Product Spotlight: Mantis Blackbeard Training System

Practice, practice, practice. It's the way to get to Carnegie Hall AND it's also the best way to become a proficient marksman/woman with your AR-15. But ammo is expensive, and what if you don't have a lot of time to go to the range? Solution: the Mantis Blackbeard Auto-Resetting Trigger System for AR-15. Brownells Gun Tech™ ‪@CalebSavant‬ explains how Mantis's dry-fire training system works. The Blackbeard help you practice your trigger pull by automatically resetting the trigger so you're ready for the next "shot" without operating the charging handle to cycle the action.
The main Blackbeard unit temporarily replaces any standard AR-15's bolt-carrier group and charging handle, while the USB-rechargeable battery pack fits into the magwell. How easy is the Blackbeard to install? Caleb demos for us with his special cutaway AR-15. The Blackbeard also makes dry-fire practice extra safe. When it's installed in your AR-15, there's no way a live round can be fired by accident. Flip the safety selector to "FIRE," pull the trigger, and with an authoritative "click" the Mantis device automatically resets the trigger.
You can get the Blackbeard alone or as the BlackbeardX with a laser that helps you see where your "shots" land. The BlackbeardX is available with a red, green, or infrared laser. The red laser model works great with LaserLyte's Trainer Targets.

[@CalebSavant]

Check out the other video we did on dryfire recently- kzbin.info/www/bejne/oauQY51-nJ2GecU

[@US2A]

The mantis x is amazing, I've been meaning to do a video on mine.

[@joshawageorge2122]

Does any body else have any for laser tag practice with your ar the other guys say it trips kids toy laser tag vests. so are there any big kids that want practice with an ar

[@be5718]

Based on the many negative comments, I think Caleb should call out Mantis on their QC issues. Brownells is a large enough company that they can hold them accountable.

[@badvoc]

Very much so, they certainly have a quality control issue that so many customers have raised already.

[@MikeA817]

I had an issue being sent a regular blackbeard vs the blackbeard X that they exchanged for me. But now the trigger isn't resetting. I think something broke internally in the laser unit. Haven't called/emailed yet.

[@glmorten]

Caleb isnt going to call out a manufacture. He recently made a video going out of his way saying hes not going to take a stance on crappy craftsmanship. He is a corporate shill at Brownells.....

[@MalibuWaGOON]

I'm on my second one. The first one didn't even last 3 days of use 1hr at a time. Didn't even knock a bar off the charge and it seized.

[@dc5131]

Mine is brand new - You can easily put shoot it - 10 per second is not happening

[@sln583]

Mine stopped resetting the trigger after several thousand rounds. I emailed them and they sent me instructions on where to lubricate the piston with white lithium grease. Works great ever since.

[@holdensmith2556]

Caleb is the bob ross of guns. its the tone

[@tlc239]

🎨🖌️...😂🤣

[@marcclarke01]

Thank you for using the cutaway. It makes things much more easy to understand.

[@LukeCunningham]

That cutaway AR is really cool.

[@guardiangibbs2663]

I really want this, so thank you for confirming the red laser is required for the target.

[@Nice-sl3md]

I have one and love it!

[@Trav_Can]

I absolutely love mine, and I use it almost every day. The first one they sent me crapped out after three days. which was a bummer. They happily replaced it after filling out a little questioner, and I have had zero issues with the new one since. Very fun. Set up little targets throughout the house.

[@Jason-oo4jg]

Cool stuff 😮

[@Riiccia]

Your videos are the best. Clear explanations for what is promised in the title, but no extra BS so the length of the video stays decent. Perfect!

[@19Clutch69]

love it!!

[@jstpsgthru]

I've had my Mantis Blackbeard for about 9 months, and I love it.

[@brettbeach2215]

no one is talking about the Javelin in the safe behind him...

[@kimberlywilson5970]

Looks like an at4

[@MoneyRussian]

at4

[@lens7859]

Very cool

[@A.C.71]

Legend has it this dude can hear you coming before you know you're going.

[@alfredjr2k556]

I like Mantis Blackbeard.

