Streetwise SW400 Stun Gun - Product Close Up

Sometimes a product comes along that seems right for just about anyone. Such is the Streetwise SW400 stun gun. It's styled in the typical stun gun fashion. It is modestly sized. At just under five inches tall, it's easy to hold and operate. The voltage supplied is 400K, strong enough to do the job but not over the top.

The SW400 features three safety procedures. First the supplied wrist strap pin must be inserted into the body of the unit. With the strap around the wrist, an attacker cannot grab the gun away from the intended victim and use it on that person. Once the pin comes out, the stun gun becomes inoperable.

Second the unit must be turned on. This is accomplished by sliding the switch on the side of the case to the first position. Third, to fire the stun gun, the rocker switch must be pushed. This is easily accomplished because your forefinger falls right to the switch. These procedures show careful thinking by the designers. You want the stun gun to fire reliably in an emergency situation, but not otherwise.

As if that were enough, Streetwise obliterates the competition with still more features. When the on-off switch is pushed ot he second postion,, a loud chriping alarm sounds. The alarm alone may be able to scare away an intruder.

The Streetwise SW400 comes with a nylon case with belt loop. For a "quick draw" clip the stun gun on your waistband with the attached belt clip.

The unit comes with a lifetime warranty. You get a lot with this unit and we have an unbeatable price. Just go to the Streetwise SW200 page and upgrade to the SW400.

Product Review - Z-Force ST 300,000 Volt Stun Gun

The Z-Force ST, model ZF-ST, is a 300,000 volt stun gun styled in a ridged grip design with a slightly rounded edge profile. This is in contrast to the hard flat rectangular design of most stun guns. The black case measures 7" tall from bottom to the electrode tips, 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" deep. The unit operates on a 9 volt battery. Even though the instructions designate a 9 volt rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery, a name brand alkaline is also perfectly acceptable. We strongly recommend a 9 volt Energizer cell for optimum performance.

There are only two switches on the Korean made unit, an on-off safety switch on one side and a toggle style "fire" switch on the other. The slim design enables one handed operation of both controls. The safety switch avoids an unintended firing.

Activating the fire switch produces a visible charge across the two electrodes along with a noticeable sizzling sound. The instructions say that a short 1/4 second application will startle the attacker and cause minor muscle contractions. A moderate length blast of 1 to 4 seconds, it says, can cause an attacker to fall to the ground and result in some mental confusion. A full 5 seconds can immobilize an attacker and cause disorientation, loss of balance and can leave the perpetrator weak and dazed on the ground for some minutes. Suffice it to say that the longer the contact, the stronger the stun effect.

The instructions say that the unit will have an effect anywhere on the body but maximum effect is felt on the upper shoulders, below the rib cage and the upper hip. Stun guns cause a neurological loss of muscle control so an attacker cannot will himself to override the effect.

The ridged grip and slim design makes this a particularly easy unit to handle. Although it's made of hardened plastic, the case feels sturdy and up to the task. The stun gun comes with an attached black nylon wrist loop for security.

Stun guns are popular self defense items. Although very high in voltage, the amperage is quite low. So the units are categorized as non-lethal repellents and are effective in most situations. Assailants have been known to flee after just seeing and hearing the firing electrodes. Unlike pepper spray, stun guns require on person contact to work. On the positive side, the unit will be used when it must be used i.e., when an assailant is making an attack on your person.

The Z-Force ST stun gun is also available in a smaller 100,000 volt version. The ZF-ST 300,000 volt model carries a retail price of $35.00 although it can be found for less on the internet. Both carry a limited lifetime warranty.

Greers Ferry AK to Purchase Tasers for Police

The Heber Springs Sun Times in Arkansas reported that the police chief asked city council to provide Taser for its three full-time police officers and one reserve officer. Police Chief Ray Dearmon said it's a small price to pay for an officer's safety.

"The Taser is used as a last-ditch effort," Dearmon said. "I'd rather shoot you with a Taser than I would a gun."

Dearmon told the council that all officers would require certification to carry and use the Tasers. He also said that he would require each officer to be Tased before they can carry the weapon.

"If an officer is unsure of what exactly that piece of equipment will do, he won't use it properly," Dearmon said.

The chief told the council that there have been at least three times in recent memory when a Taser could have kept local officers from drawing their guns and shooting. He also said a Taser would have been handy during a recent situation in which a strung-out driver refused to exit his car.

"The guy was sprayed twice with pepper spray, and it had no effect on him," Dearmon said. "It took four officers to pull him out of the vehicle."

This is the latest in a nationwide move to equip police officers with the non-lethal device.

