In the evolving landscape of military preparedness, VirTra’s V-Marksmanship® emerges as a leading solution. This software that is part of all VirTra simulators is a comprehensive platform that enhances marksmanship training through immersive, customizable, and ballistically accurate simulations.

Customizable Training Environments

V-Marksmanship® offers unparalleled flexibility in creating diverse training scenarios. Instructors can tailor environments by adjusting:​

  • Weather Conditions: Simulate various climates, from rain and fog to different wind conditions, to prepare soldiers for any operational environment.​
  • Time of Day: Train under varying light conditions, including dawn, dusk, or nighttime to enhance adaptability.​
  • Target Configuration: Deploy an unlimited number of targets, including paper, steel, moving, and non-moving types, positioned at varying distances and orientations.​

This level of customization ensures that each training session can be uniquely tailored to meet specific operational requirements and training objectives. Users will be prepared for numerous possibilities.

Train with your own Weapon

To bridge the gap between simulation and live-fire exercises, VirTra provides drop-in laser recoil kits compatible with various firearms. These kits allow trainees to use their actual duty weapons within the simulation, providing authentic recoil and weapon handling experiences. The integration of these kits ensures that the skills developed during simulation are directly transferable to real-world scenarios.

To deliver authentic recoil feedback, the recoil kits rely on CO₂-powered magazines. These magazines are designed to mimic end-of-magazine scenarios and allow instructors to introduce malfunctions that trainees must diagnose and resolve. They are also weighted to closely match the feel of a real magazine.

Thorough Debrief and Performance Analysis

As with scenarios, marksmanship performance can be thoroughly reviewed at any time. Every trainee’s shot placement is easily identified, showing who fired which shot and when.

Debrief is further facilitated through the Trainee Monitoring and Recording (TMaR) system. This hardware and software combo enables instructors to review trainees’ actions, including reaction times and decision-making processes, by recording and replaying simulation sessions. These sessions can be viewed immediately or saved for later.

 

For more information on how V-Marksmanship® can elevate your unit’s training capabilities, talk to a product specialist about setting up a demonstration.

There is no question that pistol red dot sights are here to stay. What started as a military technology can now be found on a growing number of officer weapons. Driven by performance advantages seen in competition shooting and declining costs, red dot adoption shows no sign of slowing down. So, what are the benefits of this option, and how does it impact your agency’s training?

For the uninitiated, red dot sights (RDS) are a type of electronic optic sight for firearms. They have long been used on rifles, carbines, and competition handguns and are steadily seeing adoption on duty handguns. They date back to the 1970s but have been widely available since 2006. There are many RDS models, but for law enforcement, it usually comes down to a few options due to authorized equipment lists.

Aimpoint ACRO P-2
• Pro: Good FOV
• Pro: Enclosed emitter

Holosun EPS
• Pro: Enclosed Emitter, less cleaning needed

Leupold Delta Point Pro (DPP)
• Pro: Motion Sensor Technology (MST™) extends battery life.

Sig Romeo Zero
• Pro: Inexpensive

Trijicon RMR
• Pro: Versatile MOA options

They all consist of a metal frame, emitter, and a reflective surface. Usually, they will differ in dot brightness/color, battery life, and durability. There are arguments as to the “best” option – every law enforcement agency will have to take its own needs into consideration when purchasing and issuing RDSs.

Why use an RDS? Most shooters agree they deliver faster target acquisition, but they have become especially significant for law enforcement due to the enhanced threat focus they offer. Since officers do not need to shift visual focus between the target, front and rear iron sights while using an RDS, they can pay closer attention to the subject. This potentially improves the safety of both the officer and the subject and increases situational awareness. RDSs have other benefits, as well as some drawbacks.

Another significant advantage of the RDS is accuracy. Sure, plenty of shooters will attest that they can outperform RDS users with their iron sights, but by and large, RDSs have been proven to reduce marksmanship qualification time and cost. In one study, iron-sighted shooters only made “critical hits” 28% of the time, while red-dot sighted shooters did so 70% of the time.

