It was in the air for some time, as teasers and some samples quietly were seen under test at the end of 2023. Finally, earlier this year at SHOT Show first and then Enforce Tac 2024, Laser Ammo introduced the SureFire MAG, a partnership between American Dry Fire Mag and the IL/USA company to offer an innovative and complete package that allows a semi-automatic handgun to be safely used for interactive dry fire practice and training, using the whole Laser Ammo target environment with the conveniency of a reliable trigger reset system.
The SureFire MAG is currently available for the following models of popular handguns: 9mm double stack Glock pistols (such as the Glock 17 and 19), the single stack Glock 43X and 48, and the SIG Sauer P320. More models are slated to be introduced in the future. The SureStrike MAG kit includes a special version of the SureStrike laser cartridge, and all kits are offered either with a red visible laser or an IR invisible laser beam.
Available Laser Ammo options
It must be said that Laser Ammo offers a number of possible solutions for realistic training: it is possible to use the SureStrike cartridge by itself, with any firearm in a compatible caliber, using either the double action of the gun (i.e. a Beretta 92 or CZ 75) or by manually racking the slide to cock the trigger; use a Laser Ammo Recoil enabled training pistol, undoubtedly the safest solution as no live hardware of any kind is actually used, with a plethora of handgun and rifle replicas available; use the Glock-specific reset triggers, to be installed in 9mm/ 40 S&W / 357 SIG / 45 GAP gen 3, 4 or 5 pistols; and last but not least, the subject of the present review, the SureStrike MAG.
Only the last two solutions allow for the use of the actual handgun without having to rack the slide at every shot, and both are interesting for a number of reasons. Laser Ammo’s reset trigger offers the best experience and trigger feedback as they accurately replicate the actual trigger pull, break and reset of the live handgun, and also offer the possibility of mag change training, using empty and dummy magazines weighted to offer the same heft of loaded mags. The reset trigger also is used with the standard SureStrike cartridge, that has to be installed in the chamber of the barrel using the safety pipe and orange plastic muzzle cap of the UhrSecure System.
On the other hand, it has to be installed by replacing completely the trigger components of the pistol, with a gunsmith level disassembly and tuning that not all users may want to pursue, and needs the same level of skill to restore the handgun for live fire once training is done.
The SureFire MAG Auto Reset trigger system
The SureFire MAG instead is simply inserted into the magazine well of the pistol, with the special cartridge installed in the barrel with the UhrSecure System, and it’s done! With this said, let’s test the 9mm Glock 17 compatible, red visible laser version of the SureFire MAG that Laser Ammo sent me.
The kit includes the magazine, a special version of the SureStrike cartridge, the UhrSecure System for mounting the cartridge in the firearm barrel, one battery, tools for maintenance and adjustment, three reflective small targets and a short USB C cable to charge the battery inside the magazine.
The SureFire MAG features an orange base plate, for first glance identification of a training magazine inserted. Worth of note, for the single stack Glock 43X and 48 version, the whole magazine is orange.
SureFire MAG Auto Reset trigger system: how does it work?
The battery inside the SureFire MAG is only used to activate the SureStrike cartridge, as the trigger auto reset feature is basically mechanical and relies on a travel spring and internal gearing with, possibly, a Belleville spring for the “break”. A “paddle”, that is on top of the magazine, interferes with the trigger bar of the pistol, providing a self-reset (without cocking the striker) and allowing to again press the trigger simulating break and full reset. When the trigger breaks, a loud “click” is produced by the magazine… and another when it resets.
The battery powers an electronic circuit that “feels” when the trigger breaks and sends a signal to an IR LED that interfaces with a light sensor in the cap of the SureStrike cartridge to instantly fire the laser beam that is then detected by the Laser Ammo targets, Laser Ammo Smokeless Range simulator, and if it is visible, also perceived by the shooter’s naked eye for immediate visual feedback. All of the above is adjustable of course. The stock SureFire MAG is set to replicate the 5.5lb trigger pull of the standard Glock trigger, but custom triggers may need some slight adjustment: for this, a spare spring is also included.
SureFire MAG, actual test and impressions
I used the SureFire MAG with my full size Glock 17, and a five target set of the I-MTTS Arena kit. First off, the use of the magazine is incredibly intuitive, and I did not have to do any adjustments as the trigger travel, break and weight was really spot on; my gun is indeed stock, so YMMV. I charged the mag for the prescribed couple hours using a standard USB wall wart, and I prepared the SureStrike cartridge loading the provided miniature battery in it. I then placed the cartridge in the barrel, with the UhrSecure System. This is 100% safe because once done, no live round can be chambered. The red Safety Muzzle cap also gives a visual indication that a laser cartridge is in the firearm.
I assume for this article that my readers are familiar with Laser Ammos’ I-MTTS interactive target system, otherwise I suggest reading my previous article on the system here.
The magazine tends to be slightly tough to insert inside the gun, and it needs to be removed by forcefully extracting it – no free fall on this one, which also explains why no mag change practice with it.
First shot may be harder as the trigger is pulling both the Safe Action of the Glock and the auto reset of the mag, but once this is done, each and every subsequent shot is extremely even and constant.
Long story short – I had a blast using the SureFire MAG, practicing with a number of drills and exercises. The feedback is very similar to the stock trigger of my G17, and the IR light activated cartridge is impressive in its accuracy and reliability, with a perfect 1:1 trigger pull to fired shot ratio. Having also extensively tested Laser Ammo’s reset trigger, I can say that it’s trigger feedback is better than the SureFire MAG’s, but the convenience of just inserting the magazine in the gun and it immediately works cannot be beat. If I must be nitpicky, the fact that it loudly clicks two times – one as it breaks, one as it resets – can be unsettling, although I got used to it. Also, I wish the system allowed for some manipulation and mag changes. It is important to note that racking the slide is not recommended with the special, IR light activated SureStrike cartridge and MAG, and even if the magazine did free fall, seeing how it is a precision built plastic unit I’d have some fear I could break it by slamming it on the floor during a fast mag change, so it is for the best that it is not easily ejected from the mag well of the gun...
Laser Ammo has these bases covered however, as there’s the full set of Recoil Enabled replicas and also the Advanced Training laser pistols for that type of handgun manipulation training.
The price in EU can appear to be steep: MSRP is 373 euro for the red visible laser and 406 euro for the invisible IR laser. Better suited for advanced training scenarios using i.e. the Smokeless Range simulation system. I instead feel it is well priced considering the features it offers and the fact that a SureStrike cartridge is included in the kit, a 150 euro value.
For more information:
Products featured in this article; the MSRP in EU may vary according to local VAT and taxes.
Further information about the Laser Ammo SureStrike MAG and other products can be found on this English-language Laser Ammo website.
