Peerless Handcuff Defect- [B]**RECALL**[/B]

[C-11]

Peerless handcuffs model 700 and 801 within specific serial numbers are becoming defective and are failing to lock because of a spring that is undoing internally. For further information go to the link below. If any of you have had personal experience with the problem please post it and let us know, I found out about it myself because one of my 700 models did it, luckily it was during a training scenario and not on the street.

http://www.peerless.net/recall.htm

or

http://www.peeless.net - and follow the safety notice link at the bottom center

[C-11]

the title got screwed up when i tried to bold recall

[XPD64]

In early 2006 I purchased a model 700 peerless cuff. After a month or so one of the single strands froze up and would notmove. I sent it back and received another pair. I called peerless who stated my second pair was not affected by the recall they had in 2006. They lasted about a year and they broke, this time one of the single strands completely cycled without stopping, and I had a prisoner. I think a spring failed inside somewhere. Needless to say I threw them out and will never trust a pair again.

[scuba4321]

We are issued peerless, but I have found that ASP are much better and have purchased my own 2 pairs. Not a big fan of peerless

[XPD64]

Bruce Baker,
I switched to the S&W model 100 chained and 300 hinged. The chained ones are much smoother than the peerless set out of the box. The hinged model is not as smooth. The only dowside to the hinged model is that the cuffs are closer to each other than the peerless model, making them harder to get on larger suspects.

[johnnyReb]

I hate peerless cuffs, so I bought smith and wesson and carry those.

[johnnyReb]

http://www.baumshoe.com/servlet/the-Handcuffs-and-Restraints/searchpath/175996/start/17/total/25/Categories

A great company ran by police officers with fast service and good prices.

Smith & Wesson Model 100 Handcuff, Standard
Model 100 Handcuff, Standard

Price: $20.95

Also we have had decent luck with Hiatt cuffs.

I like the double lock feature on the Smiths, its very positive and strong, unlike peerless. A good strong tap on a table and they will become "un-double locked" and their leg irons are even worse.

I use cuff routinely at the jail, and im not trusting my life to peerless. They have too many issues in my opinion.

Also I don't drink the ASP kool-aid. I don't like the idea of a cuff hole on both sides off the cuff. It just gives arrestees another hole to pick or put a key into. At least when the cuff holes are on one side, I can position them facing up towards their back to make it a little more difficult. There have also been many cases where the ASP cuffs have failed. I believe there have been posts regarding this here, but a qucik google search will reveal a lot more.

[Resq14]

This Peerless recall is 2 years old.. for what it's worth...

As for ASP cuffs, the new yellow locksets are fine. The only issue I think might be valid is the ability to bend the toothed bow to the left or right of the lockset (some call it over-centering). This occurs because the thinner metal/plastic flexes more, allowing for some play.

I've yet to have this result in a problem.

As for the dual-sided keyholes... if prisoners are trying to pick your handcuffs, you have bigger problems, imho: poor searches and poor supervision. Handcuffs are temporary restraints and should be applied palms-out BEHIND the prisoner. This, in conjunction with good searching and supervision, should prevent problems.

[johnnyReb]

As for the dual-sided keyholes... if prisoners are trying to pick your handcuffs, you have bigger problems, imho: poor searches and poor supervision. Handcuffs are temporary restraints and should be applied palms-out BEHIND the prisoner. This, in conjunction with good searching and supervision, should prevent problems.


So you have honestly never missed anything in a search. I'll be honest and say I have.

[Resq14]

I didn't say that, now did I? :)

BUT - as far as handcuffs go, I don't think I've ever missed something that was within the grasp of a handcuffed prisoner that was able to be used as a shim or pick, NOR do I think I've ignored supervising my prisoners to guard against such activities. That and good handcuffing techniques. After searching by hand, I sweep my prisoners with one of those Metal-Tec units before they get in my car, with special emphasis on the backside. Paranoia? Maybe. I try to keep in mind that handcuffs are TEMPORARY restraints. They're not "slap 'em on and forget about 'em."

[johnnyReb]

I didn't say that, now did I? :)

BUT - as far as handcuffs go, I don't think I've ever missed something that was within the grasp of a handcuffed prisoner that was able to be used as a shim or pick, NOR do I think I've ignored supervising my prisoners to guard against such activities. That and good handcuffing techniques. After searching by hand, I sweep my prisoners with one of those Metal-Tec units before they get in my car, with special emphasis on the backside. Paranoia? Maybe. I try to keep in mind that handcuffs are TEMPORARY restraints. They're not "slap 'em on and forget about 'em."

When it comes to your safety you can't go wrong with going all out on a search.

That being said, I feel more comfortable with the only keyholes facing up. Ive seen handcuff shims made out of many different things, and I know many are small enough to be missed.

[1313]

I was taught to cuff keyholes "up". I've been practicing this ever since I taught at the academy.

[Resq14]

As I understand it, double-locking eliminates the "shim" technique... jamming something between the ratchet and pawl.

Actually "picking" the lock with an improvised key (paperclip, bobby pin, etc) can defeat some double-locking mechanisms.

Can anyone do either with the new (yellow lockset) ASP cuffs when they're double-locked? I haven't tried, but I'm not very good at it either. I'm even worse with my hands palms-out behind my back in cuffs. :D

Not double-locked picking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZGfQo34LB0

Double Locked picking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IrGWKETzTw

Shimming:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQVitjSMiqQ

Shimming:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbE4NMUZe7w

This stuff is all over the Intertubes, so it's hardly a secret...

===============================

Check this out:
http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?productid=17218&TabID=548
ASP® European 3 Pawl Chain Handcuffs

http://www.uscav.com/prod_17216_tabID_548
ASP® Two Pawl High Security Hinge Handcuffs

I had no idea these existed until tonight. Pretty interesting...

[johnnyReb]

Don't forget, people practice this quite often. While it may seem difficult for you, to the person that may try to harm you one day, it could be just like they trained.

[1313]

I saw those "euro" ASP cuffs in their catalog was unaware that they were for sale. Most places don't even carry them.

Hiatts have the 3 pawl setup as standard.

[Resq14]

Hiatts has 3 standard.... hmm, interesting.

Anyone use these?

http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/zakcuffwrap.html
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/discounthandcuffs_1999_8689084

I ordered one a couple weeks ago but haven't used it. Seems pretty handy though, given this thread. At the very least, it complicates the technique.

[towncop]

Guys stop wasting your freaking time. How come no one hardly uses Hiatt handcuffs????? Best cuffs on the market and blow the HELL out of the Smith & Wesson crap that's sold. TRUST ME........HIATT is the way to go.

[BklynsFinest347]

This Peerless recall is 2 years old.. for what it's worth...

A similar recall flyer was posted in my command almost a year back for Peerless leg irons & prisoner transport gang chains. Never favored Peerless to begin with. I trust S&W M-100's & that's strictly what I carry. I know another cop that works days that uses Peerless, since this affects another model, I gotta give him the heads up about this one.

[krinkbusta]

I use peerless mod 801 cuffs, never had a problem w/em and will continue to use them.