LaserLyte, arguably the industry leader in laser technology for firearms, has introduced a cool new line of training cartridges in most calibers. I had an opportunity to test their .40 S&W version in my Springfield Armory XD 40 this past weekend.

I’ve got a few laser bore sighters for several of my weapons, so in all honestly I didn’t really think this was going to be much different than those – just in a different caliber. But, I asked LaserLyte if they’d be willing to send me one to test anyway and they did.

After opening the package, I could tell right away that this wasn’t going to be like other bore sighters I’ve ever used. For one, I thought maybe I had a bad batteries when I screwed the back on after installing them and the laser didn’t come on. But, when I pushed the button on the back of the “bullet” the laser fired. I just couldn’t keep it on. I decided that maybe I need to stop being a man and actually read the directions before I broke something. That’s where I learned about the genius of the LaserLyte LT-40.

Unlike bore sighters that are good for zeroing in sights and scopes, the training cartridges are designed to help you WHILE YOU SHOOT. They aren’t meant to be illuminated until you remove the batteries.

As a Private, we would always do what’s called “dime drills” to hone our basic rifle marksmanship. We would balance a dime on the end of our barrel and dry fire the weapon. If the dime fell off, we were jerking the trigger to hard. The goal of good rifle marksmanship is steady trigger squeeze. You knew you were good when you could fire over and over and over again without the dime falling off the barrel.

The LT-40 is basically the same concept – only more advanced. The cartridge is loaded – gently – into the barrel of the pistol where a bullet would normally be seated. I wouldn’t recommend loading the cartridge through the pistol’s magazine. Each cartridge has two rubber rings that assist in stabilizing the round in the chamber. Charging the bullet like any other round risks damaging those rings and ruining device.

Each Laser Trainer Cartridge easily installs into the firing chamber in seconds, works regardless of barrel length and does not stick out of the barrel. The Laser Trainer Cartridge activates for 100 milliseconds each time the firing pin strikes the cartridge. The modified cartridge is rimless, so the Laser Trainer Cartridge is not expelled during dry fire, which allows for tap, rack, bang or malfunction training drills. A hardened rubber plunger on the laser also acts as a built-in snap cap to protect the firing pin and two rubber rings on the laser help ensure a proper fit in order to best replicate bullet impact for accurate training. So, you don’t have to worry about ruining the firing pin during dry fire.

There is only one real downside I found in testing the LT-40. Because the rubber rings do such a good job of seating the trainer, I found it difficult to retrieve from the barrel. Have a cleaning rod on hand to extract the round after practice to avoid this problem. Remember, there isn’t a rim to pull it out, so you’ll have to push it out from the other side. But, this was just a nitpicky thing for me since I wasn’t prepared and isn’t really a downside.

According to LaserLyte, the battery life in each Laser Trainer Cartridge is approximately 3,000 shots. With the cost of bullets these days, that equals a ton of savings and trips to the range. Targets can literally be set up in your living room to teach family members who to properly aim and fire. The teacher can be “downrange” marking where the shots are “fired” so that the shooter can adjust their aim on the spot.

I had a lot of fun using the trainer. I also figured out why I perpetually shoot slightly low when I fire my XD40. Other members of my family were quickly able to master their aiming points using the trainer. Designed to match popular calibers in 9mm, .40 cal. and .45 ACP, each model retails for about $99.95. When compared to the cost of buying and shooting training ammunition, that’s quite a steal if you ask me! And if you get really bored, you can have the cat chase the laser for hours!

Disclaimer: LaserLyte sent me a .40 cal. LT-40 model to test for this review without reservation or promise of a good review. No other offers, promises, payments or favors were given in exchange for writing this review. This review is comprised of my personal experience with the LT-40 and reflects MY opinions only.