Airsoft Blowback Laser Pistols vs SIRT Pistols for Dry Fire

 

Airsoft Blowback Laser Pistol

 vs.

SIRT Training Pistol

Which Is Better for Dry Fire? 

 

If you’re building a serious dry fire setup at home or for your range, two popular options come up again and again: 

• Airsoft blowback laser pistols

• SIRT® (Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger) training pistols

Both are powerful tools - but they do very different jobs. One focuses on recoil feel and movement, the other on diagnostics and trigger control. In this article, we’ll break down the differences, explain how SIRT’s two lasers actually work, and show how both tools integrate with iDryfire® reactive targets and the iMarksman® Simulator.

---

Airsoft Blowback Laser Pistol

Recoil Feel and Dynamics

An airsoft blowback laser pistol gives you something most dry fire tools can’t: a moving slide and recoil impulse.

Recoil Level: About 20% of a Real Pistol

Expect roughly 20% of real recoil. The slide moves, the gun “snaps” in your hands, and you can train:

• Grip pressure

• Sight tracking

• Recoil control

• Transitions between targets

The trajectory of the recoil isn’t exactly the same as a real firearm, but it’s close enough to simulate movement and make follow-up shots feel more realistic than a static training pistol.

The Trade-Off: Gas Systems Require Maintenance

That realism comes at a cost. Blowback airsoft pistols run on high-pressure Green Gas or CO₂, which means:

• Regular lubrication of moving parts

• Watching seals and O-rings

• Occasional magazine and valve maintenance

• Checking for gas leaks

If you want a “live-fire feel” tool, plan on constant upkeep to keep the pistol running smoothly.

---

SIRT Training Pistol

Low-Maintenance Diagnostic Tool

The SIRT training pistol is designed from the ground up as a diagnostic and fundamentals trainer, not a recoil simulator.

Extremely Low Maintenance, Huge Round Count

There’s no gas system and no cycling slide. That means:

• Very little to wear out

• Mostly just battery changes and light cleaning

• Realistic pistol weight and balance

In normal use, you can easily push 500,000+ trigger presses with minimal maintenance. It’s a workhorse for:

• Instructors

• Competitive shooters

• Concealed carry and duty users

• Agencies running high-volume dry fire blocks

Realistic Handling: Magazine Release and Reloads

SIRT isn’t just a “laser brick.” It includes:

• A working magazine release

• A removable, weighted magazine

That lets you practice:

• Emergency reloads

• Tactical reloads

• Magazine changes in drills

…while still getting all the trigger diagnostic feedback SIRT is known for.

---

The Two Lasers on the SIRT Pistol – Explained

SIRT pistols use two separate lasers to teach different parts of the trigger press and reset.

1. Take-Up Laser (Red)

When it activates:
As you apply pressure to the trigger and remove the slack, the moment you hit the “wall” right before the shot breaks.

What it teaches:

• Proper trigger prep

• How the reset point feels and where it is

• Visual confirmation that your finger is on the trigger and the gun is staged to fire

The take-up laser stays illuminated during the reset, so as you release the trigger forward, you can see exactly when you’ve reached the reset point.

Safety benefit:
It reinforces the habit of keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re truly ready to shoot. No red light = finger off.

---

2. Shot-Indicating Laser (Red or Green)

When it activates:
At the exact moment the trigger breaks, indicating where the bullet would have hit.

What it teaches:

• Instant shot placement feedback

• Trigger control quality

You’ll see two types of patterns:

• Steady dot – good trigger mechanics and stable grip

• “Comet-tail” streak – indicates snatching, slapping the trigger, or grip issues that move the muzzle off target at the last moment

This makes SIRT an excellent self-diagnostic tool and a powerful aid for coaching students.

---

How the Two Lasers Work Together for Reset Training

Here’s how a typical SIRT trigger cycle looks:

1. Press the trigger

   • The take-up laser turns on as you remove slack and hit the wall.

2. Break the shot

   • The shot-indicating laser fires, showing exact impact location.

3. Reset the trigger

   • As you let the trigger forward, the take-up laser stays on

   • When you reach the reset point, you’ll feel and see it - and once you fully release past that, the take-up laser turns off

This loop creates smooth, fast follow-up shots and hard-wires proper trigger reset without needing to:

• Rack a slide

• Load magazines

• Spend money on ammo

Once shooters are comfortable with the visual feedback, advanced users can turn off the take-up laser and train reset purely by feel (kinetic memory), just like with a live firearm.

---

Compatibility: One Ecosystem for Both Tools

Whether you’re using:

• A modified airsoft blowback laser pistol, or

• A SIRT training pistol

Both are fully compatible with:

• iDryfire® reactive laser targets

• The iMarksman® Simulator

That means you can build an integrated training setup where:

• SIRT handles fundamentals, diagnostics, and trigger work

• Airsoft blowback handles movement, recoil feel, and dynamic drills

All while using the same targets and simulator environment.

---

Custom Airsoft Conversions: How to Get Your Gun Modified

Already have a preferred airsoft brand or model? We can help you get exactly what you want.

We are able to modify almost any airsoft gun for use with our laser systems:

1. Go to www.evike.com

2. Choose the airsoft gun you like

3. Send us the product link

4. We’ll reply with a custom modification estimate

The result: a laser-equipped airsoft pistol that works with all iDryfire targets and the iMarksman Simulator, giving you realistic handling plus full integration into your training environment.

---

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose an Airsoft Blowback Laser Pistol if you want:

• Recoil feel (about 20% of real recoil)

• Slide movement and more “fun factor”

• Dynamic, movement-based drills and transitions

Be ready for ongoing maintenance due to Green Gas or CO₂ systems.

Choose a SIRT Training Pistol if you want:

• Maximum diagnostic feedback on trigger control

• Take-up and shot-indicating lasers for visual learning

• Low maintenance and 500K+ trigger presses

• Realistic handling with magazine release and reload practice

Most serious shooters and instructors eventually end up using both:

• SIRT for daily fundamentals and diagnostics

• Airsoft blowback for recoil control and movement work

Tie them together with iDryfire targets and the iMarksman Simulator, and you’ve got a complete training system that works in your home, class, or training facility - without burning a single live round.