STUN GUN PROS:
Stun Guns come in all shapes, sizes, and voltage! Voltage varying from 1 Million Volts to 35 Million Volts.
For close range self defense, nothing brings an attacker down more quickly and efficiently.
If you touch the person while stunning them, the electrical current will not pass back to you.
Avoid an attacker by firing a warning shot in the air; the electrical crackling can deter an attack before it happens.
More cost effective than TASER devices, stun guns cost less, do not require replacement firing cartridges, most are rechargeable so they are always ready to go, and they do NOT require a felony background check.
Wide variety of models available: Handheld, Knuckle Grip, Rechargeable, and Womens.
STUN GUN CONS:
Stun guns do not have far range capabilities, they are meant for close range self defense. To drop an attacker to the ground, you must touch the person with the unit. We also carry Stun Batons which allow for extended reach if you are interested in direct contact stun gun devices with an extended range.
Pros and Cons of the TASER
TASER devices are electroshock weapons that use electrical current to disrupt muscle control, stopping an attacker dead in their tracks. TASER devices can be used both close and more distance (range). Upon firing, TASER devices shoot two metal probe darts a distance of 15 feet to reach an attacker before he reaches you. The TASER can also be used as a direct contact stun gun, allowing for close proximity self-defense.
TASER PROS:
Far range capability offers a safe 15 foot zone of protection with 50,000 volts of power being delivered through two probes that can penetrate up to 2″ of clothing.
Simplified aim in models with built-in laser sighting. Just line up the red dot and shoot.
TASER devices will shock your attacker for 30 seconds allowing you to drop the device and easily get to safety.
TASER devices have a direct contact stun gun back-up capability built into them in case of a misfire, missed target, or if the attacker is too close.
Safe Escape Product Replacement Program: When a TASER CEW is used in self defense and the deployed unit is left behind at the scene allowing you to get to safety, you can submit your information along with a copy of a police report of the incident to Taser International, and they will replace your unit at no cost (except shipping).
Several models available: TASER Bolt, TASER Pulse, and TASER X26C. See TASER Models Comparison page.
TASER CONS:
Both electrode barbs must hit their target for the TASER device to be effective, typically both do.
If you live in MD, MN, or IL, TASER devices require passing a felony background check before shipment. This is also a Pro, since it helps to keep Tasers out of the hands of criminals.
Price, ranging from $399 and up, TASER devices are more expensive than stun guns requiring the purchase of replacement firing cartridges and batteries/power magazine replacements over their life.
Pepper Spray vs Stun Gun
Generally, I would suggest pepper spray over a stun gun. This is because you do not have to touch your assailant. You can spray him for a distance of 6-20 feet depending on the size of the pepper spray. … The attacker quickly closes the distance that a pepper spray would be most effective at.
How big a problem is variability –weak batches- in pepper spray? In May 2001 The journal of Forensic Sciences release the following information:
“OC variability could alter potency and ultimately jeopardize the safety and health of users and assailants.”
Variability explains why have been shown to be only 70% effective in discouraging attacks by aggressive individuals.
Another way to put this is pepper sprays have a 30% failure rate due to variability. Eliminate the variability risk Security Equipment Corporation HPLC Guarantee. (HPLC stands: for High Performance Liquid Chromatography.) Security Equipment Corporation/SABRE is the only company to test every unit in this manner.
Is Pepper Spray effective?
Several Times I have engaged in conversations with LEOs, Security and Civilians who share incidents where Pepper was reportedly not effective against an attacker. I believe I can explain why some of this happens.
Lack of training and preparation. On several occasions I have spoken with people who buy a can of OC from the local Auto Parts/Hardware store. They then will throw it in a pocket purse or drawer and they believe there ready for the fight. Here are some of the problems:
No one practiced how to release the safety.
Safety was released in pocket and unit discharged over a period of time. (Unit was empty)
Unable to aim and hit the target. OC is most effective when it hits the eyes. Hitting anywhere else will probably empower the attacker to continue on.
Can was stored in a location not readily available and could not be located/deployed rapidly enough to be effective on the attacker.
Variability-Weak Batches
How big a problem is variability –weak batches- in pepper spray? In May 2001 The journal of Forensic Sciences release the following information:
“OC variability could alter potency and ultimately jeopardize the safety and health of users and assailants.”
Variability explains why have been shown to be only 70% effective in discouraging attacks by aggressive individuals.
Conclusion: To be effective you need to practice with particular unit you are going to carry and understand it’s capabilities/limitations. You need to know what type of Spray Pattern you have and what is the distance it can deliver the OC.
How to Determine The Potency Of A Pepper Spray.
There is considerable controversy over ratings on the potency of a pepper spray. It depends on the manufacturer’s view of how they want to market their product. Most pepper spray manufacturers use the percentage of oleoresin capsicum in their sprays as the most effective way to judge the potency of their product. Other manufacturers hype the number of Scoville Heat Units or SHUs as the best way to judge the potency of their product.
According to this scale of hot sauce products normal pepper spray has 2 million Scoville heat units. “The Scoville scale is a measure of the ‘hotness’ of a chilli pepper or anything derived from chilli peppers, i.e. hot sauce. The scale is named after Wilbur Scoville who developed the test in 1912.” So one would think that the more Scoville Heat Units in a pepper spray, the more potent the spray. And many manufacturers want you to think that is the case. Wrong!!
