A LIFE CHANGER

[crazyphil]

Went to the VA hospital this morning for my regular blood drawing.
Picked up an older (December 2018) copy of GUNS Magazine to pass
the wait time.

On page 69 I spotted a little article about the Barranti Life Changer.
It is a snazzy little leather pouch that you can load with a roll of
quarters and snap it on your belt for when you need some change.

Or, if it is a different kind of emergency, you can snatch it off your
belt and it looks, and can surely act like a sap. As the author of the
little article, Will Dabbs, said "use it to knock the snot out of an evil
doer on a moments notice".

I think I will go to Doc's web page to see what I would have to do
to get one. I hope Doc can post a photo and perhaps a little
more information, without violating any promotion rules.

 

[jmace57]

A link to the article:

Guns Magazine The Barranti Life Changer - Guns Magazine

 

[robertrwalsh]

Depending on what jurisdicition the subject comes up in, that could be dancing very close to the legal edge of a prohibited weapon.

 

[crazyphil]

Depending on what jurisdicition the subject comes up in, that could be dancing very close to the legal edge of a prohibited weapon.

Dr. Dabbs, in his little article, suggests otherwise.

 

[dirty & hairy]

Great find Phil. Here is the link you need to get one: Berranti Leather Co.

 

[6518John]

I bet that thing would knock some cents into you!

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Back in the old days when I was a young policeman I found it was always handy to have a few dimes for the pay-phones. Nickels worked just as well, and a roll of nickels are easy enough to carry (and only $2.00). The paper wrappers wear away quickly in the pocket, so I wrapped the roll in a couple of layers of duct tape. With that in the palm of your fist it certainly adds authority when you have to tap on the telephone, or anything else for that matter.

I think most folks will understand what I am saying without having to divulge any vulgar details.

We also carried lead-weighted pocket saps and used the "Iron Claw" restraint device, back in the old days. I'm sure that today's young officers have an "app" on their phones to deal with such things.

 

[Texas Star]

Robert B. Parker in his Spenser PI books mentioned holding a roll of coins in your hand if you had to hit someone.

I'd be afraid that wearing that belt pouch might get you charged, while a simple coin roll might pass muster.

 

[JayFramer]

If you smash someone with it, wont the coins just fall out?

 

[white cloud]

I don't understand why a sap is considered such a bad thing. Whacking someone with a sap to get them off you seems a lot less permananent than employing a gun or knife. But I am old so what do I know.

 

[gwpercle]

Depending on what jurisdicition the subject comes up in, that could be dancing very close to the legal edge of a prohibited weapon.

When you are dancing with someone trying to kill you maybe the rules need to be bent in favor of the good guy just a little .

 

[ken158]

Depending on what jurisdicition the subject comes up in, that could be dancing very close to the legal edge of a prohibited weapon.

Only in CA could a roll of quarters be outlawed...

 

[Texas Star]

Only in CA could a roll of quarters be outlawed...

I seriously wouldn't be surprised if the UK or Australia deemed them an offensive weapon if used against a person.

Members from these countries might want to comment. I think we have Aussie cops here from Western Australia and from New South Wales. Maybe their state laws would see this differently?

Generally, Big Brother doesn't want people defending themselves.

BTW, the Spenser novel that mentioned the coin rolls said that a man with a smaller hand might find a roll of dimes more practical.Those books were set in Boston, also a repressive city. But I think even they allow self defense, although you'd sure better have a LICENSED gun. Having an unauthorized pistol is good for a year in jail there, I believe. A MA state law.

 

[crazyphil]

To quote Dr. Dabbs, who wrote the little article in GUNS that I referred to:

"I recently took my gorgeous bride of 30 years on a much overdue vacation
to the United Kingdom, home to some of the most draconian self-defense
laws on the planet. Throughout it all my Life Changer rode on my belt in
airports, through security scans and while visiting the Crown Jewels.
Thankfully, I never had to use it, but it remains hugely preferalbe to foul
language and pleading. The Barranti Life Changer is inspired."

 

[CA Escapee]

Only in CA could a roll of quarters be outlawed...

These days even a roll of Bitcoin would be illegal to carry in CA.

Bill

 

[Doc Barranti]

Myself and many of my customers have flown with our Life Changers. Simply remove it with your belt and run it thru the scanner/X-ray. The worst case one customer had to empty the quarters to prove that was all that was in there. Another customer went to Disney and the security guard looked at it and said that's nothing but a perfectly shaped coin pouch...have a nice day! Like Will Dabbs, a friend traveled to London with his without any issues.

It's just a handy pouch for keeping your change out of your pockets. No more, no less.

 

[Kiwi cop]

Back in the old days when I was a young policeman I found it was always handy to have a few dimes for the pay-phones. Nickels worked just as well, and a roll of nickels are easy enough to carry (and only $2.00). The paper wrappers wear away quickly in the pocket, so I wrapped the roll in a couple of layers of duct tape. With that in the palm of your fist it certainly adds authority when you have to tap on the telephone, or anything else for that matter.

I think most folks will understand what I am saying without having to divulge any vulgar details.

We also carried lead-weighted pocket saps and used the "Iron Claw" restraint device, back in the old days. I'm sure that today's young officers have an "app" on their phones to deal with such things.

To those wondering what an iron claw is, the pic below was taken in the Texas Rangers museum in Waco.

Today we are taught (and certified annually) in the "bottletop) manoeuvre using handcuffs. When I was recertifications recently I showed this pic to the instructors who were amazed at the iron claw.

 

[Hithev]

Great find Phil. Here is the link you need to get one: Berranti Leather Co.

An old sock could perform the same task with lesser expense and greater loading capacity…

 

[LoboGunLeather]

To those wondering what an iron claw is, the pic below was taken in the Texas Rangers museum in Waco.

Today we are taught (and certified annually) in the "bottletop) manoeuvre using handcuffs. When I was recertifications recently I showed this pic to the instructors who were amazed at the iron claw.

And that doesn't even come close to the "sap gloves" manufactured by Damascus Leather Goods and others. Simple black leather gloves with either a knuckle pouch or a palm pouch filled with powdered lead. Either way, the slap or the punch was punctuated by about a half-pound of weight.

Cost back in the early 1970's was about $20 per pair, so that made it economically unfeasible for most of us at the time. I saw them and I have seen them used, but could not talk myself into letting go of a week's gas, lunch, and pocket money to buy a pair.

Comment on the earlier question about a roll of coins breaking on impact: review my comments about a couple of layers of duct tape applied to the coin roll. Properly taped up a roll of nickels was good for a dozen uses, probably more durable than your knuckles on impact.

 

[white cloud]

I have been to the Texas Ranger museum in Waco. It was certainly worth stopping to see. I wish that I could go again.