Oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly called OC spray or pepper spray, is an inflammatory agent that was originally designed to ward off wild animal threats including bears, wolves, and mountain lions. It was later adopted by military and police forces as an alternative to chemical based sprays for riot control and defense. After some time, pepper spray became available to the public and remains a popular self-defense tool throughout the United States due to it’s ease of use and low cost.

How Pepper Spray Works

Capsicum is a naturally occurring compound found in some varieties of hot peppers that can cause irritation to eyes, throat, membrane, and skin. In high concentrations Capsicum causes a burning sensation and swelling in the eyes, throat, and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Capsicum will also cause coughing, choking, and breathing difficulties.

To create pepper spray, the Capsicum compound is extracted and combined with carrier liquids and put into a pressurized canister that can be deployed in a stream, cloud like mist, or spray gel.

In many cases pepper spray has been shown to be far more effective than chemical-based sprays that do not produce the same inflammatory effect, this is particularly evident when being used against individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

On the left: Defender D2 Metro. On the Right: Defender D1 Sport.

The ASP Defender Series Pepper Spray

Armaments Systems and Procedures, ASP for short, has been producing reliable law enforcement equipment for decades. ASP has been a leader in the creation of innovative and intuitive law enforcement solutions and the Defender Series of OC Sprays is no exception.

Most pepper spray products are made in the form of a canister with either a button or trigger like method of deployment. While this form factor is effective, they can be large and somewhat challenging to use in high pressure situations.

The Defender series of OC sprays have an entirely different form factor and method of deployment that is far more intuitive than traditional canister style sprays.

The safety is easy to quickly disengage or reengage one handed

Operating ASP Defender OC Spray

At first glance the Defender has a similar form factor to an EDC sized flashlight, complete with a pocket clip for ease of carry. Much like a flashlight the method of deploying the spray involves pressing a button on the top of the Defender’s body with the spray coming out the bottom.

This horizontal deployment is a major departure from traditional canister styles allowing for a much more natural grip and use while in a defensive stance and easy single hand use. The safety latch sits just below the deployment button, and it disengages easily with a quick thumb flick, but is secure enough not to be accidentally flipped when carrying it.

The milled aluminum of the Metro provides exceptional grip.

ASP OC Spray Formulation and Deployment

Inside the Defender body is a small replaceable canister that has a formulation that contains 1.4% Capsaicinoids as well as an invisible UV dye. Most pepper spray products have anywhere from 0.18 to 1.33 % Capsaicinoids, making the ASP formulation more potent than a majority of civilian and law enforcement OC Sprays. The UV dye allows for easy identification of an assailant by law enforcement using an ultraviolet light.

When deployed the Defender Spray produces a small mist like cloud with roughly a five-foot range. Depending on the size of the canister (more on that in the next section) you can expect 10 to 12 half second bursts before being depleted.

The diamond pattern on the polymer sport series also provides good grip retention, and is easier on your clothing.

Material and Size Options

The Defender is available in 2 sizes and 2 different materials. The Metro Defender is made from milled aerospace grade aluminum which come in a variety of hard anodized colorways.

The Sport is made from durable high impact polymer. Both models are available in the 4.5-inch long D1 size and the 5.75-inch D2 size.

The Defender is an ideal tool for  law enforcement and first responder professionals, it is pictured here with the Spectrum UV Flashlight and and PDK Knife also from ASP along with a Active Carry Technologies Trauma Kit, GORUCK Pack, and Garmont Boots.

Is the Defender Right for You?

The Defender series was designed for use by police, but the intuitive design and ease of use make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to carry a reliable non-lethal self-defense tool. Like all pepper spray products there are some drawbacks to be aware of, and a few special considerations specific to the Defender line. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

Pros

• Both size and material variations are easy to use.
• Both sizes and materials are lightweight, the Sport variants are incredibly light.
• Both the Metro and Sport models have excellent grip retention with the Metro being superior due to the milled pattern.
• The Pocket Clip on all models allow for comfortable and discreet carry in a variety of carry styles.
• While not advertised the solid construction of the aluminum Metro models make it an ideal blunt striking tool for a secondary form of defense.
• Fog Deployment of spray does not require pinpoint accuracy.
• High strength formulation for maximum impact of assailants.
• Canisters are replaceable, making the Defender a long-term use tool.