Officers with diminished eyesight (aging) also benefit from using red dot sights. Since a red dot overlays the reticle over the target, it reduces the burden of shifting focus from sights to subject and allows them to be more confident they’ll hit what they are aiming at. In total, these factors contribute to an overall improved response time, which translates to safer officers and safer communities.

RDS Drawbacks

“Well, if RDSs are so great, then why doesn’t everyone use them?”

Admittedly, red dots are not a cure-all. They’re still costly, even as prices have decreased over the past 5 years. It can be a hefty investment to order red dots for your entire team and ensure they fit in your holster. Be prepared to pay an even larger sum if your agency’s service weapons are not compatible with off-the-shelf red dot mounting options.

Additionally, red dots cannot make a poor shooter into an excellent one – only a firm grasp of proper shooting fundamentals can do that. Plus, they mainly require batteries to function, placing officers in a challenging situation if their optic is not powered.

A significant number of police departments have decided that RDS benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks, as the RDS market is expected to grow to $96.9M by 2032 (largely driven by LE adoption). For those who have come to the same conclusion, here is a quick start guide for installing and setting up your RDS.

Compatibility and Mounting

When transitioning to red dot sights, ensuring compatibility with your agency’s service weapons before purchase is paramount. Many of the most popular law enforcement firearms now offer models or modifications designed for RDS integration. Below are some key details regarding compatibility for commonly used handguns:

  • Glock 17 and Glock 19: Red dot compatibility began with the introduction of the Glock MOS (Modular Optic System) platform in 2015.
  • Sig Sauer P320: The P320 RX series, designed with RDS compatibility, launched in 2017, featuring a slide cut for direct optic mounting.
  • Smith & Wesson M&P: The M&P M2.0 CORE (Competition Optics Ready Equipment) series debuted in 2016, providing built-in mounting options for various optics.

When mounting an RDS, ensure that the optic is securely affixed to the firearm. Use high-quality screws and mounting plates, preferably those recommended or provided by the manufacturer, to avoid loose fittings under recoil. Proper torque settings are critical, so investing in a torque wrench designed for firearm applications is advisable. Regular checks during maintenance can ensure your optic remains firmly mounted and operational.

Implementing Red Dot Training

Red dot sights offer significant advantages to law enforcement officers, from improved accuracy and threat focus to faster target acquisition. However, like any tool, their effectiveness depends on proper training and implementation. This is where VirTra’s simulators and V-VICTA (Virtual Interactive Coursework Training Academy) Red Dot Transition course shines.

As the only RDS training program POST-certified and developed in partnership with Victory First utilizing Aimpoint, VirTra provides officers with a structured way to transition to red dot technology and save time and money at the range. By integrating advanced simulation scenarios, agencies can ensure that officers not only master the mechanics of using an RDS but also gain situational awareness and decision-making skills.

Getting Started with Red Dot Sights: Drills

Now that your sight is mounted and secure, let’s start training. Below are two foundational drills from the VirTra RDOT program designed to help officers zero their RDS and build confidence with their new equipment. Begin by co-witnessing the red dot with iron sights, then proceed to the drills.

  • Drill #1: Obtaining Zero
  • Drill #2: Confirming Zero

Drills provide officers with a structured approach to learning and fine tuning the RDS within simulation. When combined with advanced training scenarios, skill drills and the accompanying certified V-VICTA curriculum, they can significantly enhance proficiency and confidence.

Whether your agency is considering red dot sights for the first time or looking to enhance its current training protocols, combining high-quality equipment with cutting-edge training like VirTra’s V-VICTA courses can lead to safer outcomes for both officers and the communities they serve.

For more information on safe simulation RDS training and to explore VirTra’s curriculum, click here.

In the realm of law enforcement and military simulation training, realism is paramount. This is why VirTra offers advanced recoil kits that transform standard service weapons into simulation-ready tools, providing high physical fidelity training experiences.

Recoil kits easily fit into a user’s duty weapon with no permanent modification required. You don’t have to be an engineer to do it – they can be installed in minutes with minimal tools. Once installed, all normal accessories like sights and holsters can still be utilized.

