Peacekeeper RCB baton vs straight stick

[Borrego4746]

Move the baton, for instance my set up from my left hand is baton in a swivel holster, pepper spray, light, radio holder, than my back is all clear and than double handcuff case, gun holster, ad than mags! Works great and no sore hips

[Borrego4746]

Straight stick is a lot more effective, but having to put It on everytime I get in and out of my unit is a pain in the butt.. One more thing that will hold you up getting out of your unit, in my opinion is one less second I have to react to the drivers actions

[NorCalPatriot]

I carry the RCB on my right side behind my holster enough not to interfere with my draw. It sits in just the right spot not to dig into my hip while I'm sitting in the car and doesn't seem to add any additional weight to my duty gear. That's all relative since there's the 3 mags, double cuff case, radio, light, spray and taser that I carry as well lol but it's all distributed so there's nothing on my belt behind my back.

As said before, the RCB is devastating compared to any other collapsible baton and most wooden straight sticks. I love it because it sounds wicked when it's deployed and your bad guy knows that sound means business. It definitely leaves a mark that doesn't buff out.

I keep my 29" hickory jesus in the front seat so I have it handy for crowds or bar checks... brings me back to the 3 from the ring and 5 from the sky days.

Like Bufford T used to say.... "That's an attention getter"

NCP

[Petro6golf]

I had the same issue 1SAM had in the begining. It left bruises on my hip so I moved it forward a bit and they went away.

[ak_in_ca]

Ive carried the RCB for years now and it is one of the worst and heaviest pieces of crap out there. If I didnt have to carry that specific baton per dept policy id get almost anything else! I have the same set up as you but crossdraw canted right on left hip. after 7+ years it never gets better

[1SAM]

Aside from it being heavy, what else don't you like about the RCB baton? Has it failed in anyway? You are the first person to give a negative review on the RCB baton.

[gregr]

Ive carried the RCB for years now and it is one of the worst and heaviest pieces of crap out there. If I didnt have to carry that specific baton per dept policy id get almost anything else! I have the same set up as you but crossdraw canted right on left hip. after 7+ years it never gets better

Completely disagree. Also wearing it crossdraw canted right on left hip.

My RCB replaced my Winchester expandable after it stopped locking out. Much better baton and does EXACTLY what you want it to when you pull it from the belt. I have the 29in and have gained immediate compliance when I've locked it out on calls. Other times, additional demonstrations of its prowess were required...

In the experiences of those involved in OISs on my department, ASP batons were essentially useless. Yes, the RCB is heavier than others but as most here attest, it wasn't difficult to get used to. I wear it a little in front of my left hip angled forward hovering over over my double cuff case on the front of my gunbelt. It's convenient and they see it - it's a deterrent.

I've carried many available impact weapons - Side-handle baton, OPN, Sap, straight stick, ASP baton, Streamlight SX20, Winchester (twice), and now RCB. The RCB, Sap, and Streamlight remain with me at this point.

Those who disagree are entitled to their opinions, but I'm betting they've never deployed an RCB in a valid use of force situation. If they had they'd be agreeing with me on this one.

[ak_in_ca]

Had numerous issues with the grip splitting and coming off, know numerous deps that have bent them using them on suspects, the holster is big and bulky and there are not many other options. have had issues with it not expanding and locking itself in the closed position. would rather carry a straight stick

[lawman18]

I carried the Winchester 29" for years but I found it to be extremely heavy. I took it off and went back to the PR24 so I could take it off and leave in the car. Then our department went to a mandatory carry of a baton at all times and I went back to the winchester because I left the PR24 in the car all the time. I like the collapsible baton but the ASP feels like a toy and the Winchester is a brick but that thing is like a light sabre, it hums when you whip it out!

[Samuelx]

Real quick - just got my hands on a 26" Bonowi camlock baton the other day. Been fiddling with it and got to whack a heavy bag for a bit yesterday.

1. Price? Wow (expensive wow)
2. Construction/design? Wow (awesome wow)

1. It's made in Sweden or Germany (not 100% sure which), it's got like 56 parts, and it's precision made. It’s like $200 at OpsGear.com here in the US and I’m not sure if that includes a holder/holster or not.

2. Comparing it to a 26” Monadnock Autolock - the Bonowi would be a brand new Ford F150 where you can feel the pressure change inside when you close the last door and the Monadnock would be like a 20 year old F150 with all the rattles, manual windows, and imprecise steering.

