What is better - a gas spray or a stun gun? I describe my personal experience using both options.

Stun guns » Articles » How to choose a stun gun for self-defense?

The best means of self-defense, which helps protect yourself from both people and aggressive animals, are stun guns. Unfortunately, the likelihood of attack by intruders in the dark is quite high, and if a person does not know self-defense techniques, a shocker is exactly what will help him quickly and effectively deal with opponents.

How to choose a stun gun for self-defense? To do this, you need to pay attention to a number of important factors.

Rating of stun guns

Stun guns are a civilian type of weapon that does not cause irreparable harm to a person. However, their safety may be questionable due to the use of low-quality materials or non-compliance with the manufacturing process. To avoid this problem, a rating of the best stun guns was compiled. It is based on customer reviews, as well as consultations with sellers.

During the selection, many characteristics were taken into account, but the main ones were the following:

• Operating principle – contact or remote;
• Duration of the paralyzing effect;
• Clothing penetration thickness;
• The degree of noise effect;
• Intended use: protection against attacks by dogs or people;
• Power and voltage;
• Power source – batteries or accumulator;
• Availability of an auxiliary or masking cover;
• Dimensions and weight;
• Form - pistol, baton or flashlight;
• Ergonomics;
• Recharging frequency;
• Guarantee period;
• Build quality;
• Sight range (for remote ones);
• Lifetime;
• Availability of flashlight, target designator and fuse functions.

Also an important criterion in the analysis was the optimal price-quality ratio. Out of more than 20 considered applicants, only 7 devices that scored the highest score during testing made it into the TOP.

The best dog repellers

Reasons why a dog is “neither a friend nor an enemy, but so”

A dog is man's friend. This has been the case since ancient times, when tribes of wild people together with packs of wild dogs united in a kind of symbiosis, allowing some to rest peacefully at night while camping, and others to receive leftover food from the former, and also to hunt together.

Unfortunately, in modern city life, dogs most often remain out of work. Private households are being replaced by apartment buildings, where the dog performs more of a decorative function than a security one, as it was before. At the same time, quite often, when the dog’s owners move and it is impossible to take it with them or give it to the care of relatives, friends, acquaintances, etc., the dog is thrown out onto the street. This is also the case for most rural residents who go to the city to earn money. Thus, packs of feral dogs arise, capable of not only plundering city trash cans, but also attacking animals and people. There is also no control over reproduction, which further aggravates the situation. And although stories of attacks by fighting or guard dogs on children, teenagers or pensioners most often appear in the media, attacks by packs of stray animals occur no less often. There are also frequent cases when owners of service or fighting breeds of dogs set their pets against ordinary citizens, which in this case motivates the owners, let’s not forget - this is the sphere of workers of psycho-neurological dispensaries.

By the way, such feral “friends” often suffer from a terrible disease - rabies! Which, if medical care is not provided in a timely manner, leads to the death of the patient, be it a dog, another animal or a person. Moreover, in 99% of cases, rabies is transmitted by dogs! And although the authorities try to catch and vaccinate animals, there is no guarantee that this particular dog is vaccinated. Be careful!

In the current situation and with the inaction of the authorities, citizens have to take care of their own safety on their own. What in general, very much in relation to our Russian reality, is to take care of everything yourself, except taxes.

Stun guns

The advantage of these models is the psychological impact on the enemy and ease of aiming due to the shape of the product, which imitates a real pistol. They are characterized by contact and remote operating principles. For better sighting, the devices are equipped with a laser designator. After testing 7 nominees based on versatility, ease of aim and effectiveness, 2 winners were selected.

Taser 2020

The “Taser 2020” model with a power of 3 Watts and a voltage of 80 kV belongs to class 1. This is the best stun gun for self-defense in the form of a pistol, characterized by a high firing range of up to 6 m. It is equipped with a laser sight that will help those who lack marksmanship skills to hit the target. The device also supports contact action, allowing you to neutralize an attacker at close range. The model can cope with clothing thickness up to 50 mm, providing a paralyzing effect for up to 40-50 minutes. The shocker is charged from a 220V network.

