CONCEALMENT 17 HANDS ON: dry-fire practice with the CoolFire Trainer Iain Harrison Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. WHAT IS IT Dry-fire is good. Dry-fire is boring. So how do we square that circle? There are a couple of ways to get some feedback into your dry-fire routine, and by doing so both make it more interesting and make sure you’re not practicing your mistakes. One of the means we’ve been trying recently involves the CoolFire Trainer. It uses a CO2-powered piston to replace your pistol’s barrel, and a visible laser to show shot placement. WHAT GOT OUR ATTENTION The ability to dry-fire at home without having to sweep up 6mm pellets afterward. HOW DOES IT WORK Field-strip the handgun, swap out the barrel and charge from a pre-filled CO2 source (9-, 14-, or 20-ounce tanks can be used). When the striker or firing pin hit the system’s valve, a piston is activated, which cycles the slide and, if you add the optional laser module, provides feedback on your trigger manipulation and sight alignment. HOW WELL DOES IT WORK Pretty well. Installation is simple and covers a wide range of manufacturers and models, and you’ll get around 35 shots per CO2 fill. In addition, the kit shown comes with everything you’ll need to service the unit in the field. WHAT WE LIKE Safety. The system replaces the barrel, so there’s no way to accidentally introduce a live round into the chamber. Realism. We’ve used airsoft guns in the past to train and provide feedback and while they’re a passable solution, they suffer from being imprecise replicas of our carry or competition guns. For example, most airsoft Glocks have way better triggers than the guns they’re supposed to emulate. With the CoolFire Trainer, you’re using your actual firearm. You can also use dummy rounds in your own magazines to replicate their weight and balance, which, coupled with a follower depressor that’s included in the kit, allows you to practice mag changes with increased fidelity. WHAT WE DON’T LIKE While the slide does indeed cycle, there’s still no way to replicate actual recoil without repealing the laws of physics. This isn’t as big of a deal as you might think, especially with slide-mounted optics, as you’re still forced to track the dot throughout, but you’ll have to make a conscious decision to switch gears when loading up with live ammo. CoolFire Trainer 1911 (other models available) coolfiretrainer.com MSRP: $461, as shown Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