VirTra’s recoil kits are manufactured and designed at VirTra’s headquarters in Arizona – meaning they are entirely made in the USA.

Wide Range of Compatible Firearms

VirTra’s recoil kits accommodate a broad range of firearms. Compatible models include:

  • Pistols: Beretta M9, Glock 17, 19, 22, Sig Sauer P226, Heckler & Koch P2000, Smith & Wesson MP, Walther P99.
  • Rifles: M16, AK-47, Heckler & Koch G36, MP5, UMP, CZ805 Bren, TAVOR X95, SIG MCX, among others.

This extensive compatibility ensures officers can train with their own duty weapon, eliminating training scars caused by unrealistic tools.

Used with CO2 Magazines

For the recoil kits to provide their realistic recoil response, CO2-operated magazines are required. These magazines can simulate end-of-magazine events as well as instructor-initiated malfunctions that the trainee must work through. They are weighted to provide the same feel as a real magazine.

The proprietary refill station allows for quick and easy CO2 refills, minimizing downtime between training sessions. This system is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, reducing the need for disposable CO2 cartridges. Other options such as “green gas” can be flammable and dangerous, but VirTra uses food grade CO2 commonly used in soda machines around the world.

Safety

The weapon kits and CO2 delivery system provide a safety buffer as well. The kits preclude the loading of a live round into the weapon. This safety measure is key to keeping training environments as safe as possible, while still conducting highly representative training.

True-Fire Technology

A significant advancement in VirTra’s recoil kits is the incorporation of True-Fire technology. In January 2024, VirTra announced the release of its improved drop-in recoil kits that minimize false firing incidents. This feature ensures that shots are only registered when the trigger is intentionally pulled, reducing instances that can skew training evaluations. By preventing unintentional shot registration during actions like sliding, tapping, or dropping the weapon, True-Fire enhances the authenticity of training sessions.

Durability

To withstand the rigors of frequent training, VirTra’s recoil kits are fortified with ArmorGen™, a protective coating that minimizes wear and extends the lifespan of the equipment. This coating bonds at an atomic level, ensuring consistent performance and reliability throughout extensive training cycles.

To learn more about VirTra’s training options, contact a specialist.

In May 2024, Ohio State University conducted an independent study on the V-100 Simulator. The study confirmed the simulator can record shooting performance accurately and track individuals progress over time reliably.

Researchers at Ohio State University studied 30 participants with varying degrees of rifle-handling experience to assess the V-100’s capabilities as a training device and research tool. They found that the system accurately captured shooting data, decision-making, and reaction time down to millimeters and milliseconds. The significant findings could further develop VirTra’s simulators as research tools and lead to their use in a first-ever standardized performance score system for virtual reality ballistics training.

“We were using it as an outcome variable for research, and we found that it has very good day-to-day reproducibility of performance, which is crucial for research,” said Jeff Volek, professor of human sciences at Ohio State. “You want a sensitive and reproducible outcome in your test where there’s not a lot of device or equipment variation.”

“I created a few programs that enabled us to calculate the shooting data and produce objective training measures,” he said. “This equipment is close to what the military and police use every day, so this has potential to be used as a screening tool across the country.”

The study’s findings corroborate the research industry’s steady adoption of VirTra simulators for investigative purposes. Already, top level investigators like Force Science use VirTra simulators to conduct human performance under stress research. Von Kliem, the Chief Consulting and Communications Officer at Force Science explained VirTra’s value to their work.

“At Force Science, we are involved in many of our country’s most high-profile use-of-force investigations, where we are required to research, analyze, and demonstrate the reality of human performance under stress.  With VirTra simulators, we can swiftly and securely re-create dynamic force encounters.  Their precision technology allows us to measure movement times, shot times, and response intervals with the consistency and accuracy necessary for valid and reliable research.  The validity of research conducted with VirTra systems enables us to study diverse populations and establish realistic expectations for human performance during threat assessments, decision-making, and critical de-escalation efforts.”

The study was published May, 29 in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

With all the conditions and variables that occur on the field, shouldn’t your training reflect as many of them as possible? Not every room has lights on or available, and the sun is down for about half of each day. It is for this reason that VirTra made sure that low light training is available for both marksmanship training and scenario training.

