This is a gun forum and, whether professionally or privately, most of us have made the decision to carry guns in the event we face lethal threats.

However, for those threats that don't warrant lethal force, or for those places that prohibit carrying a gun, or for people unable or unwilling to carry a gun, non-lethal options should be considered.

I don't have any experience with the product or connection to the company, but this seems like an effective non-lethal weapon that is U.S. made.

The HERO 2020 is essentially a 2 shot Derringer-like weapon that shoots a paintball-type nitrogen propelled ball filled with PAVA, a pepper based projectile. The PAVA ball travels @ 150-200 f.p.s. There are three types of PAVA balls (their respective cartridges are color coded to easily distinguish types) , the PAVA ball which releases a pepper dust cloud after impact with the target, a PAVA Gel ball that releases the same pepper in gel form, and something called a PAVA Blast. PAVA balls are filled with a red dye that stains a target, once it has exploded on impact. The gun comes with a training cartridge also.

The 2 shot PAVA cartridges are easily and quickly exchanged during reloads. The PAVA balls are encapsulated in a vacuum to slow deterioration, and the manufacturer rates them for a 3-4 year lifespan.

The gun has an integral weapon light (I've seen both 200 and 600 lumen ratings) and a laser for aiming, and a USB charging port the internal battery, with an ambi safety.

The HERO 2020, received the SHOT Show 2020 Defensive Product of the year award.

Additional info and videos at the company website:
HERO Defensive Product




https://m.youtube.com/watch?ti...Dz4&feature=emb_logo


TFB did a write up of the product last year.

=================================

The HERO 2020 Non-Lethal Self Defense Tool is Now Available

Posted September 8, 2020
by Luke C



HERO Defense Systems is a Salt Lake City, UT based manufacturer specializing in non-lethal self-defense devices. Today they announced the re-release of their adaptable HERO 2020 device. The HERO 2020 is very similar in function to the Russian PB-4SP Osa traumatic pistol in that they are both aimed at having a less lethal option available to those who want it.



The HERO 2020 Non-Lethal Self Defense Tool is Now Available
The newly released HERO 2020 comes available with several different cartridges which all use the same PAVA compound. This is what the HERO website had to say about the substance:

"A non-lethal* high grade synthetic capsaicin, PAVA works by binding to receptors that send pain and heat signals to the brain. Targets experience intense burning on the skin (as if exposed to scalding heat), difficulty seeing, intense coughing, and discomfort for up to an hour. There are no long term effects."

The full press release is below:

"HERO™ Defense Systems LLC, a manufacturer of non-lethal personal defense devices, announced today the re-release of HERO™ 2020. After being held up for months by COVID-19 shutdowns, the national supply chain is finally able to resume production and deliver parts to HERO™ distribution. Today HERO™ 2020 is once more available for purchase at HERO.US.com."



A NEW CLASS OF NON-LETHAL PROTECTION

This non-lethal, best in class defense device combines powerful and reliable features into a compact solution. HERO™ 2020’s award winning design is easy to conceal and simple to use, a great fit for any lifestyle. Its innovative interchangeable cartridges are a stand out feature, allowing users to swap cartridges quickly and easily to fit any environment. HERO™ 2020 currently boasts three cartridge choices: Pava Ball™ , Pava Gel™, and the newly released Pava Burst™. Cartridges can be changed out in seconds and contain two rounds of PAVA/OC based irritant. A rechargeable onboard battery powers the 600 lumen stun light and laser aim assist. HERO™ 2020 was designed for comfort and usability. It’s compact size, sleek shape, and light weight make it easy to carry while the dual finger trigger and double sided safety make using it a breeze. “We’re proud to relaunch our first product and get back to the business of saving lives. It’s important to all of us to stay focused on building the highest quality, user friendly, non-lethal solutions around. HERO™ 2020 and the accompanying accessories gives users a choice, a complete solution for self defense. We provide the training, and you build confidence. We remain committed to our family, friends, customers, and distribution partners to provide products and training that are reliable, effective, and save lives.”

We remain committed to our family, friends, customers, and distribution partners to provide products and training that are reliable, effective, and save lives.” – David Clemons, Co-Founder and Partner, HERO™ Defense Systems HERO™ 2020 is the first in a line of non-lethal products from HERO™ Defense Systems. A second, smaller device is planned for release in January 2021 at the annual Shot Show in Las Vegas."



Apparently, the PAVA projectiles in both gel and powder forms of the substance remain potent up to 2 years from the date of manufacture. With a cartridge cost of only $15 that makes these more than affordable enough to replace every couple of years.

==================

Here is a 16 minute audio interview with the owner of the company where he goes into the origins of the product and how it works. The interviewer comments that her 12 year old daughter was easily able to attach the cartridges and fire the weapon.

The interviewer's name is Mandy so the company owner has offered a %10 discount when you order from the website and type in "Mandy" for the coupon code :

https://www.iheart.com/podcast...ero-2020-a-81058447/

Edited: to change thread title from "non-lethal" to "less-lethal".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Modern Day Savage,

No. Pepper spray seems like a better option.

Interesting but expensive. $360 for two shots vs. ~$12 for a pepper spray canister. Perhaps this solution gets more distance. This seems made for the person who normally carries a pistol but has to fall back to something like this due to not being able to carry their pistol in a particular place. As a non-CCWer I'll stick with my pepper spray that doesn't require fucking around with a holster and drawing and aiming all within very social distances that are likely quickly shrinking as the threat closes in.

