Info on various pepper spray options?

Jayne

Jayne

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A while back Lucky Gunner did some research into various pepper spray options. It's a few years out of date now though.

Where do you get your 'spray' info? I'm toying with the idea of getting something for an option between empty hand and lethal force.
 
I carry a POM Clip which hides nicely like my EDC knife or Streamlight. It doesn’t need a pouch or anything else so it’s very convenient. It might not be the hottest spray or biggest but it is small enough to carry everyday everywhere (it does not set of most metal detectors) and dispenses with a stream not mist so it’s not as affected by a breeze.

pompepperspray.com

POM Pepper Spray - Clip

Buy POM Flip Top Pocket Clip model tactical and compact design pepper spray in Black + Aqua color that easily clips into any pocket, handbag, etc.
pompepperspray.com pompepperspray.com
 
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Watching this thread.

I read the Lucky Gunner reviews along with other reviews and ended up with this one:
Amazon product ASIN B07GVSHG61
My wife bought spays that were smaller and had less range (e.g. 10'). They came with practice sprays, and after trying those out I was convinced to go with a larger, longer-range spray. The only thing I don't like about the Sabre spray above is that the belt clip is oriented for wearing on your right side and can't be reversed AFAICT.
 
Mentioned above by @MrBitey. I bought this yesterday at the Hickory Gun Show at the recommendation of the vendor who had 7 different products. I didn’t want something that would drift back on me and the canister is safe to carry without accidentally discharging. Deploys from any angle, 18’ foot gel spray, and up to 18 short blast. The Kimber unit is pricey but probably the best on the market.

1655045763147.jpeg
 
Fox Labs or Saber Red are the top players in the spray market.

Fox Labs is down right nasty stuff.

Saber Red is good as well, I like their small 3 in 1 spray that also has CS in it as well.

Fox Labs has been hard to come by in the last few years, especially the 5.3 or 1.4 versions, the 1.4 being their newer stronger formula.

I like the small Saber Red 3in1 cans, they are easy to keep in a pocket and you can keep it in your palm without attracting attention.

Whatever you buy, do not buy a fog or cone spray. Buy it in a stream, get trainers and learn to spray in a disrupted pattern, it'll turn into a fog anyway and be less likely to blow back on you.

The largest size you can buy / carry in NC is 5oz FYI
 
BlackGun said:
I didn’t want something that would drift back on me and the canister is safe to carry without accidentally discharging. Deploys from any angle, 18’ foot gel spray
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I was leaning this way myself (not the actual product, don't know enough about them yet) but the idea of a gel. I'm crazy susceptible to this stuff so having it come back at me is a huge loss vs. the inconvenience of having to aim.
 
NCMedic said:
they are easy to keep in a pocket and you can keep it in your palm without attracting attention.
Click to expand...

This is half of the appeal. You can walk around with it in hand if something seems 'off' and not get the societal backlash of hanging on to your EDC.
 
NCFubar said:
I carry a POM Clip which hides nicely like my EDC knife or Streamlight. It doesn’t need a pouch or anything else so it’s very convenient. It might not be the hottest spray or biggest but it is small enough to carry everyday everywhere (it does not set of most metal detectors) and dispenses with a stream not mist so it’s not as affected by a breeze.

pompepperspray.com

POM Pepper Spray - Clip

Buy POM Flip Top Pocket Clip model tactical and compact design pepper spray in Black + Aqua color that easily clips into any pocket, handbag, etc.
pompepperspray.com pompepperspray.com
Click to expand...

This appears to be a spray rather than a gel. Have you tested it outside and seen how much or little it blows around/back?
 
Jayne said:
This appears to be a spray rather than a gel. Have you tested it outside and seen how much or little it blows around/back?
Click to expand...
I would compare it to a shorter version stream of hornet spray but it is nowhere close to something like a fogging spray. At 7-10 feet it will easily cover a face with little to no blow back on the user. It is no Sabre Gel consistency but its easier to carry unnoticeable to others. I would rather have Sabre except carrying it in your pocket is like carry something a little larger than a D battery where POM is a AA. If I was wearing a duty belt or such Sabre for sure but a pair of jeans POM is something I carry everyday with my EDC knife, light and handgun without thinking.
 
