When we discuss self-defense, the topic most commonly revolves around firearms. Firearms are the most common and effective way for a person to defend themselves. They work, but there are other options. I won’t dig into why someone would choose a less-lethal option, but we have to acknowledge that they are an option. Today, we are going to discuss two of the most popular less-lethal options: pepper spray handguns and stun guns.
These are two less-lethal options that can provide a degree of range. They aren’t contact weapons, and you aren’t isolated to only a few feet to use these tools. Both can be an effective and capable tool, but they are quite a bit different—different enough that we wanted to highlight the differences and break them down. When you leave here today, you’ll have a much better idea of which option is best for you.
What’s a Stun Gun?
Is it tacky to call stun guns a shock-and-awe weapon? I use the term stun gun over Taser since Taser is a brand name. With that said, Taser does exemplify the modern stun gun market, especially when it comes to high-quality stun guns that can propel barbs that carry electricity. Stun guns can also be contact weapons.
The Taser Pulse 2 is an excellent example of a modern stun gun. The Pulse 2 propels two barbed probes up to 15 feet. These barbs are propelled by compressed nitrogen but do remain connected to the device. Electricity is propelled through the wires into the threat. This electricity causes neuromuscular incapacitation.
This means that electricity is overwhelming your brain’s ability to control your muscles. It does not feel very nice. After the shot is fired, the stun gun can also be used as a contact weapon for a hand-to-hand encounter.
What’s a Pepper Spray Handgun?
“Pepper spray handgun” is a bit of an interesting term we are using purposefully. We are discussing tools that look and feel like handguns. They propel a chemical irritant via compressed air. The target is the threat’s respiratory system.
This can be a compressed ball that explodes on contact or a steady stream of pepper spray. These pepper spray handguns have a greater range than a normal pepper spray dispenser and do propel chemical irritants at a higher velocity. One of the best examples is the Byrna Less Lethal launchers.
The chemical irritants, often simply called pepper spray, can temporarily blind a threat, cause severe pain, and cause choking and coughing. Most of these tools can be used multiple times.
All About Stun Guns
The biggest benefit of a stun gun is its immediate effect. When those electrodes hit a threat and you press that button, the threat’s muscles are going to lock up. It’s involuntary, it’s painful, and it’s disorienting. Stun guns can immediately disable a threat and take the momentum out of the threat. This allows you to retreat and call for help.
Stun guns are not reliant on chemical irritants. Chemical irritants can be affected by wind, rain, and more. Stun guns simply need to make contact with a human via probe or contact, and they can render that threat a weeping baby.
When fired, a stun gun will typically apply a cycle of electricity. With the aforementioned Taser Pulse 2, the electricity will cycle for 30 seconds, which can be stopped via a safety device, but does not need to be. Users can retreat while relying on the cycle to maintain neuromuscular incapacitation.
The downside is that most of the civilian options have a single ranged shot. After that, you have to make contact, which can be difficult and puts you in greater danger. The one fired shot has a range of 15 feet, which isn’t a bad breath range, but it’s limited. Against multiple attackers, the single long-range shot is a problem.
The probes can be rendered useless by a heavy jacket or sweatshirt; these layers can prevent the barbs from making skin contact, which is critical for their effectiveness. To achieve neuromuscular incapacitation, you need both probes to hit the target.
All About Pepper Spray Handguns
The modern pepper spray handgun can vary widely in range. A Byrna device has a range of 60 feet, which is far for a non-lethal weapon. Much smaller tools like the Kimber Pepperblaster can reach about 13 feet.
At the low end, the pepper spray gun can still nearly match the range of the stun gun. Distance is always a valuable tool to have. Distance, plus the added effect of an extended period of pain caused by irritants, can be massively beneficial. It gives you a broad reactionary gap that allows for follow-on decision-making and escape.
Most of these tools are going to offer you multiple shots, giving you a double dose of ranged fire. Tools like the Byrna offer five rounds and rapid reloads; the Kimber Pepperblaster offers two shots. Between the two, you might see three or four with different tools.
Some of these launch projectiles that burst, creating a cloud. Others shoot a strong stream. Either way, you’re aiming for the face, and when that OC hits, it’s lights out (literally, temporary blindness), burning, coughing, choking. It’s debilitating.
With pepper spray guns, you are likely to be more affected by rain, wind, and other extreme weather conditions. If the wind’s whipping, that spray can come right back in your face. Or it can dissipate before it reaches the target. Rain can dilute it.
READ MORE HERE: Firearms For Home Defense – The Pros, Cons, & Easy Buttons
Which One Would I Pick?
In various training environments, I’ve experienced both stun guns and various chemical irritants. I’ve been shocked by a Taser X-26, I’ve been exposed to CS gas, and sprayed in the face. I hated all of it. If you told me I had to pick one to go through, I’d pick the stun gun. Chemical irritants can be irritating and painful hours after exposure.
With that said, a stun gun shut me down immediately, and two other guys had to guide me to the ground. After getting OCed, I had to hit a punching bag and run an obstacle course. It wasn’t pleasant, but I could do it. This is just some food for thought. Hopefully, you review each tool, weigh its pros and cons, and determine what’s best for you.
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