Training Benefits

We don’t realize the benefits of a well-lit space until we are without one. In the dark, stress levels go up and even with the beam of a flashlight, there are still areas we cannot see. Looking for a subject that is on the move and possibly dangerous in a dark place is a great way to increase officers’ cognitive load and help them make the right decisions under stress.

Additional training points include using a handheld flashlight while suddenly having to get your lethal or less-lethal tool. What if you have to transition weapons while holding your handheld flashlight? Going from lethal to less-lethal or vice versa is a vital skill to practice, with even more challenge if it is done in low light.

Low Light in Scenarios

Many people are only familiar with the variable light settings in V-Marksmanship. In fact, you can make any scenario a low light one. For example, in the new Mass Chaos active threat scenario, you can dim or eliminate light as if the power went out, adding an extra element of uncertainty.

Of course, to combat this just as one would in real life, users can pull out their flashlight. VirTra’s V-G2X handheld flashlights utilize laser technology to light up the direction it is pointed in. V-Lux™ technology allows the beam to smoothly go from screen to screen for agencies with multi-screen systems. More than one flashlight can be used at a time, making it just as useful for training multiple officers at once.

Low Light in Marksmanship

Along with the variable weather conditions, wind speed/direction, and layout of our simulated ranges, instructors can also control the lighting. It can be nighttime on the range in your VirTra simulator, with the only light to rely on being your rifle-mounted flashlight.

Just like with the handheld flashlight, the V-TLR-7A rail mounted flashlight allows for efficient transitions between screens without interruptions. Since both lights utilize the OEM housing, there will not be training scars as it perfectly replicates one of the popular rail mounted flashlights.

Situations do not often occur under perfect conditions. Make sure your officers are prepared for low light events – plus many others that VirTra has available. Talk to a specialist to incorporate a VirTra simulator into your agency’s training regimen.

Last week, Action Target hosted the Law Enforcement Training Camp (LETC) in Provo, Utah and VirTra was honored to be a part of it. The training camp takes place annually and invites law enforcement personnel from across the globe to participate in training conducted by Law Enforcement instructors across a variety of disciplines.

Some of the topics included:

  • Advanced Firearms Instructor Techniques
  • Movement Under Fire
  • Vehicle Threat Interdiction
  • Low Light Rifle and Pistol

For our part, VirTra brought the V-ST PRO® simulator and had it set up in a classroom at Action Target headquarters. Our course was titled Red Dot Transition and Sustainment Training. During the first day, students would work on fundamentals such as high purchase/flat presentation as well as timed evolutions from the holster. Students were exposed to red dot malfunctions and shot drills to help them make combat effective hits if their optic goes down. Strong hand/support hand skills were established, and shooters practiced drills that forced them to shoot with both eyes open.

After the classroom portion of the training, it was off to the range to conduct some of the same drills with live fire. Officers noticed the benefit of having practiced the drills in the simulator first. Several attendees stated that they felt much more confident in their abilities using a red dot after the course was completed. VirTra creates drop-in recoil kits and CO2 magazines to ensure the user’s weapons have realistic recoil in the simulation. By using our “Boresight” feature, shooters can “dial-in” the simulator weapons to suit their stature to ensure accuracy and continuity in training between the simulator and live fire.

The event was a great success and was very well received by the students who participated.

As always, Stay Safe!

VirTra’s V-ST PRO® firing range simulator is an excellent marksmanship tool for police departments worldwide. Its V-Marksmanship® program is a highly effective tool for training and maintaining law enforcement marksmanship. (While the V-Marksmanship program is equipped on all simulators, this article focuses on the abilities of the V-ST PRO’s V-Marksmanship program.) Here are a few ways VirTra’s firing simulator provides a superior training experience and helps supplement training in a traditional firing range:

Customizable Ranges/Variables

The V-Marksmanship program allows instructors to use pre-designed environments and add an unlimited number of targets, environmental affects—wind direction and speed, weather, etc.— and other variables in a variety of distances to test and hone an officer’s skill.