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NCFubar said:
It is no Sabre Gel consistency but its easier to carry unnoticeable to others. I would rather have Sabre except carrying it in your pocket is like carry something a little larger than a D battery where POM is a AA.
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Makes sense.

I've ordered one of the saber and one of the POM to compare side to side and will setup a target and test both out and see if I end up running around crying when the spray comes back at me.
 
Jayne said:
Makes sense.

I've ordered one of the saber and one of the POM to compare side to side and will setup a target and test both out and see if I end up running around crying when the spray comes back at me.
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I look at it like they are for 2 different purposes … Sabre will outperform POM no doubt at equal distances. It will dump more gel and less (if any) drift. POM indoors (like in a grocery store or such type setting) is fine but I think if you have a good breeze back in your face where Sabre will probably at most drift back on you hand/arm at least wear some safety glasses just in case. Again I am thinking of it as a GTFO type stuff not a show stopper.
 
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NCFubar said:
I look at it like they are for 2 different purposes …
Click to expand...

I was thinking the saber is more capable but the POM more carry-able. Since this will be the 27th thing in my EDC pile I want to go with the smaller but also want to understand exactly what I'm giving up to do so.
 
I carry one of the Mace (sport or police?) stream ones with the flip top. I made a kydex clip and zip tied it on at a single point that allows it to pivot 45 degrees. I carry it IWB in front and have done so while running, playing tennis, yard work, pretty much everywhere.

Edit: you asked how we found our info - pretty sure I found a YouTube video showing the streams on paper plates at different distances. Also I chose it because it was one of the few I could find in store with a flip top and we were in the midst of moving.
 
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NCFubar said:
I carry a POM Clip which hides nicely like my EDC knife or Streamlight. It doesn’t need a pouch or anything else so it’s very convenient. It might not be the hottest spray or biggest but it is small enough to carry everyday everywhere (it does not set of most metal detectors) and dispenses with a stream not mist so it’s not as affected by a breeze.

pompepperspray.com

POM Pepper Spray - Clip

Buy POM Flip Top Pocket Clip model tactical and compact design pepper spray in Black + Aqua color that easily clips into any pocket, handbag, etc.
pompepperspray.com pompepperspray.com
Click to expand...
I bought a half dozen of these a couple years ago. Gave one to the wife, the boys, their girls, and I carry one when I’m out walking. Not sure how long they are good for.
 
fieldgrade said:
I bought a half dozen of these a couple years ago. Gave one to the wife, the boys, their girls, and I carry one when I’m out walking. Not sure how long they are good for.
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You can slip the bottom plastic cover off and it’s expiration will be stamped on the bottom (usually 4 year shelf life). It’s also how to replace a broken off clip …
B7F72679-A5EC-4E57-9CAE-87F9C9DFE364.jpegE0E7D895-7139-4414-9144-0C54269432B5.jpeg8D948B77-9CA4-4570-A324-33D1DE6C85D2.jpeg
 
fieldgrade said:
I bought a half dozen of these a couple years ago. Gave one to the wife, the boys, their girls, and I carry one when I’m out walking. Not sure how long they are good for.
Click to expand...
The expiration date isn’t really all that important from what I have seen. I had some red Sabre that expiried in 2013. Back in November 2021 It still burned like crap in my nose when I sprayed a pit bull that got in my yard and growled at me. I didn’t get it in my eyes luckily but the dog ran off yipping and crying and scratching at his face and I could sure smell the capsaicin
 
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I keep Fox labs on the dogs leash. It's more intended for the neighborhood dogs that escape from their yards. My little dog has been rushed by a GSD and a Pitbull mix. That's not going to happen again without reprisal.
 
I carry this at work and have sprayed 2 dogs. They both ran as soon as it touched their nose. They weren’t massive dogs and I don’t know if it would work in all circumstances. “Semi friendly” dogs seem to act different when their owners are around and I’m not sure if it would work as good then.

This spray comes out in a weak stream and I’d like to have something with a strong mist/jet like a wasp spray. I’d feel ok shooting this out to ~7/10 feet.

This is just my .02 about the one type I’ve used.

