Pepper Spray: Guardian Angel 2 from Piexon

A trendy model of self-defense spray that has become a classic.

Disclaimer

I originally wrote this article in French in 2017 on a blog that has now disappeared. The information in this article are still relevant today so I have translated it and updated it based on my new considerations about gun-shaped pepper sprays. As a 2017 article, the Guardian Angle model is the number 2, which was the most recent at that time.

Guardian Angel 2

This small defense gun-shaped OC spray is designed by Piexon, a Swiss company. It's called the Guardian Angel 2. Here's a short video presentation.

Weapon category

This little gun holds two loads of 6 ml each, or 12 ml in total (still good at math 🤓).

Depending on your country's laws, the Guardian Angel 2 may not be allowed to be purchased, shipped, carried or transported. It is up to you to verify the legality of the use of this tool in relation to your personal situation. In France, this defense gun belongs to the D category in the section defined as "Tear gas or incapacitating aerosol generator with a capacity of less than or equal to 100 ml, electrical energy weapon". While D category weapons are freely available in France, it is forbidden to carry and transport them. You can own them at home legally.

Packaging of the Guardian Angel 2

The Piexon Guardian Angel 2 is contained in a well-made metal box sealed with a small sticker. When you open the box, you will find a warning (yellow paper), the instructions for use (pictures below), and the Guardian Angel 2. The impression is very positive, this product seems to be of excellent quality, visually and by touch.

The Guardian Angel 2 in detail

This small pistol measures 12 cm in length by 8.5 cm in width and weighs 120 g. It fires 2 shots, and only 2 shots, over a maximum theoretical distance of 4 meters. It is recommended not to shoot at a distance less than or equal to 50 cm from your target to avoid hurting him too much.

The irritant is 10% OC. OC is Oleoresin Capsicum, otherwise known as pepper spray, which actually contains capsaicin, a component of chili peppers. The Guardian Angel 2 incapacitates your attacker, theoretically, for 45 minutes. I suppose that this duration varies according to the individuals and according to the products or drugs ingested by your attacker. Nevertheless, this duration is very efficient, and even if it only lasts 15 minutes on a less sensitive and drugged individual, this time interval is more than enough to allow you to flee the scene.

Here are all the pages in French of the user manual if you want to read the details.

Shooting with the Piexon Guardian Angel 2

Before shooting, it is important to understand that the Guardian Angel 2 allows you to aim like a conventional handgun since it is equipped with a rear sight and a front sight (read manual pages 10 and 11 above).

Next, a trigger guard must be pushed with the finger, as shown on page 6 of the manual (above), even though the design depicts a first generation Guardian Angel. The trigger protection system is the same on the Guardian Angel 2.

The handle is small in size but it allows a suitable grip of the weapon.

I tested shooting with this tool, at 3 meters and at 5 meters. Here are the images of the shooting at 3 meters, from afar and then from close:

Here are now the photos of the shot at 5 meters, so in theory outside the maximum distance allowed. The tool allows you to aim:

Advantages and disadvantages of Guardian Angel 2

The advantages and disadvantages that follow are to be compared to those of the usual tear gas canisters and pepper sprays, or to those of the other personal defense tools that you use.

Advantages

• small size, which fits in a coat pocket (roughly the size of an iPhone 7 plus, slightly shorter than the latter)

• stream, and in particular:

  • shooting power that allows you not to get caught in the face in the event of a headwind outdoors (unlike gas)

  • indoor use possible without completely and immediately contaminating the area (unlike gas)

• pistol shape, which allows precise aiming, as with your usual handgun

Disadvantages

• 2 hits, so:

  • You have to be precise and aim for the middle of the face. If you miss (poor aiming, stress, moving targets, hits from hand-to-hand combat, etc.), you'll miss the aggressor and only have one more chance.

  • If there are several aggressors, it will be necessary to avoid using the Guardian Angel, and failing that, to incapacitate the first aggressor and put pressure on the others so that they do not approach. As a last resort, you must incapacitate the second who comes and run away, or bluff the third and the following if impossible (not recommended).

• expensive, 45 euros including tax per unit, that is to say the price of several classic tear gas bombs, to be multiplied by 2 if you want to try one (recommended).

• prohibited from carrying and transporting in France, like all category D weapons.

Why choose a Piexon Guardian Angel 2 rather than a cylindar shape pepper spray?

You might want to read the article “The right form for your pepper spray”. It explains the various forms, their advantages and inconvenients. As for me, I prefer to use a cone pattern from a pepper spray in a cylinder shape. regarding your own situation, it is up to you to analyze the advantages and disadvantages according to your needs.

Tips for preparation, shooting, and training

Like any self-defense tool, I can only recommend that you try to use a Guardian Angel and empty it fully (2 shots) in training before carrying one. Then, keep your empty container and drill from time to time to ensure you keep the habit of using your spray. Yes, that means you will have to buy at least two per person, so spend 90 euros. Indeed, you should not discover that there is a safety capsule that prevents accidental shooting on the Guardian Angel while being attacked and in the need of using your tool.

Alternatively, if you've never shot a handgun, search the internet for tips or contact your nearest shooting club. I recommend that you have shot at least once with a real handgun in order to understand how to aim using the rear sight and the front sight. The shooting and safety principles to be applied are the same. Basically, don’t aim at something or someone you do not want to shoot at.

In the event of exposure to OC, ventilate the space in which you are and rinse the affected parts of your body thoroughly. If the physical problems persist, consult a doctor as soon as possible or call 911 (US), 15 (France) or 112 (Europe).

Once you've fired your training shot, or rather your two shots, approach your target and breathe in the good clean air of OC. Slightly, don’t hurt yourself either. However I think it is important to sniff a little to understand the effect of this active agent on your potential attacker.

Finally, I recommend that you clean your used Guardian Angel 2, write "Training" or whatever on it to distinguish it from new, and use it occasionally in training, i.e. simulating real situations of aggression. You will see that if it is at the bottom of your bag, you will not have time to find it during an attack. These simulations serve to make you aware that if you have such a weapon, you must be able to use it out of the blue. Thus you will validate by the experience of one or more field trainings your strategy of action (location of the weapon on you or in your bag, access in case of emergency, strategy of behavior, movement, shooting , leakage, alert, etc.). Otherwise, leave the gun at home because it could turn against you.

Have a great day!