20k+ Rounds Later with Ace XR
A few weeks ago, I came across a YouTube video from ShotShow 2025 showing off the Ace XR system. Yeah, I know—I’m late to the party. Life happens. Still, the concept was too interesting to ignore: dry-fire practice in VR, with a handset that looks, feels, and even weighs like your real pistol. That’s more than just a gimmick—it’s training brought into your living room.
I had just sold a couple of gaming consoles and had some “gun account” money set aside (you know you’ve got one too). So I pulled the trigger—pun intended—and ordered an Ace XR handset along with a Meta Quest 2.
What Is Ace XR?
Ace XR is a high-end virtual shooting simulator that blends a polished VR app with a physically authentic handset to transform dry-fire into something fun and highly effective. It’s called the premier virtual shooting simulator—designed to help you level up your pistol skills faster than traditional methods allow .
Ace supports Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest 3S. A year-long membership unlocks all the content, including stages, multiplayer, leaderboards, and regular updates .
Handset Variety & Realism
Ace offers a lineup of licensed handsets modeled after real-world pistols. These include:
Shadow Systems MR920 – Ditto your favorite striker-fired platform with customizable backstraps.
SIG P365‑XMACRO COMP – Compact, carry-ready build, made in the USA, with realistic trigger (~3.5 lb pull), authentic weight (~24 oz Rx’d), and even a functional mag release.
SIG P320‑XFIVE LEGION – Heavy, full-size competition gun feel (~37 oz), with matching trigger mechanics and grip texture.
Staccato P (2011) – Colonel’s duty race pistol feel (~32 oz), beefy build, full-size, with authentic 2011 trigger action.
Ace Arctus – A P320‑style frame, 4‑lb trigger, durable construction, balanced weight (~30 oz), with tool‑free Meta controller attachment.
Other handsets as well - check them out at acexr.com.
First Impressions
Out of the box, the Shadow Systems MR920 handset felt like the real deal. The weight was right, the grip texture was familiar, and even the trigger pull and reset mirrored the live gun. That’s because Ace actually builds their handsets off popular platforms—Shadow Systems, SIG P320 XFIVE Legion, P365 XMacro, Staccato, and more. They’re not cheap plastic toys. They’re designed by shooters, for shooters.
Setup was quick. Within about 15 minutes I was standing in my virtual “hut,” staring down a menu of three options: Thrills, Drills, or Skills.
Thrills – Basically your free-range mode. Pick your targets, run a timer, practice transitions. They even include the Taran Tactical range, so if you’ve ever wanted to run the same targets John Wick trained on—done. I usually spend 10–15 minutes here each day to keep my draw stroke and trigger press sharp.
Drills – This is where I live. USPSA stages, Steel Challenge, actual qualifier stages—it’s all there. Push yourself and you’ll break a sweat. The app ranks your runs Bronze through Ace. Bronze, Silver, and Gold come fairly quick. Platinum and Diamond push you harder. Ace? I’m 20+ days in and still haven’t hit one.
Skills – Focused mechanics: trigger control, draw accuracy, sight picture, grip correction. It’s the unglamorous but necessary part of training, and it does its job.
The place to start in your Hut.
The Numbers
Here’s where it gets wild: the system keeps track of your total shots fired and the ammo cost you’ve saved. As of writing this, I’ve logged 23,428 shots—a little over $7,000 worth of ammo saved. That alone pays for the ~$400 system several times over.
And honestly—you can’t get this kind of repetition at a flat range unless you own one. Closest outdoor spot near me is an hour away and runs $20–$30 a session, plus gas and ammo. I simply can’t do that every day. With Ace XR, I can get 15 minutes to an hour (or sometimes two) of range time daily without leaving the house.
The Good
Realism where it matters – The handsets aren’t toys. They mimic the weight and trigger pull of their live counterparts. My follow-up shots in live fire are already faster and tighter than they were three weeks ago.
Movement – This is something you don’t get at most ranges. You can draw from the holster, shoot on the move, lean around cover, go prone, or even shoot from a seated position in a car. That’s training you’d normally pay hundreds for in a one-day class.
Safety built-in – Break 180 degrees and the system DQ’s you. It forces safe habits and makes it useful for teaching brand-new shooters before they ever touch live ammo.
Customization – There’s already aftermarket support. I’ve added a Glock 17 with drop mags and even printed an AR9 frame for rifle drills.
The Weak Spots
No recoil – It’s the biggest gap. The sights bounce virtually, but your hands don’t feel it. Then again, recoil has always been the missing piece of dry fire anyway.
Not enough tactical stages yet – I’d love to see room-clearing or shoot-house scenarios. You can adapt existing drills, but a true tactical progression would be huge.
The “game” temptation – The leaderboard can trick you into chasing scores instead of building skills. A lot of top scorers are basically gaming the system by starting from high ready. That’s not training. I stick to holster draws—because that’s how I actually carry.
My Setup
I run exclusively from the holster. I modified an OWB holster to hold the handset with the Meta controller, and it works perfectly—retention, belt mount, the whole deal. Next on my list is modifying an IWB rig since that’s how I carry 80% of the time. If you’re going to train muscle memory, train it the way you live.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend Ace XR?
If you’ve got the money, yes. If you don’t, I’d honestly buy this before I bought another gun—assuming you already own at least one real firearm. It’s not a replacement for live fire, but it’s a supplement I’d call invaluable.
I bought mine with my own money—no discount codes, no sponsorship. Just an honest take from someone who believes training is essential. And Ace XR is a solid tool to make that training happen.
Doesn’t hurt that they’re a Texas company, either. Always a bonus in my book.
Here’s a little bonus for funsies. Yes, you have to go prone and move around to shoot this stage - this isn’t your pop’s dry fire.
Train your Spirit. Train your Hands.
