I'm interested in carrying pepper spray in addition to my concealed handgun. So far, I haven't done so because of doubts as to whether I can easily carry it concealed along with all my other stuff (wallet, keys, cell phone, handgun). My handgun normally fills one front pocket and the other stuff fills the other (I don't find it very comfortable to carry anything of significant size in a back pocket). In terms of brands, my research suggests the Fox products are the most potent. Would appreciate hearing what sprays others carry and how they comfortably conceal them.
Best pepper spray option
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leadcounsel
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I've been sprayed with OC spray as part of a course. The spray was about 1/8th of a second blast in my face. I was allowed to hold my breath and close my eyes. It's a delayed reaction, meaning that it wouldn't IMMEDIATELY stop a threat... however, after about 5 seconds or so, the searing pain was nearly incapacitating. I was allowed to towel off the excess OC spray. I was forced to do 'react to contact' drills under paintball fire, and I will frankly and honestly say that I could barely function. The searing heat and pain lasted hours, and gradually got better over the course of 10 hours and it was finally gone after I showered.
The brand is Fox labs. I have no affiliation with the company, but afterward I ordered several cans of it.
That being said, I would only use it if I were law enforcement trying to detain someone, of if there was a threat (for instance and unreasonable person I know gets too drunk, maybe a family member, and starts a fight, or maybe a dog fight, etc.). For most self defense if there's a violent person with a weapon I'm using my gun for defense. OC Spray is not generally in my self defense continium unless I am someplace that I cannot have a gun.
The brand is Fox labs. I have no affiliation with the company, but afterward I ordered several cans of it.
That being said, I would only use it if I were law enforcement trying to detain someone, of if there was a threat (for instance and unreasonable person I know gets too drunk, maybe a family member, and starts a fight, or maybe a dog fight, etc.). For most self defense if there's a violent person with a weapon I'm using my gun for defense. OC Spray is not generally in my self defense continium unless I am someplace that I cannot have a gun.
Fox will do.
Was that in the military? I can't imagine many people volunteering to be pepper-sprayed. It's bad enough when one touches one's eyes after preparing hot peppers for cooking!
leadcounsel
member
Yes, my experience was a course to which the military sent me, but it's offered for many in law enforcement, Department of Defense, CIA, FBI, etc.
I believe most law enforcement that use OC are required to certify regularly and certifcation (which I now have) requires 'participation' as the 'victim.'
I believe most law enforcement that use OC are required to certify regularly and certifcation (which I now have) requires 'participation' as the 'victim.'
Yet they do. One of our Mods has been through it and can assure you that he wouldn't volunteer again.
slicksleeve
Member
I've volunteered for being pepper sprayed. Wait a minute, I didn't volunteer. If you wan't to work here you have to carry it, and the only way is to be sprayed. So more like voluntold I suppose. I hope I never get it again. It really hurts, but it is often not an immediate threat stopper to a dedicated combative person.
usmc1371
Member
Years ago I was an armed security guard as was my best friend and one night I had to spray a very druged up man. The reaction was a little slow but after a few seconds he no longer wanted to fight the rent-a-cop and was begging for some water. When the real cops showed up to take this nice man to jail they wouldn't get near him cause the stuff I used "aint the same sh*t they use". I had to do the cuff transfer and they called the for the van to take him away. There was no way you could have put that man in a car and tried to drive. Turns out the stuff I had was way stronger than what the fuzz was using and later I learned why. When the cops spray some one they have to deal with them where as a security guard I only used the spray to keep me from having to fight a big ass druged up guy. I told him the sooner he let me get the cuffs on the sooner I would get him some water for his face.
So the next day I had a half a can of spray left... long story short my buddy and I sprayed each other in his front yard "to see how bad it really is", we had a hell of a fight over his garden hose. Way Way worse than the CS chambes I went through in the Marines.
So the next day I had a half a can of spray left... long story short my buddy and I sprayed each other in his front yard "to see how bad it really is", we had a hell of a fight over his garden hose. Way Way worse than the CS chambes I went through in the Marines.
leadcounsel
member
And the Fox labs stuff is little oil capsules, millions of the buggers, that contain the OC. Water doesn't work well to wash it off, and if you scrub it the capsules break. The best way to get it off is to dab it with towels; but that's hard to do when you are freaking out due to the pain.
