The Pepperball pistol can be used for self-defense from a distance.
Personal safety is not guaranteed. While nice neighborhoods, fine dining establishments, and local shopping malls might all seem safe, there are no guarantees about personal safety. You might find yourself in a dangerous situation when you least expect it. This is where the PepperBall pistol comes into play.
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A PepperBall Pistol is Legal and Effective
You need to be prepared to defend yourself against any unprovoked attack, regardless of whether it’s a mugger or a drunken patron at a bar. There are many options. There are many options for self-defense products, including batons, knives, mace, and firearms. They can be useful or overkill. You may have to deal with legal and mental problems as well.
The PepperBall line is a self-defense gear that blurs the line between lethal and highly effective.
These items have the annoying stopping power of pepper spray but in a condensed ball with powerful projection from a safe distance. Once the powder is ingested, it forms a cloud that is extremely irritating and stops the attacker from moving. This will allow you to flee quickly.
How it works
The Pepperball family of products provides a means of self-defense at a distance. The Pepperball products can be deployed at a greater distance that other non-lethal options such as a baton or taser, or conventional pepper spray. It is a well-known fact that attackers who approach and close the gap between themselves and their victim decrease the victim’s ability to use a self-defense tool to deter them. The victim is unable to deter an attacker in time due to stress, inability to have the self-defense weapon in readiness mode, and overall effectiveness of the non lethal weapon. PepperBall devices are a great way to achieve this.
The Compact unit is ideal for around-the-neighborhood walks and can easily fit inside a pocket.No matter which PepperBall unit you prefer to use, the underlying operational mechanics are all similar to one another. The ammo. The “rounds”, which are similar to paintball gun ammo, are very similar. They are hollow, spherical and will explode upon impact. Instead of storing paint inside their shells, they contain pharmaceutical-grade pelargonic Acid vanillylamide PAVA pepper powder. A 12-foot cloud of pepper irritant forms around the impact point. This causes everyone within reach to experience an immediate reaction. The reaction causes irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and eyes, as well as headaches, dizziness, and general discomfort. These effects last approximately 15 minutes. This is enough time for the victim to leave the scene and seek assistance from the authorities.
Self-Defense at a Distant
Pepperball devices project balls using compressed gas cartridges. The “rounds”, depending on the device, can travel incredible distances – between 30 and 150 feet. Let’s look at this from a different perspective. According to the above, a pepperball can travel 30 feet. This is roughly the length of two and a half SUVs. This distance gives you, the victim, enough distance to try to deter the attacker. Remember that you don’t have to hit your target directly. A shot hitting the ground in front or in front of him will still disperse irritating powder with enough space to make your shot highly effective.
A Taser will reduce the distance required to hit the victim with a hit. Traditional pepper spray will only allow you to reach the victim from 15 feet away. Although this may seem like someone has enough distance to react, an aggressive attacker can easily cross that gap in a matter of seconds. Other non-lethal options have a lower success rate due to the speed of encounter and the victim’s stress level. These conditions make it difficult to secure a center-mass shot of taser or pepper spray on the attackers’ faces.
Carry Options
The PepperBall weapons range has different designs for different purposes, but they all have the same effect on an attacker.
The PepperBall Compact is the simplest unit. It is small and concealable, so it can be carried almost anywhere without drawing attention. It can hold one round and is fired with N2 gas under high pressure. This PepperBall unit is perfect for those who travel light and have minimal gear. It can be carried in a jacket pocket, purse, or inside a vehicle compartment. This unit can also be used as a backup or secondary unit to larger PepperBall devices, in case of an emergency. It’s always a good idea to have a “plan B” ready for when you need it.
The PepperBall Mobile Unit
The PepperBall Mobile unit is a step up in size and power. This device has a flashlight-like appearance and features a large trigger as well as a dual LED flashlight and integrated laser pointer. It can fire projectiles up to three rounds and uses 8-gram CO2 cartridges. It is lightweight, portable, and easy to use. It’s ideal for walking your dog, making quick trips to the shop, or walking through the city at night.
The Lifelite Personal Defense Kit
The LifeLite Personal Defense Kit, another piece of PepperBall equipment is a great addition to your arsenal. It was originally made for military use, so it is both reliable and tough. It can hold five rounds and fires them quickly at a target using CO2 cartridges. This device is professional-grade craftsmanship at it’s best. It has a 350-lumen flashlight, a targeting laser light, and a safety switch to prevent accidental discharges. The LifeLite is a non-lethal weapon that can be placed on your bedside table, in your car’s glove box, or at your side with the optional pouch.