The self-defense product is suitable for scaring away stray animals. They are afraid of the characteristic crackling sound produced by high sparking frequencies (500 Hz). The multi-charger is made of shock-resistant and waterproof plastic with an anti-slip coating. Its light weight (220 g) and compact dimensions (15.5 x 6 x 3 cm) facilitate comfortable use by both men and women.

Advantages:

• High build quality;
• The set includes 3 cartridges;
• Affordable price;
• Versatility;
• Flashlight built into the body.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

To avoid accidental pressing, the Taser 2020 has a safety lock. An individual case is provided for the stun gun. If you need to transport it along with components, you can use the nylon case in which the product is delivered.

Thunder Thunder KD.111

The Russian-made electric shocker “Thunder” is powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. Its charge will last for 12 hours of continuous operation with the built-in LED flashlight turned on, which can be used to disorient an attacker.

Information about the battery status is available on the shutter part, where the indicator is located. The stun gun has a strong nerve-paralytic effect on a person (up to 30 minutes), the consequences of which are nausea, spasms, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.

The device belongs to class 1, as it has a power of 3 W and a voltage of 90 kV. It is characterized by high frequencies (250 Hz) and produces a strong sound when operating, which scares away dogs. The contact and remote operating principle is supported here.

Using the BTER cartridge with special harpoon hooks, a shot can be fired at a maximum distance of 4.5 m. To facilitate sighting, a laser pointer is built in. The minimum duration of discharge for contact and remote use is 1.5 and 3 seconds, they are adjusted automatically.

Advantages:

• 45 days of autonomy in idle mode;
• The device completely replicates the shape of a real pistol;
• Optimal weight – 340 g and dimensions (20 x 15.5 x 5 cm);
• Ergonomic, anti-slip handle;
• Thermal protection function.

Flaws:

• Only 1 replacement cartridge included.

Buyers appreciated the independent fuse installed on both sides of the case, which facilitates comfortable use by both right- and left-handed people. They also speak positively about the holster with a pocket made of high-quality leather for a spare cartridge, the availability of which must be checked with the seller.

Power and principle of operation

Before choosing a stun gun for self-defense, you need to understand at least a little how it works. Basically, a voltage from several thousand to several million volts is used to operate the device. To obtain such unimaginable parameters, special converters are needed. They are inductors that generate such voltage.

One of the main parameters in choosing a stun gun is its power. It ranges from 10 to 150 W. The most powerful ones, accordingly, cause the most damage.

When purchasing, you need to find out how many short-term discharges the power source can withstand. This number should be in the range of several thousand. Basically, high-power models have a small number of discharges.

An essential characteristic will be the self-discharge period of the battery or batteries. The longer the device can remain in standby mode, the better. But in any case, you can count on a few months of waiting.

Stun batons

This model is the best stun gun for self-defense. It is characterized by high body strength and optimal dimensions, allowing the device to be used as an impact device. High power and voltage levels provide a long-lasting paralyzing effect and good thickness of clothing penetration. The editors of Vyborexperta.ru carefully studied and compared the parameters of 10 applicants. 3 stun guns received the highest score.

Scepter X v.2

“ model is the presence of 2 built-in batteries with a capacity of 4200 mAh. Their potential provides a high discharge - 10 million volts and the maximum possible noise effect, spreading within a radius of 150 m. The stun baton neutralizes a person by contact in a record 0.05 seconds. When paralyzed, the attacker feels almost nothing; pain appears after recovery from the state of shock.

The 1st class device is equipped with a flashlight with a maximum luminosity of up to 500 m (320 lm) and 5 operating modes. With its help, you can blind your opponent from a distance by selecting the strobe mode. The self-defense product is made of space-age aluminum alloys with a textured surface that promotes ideal grip on the palm. The device is quite weighty (400 g) and dimensional (34 x 3.5 x 3.5). It is ideal for men, since these indicators create the possibility of using a shocker as a shock weapon.

