Pepper spray recommendations

FScott · November 14, 2001, 05:21 PM

I cannot convince my wife to visit the range with me or even look at a firearm, much less go for her CCL. I worry about her walking to the garage after work, after class, etc...

I might be able to convince her to carry some pepper spray. I have absolutely no experience with the stuff, however. Any recommendations of brands? Sizes? Where to buy? What I should look for?

Thanks,

FScott

CWL · November 14, 2001, 08:14 PM

I don't know about brands but you should look into the % of capsicum (pepper agent) in the spray. These vary from 5% up to 90%. I would lean towards a higher concentration, but not necessarily 90%.

PUMC_TomG · November 14, 2001, 08:46 PM

I can't remember where I read it, but I am fairly confident that a lower concentration is better. Reason being it acts as a penetrant much better that way. It is faster acting and is not as easily weakened by water since it gets in to the system so fast.

I'll try to dig up a link, but I am fairly confident thatthis is true.

LawDog · November 14, 2001, 08:51 PM

We've had some good threads regarding this very subject in the past.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=48319

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=44927

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=44816

The general consensus is that the Fox Labs stuff is tops. An Internet address for the Fox Labs OC is in the threads listed above.

LawDog

C.R.Sam · November 14, 2001, 10:27 PM

And.......she should learn, train, practice etc with it.

Sam

Coronach · November 14, 2001, 10:32 PM

Scoville heat units are more important than % OC.

I have been sprayed with Fox Labs stuff. It is screaming hot. Obviously OC is not a magic spray that makes bad guys immediately wither and wimper for mercy, but it is often very effective on most people. Its better than nothing.

Fox is good stuff.

Mike

Jody Hudson · November 14, 2001, 10:39 PM

Lower is NOT better from any data that I have seen and it makes no sense. It may be a ploy to charge more for less by some marketing person. But, if you find some data we will gladly read it.

The larger cans with larger sprays are better. It is good to know that the spray deteriorates in power over time for some reason and the cans should be replaced once a year. If you can find one where it empties the entire canister in one squirt, that would be good. Once you have squirted even a little, it is my strong opinion that you should replace the canister. And, she needs to practice as was mentioned before. So when you find the one that looks good, get three or four so she can practice with a couple of them at least.

There is another false claim as well -- that people need less pepper than bears or dogs. That is not true. Bears and dogs have far more mucous membranes, eyes, open mouths, wet noses, to hit with the spray AND they are not as likely to be hopped up on drugs or to be used to being sprayed, like people are. Use a far stronger concentration for people than for animals.. And, remember... many bad guys have been sprayed now and it's not as useful as it was many years ago when it was first used. 10-15 years ago pepper spray was new and unique, it was mixed with alcohol or other thinners that helped it be more effective and the BGs were surprised by it. Now some of them joke about spraying the pepper spray in thier chili beans to give it some more spice.

sigmund · November 15, 2001, 12:38 AM

There are two common measurements for OC spray: percentage and heat. The higher the percentage, the longer the effect lasts. The higher the heat, the more intense the immediate effect.

Percentage in commercial products usually runs from 2% to 10%. The heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). This is the same measurement used to quantify how hot a chili pepper tastes. Commercial OC spray usually runs from 2-5 million SHUs.

As said above, Fox is the brand most often recommended in these discussions. It is 2% and 5 million SHUs.

FScott · November 15, 2001, 09:46 AM

Many thanks for the replies - as usual lots of good information.

Lawdog - I've posted before about using the "search" function and have learned a tremendous amount doing so. It's been a hectic week so there I go and stick a new thread up on a thoroughly discussed topic. Sorry for the wasted bandwidth!

