Expandable Batons

[knotquiteawake]

Has anyone ever had a chance to use one of these batons?

http://www.peacekeeperproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2

I just finished getting my state baton card and the instructor had the 24" peacekeeper nickel baton with a retention cap. If you like the ASP baton you would love this one. The weight at the tip is awesome. I am considering buying one as soon as i can.

The nickel one also looks and sounds very intimidating when deployed.

I was curious if anyone else uses these or has even heard of them.

[N. A. Corbier]

It looks like a Winchester baton in the way its made, actually. I wonder if this company is the licensee?

[knotquiteawake]

it is the same baton. Winchester and the creator of this baton separated and so the creator started his own company and sells it himself. My instrutor knows the creator professionally, so of course he was talking it up a lot during the class.

[Mall Director]

As long as it has a very durable "ball bearing" design, and an metal retention cap, with a high loaded spring, it should be good. Never played with it myself, but hey, give it a shot, and let everyone know!

[Guest]

Although I have never used one, Winchester makes a quality product and I have heard nothing but good things about their batons.

By the way, did you guys strap your guns on yet? Have there been student protests over it?

[knotquiteawake]

no guns for a while. The department changed leadership, our old Chief is moving on to another department in the midwest, so we've got new leadership. The new guy has a lot of great plans for us, but all in due time. First things first, and that first thing is getting the basics down pat. Its exciting times here.

I think maybe next paycheck i may buy one of these batons. If you ever get a chance to use one compared next to an ASP you will see the difference.

[publicsafetyred]

I have had a lot of street experience with batons of all types. I have had to use a hardwood straight stick, an aluminum PR-24, and an ASP. I have carried a Winchester, Monadnock and a G-tek on duty. I am an instructor for ASP and Monadnock. I am a master instructor for G-tek. Now that I got that out of the way here is my opinion:

For pure stopping power and takedown capabilities the aluminum PR-24 just cannot be beaten. No other baton allows for as much control holds. I have taken a few suspects down with just one strike with this baton; no other baton that I have used has done that. Drawbacks are that it is large, will probably be left in the patrol vehicle, and takes a lot of regular training to use correctly.

For ease of use with good stopping power the Winchester expandable works great. The problems I had were the holsters and the weight of the baton. There are not many holsters for this baton and I have tried three types. All three would allow the baton to expand whenever I began to run or jump. I got hung up on a 7 foot fence because of this and I got crap for that for weeks. Also this baton is heavy.

I carried an ASP for a long time and I have been an instructor for them since 1999 (Back when it was a three day long intensive class.) What I like about ASP is the training principle. ASP was the first that, I know of, that realized and adapted to the fact that police officers just do not train with their batons. ASP training provides for simple gross motor skills strikes and no blocks. This is very easy to remember. ASP batons are tough, but due to light weight they contain almost no power. Every time I had to deploy an ASP I have to deliver numerous strikes to subdue the suspect. I have been investigated because of this. If you decide to carry an ASP, just remember that you are in for a long fight.

The Monadnock expandable is just like the ASP, the “power safety tip” does little to nothing despite what they try to say. Also the Auto-lock rattles a lot and almost never locks in the open when you need it to. The friction lock batons are just as good as the ASP and are a little cheaper. One advantage I forgot to mention about the auto-lock is the ability to open it without “whipping it out” in fact Monadnock now recommends opening the baton this way due to the fact it does not always lock open otherwise.

So far the bet all around baton that I know of is the G-tek. This baton is made by Germans and is completely detailed. It has the weight and thickness to have stopping power and it is relatively small in size compared to the Winchester. This baton just feels good in the hand (no rattle). The holsters for this baton are great and there is even one that will expand the baton as you draw it. The main problem is cost: close to $200 plus dollars. www.gtekgear.com

I am not a salesman for any of these products; I am just trying to give my input to other professionals. Be safe and try before you buy.

[1UNDER1]

Has anyone ever had a chance to use one of these batons?

http://www.peacekeeperproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2

I just finished getting my state baton card and the instructor had the 24" peacekeeper nickel baton with a retention cap. If you like the ASP baton you would love this one. The weight at the tip is awesome. I am considering buying one as soon as i can.

The nickel one also looks and sounds very intimidating when deployed.

I was curious if anyone else uses these or has even heard of them.

I have used a straight baton, and the ASP baton, the ASP works for me, i want to get diversed in the PR24, I heard the side handle is the best.

[N. A. Corbier]

PR-24 is good for control tactics. As a beat stick, its OK, but when you're fully trained (and practice religiously on live partners) in the 40 hour PR-24 Protect and Restrain course, it becomes some kind of insane Batman-like tool.

Unfortunately, most people don't take the Restrain course, don't practice the way they need to keep the fine motor skills in the restraint tactics, and it becomes a side handled beat stick.

[publicsafetyred]

PR-24 is good for control tactics. As a beat stick, its OK, but when you're fully trained (and practice religiously on live partners) in the 40 hour PR-24 Protect and Restrain course, it becomes some kind of insane Batman-like tool.

The PR-24 is a martial arts weapon and works great, with a lot of practice. The 24 hour course is great, but needs to be followed up with a lot of live practice for it to work.

A large number of departments issue straight sticks (expandable and regular) because they realize that most of their officers will not practice unless required and paid to do so.