30 Aug 01

>From a student on the subject OC:

"I recently bought some Fox OC. I also bought an inert training unit of the same size and nozzle type. I purchased the ‘heavy stream' nozzle which shoots a relatively narrow, dense stream, much like a squirt gun.

Trying the inert unit rendered quite a revelation! The stream is narrow and it takes a good deal of practice to hit a face-sized target. It can be done, but without using the training unit first, it is difficult.

While law enforcement trains with OC (even on the receiving end), we non-LE types rarely do. I conclude that buying a matching inert unit (same physical size and nozzle) to practice with is essential."

I would add that the "fogger" nozzle is a much better choice for personal defense. I requires less precision than does the "stream" nozzle.

/John

30 Aug 01

>From an instructor and friend in South Africa on Chinese pistols:

"Yesterday, I tried to repair a student's Norinco NZ 75, which is a Chinese copy of the CZ-75. The safety/decocking lever had jammed solid. Our department bought a number of these last year, and, in one of those rare moments where management actually listened to us, they were withdrawn. There are still a few in officers' hands.

You probably don't see too many of these over there. If you do, I sincerely suggest you have nothing to do with them. They are trash! The metal is so soft that the safety/decocker cuts a groove. That is what caused the one mentioned above to jam up. The 'repair' I effected will probably last all of five minutes at the range."

Lesson: The world is full of people who want your money a lot more than they want their product. Let the buyer beware!

/John