Cons

• All OC Sprays are subject to blowback, especially in windy outdoor conditions. Fog style deployment pepper sprays like the defender are particularly susceptible to this.
• High strength formulation makes the Defender illegal for civilians to carry in some jurisdictions.
• The milling pattern on Metro models can be a little rough on casual and lighter technical clothing pockets.

The Defender also makes an excellent delf defense addition to any EDC Kit, it is pictured here with a Badger Claw Outfitter Scout EDC pouch, Tuff Possum Entry Kit, Leatherman Wave, and Skallywag Tactical MDV folder.

Overall Impression of the ASP Defender OC Spray

ASP’s Defender line is a well thought out and executed OC Spray option for both law enforcement and civilians. The form factor, ease of carry, and simple operation has made the Defender a staple in my daily carry. This speaks volumes considering pepper spray was never a part of my regular carry.

As a civilian I find myself gravitating towards the Sport variants for my regular daily carry, but the Metro D2 definitely has a place in my pocket when traveling to areas that present a more significant threat level.

The optional inert canisters are a great addition to help the new user get a feel for the Defender and allow for continued training so if you need to use it in a true self defense scenario you can rely on muscle memory to operate quickly and efficiently.

While this is not a concern for law enforcement personnel, it is important for civilians to be aware of local laws to ensure you are not potentially setting yourself up for legal trouble for carrying or using the Defender.

For more information or to pick up your own Defender at ASP’s official website, asp-usa.com

Read More

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid’s free newsletter today!

• RECOILweb: How to Use Pepper Spray
• Tips for Successful Use of Pepper Spray
• Go Bag: Building a Winter Survival Kit with BCO Discovery M1
• Prepping 101: Ultimate Guide to Survival and Emergency Preparedness

The post ASP Defender OC Spray Review appeared first on RECOIL OFFGRID.

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Oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly called OC spray or pepper spray, is an inflammatory agent that was originally designed to ward off wild animal threats including bears, wolves, and mountain lions. It was later adopted by military and police forces as an alternative to chemical based sprays for riot control and defense. After some time, pepper spray became available to the public and remains a popular self-defense tool throughout the United States due to it’s ease of use and low cost.

How Pepper Spray Works

Capsicum is a naturally occurring compound found in some varieties of hot peppers that can cause irritation to eyes, throat, membrane, and skin. In high concentrations Capsicum causes a burning sensation and swelling in the eyes, throat, and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Capsicum will also cause coughing, choking, and breathing difficulties.

To create pepper spray, the Capsicum compound is extracted and combined with carrier liquids and put into a pressurized canister that can be deployed in a stream, cloud like mist, or spray gel.

In many cases pepper spray has been shown to be far more effective than chemical-based sprays that do not produce the same inflammatory effect, this is particularly evident when being used against individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

On the left: Defender D2 Metro. On the Right: Defender D1 Sport.

The ASP Defender Series Pepper Spray

Armaments Systems and Procedures, ASP for short, has been producing reliable law enforcement equipment for decades. ASP has been a leader in the creation of innovative and intuitive law enforcement solutions and the Defender Series of OC Sprays is no exception.

Most pepper spray products are made in the form of a canister with either a button or trigger like method of deployment. While this form factor is effective, they can be large and somewhat challenging to use in high pressure situations.

The Defender series of OC sprays have an entirely different form factor and method of deployment that is far more intuitive than traditional canister style sprays.

The safety is easy to quickly disengage or reengage one handed

Operating ASP Defender OC Spray

At first glance the Defender has a similar form factor to an EDC sized flashlight, complete with a pocket clip for ease of carry. Much like a flashlight the method of deploying the spray involves pressing a button on the top of the Defender’s body with the spray coming out the bottom.

This horizontal deployment is a major departure from traditional canister styles allowing for a much more natural grip and use while in a defensive stance and easy single hand use. The safety latch sits just below the deployment button, and it disengages easily with a quick thumb flick, but is secure enough not to be accidentally flipped when carrying it.

