An Effective Less-Lethal Defense - Kimber's Pepper Blaster 3

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(PC - Kimber)

In today’s environment, off-duty officers need to be exceptionally prepared to assist their on-duty colleagues or respond to active incidents. This necessitates carrying a simplified version of their standard equipment, which includes a less-lethal device. One of the best less-lethal options is oleoresin capsicum (OC), commonly known as pepper spray. Choosing the right pepper spray, however, is essential.

Specification

Now in its third generation, the Pepper Blaster from Kimber Mfg. Inc., a company best known for its firearms, remains a proven product that is as revolutionary today as it was when it was first introduced in 1996.

Designed to eliminate the shortcomings of aerosol pepper sprays, it features patented Jet Projection Technology®, the most advanced projection system for liquid irritant agents. Jet Projection Technology launches liquid irritant agents via a pyrotechnic power drive, offering superior performance and reliability compared to pressurized canister sprays. The system is exceptionally reliable. I once test-fired several first-generation Pepper Blasters that were over 17 years old at the time, and they functioned perfectly.

Kimber offers optional holsters for the PepperBlaster.3. Desantis PepperBlaster holster features an ambidextrous design and nylon clip that is height and cant adjustable (PC – Kimber).

The Pepper Blaster is designed to leverage existing pistol shooting skills, featuring over/under nozzles similar to derringer barrels. It has integral fixed sights for accurate aiming, although it can be instinctively pointed.

Easily carried, the Pepper Blaster is 4.5″ x 3.3″ x 0.9″ and weighs 4.2 ounces. The housing is made of tough, reinforced hard polymer. It’s rugged and water-resistant. The ergonomic design features a lanyard loop and an integral pocket clip. The addition of a pocket clip is the only design change from the second generation. Kimber also offers optional holsters for the Pepper Blaster.

The Pepper Blaster is a two-shot system with 10% OC formulation at 4,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) and 2.4% major capsaicinoids (MC). No other pepper spray even comes close. For comparison, conventional canister pepper sprays range from 0.18% to 1.45% MC. It utilizes a benzyl alcohol carrier, which is believed to enhance effectiveness and reduce activation time. The effects of most pepper sprays last approximately 30 to 40 minutes without treatment. According to Kimber, a single hit to the face from the Pepper Blaster will disable an attacker for 45 minutes or more, which wouldn’t surprise me given its potency.

The compact size of the Pepper Blaster 3 makes it convenient to carry. The design eliminates any risk of inadvertent discharge.

The OC formulation is housed in two Jet Projection cartridges, each containing 0.21 ounces of the liquid agent. In its inactive state, the liquid agent is secured within the cartridge case by a nozzle seal, which can only be broken once a predefined nominal pressure is reached. Firing is triggered by a semiautomatic switch-over mechanism, with the first pull firing the lower nozzle. Each Jet Projection cartridge contains 0.21 ounces of liquid agent.

Operation

When the Pepper Blaster is fired, a mechanical firing pin ignites a pyrotechnic power drive, which activates a movable piston within the cartridge. This piston subjects the liquid agent to high pressure, breaking the nozzle seal and forcing it through the nozzle as a high-speed jet.

After expelling the liquid agent through the nozzle, the piston is retained within the cartridge case. The gases from the pyrotechnic power drive are then vented around the piston, blowing any residue out of the nozzle.

Since the Pepper Blaster doesn’t work with a permanent pressure aerosol canister, it’s completely reliable and unaffected by temperature extremes. The performance is consistent over its entire wide operating temperature range of -5°F to +176°F. You can leave it in a hot car without worry. Unlike most pressurized canister sprays, the Pepper Blaster works effectively in any position and orientation.

The Pepper Blaster 3 is available in either gray or red housing. Grey could be mistaken for a firearm by observers. Red is recommended to clearly distinguish it as a less-lethal or non-lethal weapon (PC-Kimber).

The Pepper Blaster features a cone-like spray pattern, effective at distances of up to 13 feet with a velocity of 112 mph. The high-velocity gel-like projectile resists wind, reducing the likelihood of blow-back and cross-contamination. The gel penetrates around glasses and into mucous membranes. The nozzle is designed to provide a spray pattern of approximately 12 inches at a distance of 13 feet.

The Pepper Blaster is designed for high operational safety, reducing the likelihood of negligent discharges. The only movable exterior parts are the safety and trigger. The centrally enclosed trigger has a swing-away guard/safety to prevent inadvertent firing. The safety must be pushed sideways before the trigger can be pulled, making accidental firing nearly impossible. It has a 6.6-pound double-action trigger pull. The internal firing and switch-over mechanisms include two safety features to prevent unintentional discharge in the event of a drop. It’s rated drop-proof from heights up to five feet.

A white crescent mark on both sides of the trigger indicates if the device has been fired. If it’s visible, it hasn’t been fired. If not visible, it has been fired at least once.

The only movable exterior parts on the PepperBlaster 3 are the safety and trigger. The trigger has a swing-away guard/safety to prevent accidental firing; The safety must be pushed sideways before the trigger can be pulled (PC – Kimber).

Cautions

The Pepper Blaster has a minimum safety standoff distance of two feet. At distances closer than this, discharging the Pepper Blaster into the face or eyes may cause serious and possibly permanent injuries. This is due to a phenomenon known as the “hydraulic needle effect.”

The Pepper Blaster is highly effective, but like all OC sprays, it may not be effective on everyone. Always have a backup plan. Also, it has only two shots and cannot be reloaded. The Pepper Blaster is designed for personal defense. Still, even in this capacity, the potential for multiple assailants is of concern.

Additionally, the potential inflammability of the alcohol carrier needs to be considered. Although unlikely, the possibility of tool confusion also needs to be addressed. I carry the Pepper Blaster in a support side cross-draw configuration, similar to how I would carry a TASER on a duty belt, for this reason.

Its nozzle provides a cone-like spray pattern. The liquid’s gel-like consistency is relatively unaffected by wind (PC – Kimber).

Visibility

The Pepper Blaster is available with either a gray or red housing. I recommend the latter to clearly distinguish it as a less lethal/non-lethal weapon and not a firearm to bystanders or law enforcement.

Summing Up

Kimber’s Pepper Blaster 3 retails for $41.99. It has a four-year shelf life. Carrying the Pepper Blaster 3 gives off-duty officers another way to manage threats with appropriate, less-lethal force.