Taser vs. Stun Gun?

[2 Full Curls]

I know its not a rifle or reloading question, but I figured this topic section was the best to consult... I am wanting to purchase a personal protection device (taser or stun gun) for both my sister and girlfriend. Both attend ASU and, although they each have pepper spray, I want to have something with a little more umph.

 

Which is better? I have heard both, and I understand it depends on the user as well. I have been told that tasers can sometimes be non-effective when shooting through clothing? I have also been told stun guns dont have adequate knock-down power and are more noise makers? I have family members that own both and I am not sure which to buy.

 

Any insight or opinion would be great. A preferred make or model of one or the other would be very helpful.

 

Thanks guys for the input in advance.

 

Best

 

SW

[oz31p]

I have family that works for mcso and uses taser international regularly. Its shaped like a gun for easy handling and it has two modes shock or shoot probs and shock. Its like having a taser and a stun gun in one.

[yotebuster]

You could always just get a big fat girlfriend... As far as your sister goes, just get her some Cold Stone gift certificates...

[Couzer]

I have a taser and it is awesome! Like stated before it is both a stungun and a taser. I have demo the taser and it shoots great! I was told it will goes through about a half inch of clothing with the fish hook prongs.

 

Go to this website "promotive.com" you can save up to 150 bucks on the retail price. Mine was like 170 out the door with the registration/activation fee!

 

Free replacement if used in a personal defense situation with a police report!!! Cant beat that!

[azslim]

And for pepper spray, pic up a can of Bear spray - goes farther and is meaner than most civilian sprays.

[2 Full Curls]

oz31p & Vowell: Thanks guys for the input. I'll check both of those leads out.

 

azslim: I have been told that Wasp Spray is the best that you can buy... even better than bear spray. But the cans are too dang big. They are more meant for a nightstand next to your bed I guess. But Ill look into a small can of bear spray for them.. Thxs

[sjvcon]

Bear Spray ... yeah ... that ought to do the trick. Something strong enough to stop a Kodiak in its tracks will certainly stop an attacker ... though it might also do something a bit more permanent.

 

I'm a big fan of women taking unarmed combat classes. The problem with Stun Guns, Tasers and Pepper Spray is that you have to be able to get them out to use them. That is not always possible. I started taking Combat Hapkido from my Karate Dojo a little over a year ago, and I couldn't be more impressed. I am a pretty big guy at 265 lbs, am fairly fit at that weight, and have a pretty good background in fighting arts, having done Karate, Boxing and Judo in the past. I was sold when the 170 lb instructor disabled me in a demo inside of about 2 seconds, and I was not holding back. I didn't know what hit me ... couldn't sign up quick enough. They teach valuable and effective techniques for both unarmed and armed attackers. There are other good ones too ... Aikido is very similar, and if you can find a real Krav Maga instructor (I think they are few and far between as true Krav is very restricted). I really like the Combat Hapkido program though. It's designed for close quarters self defense ... up close and personal.

 

Anyway ... just a suggestion. Stun Guns, Tasers and Pepper Spray are all good ideas ... but it is good to know something a little extra too.

[Curtis Reed]

Pepper spray is superior to TASER in my opinion. There is a lot of maintanence involved with TASERS, and they are not the most reliable option. I have seen them fail more than once. Then add in the high cost to purchase one of them. I have been sprayed by OC (pepper) spray and have been tasered, and although the TASER is painful and shuts down the central nervous system, it takes a lot of things to go right for a succesful deployment. OC spray is pretty fool proof and really takes someone out of a fight quickly. TASER will only last a few seconds and the bad guy can remove the probes and still attack, the OC spray lasts hours. The only down side to the OC spray is that the user can catch some residual spray in the air causing a little irritation.

 

To use a TASER, you need a lot of training in order to know what to do with it in different situations. For example, if only one barb connects with the target, you need to complete the circuit by using a drive stun and you need to spread the distance of the two leads as much as possible. There is a lot to think about when using a TASER in a fight, and when stress levels are high I just think they are too much for a college student to use for personal defense.

 

As far as the stun gun, they are just pain inducing products that only work for a short time. Very easy to defeat someone who has one. They do not lock up muscles like TASER.

 

Go with the pepper spray.

 

 

[CouesWhitetail]

+1 on the self defense training and bear spray....easy to use and highly effective...just have them get a new can every three years or so as the company says the propellant can leak out over time

[Dodger2]

I would suggest pepper spray. With the taser or stun gun you will require composure and discipline in a very stressful situation to insure that it will have the full and appropriate effect. Pepper spray (OC spray) is much easier to discharge and needs to just be "close." A cloud of pepper spray may effect the person using it, but it will also effect the intended target and if the intended target is deterred long enough for the victim to get away (even if there is some exposure) the OC can be washed away. The results of an attack my take years to "wash" away if the victim is unable to operate a taser or stun gun appropriately when its needed.

 

I will also advocate for the self-defense training and also encourage just general situational awareness.