Easy ways to train are what I love. The Mantis Laser Academy was a great way for you to learn in the comfort of your own home. It is also free of ammunition and range fees. I am glad to tell you about the Mantis BlackbeardX.
The Mantis BlackbeardX
The 9mm adapter was my Mantis adapter. It worked with a variety handguns and my Scorpion SBR. Mantis also offers the Blackbeard system, which works with the AR-15 platform. The Blackbeard has a replacement magazine and training bolt, and resets the trigger for each shot.
Mantis has added dynamic shooting modes to the Blackbeard’s new BlackbeardX.
The X Factor
You’re already familiar with the many training modes available with the Blackbeard X system. The Blackbeard X retains all the original training modes, but it also offers dynamic shooting.
This allows you to train on multiple targets and track how quickly and smoothly you can switch between them. As soon as you insert a new magazine, new modes are available in your Mantis App.
The system includes a replacement bolt as well as a magazine assembly. The red bolt replaces the regular bolt carrier and charging handle. It prevents you from having live rounds in your gun. It also means that you cannot fire live rounds, even if they were in the chamber during carrier swaps.
The gun’s red color indicates that it is in training mode. You can swap the Blackbeard parts for your AR in seconds if you can field strip it.
A little different from the original
You’ll be familiar with the format of the original Blackbeard training magazine. It was a 20-round publication. Because it is based on a 30-round magazine, the X model can be easily distinguished.
The magazine can be charged via the Micro USB port located on the magazine’s side. It can also be charged to provide power for the bolt mechanism. In case you don’t have at least a dozen of these cables, a Micro USB charging cable is included. It’s good for 100,000 shots between charges so you won’t have to search for it often.
Mantis is happy to assist you if you already own a Blackbeard system. Mantis will sell you a BlackbeardX magazine. You can use this mag to practice reloading. You can also trade in your Blackbeard mag to get a BlackbeardX one. For more information, keep an eye on their website and social media.
Blackbeard X Installation
After you have removed your bolt carrier, you can insert your BlackbeardX Mag into your mag well. For testing, I used my SIG M400 SBR. However, the system can be used with any AR that uses a standard mag or bolt carrier. When the mag is inserted, the bolt will activate.
There are a few important functions that the bolt does. It engages the hammer to reset between shots, and has a laser that will illuminate the target when you fire. The magazine body has a power button that activates Bluetooth. Turn that on, then open the Mantis app for your tablet or smartphone.
You’ll see a list of training programs when you hit the train button. BBX Dynamics is at the top. This will be an option for those who had the Blackbeard earlier. There will be more training options in the future.
I was familiar with the Mantis Laser Academy, but not the Blackbeard. I began with the basics. To get comfortable with the system, I did a few drills on the 20 second benchmark, Shot Timer and Open Training.
Aligning and sighting in
If the laser is not visible when you fire it, or if it’s coming out in a flashlight-like pattern, you might need to align it to your weapon’s bore using the windage/elevation adjustment. This was a problem for me at first. But Mantis’s helpline helped me get it sorted quickly.
After that, it was easy to see in. Simply watch where the laser is hitting relative to your sights, and then use the Allen wrench provided to adjust windage and elevation via the open ejection port.
You can also select the laser function by flipping a switch. It can be turned on and off or activated by pulling the trigger. Depending on your preference, the laser can be activated with a trigger pull or in red, green and infrared modes. Because it’s the easiest to see, I chose green.
Time to Engage
Once you are sighted in, it is time to start shooting. The Laser Academy targets will work with the Mantis BlackbeardX, but they are not required. You can use any target you want with the BlackbeardX in BBX Dynamics mode or none at all.
You can shoot your spouse’s silly knickknacks in your family room if you have always wanted to. All you need is an aim point. Distance doesn’t matter, either, as BBX Dynamics analyzes the technique of the shooter.
Advanced Gunslinger Industries’ shot placement target is designed for multiple target engagement. I attached it to my basement storage cabinet using magnets. It was great for the BBX Dynamics drills, as it gave me multiple targets to switch between.
The Dynamics mode measures two things: the time between shots and the economy of motion. The goal is to get on target quickly with minimal wasted motion. You can choose how many shots and how many targets to engage. As long as there are at least two, it’s okay.
Once your firing string has been completed, you will get a basic score as well as a list of times. It gets more interesting when you switch to the History mode and examine the details.
Knowing the Score
A list of your most recent courses of fire will appear. Once you have selected one, you’ll be able to view a series of tables and charts. The basic one is at the end. Next, you will see a series diagrams that show your hits and the transition paths between targets.
An animated line will show you the exact path that your muzzle traveled before it hit the target and fired. It should be a straight line connecting the two points.
The next chart shows how long you spend on each phase. These phases include movement and how long you stay on target before firing.
Although the data is excellent, I wish there was more information about the colors in the charts. If it isn’t there, I didn’t see it. There’s still a lot of useful information. Enough to help you figure out what you need most.
The BBX Dynamics results will allow you to self-assess. You can see which areas you are too focused on one target, and which areas you are overshooting or not taking the shortest route between targets. You can also compare your results with previous sessions to track improvement.
You can get additional analysis by running some of the drills from the original Blackbeard method. You’ll get not only results, but also suggestions about what you might be doing wrong. Click on the suggestions to see a page that explains the error and offers solutions.
Even if you purchase a BlackbeardX for dynamic shooting, don’t forget the regular drills.
Train on your Time
Any of the Mantis products is worth looking into if you love the freedom to train wherever and whenever you want. The Mantis BlackbeardX, however, is a great tool if AR is your primary platform and you want to improve your speed and efficiency in multi-target engagement.
The best thing about the system is the ability to train with your gun. You can train with your stock configuration, your sights, optics, and your trigger.
Although I won’t say the Mantis BlackbeardX costs less than a case 5.56mm ammo it is still worth it. A lifetime of training is about half the price of a decent 5.56 ammo these days. The BlackbeardX will be available for purchase starting October 5th at $349.00.
Visit MantisX.com for more information.
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Personal Defense World published the article The Mantis BlackbeardX Offers AR Training in Your House.
