[AirPower]

My friend gave me a 21" collapsable baton, it's not ASP, but pretty much just like it. The problem is that I got it open but can't get it to close. The first time I closed it by tapping it on the floor but the second time I flicked it harder and it's harder to close. I was going to tap it harder but then I read online that ASP does not recommend doing it that way as it will wear the joints and the tip. What's the proper way to close it?

[bad_dad_brad]

Hold on to the base and shake the tip back and forth, almost a vibration. Pretty soon the extended parts will release. Be patient, it may take a few shakes or so. I have an ASP - it works. By the way, I don't know what brand you are dealing with, but if it isn't an ASP, then it is probably crap.

Do not slam the head on the ground in any way either directly or at an angle. This shaking method works most of the time. Also you should lube your entire baton with CLP breakfree and wipe clean. This will facilitate ease of both deployment and extraction.

[stevelyn]

When I did the ASP training at the academy the instructor taught us to collapse the baton by striking the tip on a hard surface and driving it downwards to the closed position.
This is the approved method by ASP. I've also used the same technique on the Gall's knock-off version of the ASP. Seems to work just fine w/o damage or malfunctions.
The shaking method also works, but all the times I've had to deploy mine I've never had the luxury of being able to screw around with it until it closed.;)

[hso]

Same training for me as stevelyn got, but remember that it has to be straight down with the axis perpendicular to the surface and it has to be a hard suface.

I have shaken the critter down, but it's only worked when the baton was not very solidly locked open.

BDB,

There are a very few good telescoping batons other than ASP out there, but they do exist. Monadnock, PPCT, and WILMOTH are quality products. Almost all the flea market junk won't function well or safely.

What do I carry? ASP with RAM led add on light.

[AirPower]

thanks for the info, I think the straight down method is the one I was looking for and it works great.

now if you guys can remember your training, what are the strike areas that you can hit with the baton w/o causing fatal injuries yet incapacitate the subject?

[nhhillbilly]

Less Lethal do not hit the head, center of the check, groin, it is target specific. Aim for the lower arms, Upper legs. It is pain compliance.

[ahenry]

Like HSO said, shaking a baton only works if its not tight. However, never having the luxury of a hard surface on which to bang the tip I have discovered another way to close a baton. As you shake the baton closed in the manner Bad_dad_brad described, bang the side of the baton against your shoe sole. This doesn’t work as well as banging the tip against a hard surface, but when there is no hard surface around it’ll do the job.

[PeacefulWarrior]

Don't forget the most important part of closing your baton whatever method you use....DO NOT take your eyes off of your target when closing your baton!