opinions on this pepper spray?

[old lady new shooter]

For some time I've had in mind to get and carry pepper spray, but never got beyond "having in mind". Recently I spent an afternoon with a young couple where the husband is a very strong advocate of pepper spray, which gave me the impetus to at least go googling.

AFAICS, in California it can't be more than 2.5 oz and has to be an aerosol spray (i.e.not some kind of projectile).

One website conveniently has a "collection" of California-legal ones, where I found this:
https://www.pepper-spray-store.com/collections/guaranteed-legal-in-california/products/fogger-10 ,
and they sell a "holster" for it that can go on either a belt or a keychain:
https://www.pepper-spray-store.com/collections/holsters-covers/products/holsterleatherette-2 .

The features described that attracted me are a longer range than others advertised on the same site, and a spray pattern that doesn't require a precise aim.

Would appreciate comments from knowledgeable folks here.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I carry Punch II that sprays in a stream. It is good for about 10 feet. Spray in a X or cross pattern and you should get a good application.

 

[glistam]

That spray is a "maybe," and not necessarily great for the price. It's lacking a lot of info that would give an informed opinion on how effective it is. Personally I like to go with more well known brands, especially UDAP, which has some of the strongest stuff available:
http://www.udap.com/mm5/product/3PWH
http://a.co/bqGcWbn

It's not the percentage that matters. It's the Major Capsaicinoids, something most off-brands never mention.

 

[hso]

Read the definitive pepper spray thread for good, bad and indifferent choices.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/pepper-spray-the-truth.768705/

 

[bikerdoc]

The key is California compliant.

Me and the wife carry Sabre red but again check and make sure whatever you buy is compliant.

 

[Jackal]

I prefer the UDAP Clip-On series. Fits in my pocket with the clip keeping it from moving. Easy to carry.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Read the definitive pepper spray thread for good, bad and indifferent choices.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/pepper-spray-the-truth.768705/

I see the thread, and actually was reading it when it first started. But I can't digest 408 posts.

Here's what I would like, if these criteria are not mutually exclusive:
- legal in California (non-negotiable)
- strongest allowable
- longest range compatible with other criteria
- doesn't require perfect aim
- if possible, doesn't require making sure wind is not blowing my way. I read some comments somewhere that the sprays that have gel don't blow back on the user, but did not see any explanation for this assertion. Besides the fact that I don't move too fast to begin with, it seems to me that if I would need to use something to get a BG away from me, I need it RIGHT NOW, not after I magically reposition myself (while a nearby magic unicorn keeps BG stationary) so the wind is helping me. For all I know, maybe BGs have by now figured out pepper spray and always position themselves so that if their selected victim uses pepper spray it will go on the victim and not on them.

 

[Jackal]

I see the thread, and actually was reading it when it first started. But I can't digest 408 posts.

Here's what I would like, if these criteria are not mutually exclusive:
- legal in California (non-negotiable)
- strongest allowable
- longest range compatible with other criteria
- doesn't require perfect aim
- if possible, doesn't require making sure wind is not blowing my way. I read some comments somewhere that the sprays that have gel don't blow back on the user, but did not see any explanation for this assertion. Besides the fact that I don't move too fast to begin with, it seems to me that if I would need to use something to get a BG away from me, I need it RIGHT NOW, not after I magically reposition myself (while a nearby magic unicorn keeps BG stationary) so the wind is helping me. For all I know, maybe BGs have by now figured out pepper spray and always position themselves so that if their selected victim uses pepper spray it will go on the victim and not on them.

- longest range compatible with other criteria
- doesn't require perfect aim
- doesn't require making sure wind is not blowing my way.
Sprays seem to come in 2 varieties. Stream or fog. Fog doesnt require much aim, but doesnt buck wind or have much range. Stream requires better aim, but bucks wind better and generally shoots farther. http://www.udap.com/mm5/category/personal-pepper-spray

 

[hso]

You only need to digest OC Trainer's posts, not the rest. As to California, just search the thread for his responses to California questions.

The short answer is to carry a stream that is Cali legal size for the best option. Nothing controls the wind so you just have to deal with wind direction and strength by using a steam type instead of cone or fog.

 

[old lady new shooter]

The key is California compliant.

Me and the wife carry Sabre red but again check and make sure whatever you buy is compliant.

The gel one seems like it pretty much covers all the bases. Which model do you guys use?

 

[old lady new shooter]

You only need to digest OC Trainer's posts, not the rest. As to California, just search the thread for his responses to California questions.

The short answer is to carry a stream that is Cali legal size for the best option. Nothing controls the wind so you just have to deal with wind direction and strength by using a steam type instead of cone or fog.

I see SABRE offers practice units that contain water, that looks like a good plan... besides just getting experienced at how it feels to use, at least I could observe in my backyard how much wind is enough to cause blowback...

 

[old lady new shooter]

- longest range compatible with other criteria
- doesn't require perfect aim
- doesn't require making sure wind is not blowing my way.
Sprays seem to come in 2 varieties. Stream or fog. Fog doesnt require much aim, but doesnt buck wind or have much range. Stream requires better aim, but bucks wind better and generally shoots farther. http://www.udap.com/mm5/category/personal-pepper-spray

Thanks for that explanation.

 

[hso]

Summarizing from OCT's thread, the gel doesn't cover all the bases since glasses can interfere with direct contact, the gel has to be sprayed at and above the glasses to give it a chance to run into the eyes if there are glasses and it won't get into the respiratory system as readily. Great without glasses, but limited when dealing with them. Cone and stream give an advantage over foam in that they both do better against glasses (short of swim goggles) and enter the respiratory system more rapidly than gel. Everything is a tradeoff. Trainers are great ideas to practice use and learn characteristics of any defensive product.


Here's the California infor in OC Trainer's thread.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/pepper-spray-the-truth.768705/page-7#post-9775914

 

[bikerdoc]

We use the Sabre Red, OC, tear gas, and dye.