There is a little rattle with the Bonowi but it's minimal. The weight distribution is very close to the middle of the baton. It's just a smidge lighter than my 26" Peacekeeper RCB and the weight distribution and feel when you're swinging/hitting is very very similar to the RCB. It’s a little faster in the hand than the RCB. Deployment is very smooth, pulling it out or slinging it out, and collapsing it is just as easy as opening it - no slamming required.

I would consider the Bonowi to be the Mercedes/BMW (or Koenigsegg) of expandable straight batons and, me personally, I think it’s worth the $$$ (but then again I’m an impact weapon aficionado/gear queer). It’s going on my belt.

[1SAM]

I know this is an old thread. I have been carrying my peqcekeeper baton for almost a year now. I like everything about it with the exception that it rattles every time I move. Does anyone else have this issue? I gave been thinking of switching to the bonowi baton but the cost and lack of holders for it is keeping me from switching. I am also contemplating heavily on switching to a straight stick baton. All opinions are welcome! Thanks!

[Samuelx]

Hey Bro, which holder are you using? The RCB has rattling inherent in its design and you can induce a good amount of rattling when it's collapsed and in your hand. When it's collapsed and snug in the hard plastic holder, there is much less rattling because the holder restricts movement of both the tip and body of the baton. Unfortunately, I don't have one of the leather holsters with the plastic sleeve inside handy to compare. (And when properly expanded, there should be no rattling at all.)

Bonowi (made in Germany btw) makes two types of holders that I know of - a skeleton frame type with elastic snap button strap and a nylon open top pouch with strap to adjust tightness/fit. Both have adjustable cant. I have an open top nylon (Bianchi universal) and open top leather baton holder (Monadnock) that both work for the Bonowi and my guess is that a few other 1" baton holders out there will also work.

If you want to meet up to compare RCBs/Bonowis/holsters, lemme know...

[NineteenElev3n]

I know this is an old thread. I have been carrying my peqcekeeper baton for almost a year now. I like everything about it with the exception that it rattles every time I move. Does anyone else have this issue? I gave been thinking of switching to the bonowi baton but the cost and lack of holders for it is keeping me from switching. I am also contemplating heavily on switching to a straight stick baton. All opinions are welcome! Thanks!

I started carrying the RCB Peacekeeper this year. I also have the rattling issue you mention. I used to carry an ASP, but I have no confidence in that baton whatsoever. A straight stick or PR-24 is too cumbersome to drag along, especially when having the element of exiting your car during a hot call and possibly forgetting your other force option (baton) in the car. I would rather have all of my gear on me at all times.

With that being said, I am overall pleased with my RCB Peacekeeper. I'm not too thrilled with the price, but to me, the quality of my duty equipment is paramount to my job and well being.

[Gnome]

OP,

I chose to carry the lightest baton allowed. "Ounces equal pounds. Pounds equal pain." My department has a policy in place which allows us to use our flashlights as a "tool/weapon of nessesity" if need be.

On the rare occasion where I've had to "whack a mole" its been with my full sized Pelican. Never my baton.

[IlDuche]

I need to edit my opinion....

After a hiatus from patrol when I got to wear regular clothes and ride around with other dudes wearing regular clothes, I have returned to patrol....and its with my 26" straight stick. The RCB, while an impressive weapon which may negate the need for force simply by its deployment, was just not for me. Maybe it's tradition, maybe its just the warm feeling of the wood (boom, phrasing), but I have since left the RCB in my locker. Something about getting out of the radio car and ringing the wood baton on a foggy night. Channels the footbeat cops rousing inebriated sailors of yesteryear amidst the foghorns and buoy bells. Had to use it already. And while I don't go seeking to use my baton willy nilly on an undeserving populace, when I did use it, it worked fine. So I suppose its akin to the 9mm vs 45 debate; it ain't what you carry. It's using it judiciously and with correct strikes, momentum, and force (the requisite 'bat speed').

I will say the weight and pressure on my hip may have also played into my decision, but honestly, I'm a sentimentalist. I got that baton in the academy. Did more pushups with it across my knuckles than I can count. What once started as jet black has been weathered brown by the elements, scarred and worn from a multitude of uses. Just feels right to me. I think I'm as attached to it as I am my star at this point. Metal is cold, indifferent, needs maintenance and care. That wood stick is emblematic of its owner. Shows its age and wear. Yes it can be a hassle in a foot chase, then again if I'm running I'm holding it, and if I'm holding it then at the end of said foot chase maybe the sight of me holding it up to strike will be enough to end the fight right there. And if not then its already rit to go.

Thus, my ode to the straight stick.