Once you pull the trigger, the CO2 cartridge starts to discharge. That makes sense. But if you don't take a lot of shots, reloading the Byrna several times to do that, and it sits for a few days (or longer) the CO2 cartridge empties (and can mess up the inside of the Byrna). So you have to load a new one. I HATE THAT. There's got to be a better way.
I'm an older woman. I live in a very safe area (though a lot of people around me I know are gun carriers), so I didn't buy my Byrna primarily for self-defense. I use it almost exclusively to scare rabbits, raccoons and groundhogs away from my bird feeders and garden. Granted, that may not be its "intended" use, but it works well. (I don't deliberately hit them -- except the large raccoons, which also try to attack my goldfish pond -- but having the projectiles land right next to them is very effective to scare them.) However, I need to take only a few shots at a time to get that job done, and it will be several or more days before any such animal shows up again (or for the first time). So the Byrna sits unused -- and starts to leak CO2. I'm at the point at which I'm sorry I bought this thing. It also takes way too long to load. The projectiles often easily pop out of the top of the magazine as you're trying to do that. If I were truly in an emergency and the Byrna wasn't already loaded, and with a new CO2 cartridge, it would be fairly usely for protection.
Dont buy anything from these crooks!
I researched a Byrna LE launcher and learned that the latest LE Gen 2 model was a significant improvement over the previous generation. Since the Gen 2 version of the LE had been available for many months, I felt comfortable in making the purchase.
On June 27 I placed my order on the Canadian Byrna website and continued to gather additional information about my purchase. On June 30 I chatted with a Byrna customer service rep and asked her to confirm that the unit I ordered was the Gen 2 version.
To my surprise, she said that the LE launchers shipped to Canada are NOT the Gen 2 version - they are the older Gen 1 version, a clearly inferior product. When I said I was unhappy about their deception she claimed that the difference between the two versions was only cosmetic.
According to the information on the Byrna web site her claim is absolutely FALSE. The product description on the web site, that I used to make the purchase, does not specify which version is being sold. Elsewhere on the Byrna website though, they sing the praises of the Gen 2 version.
It's a classic bait and switch scam! They should not be allowed to get away with it!
Update 1
Nice try. Byrna happily/deceptively sold me an 'old stock' Gen 1 LE launcher months after the new Gen 2 model was being sold and glowingly reviewed in the US. They deliberately sold (@ the same price) the Gen 1 models to Canadians only - until they ran out of them.
At no time, did they differentiate between the Gen 1 or Gen 2 models on either the Canadian or American web sites. When I complained about this deception, they said that the pictures of the Gen 1 LE on the Canadian site were 'clearly' different than the pictures on the American site AND that the differences were only 'cosmetic' anyway. Keep in mind that they did this in the context of the many very convincing reports by US customers that the Gen 2 model noticeably outperformed the Gen 1. They even had a link to a YouTube review of the fabulous new Gen 2 on their site! There is no doubt in my mind that they did this because they wanted to dump their old Gen 1 models on Canadians while they sold the new improved Gen 2 to Americans.
Isn't it funny that the Canadian site NOW sells the Gen 2. I guess that model is not so 'specific to the U.S. market' anymore.
They claim that I should have noticed the difference based on a couple of different pictures and they continue to claim to me that the devices are identical, despite the evidence.
THIS is a blatant lie!
From the LE description on your site:
"The Byrna LE features a completely redesigned trigger interface and valve assembly to fire .68 caliber rounds at speed of up to 330 feet per second. The new trigger design on the Byrna LE allows for a much smoother and lighter trigger pull, providing a better experience for the shooter."
That sounds like a very significant upgrade!
An ethical company would have told purchasers that there was a Gen 2 model coming out and offered the Gen 1 at a discount.
Update 2
You removed your first deceptive reply entirely and wrote some new lies to replace it. Obviously that was because the second set of lies you told contradicted the first set. Being deceptive is clearly central to your business model.
I will continue to inform people about your deceptive practices. So far I have successfully steered 3 of my friends away from purchasing one of your lame products.
Update 3
You:
"Canadian-specific compliance and labeling requirements that differ from those in the United States".
Will you, in the spirit of honesty and fairness that you so fully embrace, describe the DETAILS of that new 'compliance'?
Of course not because that would reveal yet another lie 😂
Update 4
You cited 'labeling compliance' for the delay in offering the Gen 2 in the Canadian market. If Byrna was so concerned about making their package labeling compliant, why did they sell me a Gen 1 in 100% NON compliant packaging, that was clearly for the U.S. market only. In other words, you blatantly broke the same rules that you falsely claimed were the reason you didn't sell me a Gen 2 in the first place.
The shocking facts are:
"Byrna smuggled dangerous firearms, in non compliant U.S. only packaging, into Canada and illegally sold them to Canadian customers. Obviously, this was an attempt to dump their old U.S. stock of Gen 1s in Canada so they could sell the Gen 2s in the U.S. "
I wonder what the BBB, Trust Pilot, and Canadian government regulators will say about that...
Due to your failure to do the right thing,
on Monday, I will:
1. Report the above to the relevant Canadian government agencies that regulate this from both a Customs and a Trade perspective.
2. Start posting this information on YouTube. It will become a bright orange rash of ill will on every related mention of your company.
Do the right thing...
Waykar
Clarendale
Muravai
Stonemore Home
My Home Pros
Alloymantools
Kismile
Mascot Hardware USA, LLC