Pepper ball gun recommendations for an elderly woman

[Crosshair]

I have an elderly acquaintance who I have taken out shooting several times. They can shoot a rifle just fine from a rest. The problem is her hand strength and arthritis. It makes even a 22 pistol or revolver not really an option for her. She knows this, but still wants something for personal protection though.

Another acquaintance suggested a pepper ball gun. So that's why I'm here.

I know nothing about them. I am assuming that these are not considered firearms. If I am wrong about the sub-forum to post this in, feel free to move it to where it should be.

So, what are some good options for pepper ball guns that someone with weak hands could use? Price is a consideration, but not the most important.

 

[glistam]

Honestly regular pepper spray is going to be better. Pepper balls were designed as riot control weapons, to deliver OC at a longer range while still remaining controlled. They are also very expensive by comparison. As one final nail in that coffin, you are presuming the trigger pull on a pepper ball gun, as well it's recoil (yes, air powered guns have recoil), would be any less of an issue with her hand strength and arthritis.

Most interpersonal violence a person would encounter in a self-defense situation tends to be at fairly close range, more than close enough for most decent pepper spray.

 

[JShirley]

Paintball guns are all you need for launching pepper balls: the big drawback is availability and price. IIRC, an individual pepper ball was about $2, when I looked into them 14 years ago. You then still have to deal with a paintball gun. I believe a better choice would be a single-action .22 Magnum handgun, like the KelTec PMR-30.

A much less expensive option could be the Kimber Pepper blaster, which launches two pepper projectiles, but I wouldn't trust someone with very weak hands to be able to work the long, heavy trigger pull well.

John

 

[Alex Clayton]

As mentioned if she can't shoot even a .22 she would never be able to use one of those launchers for Pepper balls.

 

[Double_J]

I looked at pepper balls years ago and was unable to find any for sale unless I was buying on Law Enforcement letterhead with an approved purchase order. I would go with regular pepper spray as it can be bought inexpensively just about anywhere.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I looked at pepper balls years ago and was unable to find any for sale unless I was buying on Law Enforcement letterhead with an approved purchase order. I would go with regular pepper spray as it can be bought inexpensively just about anywhere.

They are easy to buy now, unless some state does not allow them. The damn things are quite pricey. They make some inert ones to train with which would be nice I guess if someone wants to go with these. The "live ammo" is expensive for these but it's there to buy.

 

[GEM]

I was asked about this by a relative and researched on police sites. This is what I sent to the relative:

Well, asking the pro group, they weren't positive about the gadget.

1. There are questions of legality, state to state. It might be illegal in some. If you look at their website, you will see that they will not sell active OC balls to some states. That would imply that the thing is illegal there. Needs to be checked.

2. Projectile weapons have the risk of doing more grievous damage that one might want. Blasting out someone's eye is more that you might want unless in a life and death conflict. Pepper ball guns have killed people in some very rare but possible scenarios with a head shot fracturing thin bones. You goal is really to disengage with OC stuff.

3. There is a question of efficacy. Here's a police officer's take:

Like anything, there are strengths and weaknesses but for self defense I would stick to traditional OC.

Pepperball takes time and often multiple rounds for the PAVA to waft to mucus membranes and take effect and as an impact weapon it's not terribly painful (only slightly worse than paintball). Once it takes effect, PAVA is uncomfortable but not blinding in the sense a direct shot of OC is. I would not trust it to discourage even a moderately determined attacker unless I had an entire hopper to sustain fire with. They work great for crowds, particularly area denial and targeting individuals outside the effective distance of traditional OC (magnum cans max out at about 20').


So it seems more an area denial, distance weapon that takes some time to take effect.

The cops all recommend OC, Sabre is the preferred brand currently.

4. There are taser guns - for civilians, again check local laws on such.

Thus, I'd go with a bigger OC spray. The idea of a gun like object is appealing but I don't see this one.

Hope this helps.

 

[redneck]

Byrna makes a pistol sized pepper ball gun and also the pepper balls. It looks like a nice unit, but for home defense I think maybe a regular paintball marker with a hopper full might be a better choice. This video had a lot of good info on them though.

 

[SharpDog]

Mace Brand $42

https://www.thehomesecuritysupersto...6&utm_content=Top Performers - Revenue / Cost

However, I really don't see this as an advantage for her over any other light and small pistol and would suggest the pepper spray as stated above. IDK if it will be a plus or minus for her but these are thumb operated vs index finger:

https://smile.amazon.com/SABRE-Red-...+spray&qid=1604518101&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-3

 

[Alex Clayton]

Byrna makes a pistol sized pepper ball gun and also the pepper balls. It looks like a nice unit, but for home defense I think maybe a regular paintball marker with a hopper full might be a better choice. This video had a lot of good info on them though.

Those do look like a fairly nice idea BUT, people who want one need to make sure.
1 big down side is these are NOT something for someone who can't handle a firearm due to age ect. They as hard and harder to use than many guns.
2, the Co will take your money but not send you anything. I have one kid who is rabid anti gun. I have given her a couple other things for home and she is willing to take them. I was going to buy her one of these after watching several video's. I ordered one, they promptly charged my card. After 6 weeks with no idea on their part when they might actually send the item I got a little leery of this. They are expanding and using the money they are taking in to try to expand and taking a LONG time to actually send product. It got to the point I started to worry that by the time they sent the item, if it was defective it would be too late to have the bank deal with them if they refused. I got leery and told them to refund the money. Now they did due the refund right away. I would use caution though sending them money until they prove they are not going to just go bust one day holding a lot of peoples money when they go down.

 

[hso]

Another acquaintance suggested a pepper ball gun

Silly suggestion by the acquaintance. Most of the problems of a firearm for someone that can't hold a firearm, poorer ergos, less effective than a firearm.

Large and small OC canisters would be better than pepperball hands down.

 

[redneck]

Those do look like a fairly nice idea BUT, people who want one need to make sure.
1 big down side is these are NOT something for someone who can't handle a firearm due to age ect. They as hard and harder to use than many guns...

Did you get to handle one? I like the concept but have no interest in owning one. I am curious about the cocking effort and loading process and how difficult that is. My paintball marker has a cocking knob on the back and relatively light spring, I think it would be easier to manage for someone lacking grip strength but also is not a handy package to keep near at hand. The biggest advantage to the Byrna that I can see is that you could keep it on your person. I haven't dealt with the company and wasn't trying to make any endorsements in that regard.

 

[Alex Clayton]

Did you get to handle one? I like the concept but have no interest in owning one. I am curious about the cocking effort and loading process and how difficult that is. My paintball marker has a cocking knob on the back and relatively light spring, I think it would be easier to manage for someone lacking grip strength but also is not a handy package to keep near at hand. The biggest advantage to the Byrna that I can see is that you could keep it on your person. I haven't dealt with the company and wasn't trying to make any endorsements in that regard.

No, tried to buy one for one kid who is super anti gun. They Byrna, are having some problems and I got scared and backed out after 6 weeks of them having my money and no product. There is a ton of videos of them though to show how they work. One often stated downside is the trigger pull. On the heavy side. Anyone who could shoot one of them could easily shoot many different handguns. If Byrna ever gets it together I will still buy one for the one kid. I like the idea.

 

[DDeegs]

We have some at work, a police dept, you can get them with an electric trigger, however, the launcher costs about a grand. The pepper balls are around $3.00 a round in bulk, the inert rounds are more exspensive. And as said before they are more for area denial and are not instantly effective
Dan

 

[hso]

Looks like the consensus is they're not an SD tool, the triggers are heavy, they're not lightweight, and therefore not suitable for an individual who isn't fit enough to handle a firearm.