When someone inevitably blasts an attacker in the face with one of these doing damage to their vision, the lawsuits will start rolling. I'm with a couple of the others here, either use pepper spray for non-lethal, or step up to a firearm.

Less legal, not non-lethal. Any time any type of force is used there is a potential for death.

So it is a personal Pepperball system.

As a certified Subject Matter Expert and Instructor in Pepperball, and having deployed them many many times against subjects, I say “nah”.

They simply aren’t super effective at stopping someone who has decided on certain courses of action.

I didn't see it mentioned, can it beat a metal detector? In not, what's the point?

No way I’d carry that. Too much liability when you inevitably pop someone in the face.

Good old OC in a 2oz can for attacking dogs or wandering homeless, otherwise they get the Speer gold dots to the face and chest

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:


As a certified Subject Matter Expert and Instructor in Pepperball, and having deployed them many many times against subjects, I say “nah”.

What if I told you Massad Ayoob can shoot a 2" group with it?

WTF is a 600 lumen stun light. How does the Auto Laser Aim Assist work? Seems like a complicated, questionable solution to a question no one asked with no substantive details and a slick marketing campaign. Seems like it would probably be regulated exactly the same as a firearm in most areas as well.

I think I'll just stick with pepper spray instead, this seems needlessly complicated.

To all the naysayers, I wouldn't want to get hit with it.

I've been Tasered, pepper-sprayed innumerable times, both on purpose and accidentally, and him with paintball and Simmunitions and it's all fun and games to read and talk about, until it is actually done to you. ALL less-lethals short of a six d-cell Maglite have a failure rate, but that doesn't mean that they are worthless.

This may also have a deterrent effect, which the typical 2-3 oz pepper spray can doesn't necessarily have.

The price is outrageous. One of my sick hobbies is collecting less-lethals for training purposes, and this is just too much. And what's with the funky non-trigger finger trigger fingering?

A couple of thoughts about such a weapon.

The first is how the non-LEO would anticipate using it, and this applies to pepper spray or the so-called “civilian” TASER. Law enforcement officers often encounter situations in which they’re trying to arrest or otherwise control uncooperative subjects. Such situations often involve standoffs that allow time to draw and employ such weapons. Moreover, in such situations multiple officers are frequently present. How often, though, is all that true for non-law enforcement encounters?

Using less-lethal force can also frequently lead to an escalation of an incident, and police officers are usually more experienced and better trained to respond to an escalation of the incident than the average non-LEO. In other words, in what sorts of incidents do non-LEOs anticipate using such weapons? Perhaps I’ve been lucky, but I have never in my life when in a non-LEO status ever been faced with a situation in which use of such a weapon or anything similar would have been justified.

A more significant factor, though, is the device’s troubling similarity to a handgun if someone decides to carry both it and a firearm. As unlikely as it may seem, there have been many documented incidents in which police officers have mistakenly shot people with their handguns when they intended to use a TASER. That’s despite the fact that the two weapons are far different in appearance and feel when handled. The TASER also has a distinctive safety and laser. This pepper ball launcher is more similar to a small handgun and I can easily see how in a high stress situation a handgun and it might be confused.

And then there’s the Hick’s Law issue: If we have only one option available to respond to a threat, we will more likely decide whether it’s appropriate and if it is, employ it quickly and confidently. If, however, we have more options, then we must first decide which to rely on and then whether to employ it. “It’s nice to have choices,” well yes, but only sometimes, and if we have the luxury of deciding which is best. If someone is threatening me with deadly force, do I want to think, “Which one should I use?” Do I want to think that maybe this device would suffice against someone holding a knife and threatening me from a distance, and then need to go, “Oh, no: gun, gun, where’s my gun!”

All these arguments have responses and counterarguments, but real life experiences have demonstrated that sometimes they’re not always effective.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
So it is a personal Pepperball system.

As a certified Subject Matter Expert and Instructor in Pepperball, and having deployed them many many times against subjects, I say “nah”.

They simply aren’t super effective at stopping someone who has decided on certain courses of action.

I agree...and shots is really sad. I have seen an unclothed indidvidual shrug off full auto peopper balls. (until a few rounds hit the groin).

I have also seen a person pick up pepperball fragments and eat them

I'll take products that no one has any use for for $200.


I have self defense ammo that's been loaded for EDC/home/vehicle defense that's 2+ years old. This product would require me to spend $100s of dollars every 2 years because the formula loses it potency?

No thanks, I'd rather stick with the hollowpoint & propellant formula that's effective and stains the target with its own blood.

quote:

Originally posted by Hildur:
I'll take products that no one has any use for for $200.


I have self defense ammo that's been loaded for EDC/home/vehicle defense that's 2+ years old. This product would require me to spend $100s of dollars every 2 years because the formula loses it potency?

No thanks, I'd rather stick with the hollowpoint & propellant formula that's effective and stains the target with its own blood.

The guy lost me when he said no one should ever be shot in the face.

Doesn’t seem to meet power factor requirements. Maybe if we up the velocity by 4 or 5X

quote:

Originally posted by Perception:
WTF is a 600 lumen stun light.

Well, it sounds really cool.

No market on this forum. Now think about pitching this to an anti gun lefty. I think they will sell. Just not to us.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by Perception:
WTF is a 600 lumen stun light.

Well, it sounds really cool.

No doubt; 1700 lumens or STFU

Learned long ago this lesson: “if brute force isn’t working, you’re just not using enough.”

I’ll stick to my Glock 19X. Gimmicky toys with questionable incapacitation potential are not really my thing.