From Fear to Foundation: How the TitanX Revolutionized My Training
By Shari Stoican
Two years ago, I jumped back into firearms training with a level of intensity I’d never pursued before. I was hungry for progress, and when a mentor suggested a dedicated dry-fire regimen, I realized I had some unlearning to do.
Like many, I’d been told early on that “firing” on an empty chamber would wreck my firing pin or striker. Once that myth was debunked, I realized dry fire wasn’t just a way to save money on ammo—it was my best opportunity to obsess over the fundamentals: stance, grip, sight picture, trigger press, and follow-through. As someone struggling with the mechanics of my shooting, I needed to work on all of them.
Overcoming the “Fear of Falling”
My journey had a unique challenge: I am an incomplete paraplegic. Early on, recoil didn’t just disrupt my sight picture; it sent a surge of panic through my body. Because I don’t always know where my feet are in time and space, I felt like I was going to lose my balance every time the gun went off.
Through dry fire, I discovered my stance was the culprit. A friend helped me rebuild from the ground up, implementing an aggressive platform and what we called “eagle talon toes.” This allowed me to sequentially engage my muscles so I could trust that my feet were solid enough to handle the recoil. By practicing these repetitions at home, I built a stable base. For the first time, I could engage a target without the constant fear of hitting the floor.
Finding the Data in the Dark
I set up my dry-fire “Safe Space” in my home gym—a strict zero-ammo zone. My ritual was obsessive: before entering the room, I unloaded my firearm, placed the ammo in a box in the hall, cleared the chamber three times, and performed both visual and physical inspections to confirm the chamber empty.
Initially, I just aimed at a sticky note on the wall. It was good for muscle memory, but I was “shooting in the dark” regarding actual data. That changed when I picked up the both the MantisX10 and Laser Academy. Suddenly, I had a coach in my pocket. For six months, I trained daily, using the gyro and accelerometer features to dissect every micro-movement of my draw, trigger press, and follow-through. I found this afforded improved shooting during live fire. Laser Academy provided the “point of aim vs. point of impact” part of the equation.
The results were a “virtuous circle.” I’d earn my live-fire rounds through dry-fire reps. I’d go to the range on Tuesdays, take notes, and head home to “fix” those specific errors in my dry-fire sessions. Being able to use the X10 on the magazine floor plate during live fire allowed me to analyze my shots in real-time, making the transition between home and the range productive on both fronts.
The Evolution: Enter the TitanX
While the X10 was a game-changer, I still hit a snag: resetting the striker manually after every shot. Even with a Dry-Fire Mag, the experience felt slightly detached from my live-fire muscle memory.
Then came SHOT Show. At the Mantis booth, I saw the prototype for the TitanX. It promised the best of both worlds: the high-fidelity data of the X10 and the laser-based feedback of Laser Academy, all built into a dedicated training platform with a life-like trigger and weighted, interchangeable magazines.
Now that I have the TitanX in hand, the training difference is night and day. A few features stand out:
- True-to-Life Feel: The trigger mimics a Glock’s safety system almost perfectly. This is critical—you aren’t building a “false” neural pattern that you have to correct at the range.
- Precision Adjustments: The ability to adjust the laser for windage and elevation means your point of aim actually matches your point of impact.
- Expanded Drills: Pairing the TitanX with the app unlocks a suite of drills previously only available for the BlackBeard rifle system, bringing that same level of dynamic training to the pistol platform.
A New Tool for the Instructor’s Kit
As a firearms instructor, the TitanX has become one of my most valuable teaching aids. For new students, live fire can, at times, be intimidating. With this system, they can master grip, stance, and trigger press in a controlled, low-stress environment.
When my students transition to the firing line, their confidence is noticeably higher. I hear it in their feedback: “This is just like what we did in the classroom,” or “The recoil was a surprise, but I knew exactly how to reset my stance because of the TitanX.” Providing a tool that offers a response so similar to live fire is an incredible asset for both the student and the instructor.
Final Thoughts
Dry-fire training has upped its game, and it forced me to up mine, too. Whether you are an advanced shooter looking to shave milliseconds off your draw or an instructor helping a student find their footing, the TitanX is a bridge between theory and reality.
It’s no longer just “practicing at home”—it’s a cooperative dance with live fire that builds a safer, faster, and more confident shooter. The analytics provide a wealth of data that you can dissect and digest at your own pace. If you put in the work with the data, your shooting will improve.
About the Author
Shari Stoican is on training staff at Willapa Firearms Training in Raymond, WA. She has a passion for helping students become competent and confident shooters.
