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A Byrna is a CO2 powered launcher that fires a round projectile for self defense, and it is not a firearm. If you are choosing between the three main models, here is the short answer. The Byrna SD is the everyday carry default at $399.99. The Byrna LE is the power upgrade at $499.99. The Byrna CL is the smallest and fastest at $549.99. Buy the SD if this is your first non lethal gun, the LE if it lives in a nightstand or a vehicle, and the CL if deep concealment matters more to you than anything else.
In this article
- What is a Byrna?
- What does a Byrna shoot?
- Byrna SD vs LE vs CL compared
- Byrna SD: the everyday carry pick
- Byrna LE: the power pick
- Byrna CL: the concealment pick
- Which Byrna should you buy?
- Are non lethal guns legal where you live?
- How to carry a Byrna every day
- FAQ
What is a Byrna?
A Byrna is a handheld launcher powered by a compressed CO2 cartridge. It is held, aimed and fired like a pistol, but instead of a bullet it launches a hard polymer or chemical irritant ball at a threat from up to 60 feet away. Byrna Technologies is not classified as a firearms manufacturer, so a Byrna launcher requires no permit, no license and no background check in most of the country. You do have to be 18 or older to buy one.
People search for it as a byrna gun, a byrna launcher and a byrna pistol, and all three describe the same thing. One point worth being straight about: the industry term is less lethal, not non lethal. Any impact projectile can injure someone, particularly at close range or if it strikes the eye. A Byrna is a serious personal protection tool, not a toy, and it deserves the same handling discipline you would give a firearm.
What makes the platform genuinely useful for everyday carry is Byrna's patented Pull-Pierce system. The CO2 cartridge sits in the grip unpunctured until your first trigger pull, which punctures it and fires a round in the same motion. That means you can load a launcher, holster it, and leave it ready for months without bleeding gas pressure.
What does a Byrna shoot?
A Byrna shoots round projectiles, not bullets. The SD and LE use .68 caliber rounds. The CL uses a smaller .61 caliber round that is not cross compatible with the other two, which is an important detail we come back to below.
There are four round types across the lineup:
- Kinetic. Hard polymer impact rounds. These are the baseline defensive round and they are legal everywhere the launcher itself is legal.
- Eco-Kinetic. Biodegradable practice rounds. Cheap enough that you will actually train with them, which matters more than most buyers expect.
- Pepper. Chemical irritant rounds that burst on impact and release an OC cloud.
- Max. Byrna's strongest chemical round, for buyers who want maximum effect from a single hit.
The chemical rounds have a real tactical advantage over the kinetic ones: they do not have to hit the person. A burst against a wall, a door or the ground still puts irritant into the air around the threat. Note that Byrna kits ship without chemical projectiles so the kits stay legal in all 50 states, so you buy those separately and only if your state allows them.
Byrna SD vs LE vs CL compared
Here is how the three models line up on the specs that change a buying decision, along with the Clip & Carry holster we build for each.
| Byrna SD | Byrna LE | Byrna CL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Everyday carry | Home and vehicle | Deep concealment |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 | .61 |
| Velocity | 285 to 300 FPS | Up to 330 FPS | 400 FPS |
| CO2 | 8 gram | 12 gram | 8 gram |
| Shots per cartridge | About 20 to 22 | About 30 | Not published |
| Magazine | 5 round | 5 round (7 round available) | 5 round |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs | About 1.3 lbs, larger frame | 0.76 lbs |
| Effective range | 60 ft | 60 ft, flatter trajectory | 60 ft |
| Optics | Rail mounted | Rail mounted | Direct red dot mount |
| External safety | Yes, ambidextrous | Yes | No |
| Kit price | $399.99 | $499.99 | From $549.99 |
| Our holster | IWB SD/EP, $44.99 | IWB LE, $44.99 | CL IWB/OWB, $44.99 |
Byrna SD: the everyday carry pick
The Byrna SD is the model most people should buy, and it outsells the rest of the lineup for good reason. It is the balanced option: .68 caliber, roughly 285 to 300 FPS, 8 gram CO2, 1.3 lbs, and a footprint close to a compact pistol like a Glock 26. The ambidextrous safe and fire switch is genuinely useful if you are left handed, and the .68 ecosystem means every accessory, magazine and projectile type is easy to find.
Where it gives ground is raw energy. At roughly 300 FPS it sits at the lower end of the impact range for kinetic rounds out at 60 feet. If your primary plan is chemical rounds, that matters very little, because a Pepper or Max round works on chemistry rather than momentum. If your plan is kinetic only, the LE is the better tool.
Byrna LE: the power pick
The Byrna LE is what you buy when stopping power is the deciding factor. A redesigned valve assembly and trigger interface push .68 caliber rounds to as much as 330 FPS, and it runs 12 gram CO2 cartridges instead of 8 gram, which yields roughly 30 shots per cartridge rather than 20. The trigger is noticeably lighter and smoother than the SD's, and the flatter trajectory makes hits at distance more repeatable.
