Customer Reviews

Spitfire Brand Personal Defense Pepper Spray - 4.5 grams (black dispenser)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Knock on wood, I've never had to use this, but it is my favorite pepper spray canister I've ever had. It doesn't have an awkard case, like several of the other brands, and has a patented design where you cannot spray it, unless you are intentionally trying to do so. (It won't happen on accident) Its very slim, and almost attractive, unlike big bulky ones I've had in the past. Fits perfectly on my key ring. It really does make me feel safer. If I'm in a situtation where I feel uncomfortable, I just hold onto it, I don't have to worry about undoing a snap or anything. Highly recommend it!!

I will say I got this for my Daughter at college and it worked! She was out with friends and was approached by a stranger. Lets just say, a quick spray and she got away. The police captured the guy shortly after!

Thank you for having this available to me and my daughter

I carry this on my dogs leash for when we go walking or hiking.
Unfortunately, I've had to use it in a park setting due to people who ignore the posting that the park is not an off leash park. The dog was large (~80lbs) and attacked me and my dog (20lbs) because the owner had NO control over her animal. I sprayed into its muzzle/face and it stopped in its tracks, giving me and my dog time to get away. Works well, and I won't be out without it.

P.S. 2010.12. Reduced to 3 stars because the case breaks apart under normal wear. This can still be "slightly the best" pepper sprayer, kept stylish and made almost unbreakable IF...
a. Using the points of sturdy scissors, tighten the end-plug. Then keep it tight with a couple strips of 'crystal clear' packing tape, trimmed very narrow.
b. Then wrap 3 layers of 'crystal clear' packing tape around the body (trimmed somewhat wider) to hold the above strips of tape. And also to make sure the entire case does not split in half suddenly. (As mine did.)
c. Because this is a "put together" object, with several delicate parts, it might be a good idea to do one test spray to make sure it works! Also to become prepared for a possible "blowback" effect to the user of any good pepper spray, i.e., you might get somewhat nauseous.
d. I.e., it seems unfortunate that the company opted to make this device "refillable." This increases fragility, while making it almost as large as other sprayers which contain twice the sprays.

Nonetheless, so far, nobody here says the Spitfire is weak. In comparision, there is now a SABRE brand compact pepper spray. This seems similarly small, having also an integrated keychain without needing a holster. However some users report the Saber's chemistry is weak. Read the negative reviews and judge for yourself. Also be assured that the Spitfire works on dogs, according to several reviews here.

I am sticking with the Spitfire. For myself, I would give 4 stars. Taping it up is not a hassle. Nonetheless I don't feel right giving 4 stars to a product that falls apart if unmodified. I hope you understand.

******original review follows******

The 5 gm. Spitfire has less power, costs more, and is just slightly smaller, than typical 11 gm. or 1/2 oz. keychain sprayers at hardware checkout counters... Therefore... for a woman you are paying more, taking up the same room in your purse, and getting less fire power. However, Spitfire is less ugly, and when needed has a unique panic-friendly point-and-shoot design. Hopefully you will not need more than 8 shots. Also a refill is available at less than half the cost of a new one. For men like myself, the Spitfire is slightly less intolerable than any other sprayer on a belt keychain. So it's simply the best we can do for the "unlikely" user. (Men and women who are "likely" to need a pepper sprayer should of course get a bigger one with its own belt holster.)

An hour of Googling has turned up a 'Minime MiniPepperSpray' keychain by IGg Factory, claiming to be the smallest, but of questionable quality and nobody seems to sell it. There is a Pepper Spray Pen and a finger ring. These prove that there should be a smaller key chain pepper spray but evidently not.

If you buy more than one, save $5 each, after shipping costs, at the Ambient Weather website. Whatever pepper spray you buy, I suggest a new one every Christmas. Pepper sprays expire in 2-3 years. Uses for last year's sprayer:

... Glove compartment.
... Give to a friend.
... Target practice. (Outdoors please.)

Gave this to my son at college, there were some issues around campus. He was coming home from a night class when he was approached by a drunk man who demanded his wallet. My son had this in his hand as he was walking back to him dorm. A quick point and spray, and the drunk was down for the count. My son got away and campus security caught the guy shortly after. Turned out this was the same guy was giving trouble to many people. Thank you, thank you, thank you

I was in the market for a pepper spray that easily fit around a keychain. Well, the problem was that most were too bulky to fit into my pocket and it just looked awkward. This pepper spray is small and just fits great on a keychain. The best part is that the end snaps off,so your keys can be ignition and a quick pull will disconnect the spray and can be used if someone tries to carjack you.

I had to give it 4 stars because it does not spray "cone-like" and not at an 8 feet distance. I test sprayed it with 0 wind and it came out like a cloud and the range was maybe five feet at the most. You may want to adjust for these shortcomings just in case you have to use it defensively.

I'm buying a replacement for my first one and would like to say that I've been very happy with my last one. I never needed to use it, so I can't give the ultimate review but I will say that I appreciated every little design touch that went into the spitfire. I love that you can shoot from the hip and not have to make a threatening gesture to use it. I also love the thumb release that can't catch on a nail. I was really nervous to buy something that felt dangerous but the practice canister really helped as now I feel I know what it will do and how close I'll need to be to use it effectively. I can also testify that it's never gone off accidentally even though it knocked around in my purse and on my keychain for years until it simply fell apart.

Perhaps most important, I felt much more confident than I would have felt in many situations just knowing that I had this back-up protection. That might have even made me safer than if I might have been if people would have been able to detect my fear.

My only negative comment is that I'm sad that it only comes in two serious-looking colors. There used to be a couple pastel options and as a style junkie I really appreciated that. Still, I recommend the spitfire for anyone.

The damn thing kept popping off at the keyring and falling off. One day, it just popped off and I didn't notice for several hours. Such a waste of money.

I just bought this pepper spray today because of the fact that it had a safety and I could not risk accidentally spraying myself if I pointed it at myself by mistake in the midst of an attacker. However, I cannot get the key ring release to work. I have put it on my key chain and have tugged and pulled as hard as i can and cannot get it to release. Am I doing something wrong or is my mace defective?!? Please help ASAP!! Thanks.

I bought this because having the ability to spray from a natural hand carrying position seems like a great idea. Having to raise your hand up to an attacker's face to spray the way a can of spray paint would be used is unnatural, take a little bit of time, and gives him warning what you are up to rather than being able to hopefully catch him by surprise. I hope I don't have to ever use it but I was mugged a few months ago and I wish I had been carrying this at that time!