Training after this manner allows instructors to test in multiple situations; something that is not able to be duplicated on the range. For instance, a certain day at the range may offer 80 degrees with a 5mph wind coming from the north and 30% humidity. This is the only variable an officer will train on that day. But with a simulator, instructors can change the variables drastically for every single shot.

Customizable Targets

Traditional firing ranges offer minimal variables for marksmanship training. For example, targets on ranges often are only able to “move” along motorized wires, track systems or are attached to robotic systems. While these options are certainly better than standard stationary targets, it could be more.

The V-Marksmanship program allows targets to be programmed to move front to back, left to right or in a box shape—and at different speeds. Now when officers stand in front of the V-ST PRO, they can engage in a training situation that would not be possible in the field.

Accurate Ballistics Calculator

Going into the V-Marksmanship technology, the program is equipped with an accurate ballistics calculator. This ballistics calculator duplicates the speed, trajectory and aim based on the type of weapon fired and the selected weather conditions. Furthermore, it is independently verified up to 2,500 meters with .02 milliradians accuracy—thus providing a powerful training that other marksmanship training simulator programs cannot provide.

Realistic Firing Experience

While the simulator, programs and technology are excellent, training is taken to the next level with the officer’s weapons. VirTra offers multiple weapon options to best fit the department’s needs:

• Recoil Kits— The drop-in laser recoil kit is inserted into an officer’s duty weapon and outfitted with a laser, allowing it to interact with the simulator.
• CO2 Magazine— As for the CO2 magazine, this provides realistic recoil as the officer pulls the trigger. Instructors can choose to outfit their trainee’s weapons with the just the recoil kit, or the recoil kit plus the magazine for added realism.
• Non-Guns— VirTra also offers non-guns, which mitigate real weapons being brought into the training environment. For maximum realism, each non-gun tool has replicated the shape and weight of the weapon it represents: the Glock 17/22 will look, feel and act like the real thing.

VirTra’s firing range simulators and accessories are much more customizable and powerful than any traditional firing range, making them an ideal supplement for officer marksmanship training. With a wide variety of pre-programmed and customizable environments, variables, and weapons, this program can take marksmanship training to the next level. Learn more by contacting a VirTra specialist.

The most advanced training magazine produced by VirTra is available for Glock 19 pistols.

The Advanced Skills Magazine (ASM) is refillable with liquid CO2, providing the officer or warfighter with lifelike recoil when training in a VirTra simulator. It communicates with VirTra simulators using Bluetooth low-energy technology. Instructors may induce a simulated malfunction during a scenario or simulated range session. Trainees, veterans, and everyone in between can practice working through malfunctions or “jams” to prepare if such instances happen in the real world.

Along with the laser-based recoil kit, using this product can make firearms training more realistic and transferrable.

How it Works

The purpose of the Advanced Skills Magazine is to allow users to practice with their duty weapon in a way that is transferrable to the real world. The magazine simulated an end-of-magazine event where one must “reload” by removing the magazine and re-inserting it before being able to fire once more. Instructors can initiate a bolt hold-open malfunction to prepare the user, forcing them to clear a class 1 malfunction. Class 3 malfunctions are possible as well, where the user must strip the magazine, re-insert, then cycle to be able to fire again.

Advanced Skills Magazines replicate the size, shape, and weight of a real Glock 19 magazine for a true-to-life experience. CNC machined aircraft-grade aluminum housing is durable to withstand drops and many uses. It is blue in color to distinguish it from real magazines in the training room. The use of CO2 not only provides realistic recoil, it is also safe and requires no cleanup. The possibility of training scars is eliminated by ensuring physical fidelity.

The Advanced Skills Magazine, as well as other magazines such as the Standard Magazine without Bluetooth capabilities, is available for select pistols and rifles and is designed for use with VirTra’s recoil kits. Recoil kits and CO2 magazines are used in law enforcement agencies around the United States, plus 40 countries worldwide, where they have assisted trainees and officers alike in perfecting their firearm use.

Learn more about VirTra’s recoil kits and CO2 magazines here.