Advantages:

• Battery life – up to 12 months;
• Paralyzing effect for 90 minutes;
• Clothes penetration thickness – up to 70 mm;
• Ability to hold the shock button for 8 seconds;
• There is a branded carrying case.

Flaws:

• Lots of fakes.

Users write that the sound produced by this model is so loud that even bears are afraid of it.

Malvina-200-A

…I often return home at night through a landing where there are many large dogs. I wanted to buy a good stun gun with compact dimensions and high power that would scare away animals and, if necessary, neutralize a person. I'm happy with my choice. Using the device, I easily drove away a pack of dogs, and now I’m not afraid to walk alone...

Expert opinion

The Malvina-200-A device is successfully used to protect against attacks by dogs and people. Due to its compact dimensions (211 x 40 mm) and ergonomic handle, it is very popular among women. The model easily fits in a purse, car glove compartment or inside pocket. To avoid unnecessary questions and attention, a camouflage case is provided, in which the shocker will be difficult to distinguish from a regular umbrella. The body is made of fiberglass with impact protection, which allows it to be used as a baton if necessary.

With a power of 2-3 W and a voltage of 70-90 kV, the self-defense product can neutralize an opponent in 1 second. To do this, you can use a “BTER” cartridge with electrodes that strike at a distance of up to 4.5 m, or a contact operating principle, without the need to remove the replaceable unit. A class 1 stun gun supports the operation of KSS signal cartridges, the bright flash and loud sound of which will easily blind and deafen an attacker. The model's power source is a Ni-MH battery, which should be changed every 8-10 months.

Advantages:

• Light weight – 260 g;
• Clothes penetration thickness – up to 14 mm;
• The duration of recovery from the state of shock is up to 10 minutes;
• High build quality;
• Versatility.

Flaws:

• There are no spare cartridges included.

Armageddon

This electric shocker belongs to the latest generation of stunners, characterized by the highest contact discharge voltage of 10 million volts. It will be enough to neutralize an opponent weighing more than 120 kg, including such large animals as a wild boar, wolf or elk. The 3 mm thick aircraft aluminum alloy body and its length of 43.5 cm allow the Armageddon stun gun to effectively serve as a baton. The rubberized handle will protect against slipping.

The class 1 stun gun is powered by 2 built-in lithium-ion batteries 18650 3.7V, which allows you to use a powerful flashlight with an adjustable focal length option and a lighting range of up to 600 m. During operation, the sparking frequency is 750 Hz, providing a very loud sound, reminiscent of a shot , which will easily scare off an intruder or animal. Depending on the contact hold (1.2, 2 or 4 seconds), the duration of the paralyzing effect is 5, 15 or 40 minutes. During testing, the maximum time to recover from shock was 1.5 hours.

Advantages:

• The optimum ratio of price and quality;
• Average weight – 390 g;
• Presence of a fuse;
• Protection of the housing from moisture and dust;
• Excellent penetration ability – up to 4.5 cm;
• Possibility of use for security purposes;

Flaws:

• The kit does not include a case.

Users write about the uninterrupted operation of the model in all weather conditions.

What Really Works

Aerosol gun

• Price : ~20$ for the pistol itself (we took the price for “UDAR”, but there are other models), +100-150 rubles for each shot.
• Permit : not needed, can be purchased from 18 years of age upon presentation of a passport.
• Effect : pain appears in the eyes, tears flow profusely, and when the spray gets into the mouth, coughing and saliva flow in a stream. Depending on where exactly the spray hits and how much of it there is, the effect can last from 30-60 minutes to a day.

