Let's make a reservation right away: gas weapons are "weapons" at least on the basis of Federal Law No. 150-FZ of 13.12.1996 (as amended on 03.08.2018) "On Weapons" (as amended and supplemented, entered into force on 16.01. 2019), which establishes that "a gas weapon is a weapon designed for the temporary chemical destruction of a living target by the use of tear or irritating substances."
In this article, we will not consider gas pistols in the form factor of military weapons and will focus on gas cans and other aerosol throwing devices in various designs.
The harbingers of gas weapons can be considered the powders widespread in pre-revolutionary times, thrown into the eyes of the enemy. The composition of such powders could include ingredients such as sand, tobacco, pepper, salt and other components.
Gas cartridges (GBs), which appeared in the 20th century, containing various combinations of natural and chemical irritants, first appeared with the police, but soon began to be sold to ordinary citizens in order to exercise self-defense from people and animals.
In the USSR, gas and aerosol weapons were available only to the police and special services; citizens could only acquire GBs illegally. Since 1993, when the first law "On weapons" was adopted, GBs appeared in stores, including those of domestic production.
Existing GBs may differ in the type of spraying of the contents - these are mainly aerosol, jet, gel and foam types of spraying.
Also, GBs differ in the composition of the irritant formulations - a damaging (irritating) substance. Let's list the most common:
- OC - oleoresin capsicum, extract from hot varieties of natural red pepper;
- CS - tear gas, orthochlorobenzalmalonodinitrile;
- CR - dibenzoxazepine, aka algogen;
- CN - chloroacetophenone;
- IPC - pelargonic acid morpholide;
- PV or PAVA - pelargonic acid vanilamide (synthetic capsaicinoid).
In Russia, various combinations of these substances are allowed, for example, OC + CS or CS + IPC. Various irritants act differently on humans and animals. Some have a longer delay between the use on the target and the actual action on the target, while others have a longer duration of the effect on the target. Also, due to the individual characteristics of the organism, different people or animals react differently to the use of GBs against them with different contents. The effectiveness of the use of GB is influenced by such factors as the psychophysical state of the target, the use of alcoholic or narcotic substances, drugs, ambient temperature and other factors.
According to open data, OC natural pepper extract has an effective effect, including against dogs and persons under the influence of alcohol / drugs, but has a long delay before it takes effect. CS tear gas and artificial pepper IPC are inferior to OS in potency, but have a lower delay. Irritant CR is most effective, but not very common.
CN is an obsolete substance, almost never found in civilian GBs. The author has never encountered GB with PV or PAVA.
One of the first available, and perhaps the most well-known models, was the "Shock" GB manufactured by LLC STC "Hiton", which was sold in all weapons and near-weapon stores in the country. This GB is aerosol, pure "pepper" and contains 1000 mg of oleoresin capsicum.
For a long time, there were numerous complaints about the design of the valves for leakage to the GB data, which led to the contamination of bags and pockets with content products and the inoperability of the GB at a critical moment. Also, this balloon is the leader in the number of checks like "I was drunk and splashed in my face and felt nothing." Obviously, the second follows from the first, i.e. loss of properties as a result of design flaws led to a low efficiency of GB in use. At the moment, this GB has lost most of the market.
Also, GBs of foreign manufacturers appeared on the market, of which the German models Pfeffer KO-Fog and KO-Jet can be distinguished. These GBs are also pepper (oleoresin capsicum) and differ in the type of atomization - aerosol type of atomization is used in KO Fog, in KO Jet it is jet.
Another type of aerosol weapon can be considered the Dosed aerosol spraying device - "UDAR". The predecessors of the "UDAR" product called PSG (special liquid pistol) "Violet", developed at TsNIITochmash, and the later PSG "Jasmine", developed at the Kirov Mayak plant, were in service with the State Security Committee (KGB) of the USSR since the beginning of 1980 -s. These products are fired with disposable aerosol small-sized cans (BAM) filled with an irritant liquid. For many years, and perhaps even now, "combat" BAM from PSG "Jasmine" were the subject of desire of users of the civilian product "UDAR".
On the civilian market, "UDAR" appeared in the early 90s, competing with both GB and gas pistols based on military weapons. The advantages of the "UDAR" device include the ability to equip cartridges with different damaging substances, the ability to use indoors and in fairly windy weather.
It should be noted here that in gas pistols based on military weapons, the gas composition is obtained by gasification of a special powder in the sleeve, and the resulting gas is easily blown off by the wind in the face of the shooter, and it cannot be used indoors. In the cartridges of the "UDAR" device, a vapor-liquid method of throwing an aerosol composition is used. When fired, due to a sufficiently large volume, a significant amount of irritant is delivered to the enemy's face.
Among the shortcomings, it is possible to note the possibility of the cartridge primer being under-punctured, distortion and jamming of the BAM, which, however, has never happened in the author's practice.
Metered aerosol spraying device ("UDAR")
Another disadvantage can be attributed to the specific design - shooting is carried out by pressing the side lever with the thumb of the right hand, which makes the use of the "IMPACT" device uncomfortable for left-handers. This flaw was corrected in the updated version of the "UDAR-M2", although for this it was necessary to sacrifice the size of the BAM, which reduced their effectiveness.
BAM with various combinations of damaging substances - OS, OS + CS, OS + CR, noise, training and others - are sold to the "UDAR" devices.
At the moment, two leaders can be distinguished in Russia, whose products occupy a large part of the GB and aerosol weapons market - the Tekhkrim company and the A + A company.
The Tekhkrim company approached the GB market in Russia very seriously, the advantages include a large and constantly updated range of GBs, feedback from users on specialized forums, and a fairly high quality of products. It is thanks to this company that GB in Russia can be considered the most effective and affordable self-defense weapon.
