It seems that unfortunately the customer does not understand how Byrna’s patented “pull-pierce” technology works and why it is needed. Most of the statements in this review are incorrect.
The customer states Byrna said "If one "stores" punctured cylinders in the product you must keep the entire product pressurized." This was not said to the customer in any communication from Byrna and is not a correct statement. Byrna specifically states in the owner's manual to not store the launcher with a punctured, pressurized CO2 cylinder for extended periods of time. An unpunctured CO2 cylinder can be stored inside the launcher indefinitely.
One of the most important things that sets Byrna’s handheld launchers apart from the competition is Byrna’s patented “pull-pierce” technology. This enables the Byrna launcher to both pierce the CO2 and fire the projectile with the first pull of the trigger.
Why is this important? It is important because it allows your Byrna to sit for days, weeks, months or even years and still be ready to fire on the first pull of the trigger. Most other launchers pierce the CO2 cylinder when it is loaded. Once pierced, the CO2 in ANY air powered weapon will start to leak out, fully discharging over the next 24 to 48 hours, leaving the launcher inoperable. This does not indicate that there is a "bad" seal and those familiar with CO2 powered products understand this is just the nature of CO2 powered weaponry.
The alternative is not to load the CO2 until it is needed, however, in that case, the launcher will not be ready to use when it is needed. It is like carrying a gun without bullets in the magazine or like trying to put on your seatbelt before a car crash.
With the Byrna, the installed CO2 cylinder is not punctured until the trigger is pulled. This means you can leave your launcher fully loaded knowing that it will always be ready to fire when needed on the very first pull of the trigger.
We always recommend after firing the launcher, to remove the punctured CO2 and replace it with a new one to ensure the launcher is always ready to go at a moments notice.
Byrna encourages the customer to please call our Customer Service team at 978-868-5011 if they still need more clarification on how the launcher or the "pull-pierce" technology operates.
In response to the edited portion of the review:
There is no defect in the Byrna seals. The Byrna launchers are not tested on animals and are not designed with the intent to be used on animals as pest control.
In a self defense situation against humans, we strongly recommend installing a new, unpunctured cylinder, even if that means not using the rest of the CO2 from the previously punctured cylinder.
If a punctured cylinder is left in the launcher, the CO2 may have leaked out and the launcher would then not work, which happens with ALL CO2 powered weapons. This punctured cylinder may still have CO2 left the next time you attempt to use it. However, why take that chance when your life could depend on it?
Byrna is not aware of what double pulling is or how that would solve any perceived issue. The CO2 cylinder is punctured any time the trigger is pulled whether the launcher is in "Safe" or "Fire" mode.
To prevent the most common issue with CO2 powered weapons (leaking CO2 from a punctured cylinder,) Byrna's pistol launchers are designed to be stored with an unpunctured CO2 cylinder installed. They can be deployed immediately with one pull of the trigger without worrying if the CO2 has leaked out. This provides peace of mind knowing it will always be ready to fire when you need it.
