Taser M26 User Manual
A D V A N C E D T A S E R® M 2 6
Op e r a t i n g M a n u a l
L a w E n f o r c e m e n t
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
Read, understand and follow the warnings and safety instructions contained in the enclosed
Product Warnings document included with this weapon. The most current warnings are
posted on our website at www.TASER.com. Do not attempt to use this device until you have
completed training with a TASER International certied instructor.
This warning label is now installed on new ADVANCED TASER® M26 devices.
TASER® Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) are weapons designed to incapacitate a person
from a safe distance while reducing the likelihood of serious injuries or death. Though they
have been found to be a safer and more eective alternative when used as directed to other
traditional use of force tools and techniques, it is important to remember that the very
nature of use of force and physical incapacitation involves a degree of risk that someone
will get hurt or may even be killed due to physical exertion, unforeseen circumstances and
individual susceptibilities.
OPERATIONAL SAFETY
To minimize the risk of injury before, during, and after use, consider the following:
MINIMIZE RISKS BEFORE USE
Read and Heed. Read, understand and follow all warnings and instructions before
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using the TASER M26.
Complete Training First. Do not attempt to use a TASER device unless you have
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been trained and certied by a TASER International, Inc. certied instructor.
Obey Applicable Laws. Carry and use the TASER device in accordance with
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applicable federal, state, and local laws as well as your law enforcement agency’s
guidance – policies, procedures, training, etc.
Store in a Secure Location. Store the TASER M26 in a secure location inaccessible
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to children and other unauthorized persons. TASER devices are not toys, and users
should avoid any inappropriate deployments and/or activations, which may result in
serious bodily harm to the user or others, including animals.
MINIMIZE RISKS DURING USE
Avoid Torturous or Other Misuse.
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Assume Device is Loaded. Always assume that a TASER device is loaded. Do not
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point a TASER device at anything you do not intend to hit.
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ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
Avoid Unintentional Activation. Keep nger away from trigger until ready to use.
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Keep Body Parts Away From Front. Keep your hands and body parts away from the
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front of the TASER cartridge.
Avoid Static Electricity Discharge. Avoid contact between static electricity and the
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TASER cartridge because static electricity can cause unexpected discharge.
Do not point the laser at the eyes or stare into the beam.
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USE OF FORCE POLICY
Each agency is responsible for creating its own use-of-force policy and determining how
TASER devices t into their use-of-force matrix based on legal and community standards.
Make sure your agency has a use-of-force policy that addresses TASER device use and that
this policy is clearly addressed during end-user training.
FLAMMABILITY
Beware – TASER Devices Can Ignite Explosive Materials, Liquids or Vapors. These
include gasoline, other ammables, explosive materials, liquids, or vapors (e.g., gases found
in sewer lines, methamphetamine labs, and butane-type lighters). Some self-defense
sprays (for example, pepper sprays), use ammable carriers such as alcohol and could be
dangerous to use in immediate conjunction with TASER devices.
Some self-defense sprays labeled “non-ammable” may ignite when used in conjunction
with TASER devices. It is recommended that each agency conduct its own tests to determine
the compatibility of its personal defense spray with TASER devices.
WHAT IS THE ADVANCED TASER M26?
The ADVANCED TASER M26 is an ECD manufactured by TASER International, Inc. ECDs
use propelled wires or direct contact to conduct energy to aect the sensory and motor
functions of the nervous system.
The ADVANCED TASER M26 uses a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen
to deploy two small probes that are attached to the ADVANCED TASER M26 by insulated
conductive wires. The ADVANCED TASER M26 transmits electrical pulses along the wires
and into the body aecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous
system. The energy can penetrate up to two inches of clothing, or one inch per probe.
The cartridges are available with various wire lengths from 15’ to 35’ (4.2 meters to 10.6
meters).
ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
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See www.TASER.com for current specications. A citizen model of the M26 is also available
where legal and has dierent operating characteristics than the law enforcement model.
Sale of cartridges with wire length longer than 15’ is limited to law enforcement only.
The M26 has an internal memory that stores a record of every deployment. See the
DOWNLOAD section for more details.
NEUROMUSCULAR INCAPACITATION (NMI)
The human nervous system communicates with simple electrical impulses. The command
center (brain and spinal cord) processes information and makes decisions. The peripheral
nervous system includes the sensory and motor nerves. The sensory nerves carry information
from the body to the brain (temperature, touch, etc.). The motor nerves carry commands
from the brain to the muscles to control movement and can be involuntary in response to
the sensory information. An example would be the involuntary muscle reaction to pull a
hand away from a hot object.
TASER technology uses similar electrical impulses to cause stimulation of the sensory
and motor nerves. Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to
cause involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not
dependent on pain and is eective on subjects with a high level of pain tolerance.
Previous generations of stun guns could primarily aect the sensory nerves only, resulting
in pain compliance. A subject with a very high tolerance to pain (e.g., a drug abuser or a
trained, focused ghter) might be able to ght through the pain of a traditional stun gun.
