I had the chance to catch up with Grant to talk about what they’ve been working on and why their products have become such a staple in our training ecosystem at South Carolina Gun School. If you’re looking for ways to maximize training while saving money on ammo, Mantis continues to set the standard. Their lineup offers dry fire options, live fire options, and systems that blend both together seamlessly. From the Blackbeard X to the X10, the quality, innovation, and data-driven approach behind these tools are exactly why I recommend them so often to students and instructors alike.
One of the biggest strengths of the Mantis system is the depth of data it provides. Their apps connect across platforms for pistol, rifle, shotgun, and even archery, creating a training ecosystem that gives shooters real, measurable feedback. I’ll be honest—when I first started digging into the data, it was almost overwhelming. But Mantis is doing a solid job of making that information more digestible, especially for instructors. Their Mantis X Master Class is an affordable, in-depth certification designed to help instructors better integrate the system into their classes, improving both student performance and class efficiency without replacing the instructor’s role.
What really stood out during our conversation was how Mantis enhances instruction rather than replacing it. In a class setting, especially with multiple shooters on the line, you simply can’t see everything. The Mantis system allows instructors to quickly identify issues like trigger press errors and address them immediately, streamlining the learning process. This aligns perfectly with what we preach at South Carolina Gun School: dry fire doesn’t replace live fire—it maximizes it. Most shooting errors come from poor trigger control, not recoil, especially with modern rifles. Tools like the Blackbeard X allow shooters to build correct habits and muscle memory long before they step onto the live-fire range.
We also got a sneak peek at what’s coming next, including a Blackbeard system for AK platforms—something I know a lot of shooters have been asking for. As more AKs show up in our rifle classes, having a dedicated dry fire training solution is a huge win. Beyond the civilian and instructor side, it was impressive to hear how widely adopted these systems are at the military level, with Marines now using Blackbeard for training and qualifying faster with fewer rounds. At the end of the day, this all reinforces the same message we push in every class: train consistently, train intelligently, and build habits that will hold up under stress. Tools like Mantis help make that possible. Stay trained, stay safe, and we’ll see you on the range.