If you’re anything like me; balancing life, work, responsibilities and obligations is difficult enough. Sometimes, finding the time to get out to a range to train falls by the wayside. We summon the motivation to drive all the way there, gather all our gear, make sure we have enough ammo, plan out a training schedule for the day, etc. It can be a lot to manage. Luckily, the industry has a company named Mantis that has invented several solutions to these modern-day shooter problems. The company’s latest iteration for pistol training is called the TitanX.
Mantis is the No. 1 name in the game when it comes to electronic/Bluetooth pistol and rifle training. Many are familiar with their legacy products the MantisX for pistols and the BlackbeardX made for training with any AR-style rifle. These products attach to the firearm of your choice and with use of their apps and Bluetooth technology, open a world of training programs, techniques and analytics. The TitanX steps up the game by coming as a complete, inert firearm with all the technology built in.
The TitanX comes in three models: the 700 (Glock 17 pattern), the 701 (Glock 19 pattern) and the 702 (Glock 45 pattern). Currently, these are the only three models available, and there are plans to bring other popular brands to market in the future. I sprung for the Glock 19 version because that is one of the pistols I carry most. The TitanX arrives in a sleek zippered carrying case, surrounded by protective foam. When you pick up the TitanX, it feels practically identical to the real thing. The two included and weighted magazines give the pistol the weight and balances it needs. Without the magazine inserted, it is lighter than an actual Glock because of the mostly polymer construction. The bright-red color of the frame and the slide that does not reciprocate reinforces the fact that this is an inert training pistol.
The TitanX comes optic-ready for the Shield RMSc pattern with the removal of a polymer cover plate, just like many other pistols on the market. The accessory rail is of the standard Picatinny pattern and is suited for the light or accessory of your choice. The magazine release can be fitted in either a left- or right-side configuration. The stippling on the frame is grippy and would be adequate for most, although aftermarket grip tapes would work, if you wish to go that route.
The trigger on the TitanX was the most distinctive feature to me. The feel of the trigger shoe and safety blade are identical to those of a real Glock. The take-up and break also feel exactly the same. It has the same positive reset as if you were live-firing. You can tell Mantis did extensive research on the trigger to make the training as analogous as possible to the real thing.
How to Use the Mantis TitanX
The best way to use the TitanX is through the MantisX app. I must admit, I was using the wrong app (Laser Academy) for a while, which is still compatible and offers a different set of training programs all its own! Only when I discovered the MantisX App was I exposed to what the TitanX was truly meant to do.
First, you’ll want to make sure your Titan pistol is charged via the USB-C charging port. After that, you must “zero” the visible red laser by turning two tiny hex screws that are built into the slide itself. Don’t worry, the tool is provided. Simply line up your sights or your red-dot optic with where the laser is impacting, and your zero is set. Next, the app will ask you to pair with Bluetooth, which takes a few seconds. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start training.
The app offers dozens of different drills and courses to follow. I won’t go into detail for all of them here, but there are plenty of videos and tutorials available online. If you download the free app yourself, you’ll also be able to see precisely what’s available. If you visit the Mantis website, you can either purchase targets that ship to your door or download and print the Laser Academy smart targets. Simply set up your phone on a tripod and enable camera access until the app finds and recognizes the target. This will allow you to pair marksmanship training along with your normal drills.
How the TitanX Works
The Bluetooth pairing senses every little movement you make while shooting your drills by tracking muzzle movement. Trigger press, wrist control, hand movement, flinching, etc. You can do timed drills to see how accurate or efficient your shots are. There are cadence drills which fault you if you aren’t within .10 seconds of the selected shot cadence. Transition drills detect if you are moving from target to target with precision or if you are over or under-driving the gun.
There are reload drills such as 1 R 1. Take a shot, drop the mag, insert a new mag and take another shot. Just make sure to have a blanket or pillow on your hardwood floors for the heavy, realistic magazine. There are holster drills that can determine your draw to first-shot time and how you are moving your hand and the gun when you break the shot.
You can stop the drill at any time and scroll through the analytical data to see what you need to correct or just to check your progress. Pretty much anything you can think of training is integrated into the Mantis X app. It also records your history, so you can track your progress through days, weeks, months, or years of training. You can even compete with friends that have the program as well for some fun and beneficial competition!
You can find plenty of instructional videos on the MantisX website or YouTube page. Plenty of content creators also have videos explaining set-up, drills and breakdowns on their pages as well. Additionally, Mantis has an excellent customer-service team that is always ready and willing to listen to suggestions, answer questions or coach you through any part of their system with which you may need assistance.
To be clear: this is not a replacement for real live-fire range time. This is an aid that makes training convenient while also adding value via the custom analytics you don’t get with live-fire. I like to think of this as a game that’s fun to play but translates into very real and lasting improvements in your shooting skills. For the price of a single case of 9 mm ammo, you could have a device that allows you to train when you want, how you want, in the comfort of your living room, long after that case of 9 mm is finished. Give one a try or visit MantisX.com for additional information.
What’s in the Box?
Each TitanX comes in a custom EVA carry case with two weighted mags for reload training, a USB-C charging cable, and is optic-ready with a RMR/Shield RMS/RMSc footprint. Mine also came with a sticker.
Specifications
Size: Glock 19, Glock 17 or Glock 45
Weight: 17.1 ounces (with an inert magazine)
Magazine Weight: 9.1 ounces
Charging: USB-C
Laser: 650 nm, 60ms, Class 3R red laser
Trigger weight: 5-6 pounds
MSRP: $199
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