The milled aluminum of the Metro provides exceptional grip.

ASP OC Spray Formulation and Deployment

Inside the Defender body is a small replaceable canister that has a formulation that contains 1.4% Capsaicinoids as well as an invisible UV dye. Most pepper spray products have anywhere from 0.18 to 1.33 % Capsaicinoids, making the ASP formulation more potent than a majority of civilian and law enforcement OC Sprays. The UV dye allows for easy identification of an assailant by law enforcement using an ultraviolet light.

When deployed the Defender Spray produces a small mist like cloud with roughly a five-foot range. Depending on the size of the canister (more on that in the next section) you can expect 10 to 12 half second bursts before being depleted.

The diamond pattern on the polymer sport series also provides good grip retention, and is easier on your clothing.

Material and Size Options

The Defender is available in 2 sizes and 2 different materials. The Metro Defender is made from milled aerospace grade aluminum which come in a variety of hard anodized colorways.

The Sport is made from durable high impact polymer. Both models are available in the 4.5-inch long D1 size and the 5.75-inch D2 size.

The Defender is an ideal tool for  law enforcement and first responder professionals, it is pictured here with the Spectrum UV Flashlight and and PDK Knife also from ASP along with a Active Carry Technologies Trauma Kit, GORUCK Pack, and Garmont Boots.

Is the Defender Right for You?

The Defender series was designed for use by police, but the intuitive design and ease of use make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to carry a reliable non-lethal self-defense tool. Like all pepper spray products there are some drawbacks to be aware of, and a few special considerations specific to the Defender line. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

Pros

• Both size and material variations are easy to use.
• Both sizes and materials are lightweight, the Sport variants are incredibly light.
• Both the Metro and Sport models have excellent grip retention with the Metro being superior due to the milled pattern.
• The Pocket Clip on all models allow for comfortable and discreet carry in a variety of carry styles.
• While not advertised the solid construction of the aluminum Metro models make it an ideal blunt striking tool for a secondary form of defense.
• Fog Deployment of spray does not require pinpoint accuracy.
• High strength formulation for maximum impact of assailants.
• Canisters are replaceable, making the Defender a long-term use tool.

Cons

• All OC Sprays are subject to blowback, especially in windy outdoor conditions. Fog style deployment pepper sprays like the defender are particularly susceptible to this.
• High strength formulation makes the Defender illegal for civilians to carry in some jurisdictions.
• The milling pattern on Metro models can be a little rough on casual and lighter technical clothing pockets.

The Defender also makes an excellent delf defense addition to any EDC Kit, it is pictured here with a Badger Claw Outfitter Scout EDC pouch, Tuff Possum Entry Kit, Leatherman Wave, and Skallywag Tactical MDV folder.

Overall Impression of the ASP Defender OC Spray

ASP’s Defender line is a well thought out and executed OC Spray option for both law enforcement and civilians. The form factor, ease of carry, and simple operation has made the Defender a staple in my daily carry. This speaks volumes considering pepper spray was never a part of my regular carry.

As a civilian I find myself gravitating towards the Sport variants for my regular daily carry, but the Metro D2 definitely has a place in my pocket when traveling to areas that present a more significant threat level.

The optional inert canisters are a great addition to help the new user get a feel for the Defender and allow for continued training so if you need to use it in a true self defense scenario you can rely on muscle memory to operate quickly and efficiently.

While this is not a concern for law enforcement personnel, it is important for civilians to be aware of local laws to ensure you are not potentially setting yourself up for legal trouble for carrying or using the Defender.

For more information or to pick up your own Defender at ASP’s official website, asp-usa.com

Read More

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid’s free newsletter today!

• RECOILweb: How to Use Pepper Spray
• Tips for Successful Use of Pepper Spray
• Go Bag: Building a Winter Survival Kit with BCO Discovery M1
• Prepping 101: Ultimate Guide to Survival and Emergency Preparedness

The post ASP Defender OC Spray Review appeared first on RECOIL OFFGRID.

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