As the most interesting models, one can recall such effective GBs as "Arms of the Proletariat", "Russian Defense" and others, many of which have already been discontinued and replaced with current models.
The advantages of the products of this company can also be attributed to the development of GB samples, new for Russia, with a gel and foam method of spraying an irritant. The gel composition allows you to use the GB from any position (sideways, downward with a valve), the foam, in theory, should provide great damaging properties due to the foaming of the composition on the enemy's face. However, according to the author, the most effective is the classic inkjet version of the GB.
At the moment, from the assortment, we can single out models of the "Black" series of aerosol type, which, due to their compactness and low weight, can easily fit in a woman's purse or trouser pocket. The composition is quite "hot", contains natural pepper extract (OC) and tear gas (CS). This GB has been checked many times by real users.
In the latest model of the compact type - GB "Kortik", an even more interesting mixture of OS + CR is used. Irritant CR is considered one of the most effective and least toxic; its limited distribution is possibly due to the complexity and high cost of obtaining.
Disadvantage of both GBs: due to aerosol spraying, it cannot be used in the wind and indoors.
The larger and more effective GB can be attributed to the "Shpaga" model, which is produced in volumes of 65 and 100 ml. The use of the spray method of spraying the irritant allows this GB to be used indoors. Also, the spray method is minimally affected by weather conditions.
At present, a line of GB "Fighter" has been released, which includes models with jet, aerosol jet, gel and foam methods for delivering irritant. The content release time has been significantly reduced (to two seconds), which prevents the target from evading the attack, however, it is believed that this does not allow adjusting the hit in the event of an initial miss.
Another direction in the development of gas-aerosol weapons is the further development of the ideas embodied in the concept of the "UDAR" product. The Tula company "A + A" has especially succeeded in this field. It produces aerosol devices (AU) under the BAM from the UDAR device and BAMs of its own design in calibers 18x55 (electric ignition) and 18x51 (mechanical ignition by a striker).
From the "A + A" products, one can single out the AU of the "Premier" model in two and four-round versions chambered for 18x55. The appearance, similar to the appearance of traumatic pistols such as "Wasp", can additionally demoralize the attacker. The Premier-4 model is equipped with a laser designator (LTS).
Among the models with mechanical ignition, the AU "Pioneer" and "Dobrynya" can be distinguished.
The device aerosol model "Pioneer" is a double-barreled weapon with sequential mechanical switching of the firing barrel. A spare clip with BAM is located in the handle. Using special adapters, you can use BAM from the "UDAR" device or standard threaded cartridges of the "Hunter's signal" type. The latest version is equipped with LCC.
The Dobrynya device outwardly resembles a classic pistol, and is structurally closer to the successful Cordon firearm-free weapon, adjusted for the type of ammunition used and mechanical ignition. The ammunition capacity is five BAMs of 18x51 caliber with mechanical ignition. Among the shortcomings, it is possible to note the theoretical possibility of BAM skewing and traces of irritant remaining in the false barrel.
It is also worth noting that some A + A BAMs contain an effective formulation OS + CR.
It so happened that part of the article is a lot like an advertisement for two companies. What to do, the market is making its own adjustments, and in Russia there has been a certain monopolization of the market for gas and aerosol weapons.
How effective are such gas and aerosol weapons? Does it make sense to legalize combat short-barreled weapons when there are quite effective means of self-defense such as GB and AU on the market for free sale?
The answer is definitely yes, there is a sense of legalization. Despite all the advantages, gas and aerosol weapons are poorly suited to counter a physically prepared and motivated enemy, not to mention the actions of a group of opponents. Gas and aerosol weapons lack the factor of creating fear for their lives, which a criminal should have when attacked.
All this does not mean that gas and aerosol weapons are useless. On the contrary, given its availability and low cost, it is surprising that many people do not have it.
A gas canister or aerosol device can help ward off an aggressive animal, and will show itself perfectly in a meeting with annoying persons, in a state of alcoholic or narcotic intoxication, which is standard for Russia. Even for a trained fighter, GB will not be superfluous, it will allow the situation to be tilted in their favor, to avoid the possible consequences of a fight on the part of law enforcement agencies, damaged knuckles and accidentally received hepatitis. And all this for some 300-500 rubles a year. Taking into account the upcoming holiday on March 8, it is highly recommended to add high-quality GB to the gift for your soul mates and other relatives and friends.
What you need to know when using GB or AU? The set of recommendations is not particularly impressive. Like any weapon, the use of GB and AU requires preparation and practice, do not spare money for a training balloon or training BAM. It is better to change GB or wearable BAMs once a year, even if the expiration date is longer. The fact is that when worn in an external pocket, GB and BAM are exposed to temperature changes, which can break their tightness and reduce their effectiveness, it is better not to take risks and buy new ones, and use the old ones for training. If used, do not wait for the enemy to receive a "arrival", or when he leaves, and as quickly as possible to retreat and call the police. It is also better to choose an inkjet GB that can be used indoors and in windy conditions.
There may be problems with bringing GB and AU into trains, although the police have no complaints about weapons under a license. Bringing GB into an airplane is strictly prohibited, like any other weapon itself.
I must say that, as in the case of smooth-bore and rifled weapons, Russian legislation on gas and aerosol weapons is extremely liberal. For example, in Canada, Hong Kong, many European countries, it is quite possible to go to jail for a gas canister. In many countries, gas cartridges are sold under license, just as military weapons are sold in Russia. Thanks to the openness of this sector of the arms market, we have received a fairly wide selection of weapon models that are quite suitable for self-defense.