COMMON EFFECTS OF NMI
The use of TASER technology causes incapacitation and strong muscle
contractions making secondary injuries a possibility. These potential
injuries include but are not limited to: cuts, bruises, impact
injuries, and abrasions caused by falling, and strain-related injuries
from strong muscle contractions such as muscle or tendon tears,
or stress fractures. These injuries are secondary in nature and not
directly attributable to the electric output of the TASER device,
but are possible consequences of the strong muscle contractions
the TASER device induces to produce incapacitation. Some
of the eects may include:
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ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
Subject may fall immediately to the ground, and be unable to catch him/herself.
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Subjects located in the water may drown if their ability to move is restricted.
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Subject may yell or scream.
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Involuntary muscle contractions, of varying degrees.
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Subject may freeze in place with legs locked.
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Subject may feel dazed for several seconds/minutes.
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Potential vertigo.
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Temporary tingling sensation.
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May experience critical stress amnesia (may not remember any pain).
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For a full list of warnings, see www.TASER.com.
BASIC M26 ELECTRICAL THEORY
Electricity must be able to ow between the probes or the electrodes.
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Electricity generally follows the path of least resistance between the probes.
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The greater the spread between the probes on the target, generally the greater the
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NMI eectiveness.
Electricity generally will not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact
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is made directly between or on the probes.
Electricity can arc through clothing, and even some bullet-resistant materials.
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Exposure to water will not cause electrocution or increase the power to the subject
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(the electrical charge is xed inside the TASER device, and will not increase signicantly
even with environmental changes).
Modern pacemakers and implanted cardiac debrillators withstand external electrical
debrillators at least 800 times stronger than the TASER conducted energy pulses.
ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
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ADVANCED TASER M26 AND CARTRIDGE FEATURES
The M26 is constructed of impact resistant sonic welded polymer and weighs approximately
19 ounces. Various color options are available. See www.TASER.com for the most current
specications.
SAFETY SWITCH:
Ambidextrous safety switch can be operated from either
side.
Safety Switch down (SAFE).
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Safety Switch up (ARMED), and ready to deploy.
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Do not block the safety switch on one side of the M26 while
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attempting to move it on the other side. This can break the
safety switch and disable the device.
SPARK DURATION:
When the M26 is deployed, it delivers a 5-second energy burst.
The burst can be stopped at any time by positioning the safety
switch to the down (SAFE) position.
BATTERIES
The ADVANCED TASER M26 uses 8 AA batteries. TASER
International recommends Duracell® Ultra alkaline batteries, or
Energizer® Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries.
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ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
BATTERY COVER
The battery cover is released by depressing the metal plunger
and then sliding the cover forward.
POWER INDICATOR
The M26 has a red LED to indicate power is available to the device.
The LED operates only when the safety switch is in the up (ARMED)
position. The LED either ashes or is steady. No illumination in the
LED indicates a malfunction or dead batteries. The LED is only an
indication of power to the circuit and does not necessarily mean
that there is enough power to create an electrical charge, even if
the laser appears to operate normally. The only valid indicator of
adequate battery strength is the spark test.
LASER
The M26 has a laser sight to aid in aiming. Some agency policies
allow the ocer to use verbal commands and the laser to “paint
the target” to attempt to gain compliance.
DATAPORT PLUG
The dataport plug is used for several functions. Primarily, the plug
is used for connecting the data download cable. It can also be
used with the approved M26 battery charger to permit charging
without removing the batteries from the M26. It can also be used
for remote ring (robot, remote trigger, etc.). A rubber plug cover
is installed to prevent damage to the dataport plug contacts.
ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
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TRIGGER
Unlike a rearm trigger, the ADVANCED TASER M26 trigger is a
momentary electrical switch. The switch is operational only
when the safety switch is in the up (ARMED) position. Depressing
and releasing the trigger will result in a ve-second discharge
unless the safety switch is moved to the down (SAFE) position.
Holding the trigger switch for more than 5 seconds will result in a
continuous discharge until the trigger switch is released, or until
the batteries are depleted.
WARNING: In the event of an accidental discharge, immediately move the safety switch to
the down (SAFE) position to stop the discharge cycle.
MECHANICAL SIGHTS
The mechanical sights on the M26 are molded to provide manual
aiming of the M26.
ELECTRODES
The front of the M26 contains two metal electrodes. These
electrodes direct the charge to the electrodes on the cartridge
to initiate deployment of the probes. In addition, the electrodes
provide the ability to use the M26 in a “drive-stun” mode as a
traditional stun-gun type device.
15, 21, LS, XP25, AND XP35 TASER CARTRIDGES
Specications are available at www.TASER.com and are subject to change without notice.
NITROGEN GAS CAPSULE & PRIMER
CASSETTE ELECTRODE
CASSETTE WEDGE
AFID LABEL
WIRE SPOOL
AFID STACK
PORON PADS
EJECTORS
SNAP ON BLAST DOOR
MYLAR BLUNT FRONT PROBE ASSEMBLY
CARTRIDGE CUTAWAY
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ADVANCED TASER® M26 Operating Manual • MMU0008 Rev: B
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