To put it simply, an aerosol gun is a pepper spray at maximum speed. It works roughly like a water pistol: it throws out a powerful jet of vigorous liquid 2-3 meters away, and several mini-cans (BAMs) are loaded into the pistol at once - that is, it will help even if the opponent is not 1. This thing looks pretty funny, it’s unlikely someone will carry it in their pocket, but putting the BLOW in the glove compartment of a car or throwing it in a backpack is worth it, its efficiency is exemplary.

Pepper spray

• Price from
  $3.
• Permission
  : not required, can be purchased from 18 years of age.
• Effect
  : Same as an aerosol gun.

Probably the most common and adequate means of self-defense. Cylinders come in a bunch of different sizes and cost pennies. They saved a lot of people from troubles, allowing an inadequate opponent to cool down and remain unharmed. The main thing is not just to buy a cylinder, but also to learn how to use it, so that in an extreme situation everything is done automatically. Therefore, be prepared to spend money on a couple of copies purely for training.

Flashlights-electric stun guns

In appearance, these models are difficult to distinguish from ordinary flashlights. This is their advantage, since the shocker does not attract unnecessary attention and gives an advantage over the attacker. They are compact, lightweight and made of durable material. VyborExpert specialists tested 8 applicants. 2 winners have the best characteristics.

TW-309 Cheetah 3

Model 3 class “TW-309 Cheetah 3” has proven itself to be a pocket bodyguard. It is characterized by a contact principle of operation with a voltage of 25,000 W, ensuring penetration of clothing up to 60 mm thick. After receiving the shock, the enemy will be in a state of shock for about 50 minutes. The stun gun is equipped with rubberized inserts and is made in an ergonomic shape, which contributes to the most reliable fixation and does not allow the opponent to tear it out of his hands.

Buyers note the high effectiveness of the shocker in scaring away dogs due to the very loud sound during operation (sparking frequency - 320 Hz). For protection, you can use an LED flashlight, which will help temporarily blind the attacker. The device is equipped with a built-in energy-intensive battery (3500 mAh), the charge of which is enough for 200-300 discharges or 2.5 hours of operation in 100% light mode. Due to its miniature size (12 x 4.2 x 2.6 cm) and the presence of a cover, it does not attract unnecessary attention.

Advantages:

• Durable plastic housing;
• Light weight – 125 g;
• Average exposure time – 1.5 seconds;
• The presence of a hole to which a lanyard is connected for wearing;
• Built-in fuse.

Flaws:

• There are a lot of fakes (you need to choose the seller carefully).

To avoid the shocker from malfunctioning, manufacturers prohibit using it while charging.

Police Osa-1101 Type

The Police Osa-1101 Type stun gun was included in the rating of the best due to its practicality with frequent use. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which protects the body from scratches and impacts, promoting long service life. At the top of the coating there is a special polymer that allows the device to operate smoothly in all weather conditions. To carry it, there is a cloth case with a belt clip.

The contact model is equipped with the “Super Touch” system, which will significantly reduce the charge consumption of the built-in battery (no more than 8% per month). Information about the battery status is available at the back of the case, where the diode is located. “Safe Shok” technology will not allow the shocker to burn out when it comes into contact with metal. A class 1 device with a voltage of 75 kV penetrates clothing up to 4.5 mm thick. The LED flashlight (350 lm) built into the body does an excellent job of illuminating large areas and disorienting the attacker.

Advantages:

• Easy to use;
• Light weight – 175 g;
• Diode service life – 60,000 hours;
• Built-in fuse;
• Compact dimensions – 16.6 x 3 x 3.6 cm.

Flaws:

• Warranty period – 1 year.

This shocker is effective in repelling dogs due to the ozone generated and the loud sound.

RUSSIAN PRODUCTION

As described in detail in Part 1 of the series of articles “CHOOSEING A MEANS OF SELF-DEFENSE WITHOUT A LICENSE: SHOOTING AND CONTACT ELECTRIC SHOCKERS,” only a stun gun from a Russian manufacturer can be bought legally, it is allowed to be worn and used in Russia. Such a stun gun must have a certificate; its technical parameters must comply with GOST R 50940-96, “ELECTROSHOCK DEVICES. General technical conditions”, and the seller must have a license to sell or manufacture weapons.