[@MidwestPrepper]

When it works it is awesome. I’ve had two go bad, bad luck perhaps. My friends is still going strong.

[@project86xero]

Yeah I've heard they can die on you in short order if you use them a lot. Although it does seem sporadic. Might have to do with the type of trigger you use. Some hit far harder than others and may have geometry and angles that are harder on the Blackbeard than a normal milspec. Like a Geissele for example. No rounded top edge and a narrower strike face. Who knows. However they do have a 2 year warranty on the Blackbeard which is good.

[@ImPostedUp]

I’ve had two go bad as well, first one lasted 2 days the replacement lasted a single day. By the sounds of it, their QC needs looked at. I got fully refunded after the second one broke, I would NEVER recommend this product to anyone.

[@politeaf8065]

I've had the same experience, first one last probably 500 trigger pulls and their replacement one broke the same day I got it. Told them I was done dealing with their product and they gave full refund. Do not recommend unfortunately.

[@MantisX]

@@politeaf8065 Sorry to hear of your issue! We take QC very seriously, every unit is individually tested, and every unit returned to us is analyzed for design, manufacturing, and assembly issues. We have tens of thousands of these working relentlessly out in the field without issue, and we work tirelessly to make additional design changes for the rare ones that have issues in the field.

[@h0onz]

1:04 “You’ve got your destructions right there” 😂

[@Ironlegiontraining]

Got one for Christmas and it didn't work out of the box. Just got the replacement and had to use the bolt group from the first one and the battery from the replacement to get it to work. It is still running, but waiting to see what happens in the near future.

[@HazardousNoise]

I've had 2 Blackbeard's and a Blackbeard X now, and I returned each one because the product design is faulty and after a few thousand rapid trigger resets (within a few hours) they all stopped resetting the trigger. I'd have to remove and insert the battery after every trigger pull to reset the hammer

[@ImPostedUp]

I also had the exact same experience, for $200 you’d think there QC would be a lot better.

[@Slay_No_More]

Sucks that their quality dropped, I don't know what generation I got but I put probably 2k fake rounds down range with the thing in the first day of getting mine and another 2k the next day (I assume it was 4k due to my finger muscle hurting all the way up my arm) and it still works after days turning into weeks of this, I hope they get their (you know what together), the product has some practical uses in my opinion.

[@OGDoubleJ]

One of my favorite training aides. I love my Blackbeard and will be upgrading to the BBX Magazine shortly, plus it's easier to train reloads from chest rig.

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

nice

[@MikeA817]

One thing to keep in mind is that the laser cannot be necessarily zeroed with your optic because its literally in your bore. I would say the best use is training height over bore holds within short cqb ranges because the laser isnt that strong.

[@sbreheny]

Isn't this exactly the same situation as when the gun fires a real round? Why would you want the laser to have any axis other than the bore? If you really wanted to, you could zero the optic to the laser for a particular distance, just as with live fire.

[@itsasinine3337]

@@sbreheny not exactly, when you fire a round it doesnt go completely straight, there is an arch to it. if you have your rifle level and the center of the bore is 15 inches off the ground, and you have a targets bullseye 50yds away with bullseye 15 inches off the ground. you will shoot lower than the bullseye. about a 1/4 inch(or 3 inches low at 200yd), so to compensate you either have to lower the target, or pivot the rifle up to shoot slightly upward before it comes back down.

[@madride858585]

Are you serious?

[@itsasinine3337]

@@madride858585 im not just serious, im super cereal

[@chkpnt-fq5rv]

I took a class where the instructor had one of these. It's pretty cool.

[@Marksplaytime]

Mine works awesome. Battery takes a long time to fully charge (I just do it overnight) but I've run tons of trigger pulls without it running low and try as I may, I've never outrun the trigger reset. As expensive as the thing is, compared to live ammo, I can run a training sequence (in my hallway, bedroom or suburban back yard) and in one go think "that would have cost as much as a nice dinner" then laugh and run it again as often as I want. I can also use it with just about any laser training app.

[@BadEnergyJohn]

Mine failed to track shots accurately but they accepted the return with no problems. The phone was showing the shots waaaay off from point of aim.