News Article Notes Rising Non-Lethal Weapons Purchases

A recent news story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel documents the rising sales of stun guns and pepper spray. News writers Brian Haas and Maria Chercoles quote several sources as saying the popularity of these "less-lethal" defensive weapons is on the rise. The chief reason, they assert, is that citizens want self defense products against crime but are uncomfortable with lethal weapons where they may have to kill someone.

"They want something in the middle. A big part of our society is that way," said Jeff Dillard, president of National Law Enforcement Distributors in Davie. "There's not a day that goes by when we don't have four or five customers come in here discussing this."

After noting that both electric stun guns and pepper spray are legal in Florida, they then list the pros and cons of both.

Pepper Spray:

Pepper spray is inexpensive and comes in several forms including the popular "disguised" models that look like pens, lipstick or pagers. Dillard likes pepper spray because it incapacitates an attacker for up to an hour left untreated. Drawbacks include possible blow-back during high winds. Also, there have been reported cases of some individuals fighting through the pain and discomfort. This makes a case for buying the strongest available such as Wildfire 18% pepper spray.

Stun Guns:

Robert J. Leitner, chief operating officer of Tactical Products Group in Delray Beach prefers stun guns. "You only need a second or two to touch the assailant and it also has a powerful deterrent," Leitner said. "In our experience, criminals fear them more than pepper sprays." Limiations here are the on-person contact that is required. Plus the effects don't last as long as pepper spray.
But often a display of the arcing electrodes is enough to thwart an attack. Stun guns are also inexpensive with models starting at about $20. Cell phone stun guns are perhaps the most popular "disguised" models.

Tasers:

The newest "less-lethal" device, Tasers shoot two electrified wires with barbs on the end. They lodge on the perpetrators clothing or skin and fire automatically for 30 seconds. Shooting range is about 15 feet. Taser International spokesman Steve Tuttle says it has none of the disadvantages of stun guns or pepper spray. "I don't want to get one foot away from them and try to apply something to them directly," Tuttle said. "Place it on the ground, let it do the work for you and get to safety."

The authors end their article by warning that these weapons are not toys and must be used safely. If you purchase one, you should treat it as a firearm: realize that it is a weapon and make sure to keep it far from the reach of children. Dillard also warned against storing pepper spray inside a car. The Florida sun can weaken the seal and cause leakage.

Review of the Stun Master SM-FLEX Telescopic Stun Baton

The Stun Master Telescopic Stun Baton SM-FLEX is designed to repel attackers by the touch of the device on any part of the body. It's in a class of self-defense products known as non-lethal deterrents. The manufacturer claims it will transmit it's shock effect through 1/2 inch of clothing. It is rated at 800,000 volts which puts it at the upper echelon of power. These and all other stun devices rely upon high voltage to overcome the resistance of the human body and low amperage to keep the administration safe and the effects temporary.

The Stun Master Telescopic Stun Baton is a rechargeable unit that comes with a plug-in re-charger. It also includes an integrated flashlight and alarm as well as a holster with belt loop. The manufacturer recommends letting the device run down before re-charging. The unit carries a life-time warranty.

The stun baton closed is 12 3/4 inches long. The widest part is at the integrated light which is 2 3/4 inches across. The circumference of the shaft at its base is 5 inches. Fully extended, the baton measures 21.5 inches. The unit weighs just over one pound. The baton is black with two chrome side rails along the shaft. The expanded telescopic part is in three sections, each bit smaller so they nestle inside each other when collapsed. The handle is ridged for a positive grip.

The three controls on the baton are easily accessed when holding it. There is a rocker switch which arms and disarms the unit. By your index finger is a ridged oval switch which serves double duty. You press this to first expand the baton. It expands quickly with a decided snap. Then this switch will activate the stun effect as long as you hold it down. The third switch by your thumb turns on the flashlight in the first position. Push it further and the siren goes off. The flashlight is bright and the siren gives off a very piercing wail. For safety, there is a small plastic set piece lying in this switch canal. You must remove this to operate the switch.

You collapse the unit by pushing in on the shafts till it seats. It's all very well thought out. That's a good thing because you don't want to be hampered by a poor design when you have to react in a hurry under duress. Also noteworthy is the fact that the full length of the metal rails is electrified. If the attacker tries to grab the Telescopic Stun Baton from you, he will be shocked. The shock will not transfer to you if the attacker is touching you.

The included black vinyl holster is a thoughtful addition. The collapsed shaft end goes into the holster while a Velcro loop above fastens around the base of the handle. Because the unit is so light, a night watchman or security guard could wear this around a belt with no discomfort.

This is a handsome unit with impressive features. Expandable/collapsible stun batons have an advantage over hand held rectangular stun devices. With those you must be very close to your attacker to apply the charge. (Hand-helds are typically 6-8 inches tall.) With a maximum range of 21.5 inches and with an outstretched arm, you could repel your assailant from 3 to 4 feet from your body. That's a distinct tactical advantage.