The Mantis BlackbeardX is a trigger reset device that is compatible with many platforms, now including the SCAR-L family. The original Blackbeard was only capable of resetting your platform’s trigger and firing a laser that simulates a bullet impact at your point-of-aim. Now, the new BlackbeardX retains these capabilities and adds the same capabilities as the MantisX. It will track your shot times, trigger pull, steadiness on target, and much, much more with the Mantis app. Blackbeard + MantisX = BlackbeardX, as they like to put it.
What’s the Value of BlackbeardX?
Have you ever wished that you could practice shooting your favorite FN SCAR, without racking up a huge ammunition bill? Probably, because you already spent all your money on this heavy, but sexy platform. Now you can shoot endlessly with the Mantis BlackbeardX without buying any ammo. This smart dry fire system is an incredibly powerful tool when used to its full extent.
With a pricetag of $349.00, it would only take 875 trigger pulls to pay for itself. At least, if you consider the average price of 5.56x45mm NATO to be around $0.40, exclude the cost of range membership, and don’t count the price of fuel that you save from not driving the range. This means you can train to be proficient with this iconic weapon, and still have money left over to pay your lease on that 2025 Jeep Wrangler you bought to fit in with your other SCAR-owning pals.
Seriously, if you are a serious shooter, this tool could save you tons of money over a year. Besides saving money, you’re honing your skills. This means faster times and better hits in a competitive shooting sport. It can train life-saving muscle memory in a professional setting. Or it could be an aid to safely train your kid or a new shooter before ever bringing them to the gun range.
Safety and Installation of BlackbeardX
The BlackbeardX system renders your rifle inoperable/safe, which makes me feel at ease practicing in my home around my young kid. I trust that if I turn my back, my child could mess around and pull the trigger on a firearm I left out. But there’s no way she’s removing the inert laser BCG and smart magazine, reinstalling the charging handle, BCG, spring, buttstock, lower receiver, loaded magazine, and pulling the trigger without me catching her first.
Instalation
As I just hinted, the procedure for installing the BlackbeardX is the reverse of this. First, remove your lower receiver, followed by the buttstock, recoil spring, bolt carrier group, and charging handle. Then you can insert the laser BCG of the BlackbeardX and reinstall the buttstock and lower receiver. You will not have a charging handle on the gun while the BlackbeardX is installed. This similarity is shared between the SCAR-L and AR-15 models. Next, insert the smart magazine, which is also the battery. Turn on the Bluetooth, connect your phone, and get to practicing.
If you need to adjust the laser for a zero at longer/closer ranges, you can even do that easily. Two adjustment screws on the BCG are accessible through the ejection port. You can even turn the laser on and align it with your sights without pulling the trigger to visualize it.
You can also use the BlackbeardX without the smart magazine. For example, if you have some older Blackbeard magazines and don’t need the shot analysis capabilities of the BlackbeardX system, you can use these older Blackbeard magazines with the BlackbeardX BCG for trigger resetting and laser-firing visualization purposes.
App Connectivity
You can connect the BlackbeardX via Bluetooth to any app that works with the MantisX. Mantis has the MantisX app with pistol/rifle drills, which is what I use. On this app, there are so many drills and customization options that you’d never be able to do them all. I have a few favorites that I use often, such as the Ready Up Drill, Dynamic Training, and Box Drill. These are all dynamic drills, which means you are focusing on speed, accuracy, and movement of the gun. Still, other drills allow you to single out one aspect of shooting, such as trigger pull consistency, to improve in a particular area.
Since the BlackbeardX has all of the same capabilities as the MantisX, I want you to go check out this amazing article written by my friend some years ago. This article will go more in-depth on the capabilities of the MantisX system. Or you can check out this link to the Mantis website to see their in-depth explanation of MantisX capabilities.
Specifications and Details
- Platform compatibility (different models available)
- AR15
- AR10
- SIG MCX
- SCAR-L
- SCAR-H
- Compatibility:
- AR15
- Firing chamber independent (compatible with 223/5.56), 300 BLK, 6.8 SPC, etc.)
- Not compatible with Timney DH3
- Not compatible with Fostech Echo 2
- Not compatible with the PSA Custom Single Stage Drop-in
- Compatibility cannot be guaranteed on Triggertech Triggers
- Not compatible with lowers that feature a colt pinned sear block
- Compatibility cannot be guaranteed on 80% lowers
- AR10
- Compatible with most DPMS pattern AR10s
- Compatible with most SR25 pattern AR10s
- MCX
- Compatible with Rattler SBR and MCX-SPEAR LT variants.
- Not compatible with the MCX-SPEAR variant.
- SCAR
- Not compatible with select fire variants
- AR15
- Three different lasers are available
- 650 nm, 60 ms, class 3R – red laser
- 520 nm, 60 ms, class 3R – green laser
- 780 nm, 60 ms, class 3R – IR laser
- Available upon request:
- Laser color variants
- Different laser class
- Full-auto variants
- Battery life: Up to 50,000 shots
- Capable of 10 shots per second
- Also available just as a smart magazine (if you already have a Blackbeard)
- Cost: $299.00 – $349.00, depending on laser type
Personal Experiences
I love the BlackbeardX. The convenience and cost savings of training at home vs the range are unmatched. Paired with the analytics and feedback of the system, I’ve been able to build good habits and identify areas in my shooting skills that I need to single out and practice more. Because this system renders your firearm inoperable with live ammunition, it is also a fantastic tool for training in squad tactics.
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I have been to structure-clearing courses where the Blackbeard was required for safety purposes, coupled with the need for shot recognition on target. In this setting, we also practiced reloads, which is easy and convenient with another battery magazine. As far as I know, this is the only trigger-reset device on the market for the SCAR-L, and it’s so much more than that.
Learn more about the BlackbeardX here!
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