OC (Pepper Spray) Device Test-Kimber LifeAct Guardian Angel

[Excaliber]

In previous discussions on this forum, a number of significant drawbacks of OC (Pepper Spray) products have been discussed, particularly by law enforcement members with extensive personal experience with the material. Some of the issues with aerosolized OC spray include:

- Very limited effective range
- High likelihood of cross contamination to user and bystanders, especially in windy conditions
- Contamination of the environment, particularly indoors or in vehicles
- Easily avoided spray patterns
- Uncertain effect on aggressive subjects, especially with marginal hits

Kimber (the firearms manufacturer) imports a line of OC projector products called LifeAct that is advertised as overcoming these issues. Their devices come in two formats: a pistol shaped projector with disposable cartridges of active agent, and a small palm sized device that is discarded after use. Both formats use a small pyrotechnic charge to propel the OC agent at very high velocity (90 MPH for the palm sized Guardian Angel unit, and 270 MPH for the JPX pistol shaped version), and both carry two shots in the device. Effective range is advertised as 13 feet for the Guardian Angel, and 21 feet for the JPX. Training units / cartridges are available for both units to allow a user to familiarize himself with the performance without dispensing active product.

I ordered the Guardian Angel model in both training (orange) and active agent (black) versions and received the units a few days later. Each unit is equipped with a clip that allows it to be attached to a belt, pocketbook, seatbelt, etc., and the trigger opening is shielded by a piece of flexible plastic that must be deliberately pressed aside with the trigger finger in order to reach and depress the trigger.

To test the orange training unit, I set up an 8 inch square cardboard target outdoors at a range of 10 feet. Wind conditions were a very light breeze. My wife aimed the training device, which projects blue liquid dye, at the target by simple pointing (there are no sights) while I observed from behind and to the side. When the trigger was pressed, the device discharged with noise on par with an air pistol report and the dispensed material moved too fast to directly observe it. The target was thoroughly drenched with the blue liquid, with some of the pattern going above, below, and around the target in a circular pattern that I estimated to be about 10 inches in diameter at that distance. No aerosolization at all was observed.

The device appears to perform as advertised. From my observations, I believe the Guardian Angel would be an effective delivery system for OC material because it can be delivered at a useful distance with good accuracy and very low risk of cross contamination. Of course, there are no guarantees that OC will have a disabling effect on any given individual, but the thorough drenching this device delivers would maximize the chance of success against susceptible individuals, even if they are wearing glasses or facemasks. It should also be a very viable tool for effectively managing charging dogs without resorting to deadly force.

I consider it good enough to include in my current set of use of force options. YMMV.

[Greybeard]

Thanks for the report with the "test" unit.

I've been carrying the "palm sized" Guardian Angel unit around for several months in the driver's door pocket of the old F-150, dropping it in the back backet of jeans sometimes when going here or there.

Having not actually used one before or even tested, I'd not developed a lot of confidence in the unit last winter when being approached by an unsavory character in the parking lot of the local Valero one late evening. My "go to" tool as I opened the truck door was 4 oz Fox Stream. Between it and my tone of voice, said character acted like he might have seen one before.

[bryang]

Thanks, Excaliber, for the excellent review. I had read an article just the other day on the Guardian Angel unit and was wondering how it preformed in a real world test. Good report!

Thanks,

-geo

[Excaliber]

Thanks for the report with the "test" unit.

You're more than welcome. I think it makes sense to share results with our members.

My "go to" tool as I opened the truck door was 4 oz Fox Stream. Between it and my tone of voice, said character acted like he might have seen one before.

Many BG's have encountered OC in one form or another. Unfortunately, those who found they could "work through" what they were hit with may not be deterred by what appears to be another version of the same thing. The rubber meets the road when you have to use it.

My testing gives me enough confidence that I would expect a cessation of aggression (not necessarily temporary disability) in about 80+% of cases with a good hit, but I realize it's only one tool in the box and won't work on everyone every time. I'm always prepared to move to other options.

If someone is considering purchasing the product, I would recommend purchasing a test unit and getting a feel for how it works. It's a very good investment and builds confidence to know how well it actually performs in a given individual's hands.

The testimonials from actual users on the LifeAct site make for good reading for those interested in products of this type. The ones from LEO's with extensive OC experience are particularly interesting.

[Lumberjack98]

Thanks for the review!

[Greybeard]

Quote: "the trigger opening is shielded by a piece of flexible plastic that must be deliberately pressed aside with the trigger finger in order to reach and depress the trigger."

That little piece of plastic (aka "safety" ? ) appeared to me to be just one more thing to deal with if ever needed quickly. I popped it off promptly and have since just treated the thing like a short barrel handgun with a DAO trigger.

The Kimber dealer in Denton where I bought mine some time ago did not have any of the test units and from what I read, felt like the "pattern" would be similar to that of a tight-choked shotgun - with pretty much need to be aimed or pointed well.

When they first came out, someone on one of the other forums (who'd obviously spent some time in the sandbox) said they had tested the unit and the initial hit was "like getting spit on by a camel'".

[Keith B]

When they first came out, someone on one of the other forums (who'd obviously spent some time in the sandbox) said they had tested the unit and the initial hit was "like getting spit on by a camel'".

I think I would prefer the pepper spray!

[InfoTechCHL2007]

Great report. Thanks.

[longhorn_92]

When they first came out, someone on one of the other forums (who'd obviously spent some time in the sandbox) said they had tested the unit and the initial hit was "like getting spit on by a camel'".

