than a standard magazine for the pistol. The first 10 shots produce a snappy, firm recoil which nicely approximates recoil. With successive firings and as the reservoir empties the recoil lessens and that’s the signal to refill your barrel reservoir. Cool Fire estimate:

• 20+ shots for typical long-slide pistols.
• 18+ shots for typical full size pistols
• 15+ shots for typical compact pistols,
• 10+ shots for typical subcompact pistols

The pistols I tried were filled with liquid CO2 but other CO2 options are available. The recoil system can be coupled with a visible red laser which attaches to the end of the ‘barrel’, this helps you track your effect on target, Cool Fire ship the lasers with 3 reflective targets. An infrared laser version is also available. The Cool Fire system can also be paired with the MantisX Shooting Performance System for pistols.

Cool Fire Training system (Matt Moss/TFB)

MSRP for the new subcompact handgun options is expected to be around $365. Cool Fire hope to have the new options available in February. Find out more about how the system works and what pistols it’s available for at www.coolfiretrainer.com.

TFB and TFBTV’s coverage of SHOT Show 2023 is proudly sponsored by 5.11 Tactical. Click here to check out their new products.