November 14, 2001, 05:21 PM	#1
FScott Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 170	Pepper spray recommendations I cannot convince my wife to visit the range with me or even look at a firearm, much less go for her CCL. I worry about her walking to the garage after work, after class, etc... I might be able to convince her to carry some pepper spray. I have absolutely no experience with the stuff, however. Any recommendations of brands? Sizes? Where to buy? What I should look for? Thanks, FScott __________________ "When they kick at your front door, how you gonna come? With your hands on your head, or on the trigger of your gun?" - The Clash

November 14, 2001, 08:46 PM	#3
PUMC_TomG Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Posts: 249	Lower is Better I can't remember where I read it, but I am fairly confident that a lower concentration is better. Reason being it acts as a penetrant much better that way. It is faster acting and is not as easily weakened by water since it gets in to the system so fast. I'll try to dig up a link, but I am fairly confident thatthis is true.

November 14, 2001, 08:51 PM	#4
LawDog Staff Emeritus Join Date: September 15, 1999 Location: Where am I going? Why am I in this handbasket? Posts: 4,194	We've had some good threads regarding this very subject in the past. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=48319 http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=44927 http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=44816 The general consensus is that the Fox Labs stuff is tops. An Internet address for the Fox Labs OC is in the threads listed above. LawDog __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer." --The 13th Warrior Bona na Croin The LawDog Files

November 14, 2001, 10:32 PM	#6
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	Scoville heat units are more important than % OC. I have been sprayed with Fox Labs stuff. It is screaming hot. Obviously OC is not a magic spray that makes bad guys immediately wither and wimper for mercy, but it is often very effective on most people. Its better than nothing. Fox is good stuff. Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

November 14, 2001, 10:39 PM	#7
Jody Hudson Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2000 Location: Near Rehoboth Beach Delaware Posts: 1,140	Lower is NOT better from any data that I have seen and it makes no sense. It may be a ploy to charge more for less by some marketing person. But, if you find some data we will gladly read it. The larger cans with larger sprays are better. It is good to know that the spray deteriorates in power over time for some reason and the cans should be replaced once a year. If you can find one where it empties the entire canister in one squirt, that would be good. Once you have squirted even a little, it is my strong opinion that you should replace the canister. And, she needs to practice as was mentioned before. So when you find the one that looks good, get three or four so she can practice with a couple of them at least. There is another false claim as well -- that people need less pepper than bears or dogs. That is not true. Bears and dogs have far more mucous membranes, eyes, open mouths, wet noses, to hit with the spray AND they are not as likely to be hopped up on drugs or to be used to being sprayed, like people are. Use a far stronger concentration for people than for animals.. And, remember... many bad guys have been sprayed now and it's not as useful as it was many years ago when it was first used. 10-15 years ago pepper spray was new and unique, it was mixed with alcohol or other thinners that helped it be more effective and the BGs were surprised by it. Now some of them joke about spraying the pepper spray in thier chili beans to give it some more spice. __________________ We help people relocate to Rehoboth Beach Delaware. Our Site: www.Kate-Jody.com

November 14, 2001, 08:14 PM	#2
CWL Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,576	I don't know about brands but you should look into the % of capsicum (pepper agent) in the spray. These vary from 5% up to 90%. I would lean towards a higher concentration, but not necessarily 90%.

November 14, 2001, 10:27 PM	#5
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	And.......she should learn, train, practice etc with it. Sam

November 15, 2001, 12:38 AM	#8
sigmund Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2000 Location: Urbandale, Iowa Posts: 346	There are two common measurements for OC spray: percentage and heat. The higher the percentage, the longer the effect lasts. The higher the heat, the more intense the immediate effect. Percentage in commercial products usually runs from 2% to 10%. The heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). This is the same measurement used to quantify how hot a chili pepper tastes. Commercial OC spray usually runs from 2-5 million SHUs. As said above, Fox is the brand most often recommended in these discussions. It is 2% and 5 million SHUs. __________________ If you find yourself in a fair fight, you have not prepared properly.

November 15, 2001, 09:46 AM	#9
FScott Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 170	Thanks everyone Many thanks for the replies - as usual lots of good information. Lawdog - I've posted before about using the "search" function and have learned a tremendous amount doing so. It's been a hectic week so there I go and stick a new thread up on a thoroughly discussed topic. Sorry for the wasted bandwidth! __________________ "When they kick at your front door, how you gonna come? With your hands on your head, or on the trigger of your gun?" - The Clash