The PepperBall TCP (Tactical Compact Pistol),
The TCP Launcher, also known as PepperBall’s Tactical Compact Pistol, is the final device. This unit looks and functions like a semi-automatic pistol. This gun-shaped projector is free from recoil and has a safety switch to prevent accidental firing. It can be powered by either CO2 or N2 cartridges. The unit comes with a six-round magazine that can send projectiles up to 150 feet with amazing accuracy.
The irritant can be used in a variety of ways, including hitting a target from a distance. Even a close miss can disperse the powder, making the attacker regret choosing you as a target. You can carry your weapon with a holster, which is also available for purchase. This “gun” does not require a license nor a waiting period. However, it is important to check the local laws regarding the carrying and use of PepperBall products before you purchase.
Pepperball comes in a full-size pistol model that allows you to use your firearm training.
Concerning ammo: The Compact and Mobile units come with ammo. Cartridges that aren’t compatible with the LifeLite and TCP Launcher are not compatible. There are refill kits that can be purchased if you run out of ammo or just need some extras. PepperBall Live SD or Live-X Police Grade Projectile ammo will be required for the TCP Launcher and LifeLite. The Live-X Police grade Projectiles contain twice the amount of PAVA chemicals than the SD version. These Live-X versions increase the irritant’s power, which is definitely not good news for anyone who is victim to a PepperBall rocket launcher.
PepperBall units can fire live and inert ammo from both compressed gas cartridges. These allow you to practice shooting while not causing any trouble for others. Remember, practice makes perfect! The inert rounds will help you perfect your aim before you have to deal with an unfortunate conflict.
Experiences
PepperBall sent a few of their products for you to try and handle, giving you a true feel for the gear. Their products are both solid in construction and operation. There were no cheap shells that felt fragile or weak, no parts that took too much effort to assemble and no indications that these projectile weapons wouldn’t work as described.
The LifeLite can be hung on a wall with its “holster”. This allows it to be easily accessible in high-traffic areas. The unit felt similar to a traditional flashlight and was slightly heavier than other flashlights of comparable size. The buttons were easy to see and large enough to be used even in low light conditions.
Performance
I was given inert ammo, which was perfect for my testing. The Lifelite was fired against the barn side of a friend’s property, away from any other people or structures. The inert balls fired from the LifeLite unit quickly and smoothly. I just missed my target, which was an “X” on the barn’s wooden boards. The failure to hit my target was partly my fault. However, the company says that you don’t need to hit it in order for it to work. The inert powder was spread over the mark that I had made on the wall.
The PepperBall ammo fits into the magazine exactly like traditional handgun ammunition. Next came the TCP Launcher. It had the feel and weight a true semi-automatic pistol. The TCP is operated in the same way as a traditional firearm. The magazine is loaded with ammo and cartridges. You then release the magazine and insert it the same way. The safety switch that prevents accidental firing was what I liked. Once the safety switch was activated, I felt confident handling and inspecting my weapon.
It was a joy to fire the TCP Launcher. The semi-automatic design of the TCP Launcher allowed for many ammo balls to be sprayed against the wall and took out the target quickly. The gun-style shape may have made it easier to aim, but the ability to quickly fire many balls at the target area definitely helped.
PepperBall has inert ammunition, which is ideal for pistol target practice.
Before I started to research PepperBall products in depth, what initially intrigued me about them was the idea that they could be used for self-defense. This is because it was a middle ground between items that might work under certain conditions (which rarely are), and weapons that can take it to the extreme where the assailant will die. Either way, too much or too little force can lead to a host of complications.
Although the PepperBall products are diverse in design and options they offer effective stopping power with no harmful or lasting effects. They also keep you safe from the perpetrators. These self-defense tools are simply amazing. Visit pepperball.com and pblifelite.com to learn more.
The Compact Details
Launch distance: 30 feetCapacity: 1 round
Propellant: N2 gas under pressure
MSRP: $25
Special features: Conveniently concealable, affordable, and extremely light
Details about the Mobile Kit
Launch distance: 40 feet
Capacity: 3 rounds
Propellant: 8g CO2
MSRP: $200
Special features: Laser pointer integrated, large, easy to use trigger, safety switch
LifeLite Personal Defense Kit Details
Launch distance: 60 feet
Capacity: 5 rounds
Propellant: CO2
MSRP: $350
Special features: 350-lumen flashlight with safety switch, included holster
Details about the TCP Launcher
Launch distance: 150 feet
Capacity: 6 rounds
Propellant: N2 or CO2 cartridges
MSRP: $400
Special features: Traditional “handgun” design, easy to load, safety switch
This article was originally published by Personal Defense World in the Aug/Sept 2021 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Call 1-800-284-5668 or email [email protected]
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