CO2 Cylinders for Byrna: 8g, 12g and 88g Explained

By Byrna | Best Non Lethal Self-Defense Products | Published: 2026-10-13

Category: 購買指南

Match the right CO2 cylinder to your Byrna launcher before you buy. This guide breaks down 12g and 88g fitment, cylinder counts, and storage rules that keep your launcher running at full speed.

Quick answer

Most Byrna owners need 12g CO2 cylinders, but only for the TCR, LE, CL-XL, SDXL, HDXL, or launchers with the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor installed. The 88g cylinder is only for the Mission-4 rifle. If you own a CL, SD, EP, or HD model, 12g cylinders are not compatible, so check your model before ordering.

Why the wrong CO2 cylinder is a fit problem, not a power problem

Byrna launchers do not share one universal CO2 interface. The 12g cylinders are custom fit for the TCR, LE, CL-XL, SDXL, and HDXL, and for launchers with the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor installed. The 88g cylinders are only compatible with the Byrna Mission-4 rifle. That means the first buying decision is not how many cylinders you want, but which platform you actually own.

If you are searching for which CO2 for Byrna, start with your model name. The CL, SD, EP, and HD models are explicitly not compatible with the 12g cylinders listed here. Buying a box of 12g cylinders for one of those models will not get you a working launcher, no matter how good the price looks.

How many cylinders do you actually need?

Cylinder count is a trade-off between range time and storage. A five-pack or ten-pack of 12g cylinders keeps you shooting across multiple sessions, but every cylinder you puncture and leave installed will eventually leak. The catalog note for the 12g cylinders recommends keeping an unpunctured cylinder in your launcher at all times, which means your working supply is always one cylinder lower than the box count.

For the Mission-4, the math is different. Each new 88g cylinder is good for approximately 60 rounds, or about three Mission-4 19-round magazines at full speed. If you typically shoot more than 60 rounds in a session, you need a second cylinder on hand. Punctured cartridges inside the Mission-4 CO2 buttstock leak over time, so swap them out and leave an un-punctured cylinder in place when the rifle is stored.

Maintenance and storage rules that protect your investment

CO2 is a consumable, but the way you store it decides whether it performs when you need it. The 10-count 12g box now includes one CO2 cylinder with oil for simple maintenance. That oiled cylinder is a maintenance step, not a replacement for the standard cylinders you shoot with. Use it as directed to keep seals and internal parts from drying out during storage.

Do not leave a punctured cylinder installed for long periods. In the Mission-4 buttstock, punctured cartridges leak over time, and the same principle applies to any launcher: a punctured cylinder is a slow leak. Keep your spare cylinders un-punctured, store them clean and dry, and rotate your oldest stock first.

What about 8g cylinders?

The supplied catalog for this store lists 12g and 88g CO2 cylinders, not 8g. If you have seen 8g cylinders elsewhere, treat them as a separate product that is not covered by the Byrna fitment notes here. Do not assume an 8g cylinder will fit a Byrna launcher just because it is a CO2 cartridge. The only compatibility statements available are for the 12g and 88g cylinders described in this guide.

Decision rules for buying Byrna CO2

Rule 1: Match the cylinder to the model, not the price: 12g cylinders fit the TCR, LE, CL-XL, SDXL, HDXL, and launchers with the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor. 88g cylinders fit only the Mission-4. The CL, SD, EP, and HD are not compatible with these 12g cylinders. If your model is not on the compatible list, stop and confirm fitment before ordering.
Rule 2: Buy the count that matches your shooting rhythm: A 5-count 12g bundle suits occasional practice and fitment testing. A 10-count 12g box suits regular range sessions and includes one oiled cylinder for maintenance. Mission-4 owners should treat each 88g cylinder as roughly 60 rounds and buy at least two for a full session. Estimate your rounds per session, then add one spare cylinder for storage.
Rule 3: Store un-punctured, swap punctured: Keep an un-punctured cylinder in your launcher at all times. Punctured cartridges in the Mission-4 CO2 buttstock leak over time, so remove and replace them when you are done shooting rather than leaving them seated. A punctured cylinder left installed is a slow leak, not a ready-to-use spare.

Product facts

Byrna 10CT 12 Gram CO2 Cylinders: Byrna 12g CO2 cylinders are custom fit for the Byrna TCR, LE, CL-XL, SDXL, HDXL, or launchers with the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor installed. Not compatible with Byrna CL, SD, EP, or HD models. The box of ten includes one CO2 cylinder with oil for simple maintenance. This is the correct 12g option for most current Byrna owners, and the included oiled cylinder gives you a maintenance step without buying a separate accessory.
Byrna 88g CO2 Cylinders: Byrna 88g CO2 cylinders are only compatible with the Byrna Mission-4 rifle. Each new cylinder is good for approximately 60 rounds, or about three Mission-4 19-round magazines at full speed. Punctured cartridges in the Mission-4 CO2 buttstock leak over time. Mission-4 owners should buy in pairs and plan to swap punctured cylinders rather than leaving them installed, or they lose pressure between sessions.
5ct 12 Gram CO2 Cylinders (Bundle Item): The 5-count 12g CO2 cylinder bundle is custom fit for the Byrna TCR, LE, CLXL, SDXL, HDXL, or launchers with the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor installed. Not compatible with Byrna CL, SD, EP, or HD models. A smaller 12g pack is a lower-commitment way to test fitment and keep a fresh cylinder in the launcher without buying a full ten-pack.

Who should buy which cylinder

Best for

Owners of the Byrna TCR, LE, CL-XL, SDXL, or HDXL who need 12g CO2 cylinders
Owners of a launcher with the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor installed
Mission-4 rifle owners who need 88g cylinders for approximately 60 rounds per cylinder

Not for

Owners of the Byrna CL, SD, EP, or HD models, which are not compatible with the 12g cylinders listed here
Anyone looking for 8g CO2 cylinders, which are not covered by the supplied Byrna fitment notes
Mission-4 owners trying to use 12g cylinders instead of the 88g cylinder the rifle requires

Check your launcher model first, then buy the cylinder count that matches how many rounds you actually shoot. If you are unsure whether your launcher has the Byrna Boost 12g adaptor installed, confirm that before ordering 12g cylinders.