Gift Idea: The Mantis TitanX for the New Shooter on Your List

The holidays are creeping up fast, and if you are anything like me, there is at least one person on your list who just got into shooting or keeps asking questions about it. Maybe they just bought their first handgun. Maybe they have not gotten that far yet. Either way, a gift that helps them get better before they ever set foot on a range is a pretty good one in my book, and that is where the Mantis TitanX comes in. I recently wrapped up a review of the TitanX 701 over on TFB, and it got me thinking about the newer shooters in my own family. Let’s dive right into why the Mantis TitanX makes a great gift for the new shooter on your list!

Mantis Coverage on AllOutdoor & TheFirearmBlog:

• The New Titan X Advanced Laser Traininig Pistol from Mantis
• Introducing the NEW Mantis BlackbeardX Laser Training System
• Mantis Releases A Laser Pistol – The Titan X Trainer
• TFB Review: Mantis Laser Academy
• TFB Review: The Mantis X3 Shooting Performance System

What is the TitanX?: Mantis TitanX

The TitanX is an inert laser training pistol. In plain terms, it is a Glock-sized pistol that cannot fire anything but a red laser. Press the trigger and a laser pulses out of the muzzle while a Mantis sensor built into the gun tracks how much it moved through the trigger press. That info goes over Bluetooth to the MantisX app on a phone or tablet, which scores each shot and shows where things went wrong. The trigger resets itself, so there is no racking the slide between shots. You just keep pressing.

Specifications: Mantis TitanX

The TitanX comes in three models patterned after three popular Glocks. Each one ships in a zippered case with two weighted magazines, a charging cable, and a hex key for zeroing the laser.

• Models: 700 (Glock 17 pattern), 701 (Glock 19 pattern), 702 (Glock 45 pattern)
• Type: Inert laser training pistol with a built-in MantisX sensor
• Laser: 650nm red, Class 3R
• Trigger: Auto-resetting, approximately 4.5 lbs per Mantis (my 701 averaged 4 lbs 6.1 oz)
• Weight (701, my scale): 1 lb 1.1 oz with a weighted magazine
• Optics: RMR and Shield RMS/RMSc footprint under a removable cover plate
• Charging: USB-C
• In the Case: TitanX, EVA carry case, two weighted magazines, USB-C cable, hex key
• Warranty: Two years
• Made In: Oswego, Illinois

The MSRP of the Mantis TitanX is $199 across all three models. That is not stocking stuffer money, but it is one price and one box with everything they need to get started.

“The TitanX takes your firearms training to the next dimension.

The TitanX inert laser training pistol is a dry fire training system containing the MantisX technology that has changed the way shooters improve their marksmanship skills.  Hone your skills faster than ever before with real-time feedback on your shooting technique, smart coaching, and actionable analytics via the MantisX Pistol/Rifle app.

Combine that with a realistic form factor, realistic trigger, and a laser, and you have the complete package.  Each TitanX is designed to fit seamlessly into most holsters made for each corresponding firearm model, ensuring compatibility with your gear for more realistic and effective training. “

Why It Makes a Good Gift: Mantis TitanX

The biggest thing going for the Mantis TitanX as a gift is that it gets used the day it is opened. There is no ammo to buy and no range trip to plan. It works in the living room on a Tuesday night, which for a lot of folks is the only practice time they will realistically get.

It also shows a new shooter what is actually going on. The laser gives them a dot to watch and the app breaks down each press. When I was using mine, I found the visual side of the app more useful in the moment than the scores themselves, and I think that goes double for someone who is still learning what a good trigger press even feels like.

That trigger is the part that matters most. Trigger control is one of the hardest things to explain to someone new, and it is a whole lot easier when they can see the laser jump every time they slap it. With nothing to load, they can also put in all of those reps at home without live ammo ever being part of the picture.

One small tip for the gift giver: give it a charge before you wrap it. Mine showed up close to full, but topping it off means they can start the second the paper comes off.

Who Should Get One: Mantis TitanX

I think the TitanX is at its best in the hands of someone still building the basics. That covers a brand new shooter, someone getting back into it after years away, or someone who struggles with the concepts behind trigger pull. For that crowd, I think it is a priceless tool.

If the person on your list already owns a Glock 17, 19, or 45, grab the matching model, since Mantis says it fits most holsters made for that gun. If they do not, do not sweat it. I do not think the platform it portrays itself to be matters much. At the end of the day it is the laser and the trigger that are the focus.

Before You Buy: Mantis TitanX

A few things to keep in mind before you order:

• Shipping: As of writing, the TitanX only ships within the US, and Mantis notes it cannot ship to New York.
• Laser Academy: The Mantis Laser Academy app is a free download with a handful of free drills. Mantis smart targets are sold separately and make an easy add-on.
• Screen and stand: I had trouble pairing my phone, but my iPad connected right away and the bigger screen was better anyway. If they will be using Laser Academy, a tablet stand or tripod mount is another good add-on. I did not have one and had to prop my iPad up in a weird way.
• Red dots: Optic mounting screws are not included, and Mantis keeps a list on their site of dots that will not fit.

Final Thoughts: Mantis TitanX

I have family who all express more and more interest in shooting handguns, and I think the TitanX would be a good visual aid for all the conversations around trigger stuff that come with that. If someone on your list fits the bill, the TitanX has my seal of approval as a gift.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Mantis for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Mantis TitanX. That is greatly appreciated. If you have a question or you are sitting on information that could sharpen up an article like this one, you can find me through my Linktree.

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