Read: SELF-DEFENSE WEAPONS

How to choose a stun gun

When choosing a stun gun, you should pay attention to its operating principle, class and power.

Action

There are contact stun guns that operate after the electrodes touch the opponent’s clothing. They are suitable for those who want to protect themselves indoors or in a small open area. Devices with remote action are an excellent option for neutralizing an enemy on the street. They shoot electrode harpoons over a distance of several meters. For double protection, you can purchase a universal model with contact-remote action.

Class

Class 1 devices are characterized by a power of 2-3 W and a voltage of 70 to 90 kV. They are often used in law enforcement agencies and have a long-term paralyzing effect through a thick layer of clothing. Class 2 with a power of 1-2 W and a voltage from 45 to 75 kV will help disorient the attacker and is less expensive. Class 3 stun guns are suitable for scaring away dogs. Their power (0.3-1 W) and voltage (20-45 kV) are only enough for psychological defeat.

Power

The minimum power of the protective agent is 0.3 W, the maximum is 3 W. If you need enhanced, professional protection, then the best choice would be models with a power of 2-3 W. It is better to buy medium devices (1-2 W) if you are afraid of a possible attack in disadvantaged areas or in the dark. If you are thinking about which stun gun is good for self-defense against dogs, then pay attention to weaker models (0.3-1 W).

The best spray cans for self-defense

Consequences of being hit with a stun gun

It is necessary to fully understand all the consequences of self-defense, because in the event of unforeseen circumstances, the temptation to defend yourself in this way will be very great. Especially for beginners who are just starting to use a stun gun.

Often they feel the desire to hit themselves with a shocker , to experience all the “delights” of its action. This happens because the owner of a stun gun unconsciously compares it to a toy that can only cause minimal damage.

Here is a list of consequences that a person who uses a weapon for self-defense or at his own request may face:

• After the blow is delivered, the victim will experience temporary paralysis , which will last from 10 minutes to half an hour.
• If the weapon was powerful and delivered the same blow, then the person feels severe muscle pain .
• In addition, the victim may lose consciousness for some time .
• Nausea may occur .
• Changes in mood (because electrical impulses affect brain cells).
• Under the influence of a stun gun, the victim will go into a state of passion .

It must be remembered that the current in this self-defense weapon is much less dangerous than ordinary household current from the network . However, if serious mistakes are made in using a stun gun, consequences more serious than ordinary immobility may arise.

• If a person holds the stun gun on an unprotected or tender area for more than the required time, and also uses a dangerous stun gun with live electrodes, then he can damage the opponent’s soft tissues
• Also, the victim may experience a prolonged muscle spasm , lasting more than 2 days.
• Muscle twitching for several days.
• Burns of varying severity (but this is only from high-frequency devices).
• In addition, shooting models of stun guns pose a danger because of the harpoons , which dig into the body or head and cause harm.
• If the victim has any heart disease (and the defender almost certainly never knows for sure), then there is a high risk of heart failure, which can even lead to death.

Which stun gun is better?

If you want to have a psychological impact on the enemy, you should pay attention to stun guns. They are small and easy to aim. Stun batons are the best solution for enhanced protection. They are distinguished by high quality housing, long-lasting paralyzing effect and excellent penetration of clothing. If your priority is to attract minimal attention, light weight and compactness, then it is better to buy a protective device in the form of a flashlight.

The choice of shockers largely depends on the required additional effect, type of action and power class:

• If you want to purchase a class 1 contact-remote model with a high firing range and the ability to have a psychological impact on your opponent, pay attention to the “Taser 2020” or “Thunder Thunder KD.111.
• For those who want to have a powerful device that can be used as a bat, neutralizing the enemy by contact, the “Scepter X v.2” (10 million Volts) is suitable.
• For a girl, a shooting stun baton with a maximum power of 3 W and a voltage of 90 kV “Malvina-200-A” is suitable.
• Another good power class 1 contact device to use as a bat is the Armageddon.
• If you are looking for a stun gun characterized by a contact operating principle and power class 3, which does not attract unnecessary attention, then pay attention to the “TW-309 Cheetah 3”.
• The best option for frequent use is the contact model “Police OSA-1101 Type” (75 kV).

