SHOT Show is the largest trade show in the firearms industry, but lethal gear like guns and ammo are but a sizeable subsect of the show. You will find the latest in cutlery, vehicle modifications, accessories, safe storage options. Also included are less-lethal options that are used to disarm threats to prevent lethal force in the first place.
Newest Less Lethal Options For 2026
Sabre .68 Caliber Launcher Line Expands
Sabre is best known for their line of pepper spray that has been trusted by security personnel the world over. But they also have a line of impact and pepper ball launchers. Previous models of the launcher are modeled on a handgun pattern, but new for 2026 is a long gun.
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The new long gun launcher features a ten-inch barrel and an offset hopper to hold the irritant-inducing .68 caliber balls. Overall capacity is 180 rounds.
Unlike the pistol model, the new long gun model does not rely on a small C02 cartridge in the pistol grip, but a larger tank mounted under the barrel. The launcher comes with a handguard with side and top Picatinny rails for mounting lights and optics for precise threat identification and targeting. In addition, the new Sabre launcher is equipped with an AR-like safety and charging handle, as well as a telescoping buttstock.
Sabre Red Streamer
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Sabre is expanding their MK-9 Stream OC Spray to include 12, 16, and 18 ounce capacities. Each has an ergonomic pistol grip for aiming and activation, as well as a safety tab to prevent accidental discharge. Each streamer contains 1.33% Major Capsaicinoids and 10% Oleoresin Capsicum, an effective eye and sinus irritant. The streamer models have an effective range of 25-30 feet.
Guard Dog Security Fireball Mini
The Guard Dog Fireball Mini is a double-barreled .50 caliber pepperball pistol. Most pepper ball pistols are ungainly due to their use of conventional CO2 cartridges and .68 caliber balls. The Guard Dog Mini has the familiar profile and mechanics of the famous Remington Model 95 derringer. As such, it weighs just 9.6 ounces and just 0.6 inches in width.
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The Fireball Mini breaks open like a derringer and the balls are inserted along with a proprietary air capsule on top. This compact CO2 powered pistol has an effective range of over thirty feet and delivers two shots as quickly as you can thumb cock the hammer and press the trigger.
Byrna CL
Byrna is the first name in dedicated less lethal launcher systems. Their latest offering for 2026 is the Byrna CL Universal Kit.
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The Byrna CL pistol features a five-round magazine and uses proprietary .61 caliber pepper balls. The pistol has an ergonomic pistol grip, conventional iron sights, and a long double action trigger pull to prevent accidental discharge. Also featured is a Picatinny rail along the dustcover for a weapon light and an optic cut along the sight plane. The Byrna CL features Byrna’s Pull-Pierce technology that punctures the proprietary 8-ounce CO2 cartridge on the first trigger press for maximum power.
The CL Universal kit comes with the CL pistol, two CO2 cartridges, two five-round magazines, a carrying case, and five rounds of ammunition. Other add-ons include Byrna red dot sights, green lasers, and retention holsters.
Byrna 12 Gauge Kinetic Shotgun Ammo
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Less lethal options do not necessarily mean a dedicated launcher system. 12-gauge shotguns are popular for personal protection due to the sheer variety of ammunitions available. That includes less-lethal rounds like rubber buckshot and slugs. Byrna also has a solution for the conventional 12 gauge shotgun with the Kinetic Less Lethal Shell.
This less-lethal shotgun shell has no chemical payload and no gun powder. It relies on primer energy and a custom wad and finned projectile to reach out to 75 feet with energy to spare. The Kinetic Less Lethal 12 gauge shell ships in boxes of ten at an MSRP of $39.99.
P2P HDP Pepper Ball Pistol
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Umarex USA translated their knowhow in air guns to the Prepared 2 Protect HDP 50 Pepper Ball pistol. The HDP 50 used higher velocity .50 caliber pepper balls or hard rubber training balls and is powered by a single 12 gram CO2 cartridge, which is pierced on the first trigger pull to guard against gas loss over time like conventional air guns. The HPD 50 has a six round capacity and comes with 10 rubber balls and 10 pepper balls. Unlike other pepper ball pistols, the HPD is modeled on a realistic pistol design with a Sig P320-like polymer frame. The HPD is readily carried in compatible holsters from Mitch Rosen, DeSantis, Vedder Holsters, Black Hawk, Alien Gear, among many others.
P2P PDG Pepper Gel Spray
The Prepared 2 Protect line is diverging from launchers to a line of pepper gel sprays ranging from the pocket-sized PDG-25 to the belt-ready PDG-500. The advantage of pepper gel over conventional spray is enhanced resistance to the wind and greater chemical concentration on the target. The downside over a streamer device is the need to hit the intended target in the intended spot with gel.
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The PDG-25 has 25 ml of Capsaicinoids and a flip-off safety and activation knob. The mid-sized PDG-60 ups the capacity to 60 ml and has a faster flip up safety. The PDG-500 has 500 ml of chemical agent with a range of 23 feet and a pistol grip for instinctive aiming.
Wrapping it Up
Less Lethal gear at SHOT Show 2026 did not ride on the back of loose regulations like with suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs. Like most years and in most categories, new products at SHOT are humble refinements of old. In the case of less lethal gear, there were a few breakthroughs like Byrna’s new Kinetic less-lethal ammunition and the launching of new lines like with the P2P Pepper Gel line. But most new less lethal gear at SHOT 2026 are catalog expansions to what had come before. The end-user gets more options, complete kits, and a few new products to form a better-rounded defensive plan.
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