Originally Posted by
DarthMuffin
jbtute: Agreed. Dogs don't know bullets. They don't know to be afraid of a gun, they won't realize what it means if they're shot, probably won't feel the pain right away, and will likely keep going until something physically fails. They do understand something in their eyes, instant pain, trouble breathing, and bad smells.
However, a normal breeze around here is 15-20mph for most of the year. At that speed I'd spray myself with a big bear fogger spray, which is why I have a stream type. Also, I have several guns at or lighter than 32oz, even with a holster. The falling risk is about the same, all modern firearms have drop protection. I wouldn't want to fall on either a can of pepper spray or a gun -- either is a big hunk of metal. In my case I had the pepper spray in my hand when I fell. My knuckles took a good bit of damage due to holding the can, and I actually dented the can with my hand. I'm surprised it didn't leak all over!
The actual weight of a large sized bear spray is about 13 ounces. I think I mislabeled it as a 32oz based on my estimate of the size. I think it's about the physical size of a 32oz soda. I don't really know what the volume is of the large size UDAP that I have. My S&W .22 is pretty small and light, and it weight well over 13 ounces.
I can see where wind would be an issue. I've never seen pepper spray that shoots a stream. I think it may have a lot of the issues a gun would have in that you need to be accurate when - like in your situation- you're shook up and have just fallen off a bike. That would be hard to do. Much harder than just aiming in a general direction. Plus with a little bottle you only get a couple seconds of spray at most. Better make it count!
I'm not sure what you mean by drop protection? Are you confident that your safety couldn't be bumped off and the gun jammed around in a holster such that the trigger is pulled? (Interestingly I do actually own an older Ruger .357 blackhawk which is one of the old style revolvers that can be discharged by hitting the hammer just right - they were recalled but I kept it as a novelty because I never actually use it and it's an interesting piece of gun history). Anyway, back to the gun thing, I realize it's a very low probability event, but think any gun short of maybe the kimbers that need a RF signal from a watch to fire could be discharged in a bicycle crash if you keep a round in the chamber. Or in your case you've got the gun safety off, round in the chamber, then you crash your bike. Just like you crushed the can of spray, do you think you might have popped off a shot or two if you had a gun in your hand instead?
I'm not saying it can't be done with a gun. I'm just saying that in my experience the bear spray is the higher probability defense.
Plus, with the pepper spray if your buddy is drafting you all day and won't take a pull, you can must mist him a little and drop him like a rock