Which stun gun is best also depends on personal preference. The rating presents models that are safe and effective in use.

Design features

Externally, electric shock devices can be rectangular or L-shaped, compact or shaped like a baton or pistol. To choose the right stun gun, you need to think through everything: how you plan to use it, what threats to protect yourself from, how to carry it with you.

Rectangular models fit comfortably in the hand and are easy to place in a bag. True, in order for the electrodes of a rectangular stun gun to contact the enemy’s body, you will have to bend your hand so that the axis of the stun gun coincides with the axis of the hand, so manufacturers have developed L-shaped devices. The convenience of their use is a controversial point, because if you grab it with the “wrong” hand, the enemy will have an additional advantage.

If you are interested in compact models, please note that the stun gun should be noticeably larger than your hand; if the electrodes are dangerously close to your palm, there is a risk of harming yourself and not the enemy.

Before purchasing, evaluate the striking electrodes themselves: the farther they are located from each other, the longer the arc will be, and therefore the affected area. Please note that by law the distance between the electrodes should not exceed 40 mm.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

TERMINOLOGY

The operational efficiency of an electroshock device refers to the effectiveness of its use in combat, preparation for combat, as well as the effectiveness of maintenance: ease of maintaining combat readiness and serviceability. The effectiveness of combat use is determined by the effectiveness of the impact, maneuverability, reliability of operation, safety in handling, ease of maintenance, and ease of maintenance.

OBERON-ALFA stun devices have all the properties that allow them to provide higher operational efficiency compared to stun guns from other manufacturers.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF OBERON-ALPHA ELECTROSHOCK DEVICES

Impact effectiveness

OBERON-ALPHA uses advanced Neuromuscular blockade technology when generating and influencing the target with high voltage, which ensures the effectiveness of electric shock at high frequencies, and the effectiveness of civilian models is comparable to the best models of police stun guns.

The NMB is provided by the high input power of the shocker's electrical circuit.

OBERON-ALFA does not use pseudo-power (pre-ionization) technology in contact and shooting stun guns, but uses high-voltage transformers to generate high-voltage pulses. The company in its devices ensures the maximum permitted distance between the combat electrodes, increasing the current loop.

Maneuverability

The maneuverability of an electroshock device is determined by the ease of wearing, the ease of contact and remote use, and depends on the weight of the weapon, the ease of putting it into combat mode - the location of the safety lock and controls, and the convenience of grip.

OBERON-ALFA stun guns have a fuse, battery status indication, a convenient silicone power button, and a comfortable handle.

Lithium batteries have the lowest specific gravity, which allows pocket stun guns to have a loaded weight of 200g.

Reliability

Reliability is characterized by the ability to operate reliably in combat and to be invulnerable to external mechanical influences.

The electrical circuits of stun guns produced by OBERON-ALFA are unpretentious, have no time cut-offs, lithium batteries can operate for a long time under load and at low temperatures.

Safety in handling

Safety in handling implies thoughtful design of the weapon, in which its operation becomes safe for the owner during maintenance, wearing and use.

OBERON-ALPHA stun guns have a pronounced handle and a discharge readiness indicator, allowing you to safely operate the device.

Simplicity of content

Simplicity of maintenance means ease of daily maintenance, simple and reliable storage.

OBERON-ALFA stun guns are equipped with high-reliability lithium batteries, which have low self-discharge and a built-in protection system against overdischarge, overcharge, and short circuit. Lithium batteries allow you to pay minimal attention to maintenance, and the stun gun is in constant combat readiness.