In this ASP Pepper Spray review, we examine the Metro Defender and its unique design compared to traditional pepper sprays.
We tested the Defender, carried it as part of our EDC, and spoke with the company about their design process.
Is it better than the typical pepper spray most are familiar with? Are there any downsides? Keep reading to find out if the differences matter.
Table of Contents
ASP Pepper Spray Review
Who is ASP?
ASP stands for Armament Systems and Procedures. Police officers know this company very well, while most people outside of law enforcement have never heard of it.
What makes them unique is that they are a company that provides training to law enforcement agencies all over the world for free. It is from this training environment with officers that their products are born. They get practical ideas and feedback, with the purpose of providing solutions to real-world problems that officers face.
The Defender pepper spray was one of these solutions.
When on duty, officers carry both lethal and non-lethal options to stop a threat. Using their handgun is the last option. In contrast, tasers and pepper spray are typically used to de-escalate situations.
Most officers carry a concealed handgun when off duty, but tasers and pepper spray are not easy to carry in civilian clothing without a duty belt. Tasers are often larger than a handgun, and the large pepper spray canisters won’t fit most pants pockets.
The defender pepper spray solved this problem, and it naturally made its way to the officer’s spouses, family, and friends as a non-lethal self-defense option.
Purpose Driven Design
The ASP Defender Pepper Spray is unlike the other typical pepper spray canisters you will find.
There are a few key design features that make it unique:
- Discrete – Looks like a flashlight
- All metal design – Very robust
- Replaceable Cartridges – Lower cost over time and more reliable
- Deployed with hands in a natural defensive posture
- Aiming is intuitive – no confusion on which way it is pointing
Most people know what a pepper spray canister looks like: an aerosol canister with a flip-top lid. The Defender looks just like a flashlight with a key ring on the end. You can literally sit it on a table at a restaurant, and no one will even question what it is.
The durability is also much better than typical sprays. The aluminum housing and brass activation button are much more durable than all-plastic canisters. This all-metal design also protects the internal cartridge that contains and sprays the pepper spray.
The cartridges are replaceable and interchangeable, unlike traditional sprays. Once one is used up or expires, I only need to replace the cartridges, which are around $10 each. Each cartridge contains police-grade pepper spray that lasts about twelve ½ second bursts for the D2 and six for the D1.
There are also inert canisters for practice, and I simply removed the “hot” red cartridge and replaced it with the inert blue cartridge. This is the same process as changing the batteries in a flashlight. This allowed me to see how the spray worked without risking exposing myself to the real stuff.
The key chain ring is a clever idea for two reasons. First, I can put my keys on it and wear it with the keys hanging out of my pocket. This makes it look like I just have them on a clip but allows me to pull the ring out of my pocket easily with my keys. Second, if I had to, I could use the defender as a flail by swinging it and hitting my attacker in the face with my keys.
The Defender comes in two sizes, D1 and D2. The D1 is just a shorter version of the D2. For most people, we recommend the D2. It holds more sprays and is only 1.25 inches longer.
Using the ASP Defender Pepper Spray
Using and aiming this pepper spray is much easier than traditional sprays.
With traditional sprays, I must find two orientations with the canister when I pick it up.
First, I need to find the top of the canister. It is hard to do this quickly without looking at them.
Next, I need to find which side of the canister the button is on. Again, some are not so easy to find without looking.
Finally, I need to aim the canister. When I am in a hurry, the spray nozzle is not exactly pointing where I think it is, and at a distance, I can be off by as much as four or five feet. I can end up spraying the wrong person and missing the threat altogether.
With the Defender, the spray comes out at the end of the metal tube, much like the beam of a flashlight. When I pick it up, I only need to worry about the spray end facing forward. The keyring and button on the back of the tube make it very easy to find, and I can do it quickly, even with my eyes closed.
It is also much more intuitive to aim. I don’t have to worry about the radial orientation. Again, I point it just like a flashlight.
The only negative aspect of this design is that the spray will not be as effective if the hole in the end is clogged. If it is dropped into dirt or collects a link from my pocket, it could get clogged. I make sure I check mine regularly.
The Defender has a safety feature that I can just swipe open when I think I may need to use it. When my situational awareness tells me there may be a threat in the area, I can already have the Defender ready and the safety off.
Typical sprays have a hinged cover over the lid that really doesn’t offer much confidence against accidental discharge. Plus, they are harder to use and get in the way during a panic situation, and I can’t disengage them when I sense a threat.
Defensive Hand Position
What I really like about the Defender is that it automatically puts me in a defensive position, with my hands up, against a threat.
Since it is metal, it also gives me a substantial striking weapon to use against an attacker if necessary. My weak hand can make a stop motion and protect my head, while my strong hand can deploy the spray and be ready to strike my attacker if needed.
While this is not the primary purpose and is not promoted by ASP, it is a huge advantage over traditional pepper sprays. I can even use it to break glass to escape a vehicle.
Spray Pattern
ASP developed the spray pattern to be the most effective in slowing an attacker during a panicked situation. Instead of a small stream that must be carefully aimed, the defender sprays a mist in a cone pattern, which reaches out to about five to six feet.
While this may seem like it would not be very effective, remember that most of us will be under duress when spraying it and will likely not be able to aim accurately. The cone creates a barrier from which I can run away as soon as I spray it.
The only negative aspect of this spray pattern is that you need to be able to run away and not be backed up into a corner. Wind can carry the pepper spray cloud, and if the wind is strong or blowing in the wrong direction, you could be exposed to it as well.
Our Thoughts on the ASP Defender Pepper Spray
We think the intuitive design of the ASP Defender Pepper Spray really sets it apart from other standard pepper sprays.
Carrying a non-lethal deterrent is a very important de-escalation tool that can get you out of trouble without getting you into more trouble (see our guide on the best concealed carry insurance, pepper spray is covered as well). It is a great addition to your everyday carry items as well as emergency kits like a get home bag.
Not only is it easy to aim and use, but the fact that I can use it as a striking weapon if needed makes it the better option over traditional sprays.
We would like to thank Michael Hess for all the time he spent with us going over the thought process into the design of the Defender Pepper Spray. We also appreciate the chance to use and test it.
Now, check out our full Concealed Carry Guide along with our review on the Best Pepper Spray for more options.
