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For the lady who isn't comfortable with a gun, what are your thoughts on the type and use of pepper spray

The most powerful type - used liberally.

My pepper spray choice is the Kimber PepperBlaster.

It's a pistol-shaped two-shot deal that uses a pyrotechnic to launch the spray. So rather than a pressurized can, you have a couple mini-blank rounds behind a sealed tube of pepper gel. Pull the trigger once, the top tube fires, pull it again and the bottom tube fires.

Upsides:
- easy to use for anyone who has used a handgun
- inexpensive
- effective

Downsides:
- hard to practice with
- non-reloadable

What ever you get it is more better to get one that comes out in a stream instead of a spray. You are less likely to get blow back on you if there is wind and you get better range.

I've used "Freeze+P" for years on everything from oppossums to people with good success. Is a mix of OC and CS. But check your local laws to see what is legal first.

But check your local laws to see what is legal first.

Unfortunately the laws can be quite restricting. Michigan, for example,
only allows this for dogs:
http://www.amazon.com/Brand-Muzzle-Repe ... pper+spray
For personal protection:
In Plain English:
Michigan state laws for pepper spray & self defense products
UPDATE TO MI PEPPER SPRAY LAW: As of December 2010, MI state now allows pepper spray products up to 10% OC (previouly only allowed 2%). Canister size is still restricted to (35grams approx. 1.2oz).

My main concern was for dogs, when I was searching a couple years ago, and
was disappointed at the tight restrictions Michigan had. They have loosened
up a little to allow more OC ingredient into the mix. I sometimes just carry
a larger canister of bear spray and say the heck with it.

Very iffy in a confined area, and some spray buttons allow you to spray in an unintended direction. There are some instances of the target dying, so it's not 100% non-lethal.

ruger22 wrote:There are some instances of the target dying, so it's not 100% non-lethal.

Interesting point ruger. The way I feel about that is if i'm 'truely' threatening
someone else's life, I deserve whatever consequences of someone else's SD tatics.
There is a simple way of not becoming this kind of victim, having a"don't tread on me" attitude.

Still prefer a .45, or at least a .38

ruger22 wrote:Very iffy in a confined area [1], and some spray buttons allow you to spray in an unintended direction[2]. There are some instances of the target dying, so it's not 100% non-lethal[3].

Pepperblaster takes care of 1&2 - it goes in one direction as a gel, and determining which quadrant it will go to is pretty simple.

Regarding your entirely valid point #3:
If I ever use a defensive spray, I'll either be shouting "SURPRISE" and making a run for it, or using it as a preliminary to wading in and removing parts from the threat by hand until there is no threat.
... Either way, "shoot to stop" applies, I don't particularly care what happens after I spray/shoot.
The correct term is non "non-lethal" but "less lethal"

chances are if someone dies from being pepper sprayed they would have died from any physical altercation, or from being tasered. some folks are wired funny or have a weakened sytem from illicit medication use or are already maxed out because of coke or meth. there have been many instances of suspects and cops suddenly dieing after an intense fight, i think it has something to do with the crash after the adreniline ump wears off, like that uncotrollable hand shakes you can get after an incident.


that being said, if your intent was less lethal and you are justified in spraying someone but not ventliating (lethal force) them and they die because of it. you should be OK legally, but your actions will be scrutinized and armchair quarterbacked.

MI's restrictions on OC and CS sprays are not all that resrictive, the stuff i've used for 13 years was 2% OC (pepper) + 2 % CS (mace) and that will ruin anyone's day the 10% stuff i've seen leave 1st deg like chemical burns and I'm not sure it was more effective. the pepper blaster is good but it is easier to hit with a squirt gun (spray) under stress than your pepper blaster which requires more aim and is no good if your target is more than 2 thugs.


pepper spray takes a second to take effect and you are better served de-assing the area with a quickness, after application than delivering a whuppin'. legally speaking.