Mantis Laser Academy Review

Dry-fire is the secret sauce every serious shooter stirs into a practice routine. I’ve used snap caps, wall-drills, and even the classic dime-on-the-front-sight trick, yet nothing has moved the needle on my trigger control the way the Mantis Laser Academy has. In this long-form review I’ll walk you through what the system is, how it works inside my home range, and why it now ranks at the top of my best dry fire training systems list. I’ll also compare it with Strikeman and the live-fire-friendly Mantis X10, highlight my real-world results, and close with FAQs you keep sending me on Reddit and email. Strap in and let’s build better groups together.

What Is Mantis Laser Academy and How It Works

At its core, Laser Academy turns your own pistol into a dry fire laser simulator. Pop a Pink Rhino laser cartridge into the chamber, point the muzzle at one of the included smart targets, and squeeze the trigger. Each trigger pull fires a safe, Class IIIa 3.5 mW beam the camera on your phone (or tablet) picks up. The companion laser academy app timestamps and scores every “shot,” logging data such as split time, distance from center, and total score.

How the magic happens

• Laser cartridge replaces live rounds. No impact on your firing pin.
• Smart targets give the phone camera a high-contrast shape. The app detects exactly where the beam lands.
• Large tripod (and mini travel tripod) hold your phone at the perfect angle for consistent detection.
• Visual representation appears in real time on screen—think shot timer, heat map, and running score.
• All sessions auto-save, letting you track shooting performance trend lines over weeks.

Because the laser comes in multiple calibers (.40 S&W, training kit 9 mm, .45 ACP, .357 SIG, .380 ACP) you can match it to your everyday-carry gun or duty sidearm, preserving the exact trigger pull you’ll feel under real pressure.

Who Should Use Mantis Laser Academy?

• New gun owners – Build safe gun-handling habits before the first trip to the range.
• Competitive shooters – IPSC, IDPA, USPSA athletes need micro-timing on draws and transitions.
• Law-enforcement & security – Agencies save ammo budgets and sharpen qualification scores.
• Concealed-carry citizens – Perfect the holster draw and sight picture from the comfort of a living room.
• Firearm instructors – Demonstrate fundamentals without shutting down the live-fire bay.
• Dry-fire nerds (like me) – Anyone obsessed with measurable progress will love the data feed.

Packaging and Kit Options

Standard Training Kit (what I bought)

• Full-access code to the Mantis Laser Academy app
• One Pink Rhino laser cartridge (your chosen caliber)
• Five 5×7 in and five 8×11 in smart targets
• Mini tripod + full-size large tripod
• Universal smartphone holder
• Target stands, phone shades, adhesive putty
• Laser cartridge extraction stick
• Compact zippered carry case

Portable Kit

• Slim pouch
• Smaller fold-out targets
• Mini tripod only
• Ideal for hotel rooms and cramped apartments

Both kits share the same core—the laser cartridge and full app unlock—so performance is identical. You choose portability versus range-like convenience.

🔗 Check today’s price on Amazon

Key Features and Specifications

Feature	Why It Matters
Class IIIa 3.5 mW laser	Bright enough for rock-solid detection yet eye-safe.
Smart targets	Pre-calibrated patterns remove the hassle of zero-in calibration.
Training kit in multiple calibers	Maintain authentic trigger feel across 9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .380 ACP, .357 SIG.
Data-driven scoring	Every shot logged with hit location, split time, and drill metrics.
Cloud history	Compare Tuesday to last month—see if that dry-fire streak improved your average.
Guided drills library	Twenty-plus modes that challenge draw speed, accuracy, and multitarget transitions.
Free returns	Amazon makes swaps painless if you picked the wrong caliber.

Training Benefits

• Data-Driven Training – Numbers replace guesswork. Each drill ends with a digital shot group you can pinch-zoom for instant feedback.
• Save money on ammo – I burned exactly zero live rounds the first week yet shaved 0.15 s off my holster draw par timed benchmark.
• Train with your own equipment anytime, anywhere – Basement? Backyard? Hotel hallway? If you’ve got six feet of wall, you have a range.
• Dry-fire target practice the easy way – No tape, no Sharpie dots, no resetting cans. Just stick up the smart target and press “Start.”

Training Modes and Drills

Below are the drills I rotate through every week. All run straight out of the Laser Academy Pro app after initial “Setup in minutes.”

• Open Shooting – Single Target – Fastest way to warm up. No par time, just accuracy.
• Open Shooting – Multiple Targets – Trains smooth eye-target transitions.
• Bullseye – Classic 5-ring scoring, slow deliberate press, perfecting sight picture.
• Bullseye – 10 Shots – Same but records group size consistency.
• Die Hard – Hits shrink while timer speeds up, teaching throttle control.
• Hunt – Random target flash; shoot the one that lights. Builds rapid acquisition.
• Duel (Best of Five / High Score / Hunt) – Face off against a buddy on split-screen—bragging rights included.
• Shot from Guard / Low Ready – One Shot – Start signal beep, present, fire single accurate shot.
• Shot from Guard / Low Ready – Multi-Rep – Stack reps for cadence training.
• Close Contact from Holster – Draw-to-target inside three yards, focusing on retention position.
• Compressed Surprise Break – Builds an ultra-clean press for those operating red dot pistols.
• Holster Draw Par Timed – Adjustable par time; shave tenths safely at home.
• Multiple Shots on Multiple Targets – The ultimate recoil-management substitute, prepping you for live fire follow-ups.

