Hinge vs. Chain Cuffs

[slpope]

Can anyone please comment on which type of handcuff they prefer. I just got a pair of hinged cuffs and just handcuffed a semi-compliant prisoner the other day. I got the cuff on his right hand and had to tell him twice to turn his left hand in. Well the third time I place a little torque on the right cuff and he had a complete attitude change and gave me his left hand turned in (palm out).

I would lilke to know what some other LEO think of hinge vs. chain cuffs.

[sflcop]

I prefer hinged, simply for the ease and the compliance factor. Several subjects have complained that they are not comfortable, and my answer is always that they are not supposed to be. I carry hinged in front, chained in back (double cuff case). Chained can be easier with a combative subject, but overall i can cuff faster and have greater subject control with hinged.

[GoldBadge]

No question that hinged offers more control, but I kind of feel bad when I put them on a subject that's pretty decent (and totally safe and compliant) and they are really uncomfortable wearing those hinged.

[WC145]

I've always carried chain cuffs but I went to a cuffing class a couple of weeks ago and got a good introduction to hinged cuffs. Upon learning what I'd been missing I immediately ordered myself a set. From now on my chain cuffs are for back up.

As far as the discomfort, even the most compliant criminal is still a criminal. Screw'em if they're uncomfortable, if they don't like wearing handcuffs they should think of that ahead of time.

[GoldBadge]

As far as the discomfort, even the most compliant criminal is still a criminal. Screw'em if they're uncomfortable, if they don't like wearing handcuffs they should think of that ahead of time.

Sure, it's black and white, never gray. :cool:

Wait till you have to cuff a senior citizen (your agency's policy that all arrestees are cuffed) because s/he forgot to pay for a library book.

[DOAcop38]

No question that hinged offers more control, but I kind of feel bad when I put them on a subject that's pretty decent (and totally safe and compliant) and they are really uncomfortable wearing those hinged.


Hindged are better for control purposes ( and harder to defeat) they SUCK when it comes to larger suspects though) for general everyday use- go with the linked peerless 10 oz ( standard) and wear 2 handcuffs! Smith and Wesson makes some two, and the locking mechanism is better then peerless,but also easier to rust or jam up- you can avoid the ****y complaints about pain and and avoid minor injuries to suspects that aren't active resisters.......

[GoldBadge]

Hindged are better for control purposes ( and harder to defeat) they SUCK when it comes to larger suspects though)

Your right. I do carry both.

On the plus side, as a federal investigator, I usually have the benefit of knowing in advance when I'm going to arrest someone.

[WC145]

Sure, it's black and white, never gray. :cool:

Wait till you have to cuff a senior citizen (your agency's policy that all arrestees are cuffed) because s/he forgot to pay for a library book.

Those damned seasoned citizens are the worst, always expecting special treatment at the library or because of their arthritis or bursitis or whatever.

But seriously folks, how many stories have we all heard that started with statements like:
They looked harmless.....
They were polite and compliant.....
She reminded of my grandmother/mother/aunt/sister.....
He reminded of my grandfather/father/uncle/brother.....
I'd dealt with him/her for years, I never thought.....
He had a bad shoulder/back/elbow/neck/whatever.....
Christ, I can't believe I didn't cuff'em behind their back.....
I didn't think they'd ever.....

They're in the back seat for a reason and it isn't a ride home.

[GoldBadge]

Those damned seasoned citizens are the worst, always expecting special treatment at the library or because of their arthritis or bursitis or whatever.

But seriously folks, how many stories have we all heard that started with statements like:
They looked harmless.....
They were polite and compliant.....
She reminded of my grandmother/mother/aunt/sister.....
He reminded of my grandfather/father/uncle/brother.....
I'd dealt with him/her for years, I never thought.....
He had a bad shoulder/back/elbow/neck/whatever.....
Christ, I can't believe I didn't cuff'em behind their back.....
I didn't think they'd ever.....

They're in the back seat for a reason and it isn't a ride home.

I never said not to handcuff them, I'm just of the opinion that I will not unnecessarily inflict pain with hinged cuffs when chain cuffs will suffice.

[towncop]

Get rid of the Peerless and Smith & Wesson handcuffs. Hiaats are by far the best handcuffs made. I carry a set of chained as well as the hinged. I love the pre-loading feature that the Hiaats have.

[TPO]

it's too easy to pop the chain on a set of chained cuffs. i carry nothing but hinged.

[ArcLight]

Hinged in front, chained in back single cuff case (the back-up pair). I like the control hinged cuffs give much better than chained even though we we trained using chained cuffs back in the academy.

[Seventy2002]

I bought myself Hiatt's hinged cuffs after seeing a demonstration at a Calibre Press seminar of how much chain cuffs allowed one to move. I saw a real-life demonstration last month. A suspect, chain-cuffed in back, reached into a front pocket, removed a bindle of meth, and stuffed it in her waistband. Got it all on video. :D

I should have bought the hinged cuffs when I was in the academy. Our tac officer told us how a professional felon broken his partner's thumb with a cuff chain.

I carry both the hinged and chain models but I use the former most of the time.

[TPO]

I bought myself Hiatt's hinged cuffs after seeing a demonstration at a Calibre Press seminar of how much chain cuffs allowed one to move. I saw a real-life demonstration last month. A suspect, chain-cuffed in back, reached into a front pocket, removed a bindle of meth, and stuffed it in her waistband. Got it all on video. :D



we had video of a guy who took a bottle of hydrocodone out of his front pocket and took about 8 pills, never moving his hands from behind his back, all while sitting in the back of a patrol car.

[deputy x 2]

I prefer chain...Because sometimes you don't have the time to get the cuffs on..and the hinge ones only go on one way! With the chains...just getting them on in a jiffy is sometimes necessary

[extremesgs]

my dept. issues one set of chain. I've got 6 sets of hinged from previous jobs.

I keep the chained in the back for standing, "compliant" arrestees, who I decided are ok with chain; therefore, reaching back for them is ok.

In the front are the hinged. quick access for hairy situations, or for when it could go south.... tried and true- get one on a "questionable" BG (could go either way...), they change their mind about being compliant.

Also tried and true, when they go "A-hole" on me, they get cranked right into the pavement... it makes a loveley "thud", too! then the screaming starts! why do they always scream so bad? :)

[Need4Speed]

I carry 1 of each. I use usually use the chain on a transports. I use the hinged on the perps that are a little unruly or if I have to chase someone down. I also use leg irons.

[missmycaprice]

I carry one of each and the hinged cuffs are the primaries. They offer some control with only one cuff on, they are more difficult to step through, and if installed in the "crank" position (one wrist going left, one going right), they are impossible to step through.
The chain cuffs will actually be easier to get on in a dogpile arrest, though.

[OffDuty]

I carry both on me. I find the hinged ones come out for women near 100% of the time, since the hinges will clamp down a bit more for smaller wrists and less flex room.

Cuffing in a hurry will get either one, but see above. Works great for that reason. True about having more speed and control as mentioned too.

[0u812]

I Carry both Also, I use the hinged more then the chain. I think you should keep one of each.