[@CarlPapa88]

Were more videos on the Blackbeard system & Laser Academy made? Slightly interested in picking it up, but would like to look into what else I'd need to buy if I wanted the full system. Edit: Face palm. 👍 Asked before seeing the pinned comment.

[@zalalapant]

The burning electric smell is included

[@arthurwilliams8371]

I just picked one up. It's a great system.

[@killacamfoo]

Basically you have to get the 30 rounder I believe. I have the 20 rounded and the battery is terrible. Takes hours to charge and drains very quickly on its own when not in use. The only other tip is to use lithium grease on the mechanism of the bolt of it will fail prematurely.

[@MikeA817]

The blackbeard x isnt much different in charge time. When it drains to zero from non-use I basically set to charge over night.

[@kayceejonnson1427]

Just received and it does not work. I was hoping it was the battery needing to be charged but all 5 Orange lights are on. I had it charging anyway, hoping "orange" was not charged and that the lights should be "green"??? Anyway, it looks like I will be contacting them for assistance. Darn, I was excited to use this 😟

[@williamwinn948]

might have to grab one at some point.

[@AvocadoAtrocity]

Do you guys sell the skeletonized see through ARs? Like the ones that help you learn what's inside the upper and lower and BCG??? 😮😮😮😮

[@AvocadoAtrocity]

@@avb9427 this is true. But I'd rather pay someone to do it for me 😂

[@texastomsshavingtips6359]

Do they make a version of this for the AR-308 platform ??

[@maxxon99]

I can only see the no laser version listed...

[@doejohn8674]

Maybe do also a video on the differences between Blackbeard and BlackbeardX?

[@chrise2621]

Blackbeard is just the laser and trigger reset. The blackbeard x is those things, plus has integrated mantisx10. The downside is you can't swap it onto your pistol like a standalone x10. If you only train with an AR, the blackbeard x is the way to go, otherwise get an x10 first, followed by a blackbeard.

[@doejohn8674]

@@chrise2621 Thanks for the clarification, very helpful!

[@MantisX]

@@chrise2621 Additionally, the BlackbeardX unlocks the dynamic shooting drills which the X10 does not have.

[@GLG-20DECOY]

I say destructions also. 😂😂

[@320emerica]

👍

[@drmurda]

Can we get one for the AK please???!!! lmao

[@benschildgen4994]

How about a video on putting a bull barrel on a 10/22 with a sporter deluxe stock?

[@project86xero]

That's probably a little to much like a build video for KZbin's stupid new guidelines.

[@CalebSavant]

Actually if you search our channel there is an old one already posted. We will re-do it in the future but the process is the same.

[@project86xero]

@Caleb Savant Nice. I know you guys have enough pull to do stuff like that which doesn't actually violate youtube guidelines, but is perceived to by ignorant youtube reviewers. Unfortunately smaller and medium size channels don't and they get struck for things like that all the time. What's really messed up is when they go back and review other stuff from ages ago right after they struck the new video. Finding all kinds of stuff that was either cool before but isn't now or is simply perceived to be in violation. Then they strike the channel for those as well and possibly just nuke the whole channel in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately youtube is still king when it comes to traffic. So we're stuck with that kind of bs atm.

[@CalebSavant]

@@project86xero It's crazy, I would love to do more technical videos. We are launching a new Brownells website that will be content focused and I'll be able to do those because we are the host of the content.

[@jackabner2707]

I got a standard wood stock 10/22 and always wanted a bull barrel conversion. Maybe it’s cheaper to buy one already done ?

[@richardthomas6602]

Do they have one for a 1911?

[@RaptorPilot700]

Hey Caleb - My wife is asking if it's possible to only buy that first part you pulled out of the package at 1:12? She says she needs it to 'take care of some business'... Whatever that means... She says laser is not necessary... Thanks

[@JesseHyde202]

Degenerate

[@laughingdog6010]

Very cool, what is the cost?

[@chrise2621]

250ish for the basic, 350 or so for the blackbeard x

[@TheEvoli1]

I have a Laserlyte laser trainer system I use with my 9mm pistols and it uses a target and laser that inserts into the chamber of the pistol. Would the target system from them also work with this Blackbeard AR-15 system?

