Your budget is probably the biggest factor in buying a TASER or a stun gun, but both have strengths and weaknesses. Stun guns are more affordable and easier to reuse, while a TASER helps you keep your distance from violent attackers. Check out our review of the best stun guns to find the best fit for you and learn about stun gun laws.

On the other hand, a TASER uses projectile prongs that attach to a target further away—up to 15 feet. The two prongs spread out when a TASER gun fires, allowing them to land on different body parts. This helps the TASER send electricity across a larger area. Ironically, a TASER's shape is more like a traditional firearm than a generic stun gun is.

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Beyond their capability to disable threats from a distance, Taser guns offer an added layer of versatility by doubling as direct contact stun guns. This feature is especially useful in situations where space is limited or when you find yourself too close for a dart deployment. By removing the dart cartridge, your Taser becomes a potent close-quarters tool, allowing you to deliver an immobilizing shock directly through contact. This dual-purpose functionality enhances your defensive options, providing a reliable method for personal protection in various scenarios. Leveraging both modes of operation can significantly boost your confidence and effectiveness in ensuring your safety.

Stun guns are close - proximity devices that require you to be next to the person attacking you. They use a painful shock to discourage further contact.

It's easy to find reliable stun guns, like the Vipertek VTS-989, for less than $30, while most of TASER's consumer-grade models, like the TASER Pulse, cost $400 or more. TASERs are also more expensive to use—replacement cartridges cost about $20 to $23, depending on if you buy a 10-pack or a 2-pack. Likewise, replacement batteries cost between $10 and $25, depending on your model.

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When exploring the realm of civilian Tasers, you’ll find that these empowering self-defense tools have a reach typically spanning from 15 to 30 feet. This variance allows for a flexible approach in maintaining a safe buffer between you and a potential threat. The beauty of this range lies in its balance – close enough to ensure accuracy and effectiveness, yet far enough to provide a moment of safety in stressful situations. Achieving a successful connection with your target is more feasible within this distance, emphasizing the importance of precise aim. Whether navigating a dim parking lot or a secluded walking path, understanding your Taser’s capabilities empowers you to use it to its fullest potential.

Professional police Tasers pack a punch with their impressive range, capable of reaching up to 30 feet accurately. This extended reach gives law enforcement an invaluable advantage, allowing them to manage potentially volatile situations from a safer distance. The design of these professional-grade Tasers takes into account the dynamic environments officers often find themselves in, offering a means to effectively control a suspect without the need for close physical engagement. The extended range not only aids in keeping officers safe but also helps minimize physical confrontations.

Most stun guns use a rechargeable battery and don't use projectiles. You can use them as long as the battery still has some juice.

TASER—in all caps—is a brand from Axon that helped popularize using electric shock weapons for self-defense. TASER's early popularity meant many people started using it as a generic term, like how dumpster became the de facto term for large trash bins.

Finding the sweet spot for Taser use is key to maximizing its effectiveness while ensuring your safety. The optimal distance for deploying a Taser is within 15 feet of the target. This range strikes a perfect balance, allowing the electrical probes to achieve a solid and effective connection, ensuring the Taser does its job efficiently. Practicing at this ideal distance prepares you for real-life scenarios, helping you become more proficient with your device. It enhances your ability to accurately aim and deploy the Taser under stress, reinforcing your readiness to defend yourself effectively when it matters most. Remember, familiarity with your Taser’s performance across different distances fortifies your confidence and competence in using it as a powerful tool for self-defense.

In contrast, a stun gun is any electroshock weapon. This means that all TASER devices are stun guns—but not all stun guns are TASERs.

While a TASER device is just as painful as a normal stun gun, it's more effective at incapacitating muscle functions so an attacker can't move.

Keeping your Taser in tip-top shape means paying attention to all its components, especially the stun dart cartridges. These cartridges are the heart of your Taser’s defensive capabilities, launching the darts that carry the electrical charge to neutralize a potential threat. Cartridges can expire or deplete over time or after use, which could leave you in a bind when you need your Taser the most. Regular checks and timely replacements of these cartridges ensure your device is ready and reliable whenever you need to assert your safety. A small step plays a significant role in your overall preparedness. By maintaining your Taser, you’re investing in the device’s longevity and, more importantly, in your continued protection and peace of mind.

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There are four main differences between stun guns and tasers: branding, range, reusability, and price. TASERs are branded projectile weapons, while stun guns are more affordable and require close-range contact with an attacker.

Understanding your Taser gun’s capacity for firing is important for effective self-defense. The majority of Taser models are built for a single use per cartridge, necessitating a quick cartridge change to stay ready. This design ensures that each deployment delivers a controlled, high-quality electrical charge to help neutralize a threat efficiently. However, certain models do offer the capability for multiple shots, giving users an advantage in scenarios involving more than one assailant or in case the first shot doesn’t hit its mark. Familiarizing yourself with your device’s specific features, including how many shots it can fire before requiring a reload, is an important step in harnessing its full protective potential. This knowledge enables you to prepare adequately for any situation, ensuring that you’re never caught off guard.

The projectile prongs on TASERs make them ubiquitous among law enforcement agencies with police TASER devices offering more range than consumer models—up to 35 feet.

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The projectile nature of a TASER renders its wires and propellant unusable after one or two shots, depending on the model. Swapping out the TASER cartridge is easy, but it gives you fewer options when deterring an attack, and spare cartridges are expensive.

How far does a Taser shoot? This question must be considered when investing in a less-lethal self-defense weapon. Tasers are popular for incapacitating attackers from a distance, offering individuals a way to protect themselves without resorting to lethal force. This blog post will review the different ranges of Tasers, from civilian models to professional police units, to help you understand how far these devices can reach and how to use them effectively.

The Taser Pulse, a favored choice among civilians for its compact design and ease of use, offers an effective range of up to 15 feet. While not as extensive as other models, this range strikes a perfect balance for personal protection in close-to-moderate distance scenarios. The Pulse is engineered for those who value the combination of discretion and readiness, ensuring that you have a reliable line of defense against threats without needing to be within arm’s reach. Its 15-foot range is ample for most self-defense situations, providing enough space to make a critical move while maintaining a safe distance from an assailant. Tailored for quick deployment, the Taser Pulse empowers you to respond swiftly and efficiently to protect yourself, demonstrating its prowess as a highly effective tool in your safety arsenal.