Less than 5 miles from VirTra’s HQ, Gilbert Police Department has built an impressive training program for officers from rookies to veterans. The goal behind it is simple: keeping officers and the community they serve safe. There was no denying that Sgt. Bill Campbell, Gilbert PD’s Training Sergeant for the Gilbert Police Academy, cares greatly about the success of the training program and those he instructs.

The 52-acre facility in Gilbert, Arizona is shared by both their police and fire departments. Not only is the building integrated for all aspects of public safety, but training is too. There is no need to drive across the city to get to a range or a driving test track.

Scenario-based learning – or even classroom learning where students learn the theories behind their actions – is traditionally segmented from marksmanship training. Sgt. Campbell believes it is not enough to teach only on a range and in a classroom – there must be a way to get students into the environment to practice, but in a safe and secure way.

Gilbert PD officers and recruits at the Gilbert Police Academy can use real firearms within their 5-screen V-300® simulator. This allows them to not only get practice with their real duty weapon, but also go through a multitude of scenarios. Each scenario is modeled after real life incidents and authored by subject matter experts who are retired officers themselves. The video below shows two Gilbert officers going through an active shooter scenario, learning how to respond at the right time.

What can also be seen in the video is a custom Action Target range. While VirTra’s V-Marksmanship program is highly accurate, nothing can quite mirror the training provided on an actual range. Their indoor range is big enough to allow a squad car to enter, stop, and have students exit the vehicle and begin shooting targets.

Sgt. Campbell spoke highly of the capabilities of both his simulator and indoor range. As an experienced instructor, his words are not only inspiring to us, but helpful to other law enforcement agencies who wish to find an integrated training style.

“I have been a professional instructor for more than 25 years now, and I teach all over the country. I have seen pretty much every type of range there is and every type of simulator there is. My experience has been that the VirTra simulator system is the gold standard.” –Sgt. Campbell

It is also important to mention the evolution of training over the years. Sitting in a classroom for the entirety of the learning process will not engross students in the topic(s) or give them the proper practice needed to succeed in their careers. “A practical test may have worked in my day, 30 years ago, but it’s not as effective today,” said Sgt. Campbell, addressing the need to keep students engaged so learning retention increases.

Unlike training for other careers or job positions, law enforcement is one where mistakes can be costly – and not just monetarily. Lives are at stake, and that is why it is important to dedicate as much as possible to a well-designed training program. To learn more about VirTra’s simulator training options, contact a specialist.

Proper recoil is essential for training, which is why VirTra designs high-quality recoil kits. When an officer or military servicemember is training, they must account for the weapon’s recoil and how it may affect their position and aim. Training with a non-recoiling weapon in the simulator is simply not realistic, as real guns produce the “kick-back” sensation each time a bullet is fired. This is especially true for rifles such as the M4 and AR-15, as they produce heavier recoil than a pistol.

 

Providing Lifelike Recoil

One of VirTra’s latest hardware developments is the M4 Recoil Kit. They are designed to convert real firearms with no weapon modification required. This allows a duty weapon to go from live to simulator-ready within minutes with a simple exchange of the barrel. The recoil kits operate with liquid CO2 magazines to provide the most realistic recoil on the market. This hardware can be used within a simulated environment without the limitations of a cord or tether.

 

M4 recoil kits allow an officer or warfighter the ability to use their own rifle in their VirTra simulator. This maximizes skill transfer as the student is training in a similar manner to the way they would perform on the field. The kits can be used in all VirTra suites and in either scenarios or marksmanship ranges.

VirTra’s recoil kits are manufactured in the company’s own CNC machine shop in Arizona, never sourcing from overseas. Using ArmorGen® coating exceeds the durability of other coating options, such as DLC. Black nitride coating over a carbon steel body ensures that the product will not corrode. This also reduces the need for lubrication.

M4 recoil kits as well as recoil kits for many other weapons are used by VirTra clients not only around the United States, but in 40 countries worldwide for training. Instructors have noted positive experiences using VirTra’s hardware. This is due to their transferability to a real-life setting, including a live fire range.

Learn more about this product here.