F.A.Q.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly does the RedCat do?
The RedCat is a dry fire training device for the AR platform that makes the safety switch operate the same way it operates when using live ammo. It makes dry-fire training much more realistic. Train on multiple targets, pull the trigger multiple times and manipulate the safety switch the same way you would with live ammo – no need to rack the bolt to reset the safety. Realism is a key factor to developing good muscle memory and proficiency.
The RedCat also renders the rifle inert, providing an additional layer of protection against misuse. The RedCat installs with no outward indication so homeowners and professionals can use this to protect against unintended use and retailers can safely display their product. The RedCat also provides an alternative to “rack safe” for protection during transportation.
Can you explain the safety switch in greater detail?
Without the gas pressure from live ammo, the hammer remains forward and blocks the full travel of the trigger. In turn, the safety switch is locked in the fire position because it cannot clear the tail of the trigger. This is by design…the only way to reset a hammer in the forward position is to rack the bolt. Under stress, the locked safety is a signal to the operator to rack the bolt. The drawback in dry-fire training is that the safety switch locks after the first trigger pull, which teaches the operator to rack the bolt more often than necessary and to forget to re-engage the safety switch. The RedCat solves this by locking the hammer back and away from the sear and the trigger—so all the controls respond like live-fire.
What’s the point of the RedCat?
Good results come from hard work and preparation…not fancy equipment. The RedCat cuts the B.S. and gets the results. Use it anytime and anywhere…whether you’re training in your garage, your workshop or on the range. You’ll find the RedCat improves every type of training from the basics to the complex including rehearsing missions practicing stages and conducting defense drills. The only limit is your imagination.
Why is dry fire training so important?
A quote from the great Muhammed Ali: “the fight is won or lost far away from witnesses…in the gym…long before the dance under the lights.” There are no shorcuts. To be safe and proficient with the AR platform you must train–a lot. Military and law enforcement train to assure safe execution and results. Competitors train for accuracy and speed. Home defenders train for safety and protection. Hunters train for clean and ethical shots. You don’t get any of that from a fancy rifle. Oh…and have you seen the price of ammo lately?
What’s the RedCAT made of?
The RedCAT is made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS is strong, impact resistant, and lasts a long time. ABS is also resistant to solvents and chemicals so the RedCat will maintain its properties with prolonged exposure to oils and cleaning products.
Will the RedCat cause wear and tear to my rifle?
No. The RedCAT was designed to be installed, dry fired and removed thousands of times. The ABS plastic is softer than the metals it will come in contact with so will not wear on the internal parts of the rifle.
Do I need to remove any parts from my rifle?
No. During installation and removal, no parts need to be removed (or lost!). This is something that sets the RedCat apart from other dry fire training products.
How long does it take to install the RedCat?
The RedCat installs in seconds. Just pull the take down pin, separate the upper from the lower, drop the RedCat in the lower receiver around the hammer so that the 3 notches and the RedCAT stamp is toward the barrel of the rifle. Close the upper over the lower and re-seat the take down pin.
Is the RedCat Compatible with my rifle?
The RedCat is designed for the AR-15, M-4 and M-16. It is compatible with most AR-10s, LR-308s and LAR-10s. The RedCat is NOT compatible with the newer Sig Sauer ARs, older Colt ARs with the sear block mod and some drop-in triggers that occupy space directly above the hammer pin. Since the AR platforms vary widely, we recommend you verify fit and function before first use.
Why is it called the RedCAT?
The color Red is a reminder to Remember Everyone Deployed. We have a tradition to wear the color red on Fridays to Remember Everyone Deployed – RED Shirt Fridays! The CAT stands for Critical Associative Training. Critical Associative Training doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it’s exactly what you’re doing when you dry fire train. You’re building muscle memory. With the RedCat installed in your rifle, you’ll be building the proper muscle memory and taking your rifle training to the next level!
Can I use the RedCat with dummy rounds?
Yes, in fact, we recommend it. With the RedCat installed, the action remains fully functional. You can rack the bolt to cycle dummy rounds through the action and manipulate the safety switch as desired. This is very useful for practicing loading/unloading and properly configuring your rifle during drills. NOTE: even though the rifle is inert with the RedCat installed, NEVER substitute dummy rounds with live rounds.
Will blanks or "simunition" rounds work with the RedCat?
No. Blank and “simunition” (sim) rounds include a casing, a primer and propellant similar to live rounds. A blank has no projectile and a sim has a non-lethal projectile. In order for them to work, the hammer must strike the pin, producing the necessary gas pressure to load a fresh round. The RedCat prevents that by locking the hammer back. Live rounds, blanks and sims all act like dummy rounds. NOTE: even though the rifle is inert with the RedCat installed, NEVER substitute dummy rounds with live, blank or sim rounds.
The RedCat makes the rifle inert, so why not substitute dummy rounds with live, blank or sim rounds?
Simply put, a mistake can be deadly, even with blanks and sims. Training environments (whether formal or informal) should have very deliberate procedures to keep track of live, blank and sim ammo and to keep each type of training distinct and separate. There is no excuse not to. Furthermore, the RedCat makes the rifle inert, so there is no reason to have live, blank or sim rounds out while training with the RedCat. Therefore, the best habit to develop with the RedCat is to never use it with live, blank or sim rounds.
I'd like to verify the rifle is inert, how do I test this?
With the rifle cleared and the RedCat installed, pull the trigger. You will feel the trigger travel fully–but never break. The hammer won’t move at all, nor make a sound. That’s all you need to verify the rifle is inert. It is not necessary, nor recommended to verify this with live rounds. If you’d like to verify with live rounds, you do so at your own risk…WARNING: do not test the RedCat with live rounds unless in a safe, legal, appropriate environment–like a shooting range. Adhere to all firearms safety rules as you would with any loaded firearm. You are responsible for every round that leaves your firearm. Do not test this at home…ever.
What are the other ways I can use the RedCat?
You can use the RedCat as a safety device when you store your rifle – it’s just an extra piece of insurance. Your rifle is inert while the RedCat is installed. If someone installs a magazine of live ammo into the magazine well, the rifle will not fire a round. This scenario is also great for retailers and a convenient way to transport your rifle while it’s inert. Be sure that you know how you’ve stored your rifle! You don’t want to grab your rifle in an urgent situation and not know that the rifle is inert!
Why should I practice dry fire training with my rifle?
Dry fire training will help you develop muscle memory for the foundational rifle basics. The more you practice, the more proficient you’ll become. Dry fire training allows you to train more consistently because you don’t need to be on the range to practice. Dry fire training will save you time, money and ammo because you can practice anytime and anywhere. The more you train and the more consistently you train – the better you’ll perform on the range or when it counts! A daily 10-15 minute dry fire training routine using the RedCat will help improve your response times, transition times, targeting times and will help you become more familiar and more comfortable with your rifle.
What sets the RedCat apart from other dry fire training devices on the market?
The RedCat retail MSRP is only $19.95 and you won’t need to remove any parts from your rifle! Some of the other dry fire training devices on the market are great tools but their price point is hundreds of dollars and you’ll need to remove parts from your rifle. Don’t get us wrong – the other dry fire trainers for the AR market segment are really cool but the RedCat is designed for everyday dry fire training convenience!
Are there alternatives or competitors to the RedCat?
There are several dry fire training products available for the AR platform…but at twenty bucks, the RedCat is in a class by itself! The main advantages of the RedCat are its simplicity, cost and ease of use. You get quality training at a fraction of the price! That said, the other products are worth considering because they offer different capabilities depending on your training needs.
