Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been cop and soldier starting in 1984. I've been an instructor of every modern weapon from pepper spray to stinger missiles. Fox Labs combines the most potent spray to date with a very durable weapon delivery system. I've used the previous 5.1 mix a half a dozen times over the last 5 years on both violent criminals and attacking aggressive dogs. Stops the advancing attack every single time, followed by a whole lot of whining and crying (by the criminals.. dogs just run around trying to scrap it off their face on the ground...pretty sad really). Prior to Fox Labs, I used a couple of other police brands, which seemed to always work pretty well, but since I test every canister I carry (Q-tip dab on cheek), I can attest that Fox Labs is the most painful I've ever used... it has a near instant disabling effect with a full shot to the face. I'd suggest the cone/fog for personal self defense, as it it much easier to get a good hit under stress. Primary effective range of the high volume cloud is 1-3 feet. Secondary out to about 5 feet. If you are cool under pressure, have good aim, and want to get out to 5 feet faster with more, then get the stream, which is what I use for dog walking (and enforcement work), since I need to get over my dog and/or partner to get either the bad guy or an incoming dog. But beware, it's easy to miss with the stream version unless you have skills. Other notes: Some states and jurisdictions limit the canister volume (2.5oz in CA), so while the 3 & 4 ounce models are a little more sturdy to grip, you may be limited to a smaller volume such as this one. This model is not a small width... even the 2oz model is sizable, but light! Though you can get FoxLabs 5.3 in the small "keychain" twist dispensers, I wouldn't recommend it unless you just cant manage to carry the larger canister around with you. This is because the canister is not nearly as quick and easy to get working under stress, the pressure volume is far less, it doesn't come in a cone/fog pattern (only stream) and the canister is not as crush-proof, durable or resistant to accidental misfire. These Fox Labs canisters can be purchased with inert contents for practice shooting. I HIGHLY suggest you get an inert for training... the only way to get ready for combat is to practice. Plus, firing a single shot of the live stuff anywhere in a neighborhood risks calls by your neighbors to the fire department for a caustic chemical spill... trust me on this one! I can not recommend this product enough for personal self protection against two and four legged predators. Summer 2011 Update: There have been a rash of "Flash Mob" attacks recently, most of which are property crimes and unarmed assaults. Pepper spray is a great defense against this type of group attack, as it not only will stop the aggressive action of those sprayed, but also can have a great defensive psychological effect upon others in the crowd who get a mere wiff of the spray (cowards in mobs join in due to their lowered risk of being harmed or caught... as soon as they are even marginally effected by pepper spray, many will turn tail). I recommend merchants concerned with this type of attack to secure the Fox Labs "One Pound" Canister with "Pistol Grip". This is what riot police use and it's very effective against dozens of unarmed attackers. Like the other canisters, they come in both "stream" and "cone/fog". I highly recommend the Cone/Fog version... it's pretty much like a fire extinguisher full of pepper spray... very few flash mob members are going to try to get though a defended shop doorway, knowing that they will be covered head to toe in "liquid fire" in fractions of a second! Be safe out there!