Frequently Asked Questions

Once your order is shipped, we are not able to modify or edit the order. We can cancel your order if it has not shipped, and you can reorder with the changes you would like to make. If it has shipped, you can return your order if it meets the return / cancellation requirements.

The Byrna HD, SD and LE are compact non-lethal personal security devices developed by Byrna Technologies Inc. NASDAQ:BYRN. We believe these launchers to be the safest, most effective and most reliable non-lethal self-defense weapons on the market today. The Byrna’s ergonomic design and patented 1st shot pull-pierce technology, makes these launchers easy to use whether you are a private citizen or a seasoned law enforcement professional.

The Byrna handheld launchers can fire a range of .68 caliber projectiles from environmentally friendly practice rounds, to hard polymer (kinetic) rounds that can be used for training or self-defense, to chemical irritant rounds designed for self-defense. These chemical irritant rounds are engineered to burst upon impact, dispersing a cloud of powerful pepper and/or tear gas powder capable of disabling an attacker for up to 30 minutes.

The Byrna compact size and line of custom-made holsters and carry bags, makes the Byrna easy to take with you wherever you go. More importantly, with its patented “1st shot pull-pierce” technology, the Byrna is always ready to use. You can leave it in your nightstand, glovebox or by your front door for days, weeks, months or even years and it will always be ready to fire on the first pull of the trigger.

The Byrna range of launchers are manufactured from the highest quality glass-reinforced polymers and aircraft grade aluminum. They contain more than 100 precision parts, and incorporates patented technology that allows the Byrna to operate very much like a real firearm. The Byrna is the ideal choice whether you use it for training and self-defense or simply backyard fun.

No. The Byrna launcher is powered by compressed CO2 cartridges, just like a paintball or airsoft gun.

We recommend that you always check state and local regulations relating to CO2 powered launchers and pepper self-defense products before traveling with your Byrna. If you are unsure you can check with the local police department. For air travel questions see below.

The Byrna is roughly the size of a compact 9mm handgun. We sell tactical holsters that have been custom designed to comfortably hold your Byrna as well as nylon holsters designed for compact 9mm handguns.

While the Byrna uses the same basic technology as a paintball gun, it is much more powerful than a standard paintball gun and will often cause a  paintball to rupture upon firing. This could damage your Byrna. For this reason, you should not use the Byrna for paintball and using it with incompatible non-Byrna projectiles or CO2 canisters will void your warranty.

No. The Byrna should never be pointed or fired at the head, neck or back whether it is loaded or not (except in self-defense if you fear for your life). Even when the Byrna  is empty the force of the gas at close range, could cause serious injury or death.

The Byrna is available in a number of colors including Safety Orange and Less-Lethal Yellow to indicate that you are using a less-lethal weapon. Police are familiar with the meaning of these colors and they themselves will only carry the Orange or Yellow Byrnas. If you purchase one of our other colors, the Byrna may be mistake for a firearm. This is intentional.

The form factor of the Byrna is, in and of itself, a deterrent. Many Byrna owners have stopped a mugging, car jacking or home invasion, simply by presenting the Byrna.

The Byrna is intended only for recreation, training or self-defense. It should never be drawn in situations where police are present to offer assistance.

Byrnas are not equipped with an orange tip because they are not toys. The orange tip is designed to convey that “gun” is not an actual weapon. The Byrna is a weapon, albeit a less-lethal weapon. Accordingly, we do not sell to anyone under 18.

While the use of a Byrna for self-defense is generally legal, as with any weapon, the determination of self-defense is case specific and fact dependent. Additionally, certain municipalities prohibit the use of CO2 fired weapons such as the Byrna. Use of the Byrna in restricted areas may subject you to civil and criminal penalties, including incarceration.

Use of the Byrna offensively or in furtherance of a crime is always illegal and may subject you to civil and criminal penalties, including incarceration.

Like any other weapon, be it a hammer, knife or baseball bat, the Byrna should never be brandished or used in a threatening or menacing manner, except as necessary in the defense of oneself or others.

We recommend that you check the regulation of the country that you are traveling in and the security terms of the airport and the airline company.

Byrna SD & HD Launchers are powered by 8-gram Byrna CO2 cannisters. There is no standard size among suppliers for these cannisters so we recommend you use only Byrna brand cartridges which may be purchased from our online store. Use of non-conforming cartridges may compromise your Byrna’s performance, damage your Byrna or get stuck in the launcher. For this reason, use on non-Byrna CO2 cannisters will void your warranty.

Additionally, in every box of Byrna 8-gram and 12-gram CO2 there is one “Oiler” cannister that contains a non-oil based lubricant. It is important to keep your Byrna lubricated to improve performance and extend the life of the launcher.

Byrna CO2 cartridges have a virtually indefinite shelf life prior to being pierced. With Byrna’s patented 1st shot pull-pierce technology, the cannister is not pierced until the trigger is pulled so you can always keep an un-punctured CO2 cannister in your Byrna to maximize its utility for self-defense. We recommend loading a new CO2 cannister after every use of the Byrna because once the cannister is punctured, CO2 will leak out over a 24-hour period.

A single Byrna 8-gram CO2 cannister should consistently fire 20 - 25 projectiles. The Byrna 12-gram CO2 cannister should consistently fire 25 - 35 projectiles.

Yes. Please refer to the Operating Manual.  Relying on any tool for your protection means you need to ensure that tool is properly maintained. One of the great features of the Byrna launcher is how easy it they are to maintain.

Byrna Chemical Irritant Projectiles are constructed to break on impact so a puffy jacket, loose clothing or anything that partially absorbs the force of that impact can make them less effective. The Byrna can be aimed to impact the ceiling above the target, the wall next to the target or a nearby tree if they present a more accessible point of impact.

Byrna launchers have an operating range from -18° Celsius to 49° Celsius. Colder temperatures will reduce the pressure of the CO2 and will adversely affect the performance of the launcher both reducing the speed of the projectile and the number of shots that you will get from a single CO2 cannister. If you have a problem with your launcher in cold weather, we recommend that you remove the CO2 cannister and clear the breach of any projectiles according to the instructions in your operations manual, load a fresh CO2 cannister that is at room temperature.

To prevent problems related to cold or frozen CO2 cannisters we recommend:
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1. Storing your loaded launcher and CO2 cannisters at room temperature;
2. Not leaving CO2 cannisters or loaded Byrna launchers in your glove box or outside for an extended period when the weather is below freezing; and
3. Carrying your launcher and your spare CO2 cannisters under a jacket or vest and in close contact with your body when carrying Byrna Launchers outside in winter conditions.

These precautions will reduce the risk that pressure in your cartridge will drop below the level needed for effective operation.