ASP baton durability - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

matlt · 03-26-2008, 06:33 PM

I just picked up a steel 26 inch version the other day as something I might want to carry when a gun may not be reasonable or necessary. I used to have a cheap chinese one I got for $15 at a gun show and it bent very easily. So, obviously the higher quality ones a different animal, heat treated high carbon steel, but can anyone actually provide personal experience on how durable these things are?

bigun · 03-26-2008, 06:53 PM

My Step brother is a Sheriffs Deputy in West Central Wisconsin, He hit a Perp across the common peronial " A nerve bundle in the thigh below the front pocket" Hard enough to bend it into a U, The Perp showed no effect and kept fighting. They later found out after he was apprehended that he was high on Meth. Was it a failure-yes, Would any other contact weapon have worked better, doubtfull. The ASP is a good Offensive/Defensive weapon but if you are going to carry one seek training from a LEO as it can be as fatal as a gun and opens you up to the same liabilities if you misuse it. Also check the legality of carry in your area.

hacker15 · 03-26-2008, 06:56 PM

VERY! I've carried mine for several years - always works when I need it. Make sure you maintain it as recommended - it gets 'sticky' unless you do. Also, take a look at Galls for the replacement end caps. The one that comes standard leaves a lot to be desired. In training, I had mine pulled right out of my hand. I replaced the end cap with a flared design and that's no longer a concern.

03RangerXLT · 03-26-2008, 07:15 PM

An officer who was one of my training officer's bent one. But he also shattered the perp's knee.

chupacabrachus · 03-26-2008, 07:37 PM

The newer "lightweight" (not sure what they actually call them) are not as durable as the steel ones. They tend to crack with much use (even regular opening and closing in training) along the 2nd piece of the shaft (not the end and not the handle).

x_out86 · 03-26-2008, 07:58 PM

Bending of a collapsible baton is not uncommon at all. Outside of the possibility of bending when used for real, I have never had any problems with mine.

Bending is not really a big deal, cause ASP will stand behind it and give you a new one if you do bend it while using it on said bad guy.

speeddemon40 · 03-26-2008, 08:45 PM

I have an ASP extendable baton (I think its the 21" one if I remember correctly, Its been a while), unfortunately/fortunately I haven't actually had to use it on a person, but it is really damn sturdy! I can't imagine it failing hitting a person. Maybe trying to hit a tree or something.

matlt · 03-27-2008, 02:30 PM

It isnt something I carry around, sometimes it sits in the car. I just like the option of being able to carry it if a situation ever arises where a gun might make a controllable situation worse. But it sounds like in a situation where it would have to be used, the agressor would give up before the baton does, which I suppose is all that matters.

03-26-2008, 06:33 PM	#1
matlt XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 260	ASP baton durability I just picked up a steel 26 inch version the other day as something I might want to carry when a gun may not be reasonable or necessary. I used to have a cheap chinese one I got for $15 at a gun show and it bent very easily. So, obviously the higher quality ones a different animal, heat treated high carbon steel, but can anyone actually provide personal experience on how durable these things are?

03-26-2008, 06:53 PM	#2
bigun XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 3,034	My Step brother is a Sheriffs Deputy in West Central Wisconsin, He hit a Perp across the common peronial " A nerve bundle in the thigh below the front pocket" Hard enough to bend it into a U, The Perp showed no effect and kept fighting. They later found out after he was apprehended that he was high on Meth. Was it a failure-yes, Would any other contact weapon have worked better, doubtfull. The ASP is a good Offensive/Defensive weapon but if you are going to carry one seek training from a LEO as it can be as fatal as a gun and opens you up to the same liabilities if you misuse it. Also check the legality of carry in your area. __________________ The second ammendment is the ammendment that protects all of the others.

03-26-2008, 06:56 PM	#3
hacker15 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 3,600	VERY! I've carried mine for several years - always works when I need it. Make sure you maintain it as recommended - it gets 'sticky' unless you do. Also, take a look at Galls for the replacement end caps. The one that comes standard leaves a lot to be desired. In training, I had mine pulled right out of my hand. I replaced the end cap with a flared design and that's no longer a concern. __________________ If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Mark Twain

03-26-2008, 07:15 PM	#4
03RangerXLT XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Atlanta area, Georgia Posts: 2,252	An officer who was one of my training officer's bent one. But he also shattered the perp's knee. __________________ -John WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!

03-26-2008, 07:58 PM	#6
x_out86 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 549	Bending of a collapsible baton is not uncommon at all. Outside of the possibility of bending when used for real, I have never had any problems with mine. Bending is not really a big deal, cause ASP will stand behind it and give you a new one if you do bend it while using it on said bad guy. __________________ Hellen Keller: I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. Bruce Lee: Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.

03-26-2008, 07:37 PM	#5
chupacabrachus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,431	The newer "lightweight" (not sure what they actually call them) are not as durable as the steel ones. They tend to crack with much use (even regular opening and closing in training) along the 2nd piece of the shaft (not the end and not the handle).

03-26-2008, 08:45 PM	#7
speeddemon40 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 230	I have an ASP extendable baton (I think its the 21" one if I remember correctly, Its been a while), unfortunately/fortunately I haven't actually had to use it on a person, but it is really damn sturdy! I can't imagine it failing hitting a person. Maybe trying to hit a tree or something.

03-27-2008, 02:30 PM	#8
matlt XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 260	It isnt something I carry around, sometimes it sits in the car. I just like the option of being able to carry it if a situation ever arises where a gun might make a controllable situation worse. But it sounds like in a situation where it would have to be used, the agressor would give up before the baton does, which I suppose is all that matters.

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