Unfortunately, neither of these methods is correct. You almost have to have inside knowledge to get past the marketing hype of most manufacturers. The most effective way to judge the potency of the spray is the percentage of major capsaicinoids. This information is almost impossible to find on most pepper spray labels quite possibly because the percentage is so low. The low end of Capsaicin and Related Capsaicinoids (CRC) is.18%. On the high end is 2.4% CRC for some potent bear sprays.
The best chemical and spray pattern in the world will not help you if your attacker takes it away or even worse, uses it against you. Be able to get to your spray quickly! Too many people keep their sprays in their purse or on their key rings where they are virtually inaccessible. Try a little test right now. Grab your spray, disengage the safety if it has one, and prepare it for use. How long did it take you to perform those operations? If it took longer than 2 seconds, your spray is likely to be of little use to you in an actual attack.
If you are able to get to your spray in an attack situation, do not tell the attacker that you are going to spray him. He should not know you have the spray until his eyes slam shut and he can no longer breathe. There is no legal requirement to warn a person before spraying and any warning you might give only allows your attacker the time he needs to come up with a plan to avoid your spray or take it away from you.
Use your thumb to depress the button on your canister. This will make your spraying more accurate than using your index finger. It will also give you a stronger grip on your canister to make it more difficult for your attacker to wrest it away from you. Target your attacker’s face with short bursts of spray lasting one to two seconds. Once your attacker’s face is covered, stop spraying! More spray is not more effective. In fact, more spray only washes away the active ingredients from the face, increasing the amount of time it takes for the spray to take effect.
After spraying don’t stand around and admire your handiwork! Use the spray as a distraction in order to escape. Get away as soon as it is safe to do so.
Have a backup plan. OC sprays are effective most of the time, sometimes they just don’t work. Sometimes they take a considerable time to put your attacker down. Be prepared for the spray to be ineffective. Consider other weapons options or be ready to fight with your hands, feet or whatever else is available. If the spray is not working after a reasonable time period (five seconds or so) throw the can far away so that the attacker cannot gain control of it and use it against you.
PEPPER SPRAY TACTICS
The best chemical and spray pattern in the world will not help you if your attacker takes it away or even worse, uses it against you. Here are some Tactical suggestions.
#1 Be able to get to your spray quickly! Too many people keep their sprays in their purse or on their key rings where they are virtually inaccessible. Try a little test. Grab your spray, disengage the safety if it has one, and prepare to use it. How long did it take you to perform those operations? If it took longer than two seconds, your spray is likely to be of little use to you in an actual attack.
#2 Do not announce to the attacker that you are going to spray him. He should not know you have the spray until his eyes slam shut and he can no longer breathe. There is no legal requirement to warn a person before spraying and any warning you might give only allows your attacker the time he needs to come up with a plan to avoid your spray or take it away from you.
#3. Use your thumb to depress the button on your canister. This will make your spraying more accurate than using your index finger. It will also give you a stronger grip on your canister to make it more difficult for your attacker to it away from you.
#4. Target your attacker’s face with short bursts of spray lasting one to two seconds. Once your attacker’s face is covered, stop spraying! More spray is not more effective. In fact, more spray only washes away the active ingredients from the face, increasing the amount of time it takes for the spray to take effect
#5. After spraying don’t stand around and admire your handiwork! Use the spray as a distraction in order to make your escape. Go to LPC’s (Leather personnel carriers/Shoes) Get away as soon as it is safe to do so.
#6 Have a backup plan. While chemical sprays are effective most of the time, sometimes they just don’t work. Sometimes they take a considerable time to put your attacker down. Be prepared for the spray to be ineffective. Consider other weapons options or be ready to fight with your hands, feet ETC. If the spray is not working after a reasonable time period (five seconds or so) throw the can far away so that the attacker cannot gain control of it and use it against you.
Shake your canister on a monthly basis to keep the active ingredients mixed with the carrier agent. Test fire your spray every few months to make sure that the nozzle is not clogged with debris. Replace your spray by the expiration date noted on the canister. If your canister does not have and expiration date, replace it every two years. While the chemical inside will not lose potency, aerosols tend to lose propellant pressure over time.
Chemical spray deterrents add a potent weapon to anyone’s arsenal. If you follow the simple steps outlined above, you will dramatically increase your ability to utilize a chemical spray deterrent in the most effective manner possible. Good chemical spray selection, combined with viable tactics and excellent situational awareness will make you into a formidable opponent for any potential attacker.
Why Buy This Pepper Spray Device?
Why do we only sell this style pepper spray device at Spartan Pepper Spray? After a lot of research and reviews, we found 84% of people that carry some form of personal protection (keychain pepper spray, taser, knife, gun, stick, keys) either have it knocked away in an attack, fumble for it and drop it, or can’t find it in time. With other personal safety devices, you can not ask the attacker to give you a minute so you can pull it out of your bag. Or wherever you have it clipped on, you then have to flip up one safety, turn the handle on the seconded safety, make sure you have it aimed at the attacker, and then press. That is just too much. Spartan pepper spray is simply the best pepper.
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