I was reading a few weeks ago about ASP’s “Defender” line of OC products. I am in the market for a replacement for my 2 oz. Fox Labs 5.3 canister, which has expired and has proved too large to comfortably carry on my person during the hot summer months. I thought I would give this one a try and share my impressions.
The Street Defender is the larger (6.5”) cousin to the Key Defender (5.75”) and Palm Defender (4.5”). It is nearly identical in diameter to a AA Maglite, and if you exclude the brass trigger, the same length as well. The fine knurling is very grippy, more so than most flashlights. Construction is very solid and sturdy compared to most OC units with plastic spray tops. The exit port is nothing but a small unassuming hole, so it will not be apparent to most onlookers what this device actually is.
The OC cartridge itself is replaceable, and there are inert “Test” cartridges than can be purchased. The active “Heat” cartridge indicates that it has a 10% OC mix, rated at 2,000,000 SHU (pretty average for most consumer sprays), and weights 13 grams (most keychain units are 11 grams).
Test Firing
Video- http://s443.photobucket.com/albums/qq157/glistam/?action=view¤t=ASPStreetDefenderTestFire.mp4
The device is fired by flipping the plastic safety ring out with your thumb, pointing the end at the target and then pressing the brass plunger. The safety is very secure for carry, but almost too much so. I could see how under stress you could fumble with disengaging it (note in the video I first try to flip it the wrong way), or even snap it off in a panic. During my test fire using an inert cartridge, I saw that the spray is a mist pattern. I was somewhat disappointed with the range; while some droplets hit my paper towel target at 10 feet, I feel the saturation was really lacking at that distance. It is likely most effective at 4-6 feet, which is notable as the standard distance that OC is supposed to be deployed according to the National Institute of Justice report. It is also possible, however, that the inert unit has poorer performance than the active units, from other reviews I have read. It is notable that the inert unit seems to fire some kind of oily isopropyl alcohol mixture judging from the strong odor.
Other thoughts
On the plus side, aiming is very intuitive and can be done almost blind, and the orientation in the hand lends itself a little better to point-blank firing. Note that while firing OC at grapple range is discouraged among LEO (though it still happens) it is more feasible during self-defense. I have heard several anecdotes from women during attempted sexual assault were OC was successfully used with the attacker grabbing or even on top of a prone victim. While splash-back and cross contamination is a risk, it is preferable to the alternative.
Summary
Pros:
-Sturdy design can be used as kubotan or key flail.
-Long, slender shape is easier to carry in pocket and retrieve.
-Can be aimed easily in low light and used at close range.
-Design is not recognizable as an OC weapon to most, adding to element of surprise.
Cons:
-Expensive ($30-38)
-Plastic safety switch is a little flimsy and not very intuitive, so might be difficult to disengage under stress.
-Range is limited compared to advertising.
-Mist pattern increases risk of wind interference.
The Street Defender is the larger (6.5”) cousin to the Key Defender (5.75”) and Palm Defender (4.5”). It is nearly identical in diameter to a AA Maglite, and if you exclude the brass trigger, the same length as well. The fine knurling is very grippy, more so than most flashlights. Construction is very solid and sturdy compared to most OC units with plastic spray tops. The exit port is nothing but a small unassuming hole, so it will not be apparent to most onlookers what this device actually is.
The OC cartridge itself is replaceable, and there are inert “Test” cartridges than can be purchased. The active “Heat” cartridge indicates that it has a 10% OC mix, rated at 2,000,000 SHU (pretty average for most consumer sprays), and weights 13 grams (most keychain units are 11 grams).
Test Firing
Video- http://s443.photobucket.com/albums/qq157/glistam/?action=view¤t=ASPStreetDefenderTestFire.mp4
The device is fired by flipping the plastic safety ring out with your thumb, pointing the end at the target and then pressing the brass plunger. The safety is very secure for carry, but almost too much so. I could see how under stress you could fumble with disengaging it (note in the video I first try to flip it the wrong way), or even snap it off in a panic. During my test fire using an inert cartridge, I saw that the spray is a mist pattern. I was somewhat disappointed with the range; while some droplets hit my paper towel target at 10 feet, I feel the saturation was really lacking at that distance. It is likely most effective at 4-6 feet, which is notable as the standard distance that OC is supposed to be deployed according to the National Institute of Justice report. It is also possible, however, that the inert unit has poorer performance than the active units, from other reviews I have read. It is notable that the inert unit seems to fire some kind of oily isopropyl alcohol mixture judging from the strong odor.
Other thoughts
On the plus side, aiming is very intuitive and can be done almost blind, and the orientation in the hand lends itself a little better to point-blank firing. Note that while firing OC at grapple range is discouraged among LEO (though it still happens) it is more feasible during self-defense. I have heard several anecdotes from women during attempted sexual assault were OC was successfully used with the attacker grabbing or even on top of a prone victim. While splash-back and cross contamination is a risk, it is preferable to the alternative.
Summary
Pros:
-Sturdy design can be used as kubotan or key flail.
-Long, slender shape is easier to carry in pocket and retrieve.
-Can be aimed easily in low light and used at close range.
-Design is not recognizable as an OC weapon to most, adding to element of surprise.
Cons:
-Expensive ($30-38)
-Plastic safety switch is a little flimsy and not very intuitive, so might be difficult to disengage under stress.
-Range is limited compared to advertising.
-Mist pattern increases risk of wind interference.
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