Pepper gun & Ammo Test Labs
Real performance testing for less-lethal launchers, ammunition, and shot-by-shot consistency.
At S.A. Self Defense, we believe real testing matters.
Manufacturer numbers are helpful, but they do not always show how a launcher or round performs in real use, under real conditions, and across multiple shots.
That is why we built the S.A. Test Lab™.
The S.A. Test Lab is our performance testing platform designed to record, organize, and compare launcher and ammo results using real measured data. It allows users to log shot velocity, calculate energy automatically, save test sessions, compare results, and build a better understanding of how their setup actually performs.
Whether you are testing for consistency, comparing ammo profiles, or tracking launcher performance over time, the Test Lab gives you a clear shot-by-shot record.
What the Test Lab Records
Each session is built to give a more complete view of performance, not just a single number.
Velocity (FPS) for each shot
Calculated energy (Joules)
Velocity curve comparisons between sessions
This makes it easier to see how different launchers, ammo types, and conditions perform over time.
How the Joules Are Calculated
The S.A. Test Lab automatically calculates kinetic energy in Joules
from the recorded velocity and the ammo profile’s stored projectile mass.
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shot speed is recorded in FPS
ammo mass is stored in grams
the system converts FPS to meters per second
the system converts grams to kilograms
then it applies the standard kinetic energy formula:
m = projectile mass in kilograms
v = velocity in meters per second
This means the energy shown for each shot is based on the actual recorded velocity and the selected ammo profile mass, not a rough estimate or a marketing claim.
One of the most useful parts of the Test Lab is the ability to view a session as a velocity curve.
Dashboard
This graph shows how the launcher performs from shot to shot, similar to a dyno chart for a vehicle. Instead of looking at only one reading, users can see whether their launcher is stable, dropping off, or staying consistent across the session.
differences between ammo setups
real-world launcher behavior
Manual Testing Available Now
Users can already create and save manual test sessions.
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With manual testing, you can:
let the system calculate Joules automatically
save the session to your profile
optionally make sessions public
This gives you a structured way to build your own test history and compare results over time.
Automatic Chronograph Testing
Currently in Testing
Dashboard
We are also developing an automatic test mode that will work with the Competition Electronics ProChrono chronograph.
This feature is not publicly available yet and is still being tested, but it should be available soon.
When released, the automatic system will be able to:
read chronograph shot data automatically
capture and record each shot in about half a second
calculate Joules instantly
log environmental conditions during the test
build a full saved session automatically
This will make it possible to test faster, reduce manual entry, and produce a cleaner shot record for each session.
In addition to velocity and energy testing, the S.A. Test Lab is also being developed to measure powder cloud behavior during impact.
This upcoming system is designed to analyze how powder-based rounds disperse after impact by using video, a standardized measurement backdrop, and automatic frame analysis.
The goal is to measure not just how fast a round travels, but also how the powder spreads after it hits.
This feature is still in testing and will be explained in more detail on its own page.
Learn more about Powder Cloud Measurement →
The purpose of the S.A. Test Lab is simple:
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to provide a better way to measure real launcher and ammo performance using organized, repeatable data.
track consistency over time
better understand launcher performance
see more than a single advertised number
S.A. Self Defense Test Labs FAQ
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What is the S.A. Test Lab?
The S.A. Test Lab is a performance testing platform developed by S.A. Self Defense that allows users to record and analyze the real-world performance of less-lethal launchers and ammunition.
Users can log test sessions, record velocity readings, calculate energy automatically, and compare results over time.
What data does the Test Lab record?
The Test Lab can record multiple data points during a test session including:
Calculated energy (Joules)
Shot-by-shot velocity breakdown
These measurements help users understand launcher consistency and overall performance.
How are Joules calculated in the Test Lab?
The Test Lab calculates kinetic energy using the projectile mass and measured velocity.
Ammo profiles store the projectile mass in grams, which the system converts to kilograms. Velocity readings recorded in FPS are converted to meters per second.
The system then applies the standard energy formula:
This calculation is performed automatically for every shot recorded.
Do I need special equipment to use the Test Lab?
No. The Test Lab currently supports manual testing, which allows users to enter chronograph readings manually and save test sessions.
A chronograph is recommended to measure shot velocity, but the system itself does not require special hardware to record sessions manually.
What chronograph will automatic testing support?
Automatic shot recording is currently being developed for the Competition Electronics ProChrono chronograph.
When this feature is released, the Test Lab will be able to automatically capture velocity readings and record each shot in approximately half a second.
Is automatic testing available now?
Automatic chronograph integration is currently in development and testing and is not available in the public version of the Test Lab yet.
Manual testing is fully functional and available now.
Will I need software for automatic testing?
When automatic testing is released, users will need to download the S.A. Test Lab software and connect it to the supported chronograph.
The software will read shot data directly from the chronograph and log the test session automatically.
What is powder cloud measurement?
Powder cloud measurement is an upcoming feature that will analyze how powder-based rounds disperse after impact.
Using video analysis, a standardized measurement backdrop, and controlled lighting, the system will estimate:
This allows testers to analyze how the powder spreads after the projectile hits the target.
What equipment will be required for powder cloud measurement?
To run a powder cloud dispersion test, the setup will require:
A chronograph to measure shot velocity
A camera recording the target area
Proper lighting so the powder cloud is visible
A standardized measurement backdrop behind the target
A stable testing environment with minimal airflow
The measurement backdrop helps the system estimate the real-world size of the cloud.
Why is a standardized measurement backdrop important?
A standardized backdrop allows the system to determine the scale of the video recording.
By using the same measurement grid for every test, the Test Lab can estimate cloud size and compare results across different users more consistently.
Can I share my test results publicly?
Users can choose to make their test sessions public so others can view and compare results.
Public sessions may appear on tester profiles and comparison tools within the Test La