I think I would prefer the pepper spray!

Nothing worse than getting hit in the face by camel spit...

[Excaliber]

Quote: "the trigger opening is shielded by a piece of flexible plastic that must be deliberately pressed aside with the trigger finger in order to reach and depress the trigger."

That little piece of plastic (aka "safety" ? ) appeared to me to be just one more thing to deal with if ever needed quickly. I popped it off promptly and have since just treated the thing like a short barrel handgun with a DAO trigger.

The Kimber dealer in Denton where I bought mine some time ago did not have any of the test units and from what I read, felt like the "pattern" would be similar to that of a tight-choked shotgun - with pretty much need to be aimed or pointed well.

When they first came out, someone on one of the other forums (who'd obviously spent some time in the sandbox) said they had tested the unit and the initial hit was "like getting spit on by a camel'".

I agree that the "safety" isn't very substantial. My impression is that it's there primarily to keep stuff that floating around where the unit may be kept (pocketbook, glove box, etc.) from getting caught in the triggerguard and causing an ND.

Greybeard is absolutely correct about the pattern. My testing showed a circular pattern of approximately 10 inches diameter at 10 feet. If the unit is not aimed carefully, it is entirely possible to miss, just like with a handgun.

When the gentleman on the other forum described the unit's effect as "like getting spit on by a camel," I take it he was describing an experience a BG would likely not enjoy - just what I was looking for!

[Excaliber]

Nothing worse than getting hit in the face by camel spit...

Well, now, Keith B may be on to something. Have you considered contacting Kimber and suggesting an alternate load with the new material for their cartridges?

[Excaliber]

The Kimber dealer in Denton where I bought mine some time ago did not have any of the test units

FWIW, I bought mine directly from the Kimber web site and had the units in hand in a few days.

[yerasimos]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Excaliber.

The one attribute the Kimber products seem to have, that various OC handheld canisters do not, is an appreciable ballistic effect of fast moving liquid smacking you forcefully in the face---the camel spit effect.

On a different forum I like to visit, an individual whom I respect did a write-up on his non-trivial experiences with various types of irritant sprays, including OC, and listed four semi-distinct symptoms of exposure to these substances:

A-Burning sensation to skin
B-Eye capillaries swell –eyelids slam shut –‘Blepharospasm’
C-Constriction of throat lining
D-Shortness of breath, coughing, gasping for air

In this individual's analysis, the first two symptoms seem to correlate with a generalized hit in the frontal face with virtually any format of OC. However, only the aerosolized mist or fog dispersions were predisposed to being inhaled, so I assume only aerosol OC can reliably cause the latter two symptoms.

Assuming that non-aerosol OC is used in response to activity exclusive of deadly force, and also assuming a good hit in the face, we might only expect the attacker to experience skin irritation and semi-involuntary, temporary closure of the eyes, while his respiratory system may remain unaffected. I find this problematic because the behavior that is likely prompting my use of OC (a form of non-deadly force) is something deserving of non-deadly force, such as loud, disruptive shouting/profanity and agitated body movement, or an aggressive attempt by a panhandler to close distance upon me after I visually picked him up from afar and indicated my non-interest in him, or some type of threatening/encroaching, gross body movement that ultimately requires respiratory activity to continue. Leaving his respiratory system unimpaired seems to leave too much potential for the unwanted activity to continue or resume. However, using easily-inhaled aerosol OC can easily cause cross-contamination and blowback. Stated another way, it seems difficult to decouple the inhalation effect from blowback and cross-contamination. Despite such side effects, I feel predisposed toward the aerosol OC formats for their inhalation potential.

I am curious what the inhalation effects are with the Kimber units---whether this pyrotechnic-driven loogie of liquid OC may get into the respiratory tract more effectively than other forms of liquid OC. Unfortunately, I did not see anything in the testimonials or specifications that seemed relevant. But if Kimber’s fast-moving liquid OC can accomplish some localized inhalation effect---effectively decoupling the inhalation effect from blowback and cross-contamination---I am really interested.

[Excaliber]

You're welcome, yerasimos. I'm glad you found it interesting.

However, only the aerosolized mist or fog dispersions were predisposed to being inhaled, so I assume only aerosol OC can reliably cause the latter two symptoms.

I think this may be a premature conclusion based on a series of assumptions, and I think you may be underrating the importance of the ballistic effect you noted. From what I saw during my brief test, it would be almost impossible to avoid getting a major dose of high potency OC from the LifeAct into the open nostrils (and mouth, if open - which it often is during an incident) when being hit with a full frontal shot from the unit.

The first testimonial on the Kimber website described the effects of use on a robbery team as:

The first blast hit the guy wanting my money square in the face. At which time he hit the ground and proceeded to get sick. The second blast hit the other guy as he turned away but it hit enough of his face that he got enough of the effects that caused him to run right into a nearby wall face first breaking his nose. The effects of the Guardian lasted long enough that I was able to call 911, the two thugs were still coughing, hacking, and first guy was still losing his breakfast! I used to carry a competitors "keychain defender" but it was like using a .99 cent squirt gun compared to the Guardian Angel.

I'd call that a highly effective use far superior to what is usually observed in LE use of aerosol spray and stream units, and to me it sounds like the respiratory effects you're rightly concerned about were achieved.

Personally I've seen enough to relegate my aerosol OC units to dog repellent status and will be using the LifeAct for personal protective purposes. YMMV

[BigBlueDodge]

I want the Guardian Angel +P+ version. I need better knockdown power