The trade is size. The LE is a larger frame, which is exactly why it is the better nightstand, truck console and home defense choice and the worse deep concealment choice. If it is going to live in a fixed place rather than on your belt every day, buy the LE.
Byrna CL: the concealment pick
The Byrna CL is the newest of the three and the most interesting engineering story. Byrna dropped to a .61 caliber projectile and pushed velocity to 400 FPS, which lets a launcher that is 38 percent smaller than the SD deliver roughly the same energy density on impact as the much larger LE. It weighs 0.76 lbs and measures 6.81 inches long by 5.1 inches tall by 1.18 inches wide. It also has fiber optic sights, a loaded chamber indicator and a universal bolt pattern so you can mount a micro red dot directly rather than hanging one off a rail.
Two honest caveats. First, the .61 caliber round is its own ecosystem. Your magazines and projectiles will not interchange with an SD or LE, so if you already own a .68 Byrna you are effectively starting a second inventory. Second, the CL has no external safety lever, which puts the entire burden of safe carry on the holster. That is not a dealbreaker, but it does mean carrying it loose in a bag or a pocket is a bad idea.
Which Byrna should you buy?
- First non lethal gun, carried daily: the Byrna SD. Cheapest entry, biggest accessory ecosystem, simplest manual of arms.
- Home defense or a vehicle: the LE. More energy, more shots per cartridge, and size stops being a penalty.
- Concealment above all, or you want a red dot: the Byrna CL.
- You already own a .68 Byrna: stay in .68 unless concealment is the specific problem you are solving. Ammo commonality is worth real money.
- Chemical rounds are your primary plan: the SD is plenty. Velocity matters far less when the round works on contact chemistry.
Are non lethal guns legal where you live?
Byrna launchers are not firearms and in most of the United States you need no permit, no license and no background check to buy or carry one. That is the general rule, not a guarantee. Several states and individual cities restrict launchers, chemical irritant projectiles, or both, and Byrna sells California and New York compliant configurations for exactly that reason. Byrna also runs a state restriction checker at checkout.
Confirm your own state and city rules before you buy, and confirm them again before you carry across a state line. This article is general information about non lethal weapons and is not legal advice.
How to carry a Byrna every day
The launcher you buy from Byrna. The way you actually carry it is where most people get it wrong, and it is the part we build for.
Carry it in a holster molded to your specific model. A proper kydex holster does three things a pocket or a bag cannot: it covers the trigger completely, it holds the launcher in one consistent position so your draw is the same every time, and it protects the launcher from lint and debris that will eventually foul the bore. This matters most on the CL, which has no external safety at all.
Our USA made kydex IWB holsters are molded per model, so the launcher clicks in positively and rides flat inside the waistband. If you would rather not run a belt, the STRAPT-TAC belly band carries all three models and works under gym clothes and business wear alike.
Built for your Byrna. Made in the USA.
Model specific kydex for the SD, LE and CL. Molded, trimmed and finished in the USA.
Shop Byrna holsters →Keep reading
- What Is a Byrna Launcher? A Plain Explanation
- Does the Byrna Actually Work? An Honest Look at Stopping Power
- Best Byrna Holsters for Every Model: SD, EP, LE and CL
- What Does a Byrna Shoot, and What Does It Do to a Person?
- Can You Carry a Byrna in Your Car? Vehicle Carry, Explained
Frequently asked questions
What is a Byrna and is it a real gun?
A Byrna is a CO2 powered launcher that fires .68 or .61 caliber projectiles for self defense. It is not classified as a firearm, so it does not require a permit or a background check in most states. You must be 18 or older to purchase one.
What does a Byrna shoot?
Round projectiles in four types: Kinetic hard polymer impact rounds, Eco-Kinetic biodegradable practice rounds, and two chemical irritant options, Pepper and Max. The SD and LE use .68 caliber rounds. The CL uses .61 caliber rounds that are not compatible with the other two models.
Which Byrna is best for everyday carry?
The Byrna SD for most people, because it is the lightest to learn, has the broadest accessory support and costs the least. The Byrna CL is the better answer if concealment is your top priority, since it is 38 percent smaller than the SD at the same energy on target.
Is the Byrna LE worth the extra $100 over the SD?
It is if you plan to shoot kinetic rounds, since the Byrna LE runs up to 330 FPS against the SD's 285 to 300 FPS and gets about 30 shots per cartridge instead of 20. It is not if you plan to carry chemical rounds or carry the launcher concealed every day.
Do you need a holster for a Byrna?
Yes. A model specific kydex holster covers the trigger, holds the launcher securely and makes your draw consistent. It is non negotiable on the Byrna CL, which ships without an external safety lever. We build USA made holsters for the SD, LE and CL.
Does Clip & Carry sell the Byrna launcher itself?
No. We make the kydex holsters and magazine covers. Buy the launcher direct from Amazon, then carry it in the holster we build for your model.
Related reading: Best Holsters for the Byrna SD · How to Conceal Carry a Byrna Launcher
