The Streetwise 1000K stun gun model is one of the most powerful on the market. According to the manufacturer, it is capable of managing a charge of 1,000,000 volts. To keep the unit non-lethal, the amperage is pretty low by design. It is quite a tall unit as it contains three 9 volt batteries. (Less powerful stun guns usually use a battery.) It is 8 1/4 inches tall, 2 1/4 inches wide, and 1 1/8 inches thick. The unit’s casing is matte black plastic, like all stun guns of this nature. It features a master on/off switch and a trigger rocker switch. This switch must be held down to fire the weapon. Once you lift your finger off the switch, the shot stops. A 130db alarm is also included.

The Streetwise SW1000 features a loop-through deactivation pin that connects to the bottom of the unit. You put the bow around your wrist. If an attacker grabs your weapon, the pin will pop out of the unit and be completely disabled. That way, the attacker can’t use the weapon against you.

Perhaps “gun” is a misnomer because this tall rectangular device looks nothing like a gun. Would stun guns be less controversial if they weren’t called weapons at all? Maybe. It should be noted that stun guns like this don’t shoot anything through the air (except a spark between their two electrodes). It is not a TASER. The unit must be attached to the assailant’s skin or clothing to be effective. The effects are temporary and non-lethal unlike a firearm.

As befits a high voltage unit, this device has two 3/17-inch diameter electrodes that are significantly wider than smaller units. The clicking sound when activated is louder with a stronger visible spark. The intimidation factor is high. Some assailants have been known to flee immediately when confronted with the threatening sound and location of the arc electrodes.

This device includes a 130db alarm which is unusual for a traditional shaped stun gun. The alarm button is just below the power/fire switch for easy access. It is suggested to test the alarm first in a real encounter, as this may be enough to scare your enemy.

In short, the Streetwise SW1000 stun gun is an impressive high-voltage unit. The case is sturdy and comes with a nylon sheath with a belt loop. Installing three 9-volt batteries requires a bit of effort to fit inside the unit, but once inside, they stay in place. The manufacturer recommends the use of name-brand alkaline batteries for reliable performance.

TO UPDATE

Streetwise has now upgraded the SW1000 to the SWT5000R Toucdown rechargeable model. It features the same tall profile but has much more power and a built-in LED flashlight.