15A4DB80-ABCA-407F-8EF9-9EC6BA031ADB.jpeg
 
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I'd go with Fox Labs. I had an old, long-expired can of the stuff lying around, so I decided to empty it into the dirt for disposal. Even wearing goggles and spraying some distance away, the stuff made my eyes water for several minutes. Getting it in the face would probably be a very bad day.
 
Timfoilhat said:
I keep Fox labs on the dogs leash. It's more intended for the neighborhood dogs that escape from their yards. My little dog has been rushed by a GSD and a Pitbull mix. That's not going to happen again without reprisal.
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I had 3 pit mixes jump a fence to rush my dog when I emptied a 2oz Fox into their eyes and noses.

I'm a believer. They spent the next half hour drooling and stumbling around the neighborhood. I immediately bought several more to replace that one and don't walk the dog without it.
 
well....i am cheap.
i use ammonia in an old nasal spray bottle.
take out the tube and it squirts 8 feet.
mark the bottle so you do not forget.

however,
in the past, Fox and Sabre were very good.
we liked the gel instead of aerosol.

if we do not care if anyone sees it,
we carry Bear Spray. it covers a crowd.
it will cover you if you are not careful.
link:
www.rei.com

Counter Assault Bear Deterrent Spray - 10.2 fl. oz. | REI Co-op

With a high-volume, atomized blast of concentrated spray to deter a bear attack, the 10.2 fl. oz. Counter Assault Bear Deterrent pepper spray offers an optimal combination of spray time and distance.
www.rei.com www.rei.com
 
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I've used Freeze +P for almost 30 years. I can vouch for it's effectiveness in real world conditions.
 
Timfoilhat said:
I keep Fox labs on the dogs leash. It's more intended for the neighborhood dogs that escape from their yards. My little dog has been rushed by a GSD and a Pitbull mix. That's not going to happen again without reprisal.
Click to expand...
Great idea, thanks. I never thought of simply putting the pepper spray on the leash 🤦‍♂️. Similar to the poop bag holders, a small POM would work very well on a leash. That way I don’t have to remind (aka guilt and nag) my wife to carry it when I’m not with her.
 
They arrived today, the POM and the sabre, with a G17 mag for scale.

I went with the yellow stripe POM, makes it look friendlier.

IMG_1647.JPG
 
So, which one of the goats you going to test this on?
 
Went for a walk (damn it's hot outside!) and the little POM unit clipped right in my pocket opposite side from the flashlight. Wasn't even noticeable.

The sabre unit is freakin' huge. Clipping it on my belt makes it print worse than my pistol, I tried it in the mag pouch on the left side of my 5.11s, and it fits but the flap won't close over it.

So from a 'have it on you 24/7', the sabre is going to lose that every time. It's more of a pistol replacement vs. an augmentation.

Now for some functional tests, because easy to carry is useless if it doesn't work.
 
My wife and daughter both have Saber Red pepper spray on their keychains, I keep a larger Saber Red Gel at the front door and carry it when we walk the dog.

I prefer to have them carry the “liquid” pump style of pepper spray/mace on their keychains because the liquid will splash, mist and not require the same level of accuracy as the gel does, chances are they’ll be under loads of distress if they ever need to deploy it and I’m sure their fine motor skills will be lacking and so will their aim, I’ve also found that the “pump” style canisters are less prone to accidentally discharging while their keys flop around in their purse since they require the “trigger” to be rotated and then pressed, the ones with the compressed propellant normally have a flimsy spring loaded safety that tend to normally break being on the keys.

Although for around the house or when walking I prefer the larger gel style canisters that use the compressed propellant since they have a belt clip and don’t get abused as bad.

I’ve personally been sprayed with Saber, Fox Labs and a brand that LE carried when I worked in a jail, I couldn’t tell much of a difference while on the receiving end and they all seemed to suck equally as much, while not exactly scientific, all of them had me second guessing my life choices haha, I haven’t been sprayed with a gel pepper spray but I’ve read that even though this type lacks the “splash” the gel is far less affected by the wind and chances are we will be more likely to need it to fend off an aggressive dog running loose or to a lesssr degree a beatnik running amuck.
 
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