With most .68-caliber launchers, the CO2 cylinder is punctured when it is loaded into the launcher. Over the next 24-hours, the CO2 will leak out, rendering the weapon inoperable. In response, Byrna developed its patented first-shot, pull-pierce technology. This allows the CO2 cylinder to remain unpunctured in the launcher until needed. Then, when the trigger is pulled, the CO2 is punctured, and the projectile is fired simultaneously, meaning that the Byrna is always at the ready whether it has been sitting for a week, a month, a year, or several years.