[@DragonJohn]

If you got the Blackbeard with the red laser. There are Blackbeard options with red, green, IR, and no laser but only the red will work with the target system

[@paul20363]

Is there any effect on the trigger pull? Or will it make my Geissele SSA-E feel like an Anderson?

[@Jimmy.O.]

Nope, it just resets the trigger.

[@davidvincenthuffman]

What about nys compliance, mag is fixed, strikeman is pistol only, so what would work for me???

[@chrisferguson1911]

What did King Shultz tell some down on their luck folks one time...Go to a more enlightened area of the country.🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

[@US2A]

All mantis products are a must

[@ImPostedUp]

*Bust

[@US2A]

@@ImPostedUp it's ok if you don't know how to use them.

[@ImPostedUp]

@@US2A it’s ok if you don’t how to speak and spell

[@ImPostedUp]

Being literate isn’t so common nowadays

[@US2A]

@@ImPostedUp that's all you got lmao, Yeah you never do that do you. Now I'm convinced you have never bought mantis products.

[@joshawageorge2122]

Holy lazer tag lol

[@joshawageorge2122]

Just replying to a email

[@IroncladTactical]

Funny enough the lasers these use do in fact trigger toy laser tag vests

[@user-oy9zy4ds9m]

It DOES work with full auto surprisingly

[@Burrmao196]

I haven’t had that be the case it won’t close because of the auto sear

[@Secondadmendment]

Does this work with a binary trigger?

[@CR67]

Yes, if it's a Franklin. Fostech has a bolt position safety which is not compatible.

[@TerminalM193]

I take it there's no way to practice reloading drills using this lol.

[@thedixiepatriot2579]

Those ears though

[@lostheir]

Why is there a rocket launcher in the safe?

[@oklahomahank2378]

Well, you can’t just leave them lying around where children can find them.

[@jjcrazylegs7081]

Because America

[@blackcellagent]

Your safe doesn’t have an AT-4 in it?!?

[@farmerbob5662]

I've had two crap out within a couple hundred trigger presses, not impressed with this product.

[@mackenzieclancy959]

Do not rapid fire these things! You will destroy it, (looking at you binary triggers). Otherwise, it's fantastic for dry fire training, you will start shooting better

[@stargazer2504]

I'm not gonna say any training you can is bad, but I just don't think "dry fire" training in an AR / .223 platform is really necessary. I say this because the AR has such a small amount of kick, therefore the anticipation is so much less. I say that because when I took my lefty, Canadian, anti-gun wife for her FIRST SHOOT EVER of my AR, she shot just fine with numerous bullseye at 50 yards. She doesn't shoot handguns, but she agreed to go, and she did great. Never shot a rifle of any kind before, and never likes shooting handguns. Trigger control was just fine. So I say, if you are just practicing dry fire to diminish kick anticipation for an AR, then..... i dunno man... maybe get some OC spray or something. That being said, what **SHOULD** be trained is malfunctions, mag changes, moves, and basic usage of the gun.

[@Chiller01]

Hot garbage. I bought that thing about a year ago and it quit functioning within 3 months. Enjoyed it while it lasted. It improved the basement LARPing experience but can’t recommend it.

[@jsm42050]

For over $400 last time I checked, I'll gladly pass and just buy ammo and actually shoot my gun.

[@ginjabrad]

I'm not buying it till they invest in USBC.

[@project86xero]

Bowling? 🤔

[@ImPostedUp]

Do not buy it period, these things suck and break after just a short period of time. Better off just buying ammo.

[@forester057]

USDC? What does a stablecoin have to do with guns? Well, everything is related to guns 😂 but I mean specifically.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

​@@forester057I guess USB cable, variant C.

[@chad9166]

@@ImPostedUp Yeah we heard you bud

[@ImPostedUp]

Do not buy this product. Better off buying ammo. Owned 2 of these and within a week they both quit working, I got fully refunded and I would never recommend this product to anyone who’s serious about shooting, save yourself the annoyance and just buy actual ammo.

[@robotbuster1487]

Real Men use live ammo.

[@dc5131]

think so?