Great stuff though.
Great stuff though.
Kingcreek
Member
getting sprayed with Fox Labs is as much fun as bobbing for french fries in the fryer.
I think it's hard to beat the spitfire unit for form factor/ease of carry, intuitive use (points horizontally rather than vertically), and according to tests it's similar to fox labs...oh, it's fifteen bucks too...really fits easily on a keychain.
leadcounsel
member
I'm certain that's what I was 'peppered' by, and it's a miserable experience.
Check local laws/statutes. I'm talking a bit "out of school" here, but I could swear Wisconsin has specific rules about which sprays can/can't be used. I see you're in TX. They likely don't have any such nonsense, but you may want to check anyway.
Here's the WI data:
http://datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/factsheets/pepper_spray.jsp
Here's a short discussion on legality in TX:
http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/gun-legislation/1625-laws-pepper-spray.html
Here's the WI data:
http://datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/factsheets/pepper_spray.jsp
Here's a short discussion on legality in TX:
http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/gun-legislation/1625-laws-pepper-spray.html
TX allows chemical agents in "small" dispensers. AFAIK there is no guidance on what "small" means. I have ordered a 2oz Fox 5.3 million scovilles. Bit nervous this may not be considered small. I could have gone smaller (key chain, 11 gm) but I could also have gone larger (4oz).
Oh like any "weapon" if you get some hardass cop who doesn't like your attitude or the way you look, they can probably haul you in and I seriously doubt whether the size of the container is really gonna matter.
Of course they could do that with a pocket knife or even a screwdriver that you have on you.
Of course they could do that with a pocket knife or even a screwdriver that you have on you.
Fox Labs is not that hot at .66 capsaicinoids. The US DoD formula is slightly hotter at .69 capsaicinoids. Also, someone earlier mentioned the "solvent" in Fax. NOT GOOD! They use Trichloroethylene. In its 9th report on carcinogens, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) determined that Trichloroethylene is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen".
MSI (Mace Security International) Pepper Gel/45 gram. Shoots 15 feet and sticks like glue.
MSI also makes pepper foam that is 10% pepper. The foam has some vision blocking capabilities that can shut down an attacker on impact. It sprays about 6-10 feet.
MSI also makes pepper foam that is 10% pepper. The foam has some vision blocking capabilities that can shut down an attacker on impact. It sprays about 6-10 feet.
BADUNAME37
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I have a small rectangular Kimber with two shots and a sealed trigger in the middle. I think it is called The Gurdian Angel. It comes in a nice metal tray box with foam insert. I think it was $49 or so - I got it for a birthday present and my wife got one as well.
I also have heard of a can of foam Wasp & Hornet killer that shoots 25 feet (they told me to make sure I get the 25' spray).
I know I have used that hornet spray and it does shoot in almost a perfectly straight line. A face-full of that would stop an assailant, I'm sure of it!
At least, with that, you could claim that you just happened to have it with you! Some people run into wasp nests during their normal working day, and for those people this stuff would be PERFECT~!
I also have heard of a can of foam Wasp & Hornet killer that shoots 25 feet (they told me to make sure I get the 25' spray).
I know I have used that hornet spray and it does shoot in almost a perfectly straight line. A face-full of that would stop an assailant, I'm sure of it!
At least, with that, you could claim that you just happened to have it with you! Some people run into wasp nests during their normal working day, and for those people this stuff would be PERFECT~!
FirearmsEnthusiast
Member
Looks like fun
Your post prompted me to do a few minutes research and I found this http://www.cqbsupply.com/documents/10HowHotIsYourSpray.pdf, which confirms your data but indicates the hottest brands contain 1.25% total capsaicinoids (the Scoville Heat Units are less but they contain more of the active ingredient).
I also found the Fox Material Safety Data Sheet http://www.pepperspraysetc.com/msds/Pepper-Spray-Fox-Fog.pdf, which confirms that it does contain trichloroethylene. I think the Fox "Mean Green" product is water-based and could be a better choice than the solvent-based.
I also found this study http://www.sabrered.com/PDFs/University-of-UTAH-Study.pdf, which showed that the actual total capsaicinoids varied greatly from one batch of pepper spray to another as well as between brands. The study was published in 2001 so maybe quality control methods are better now.
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