App Features

Laser Academy Pro App at a Glance

• Improve Shooting Accuracy – Real-time call-outs show low-left, anticipating recoil, or jerking.
• Drill Tracking and Data Analysis – Heat maps, leaderboards, and shareable scorecards push friendly competition.
• Smartphone + tablet support – I use my phone for capture and cast the screen to a TV for jumbo feedback.
• Shot timer function – Built-in timer eliminates the need for a separate unit.
• Offline mode – No Wi-Fi at the cabin? Drills still work.

Download Mantis Laser Academy App for Android

Download Mantis Laser Academy App for IOS

Dry-Fire Training Benefits

• Builds neural pathways – Perfect mechanical motions without range noise or recoil.
• Muscle-memory maintenance – Keeps sight alignment sharp between monthly range trips.
• Immediate error correction – Dry-fire flinch is visible; fix it before it bleeds into live ammo.
• Holster proficiency – Repetition reinforces safe garment clearing and trigger finger discipline.
• Reduces anticipation – Because there’s no bang, you learn a true surprise break.

My Experience with Mantis Laser Academy

I ordered the Standard Kit in 9 mm because my everyday pistol is a Glock 19 with a red dot. First impression: setup took under five minutes. The phone holder clamps to the tripod securely, and the app’s alignment wizard grabbed the target outline on the first try.

Week 1 findings

• Averaged 2.2-inch group on the Bullseye – 10 Shots drill at 7 yards.
• Cut my holster draw from 1.9 s to 1.65 s using the Holster Draw Par Timed mode.
• Spotted a habit of slapping the trigger on transitions. The shot-by-shot trace inside the app made it obvious.

Week 4 update

• Sub-1.5 s draws now feel routine.
• First live-fire session after a month of Laser Academy: my 25-yard groups shrank from a dinner plate to a saucer.
• Ammo expense that reunion weekend? Half of what I’d usually burn, thanks to better mechanics.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Works with your real firearm and holster	Tripod legs feel flimsy; I replaced mine with a photography mini-tripod
Large library of engaging drills	Learning curve for first-time smartphone shooters
Comprehensive shot analytics & history	Occasional app crash on older Android tablets
Multiple calibers available
Free returns if you need a different cartridge

Test Your Skills

The Duel modes transform solo practice into a party trick. Scan a buddy into the room, pick Best of Five, and let the trash talk begin. The app posts a full scoreboard of hits, times, and accuracy. Leaderboard export to Reddit shooting forums is one tap, so you can flex or get coached online.

Performance benchmarks inside the app place you in tiers (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert). I found chasing the next tier to be a stronger motivator than a plain paper target ever was.

Possible Improvements

1. Metal tripod upgrade – A sturdier mount would silence most quality complaints.
2. Red-dot-specific zero assist – A mode that calibrates point-of-aim offset for pistol optics would help dot shooters.
3. AR-15 laser cartridge bundle – Adding .223/5.56 would pull rifle shooters into the ecosystem.
4. Community drill sharing – Let users upload custom par-time drills to a public library.

Mantis Laser Academy vs Strikeman

Factor	Mantis Laser Academy	Strikeman
Setup	Auto-detects targets quickly with smart outlines	Manual camera alignment sometimes tricky
App depth	20+ drills, heat maps, remote coaching	Fewer drill variations, limited analytics
Target recognition	Works under mixed lighting; smart target design	Needs bright light and high contrast
Training modes	Multitarget, holster, low ready, timed par	Mostly single-target accuracy modes
Caliber options	.380 ACP up to .45 ACP plus .357 SIG	Common handgun calibers only
Price category	Middle of the pack	Slightly less
Overall verdict	Better for competitive shooters hungry for data	Good starter system if metrics matter less

Mantis Laser Academy vs Mantis X10

Factor	Laser Academy	Mantis X10
Dry-fire focus	Yes (laser + visual target)	Yes, plus motion sensors
Live-fire	No, laser only	Full live-fire analytics on any gun
Attachment	Cartridge in chamber, nothing on rail	Sensor mounts on rail or mag base
Data granularity	Hit location, split, score	Movement trace, recoil pattern, shot timing
Training goal	Accuracy, transitions, draw speed	Recoil management, follow-through, cadence
Best for	Apartment warriors and winter practice	Shooters who hit the range weekly

I run Laser Academy indoors Tuesday–Thursday, then use Mantis X10 during Saturday range trips. Together they create a 360-degree feedback loop.

Where to Buy or Try Mantis Laser Academy

Grab the Standard Training Kit through my Amazon affiliate link below. Using this link costs you nothing extra and helps fund more reviews:

👉 Get the Mantis Laser Academy on Amazon

Local gun shops also carry the kit, but online availability is usually wider. Remember the free-return policy; swapping calibers is painless.

Video Overview or Tutorial

If you prefer moving pictures, I recommend watching Langdon Tactical’s ten-minute walk-through on YouTube. He covers calibration, lighting tips, and demonstrates the Multiple Shots on Multiple Targets drill. Search “Langdon Tactical Mantis Laser Academy Guide” and it should be the first hit.

Final Thoughts

The Mantis Laser Academy is not another gimmick collecting dust in my gear drawer. It’s now a daily habit that turns five spare minutes into meaningful trigger time. Accuracy gains showed up on my very next live fire outing, and the ammo savings are obvious. If you are:

• Sick of ammo scarcity or sticker shock,
• Serious about measurable skill growth,
• Limited by range hours or winter weather,

then Laser Academy belongs on your must-buy list. Caveats? Yes—the tripod is flimsy and the first calibration can frustrate tech-averse shooters. Those nits fade compared to the tidal wave of data, convenience, and fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to level up? Grab your kit, clear your firearm twice, and let the dry-fire reps begin. I’ll see you on the leaderboards.