Where's the most accurate current information link for suitable personal use products?
Who has specific recommendations for home reliability?

Look at Take Down Extreme, Sabre Red, and Mace. There are others out there..... Also, there are mostly 3 types of pepper spray: mist, stream, and foam. All have pluses and minuses. Look at the environment you might be using this spray in and decide what is best.

Finally, take a course (if locally available) on the use of pepper spray. Also check your local laws on usage of pepper spray.

Sometimes it works, but not always! have a backup plan!

Two names come to my immdeiate mind when I think pepper spray. they are Chuck Haggard and Greg Ellifritz. Greg writes about selecting and using it. Chuck's site.

I personally carry Fox Labs. I prefer the stream type. Foam is best for inside use because it doesn't get sucked through ventilation systems. I don't like the fog or cone type pattern types.

Over the years, Sigforum's LEOs and prison guards have repeatedly recommended Fox Labs and Sabre Red.

A couple years ago, my at the time GF was followed across the parking lot at her apartment complex and it freaked her out knowing she had nothing for SD on her person or in her house. I asked if it was OK to buy her pepper spray and she said yes (I think it's important to ask). When I set about searching my criteria were:
1. It had to be one of the brands LEOs and prison guards recommend
2. There had to be an inert training unit for sale so I could get her to practice with it.

I ended up buying her this Sabre Red keychain kit that included an inert training unit and a target. Here is how I handled giving it to her:

prior to her arrival I had the target taped up in the garage and Sabre Red's video ready to play on YouTube

I handed her the training unit and we watched the video together

We went out to the garage and she practiced with it. Started off stationary and then got her spraying at the target as she moved.

Once the training unit was empty, I personally put the real pepper spray on her keychain.

I did all of the above to give her confidence and make sure she followed through. I did the same thing with my next GF and it worked well then too.

For my evening walks, I bought myself a larger Sabre Red with a built-in belt clip. It's mainly in case I encounter an aggressive dog as I'd rather have something less lethal to try first before drawing my CCW.

When a mentally unstable piece of shit moved in next door to my Dad and began acting aggressive I bought Dad the same larger Sabre Red with a built-in belt clip. He clips it on his belt or elastic waist band when doing yard work.

Fox is what we're issued.

Stream for general use.
Foam for indoor use.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Fox is what we're issued.

Stream for general use.
Foam for indoor use.

Is your department one of the ones where qualification includes getting sprayed with it?

Back years ago when we were first authorized to carry OC, we used CAPSTUN. My confidence level when going into potentially dangerous situations was at the highest when carrying it.

Several years later, we weren't authorized to carry it anymore because it is alcohol based. The water based brands we went to were NEVER even close to being as effective. If I ever come out of retirement and the agency permits CAPSTUN, I'll return as one of their loyal customers.

Perhaps you will find this previous thread helpful.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/2770080174

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Fox is what we're issued.

Stream for general use.
Foam for indoor use.

Is your department one of the ones where qualification includes getting sprayed with it?

That's a state certification requirement for all LEOs in Arkansas. So yes, but not just my department.

It sucks, but it's not the end of the world. I wouldn't necessarily volunteer to do it again, but wouldn't bitch too much if it was a requirement.

Tasers are a lot more uncomfortable, but for a significantly shorter time. 5 seconds versus 10ish minutes of the serious OC effects and another 30ish minutes of residual. (And OC then partially reactivates when you go shower later, for a fun Round 3.)

I’ve used fog (CAPSTUN) and stream (DEFTECH & SABRE) as a cop. I loved the fogger. capstun was alcohol based and we switched when we all got tasers.

The stream was able to targeted one one person vs the fogger, which usually got the officer too.

Since I’m retired and won’t be taking anyone into custody, I only carry the gun. I don’t jog so not worried about dogs, but if I did, I’d carry the fogger kind- once you’ve inhaled some OC, you’ll change you mind about anything but trying to breath

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Fox is what we're issued.

Stream for general use.
Foam for indoor use.

Is your department one of the ones where qualification includes getting sprayed with it?

That's a state certification requirement for all LEOs in Arkansas. So yes, but not just my department.

It sucks, but it's not the end of the world. I wouldn't necessarily volunteer to do it again, but wouldn't bitch too much if it was a requirement.

Tasers are a lot more uncomfortable, but for a significantly shorter time. 5 seconds versus 10ish minutes of the serious OC effects and another 30ish minutes of residual. (And OC then partially reactivates when you go shower later, for a fun Round 3.)

Have you been sprayed with brands other than Fox Labs. If so, how does it stack up as far as "user experience?"

Only whatever was used at the Academy. I believe it was Fox, but can't be sure.

I like Fox labs. I have a mk 9 and a few of their grenades. I buy their "mean green" product for my daughters. the ink will last 3 or 4 weeks!!

I carry Deftech "Defensive technologies" at work. It works great and has a 5 year expiration.

As far as the delivery method. I will only use the fog. I have shot people at 20 feet and it covered their entire head and you get to affect their lungs The stream .is to difficult to score a hit in the eyes and doesn't affect the breathing. foam can be scooped and thrown back at you.

If I'm outside I just make sure I am upwind

great information Gents. It will take a bit to get read up on these tips. Thanks again.

Issued defense tech. They must’ve been bought or partner with Safariland because their name is on it now too.

Fox labs and I prefer stream. I’ve used it on more people than I can remember. The thing about foam is that they can just wipe it off. I’ve even seen it thrown back at the guy spraying them.
I’ve been sprayed with saber and fox. They both suck to get sprayed with but the fox def. worked faster and hurt more

Here's a bit more:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...480091574#8480091574

As Brad said above, Chuck and Greg are the dudes on this topic. Chuck has been sprayed over 60 times and has sprayed almost 1000 students and hundreds of suspects. He truly knows what works consistently. He recommends Sabre Red.

I have some experience with this topic...

Fox or Sabre Red. I never want to get hit with either of those ever again. I prefer stream dispensers. I’ve used foam, and it has its advantages for inside use. We are apparently considering going to gel, but I’m not on the street anymore and have no direct experience with it.

I worked in a prison and fast paced jail and Ive seen hundreds of people sprayed.

Defense Technology (made by Safriland) I can recommend 100%, especially the hotter formulas.

You do NOT want to be part of a cell extraction after a mini fire extinguisher size canister of 1.3% Def Tech is used... you will throw up your lunch, your coworkers will throw up their lunch, then you all get to roll around, unable to breath or see, in a vomit and pepper spray party.

We use sabre red. Of course had to get sprayed with it, and have had a few more go around with taking it to the face since. It sucks, I'd rather get tased again.

I do prefer the foam or gel more than stream. Indoors just end up with too much of the stream going into a mist.