Name: Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen, 5.59" Length, Aluminum Body
Brand: Gerber
SKU: GE31001880
Price: 41.86 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 3.6 (26 reviews)

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen, 5.59" Length, Aluminum Body

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen

Gerber

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Public Safety

Law Enforcement & EMS Accessories

Gerber Law Enforcement & EMS Accessories

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen 

48% Off: Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen, 5.59" Length, Aluminum Body Buy now & save $39. Type: Tactical Pens

Have had several of these pens either keep losing them , or they break. The biggest problem with them is when dropped either the clicker stops working or if dropped on the writing tip it's over it won't write anymore. I know everyone eventually will drop the pen sooner or later, but maybe if it was made heavier on the clicker end that end would hit the ground first saving the expensive ink cartridge. Also would be great if the pen would come with an extra tip without the glass breaker on it for those of us that are not in need of a glass breaker. Love the pen though, haven't found a better, heavy duty pen yet.

SWCC Operator

Great overall pen but when I wear two of them in my military uniform, my sleeve gets a bit heavy (fyi they make us have two matching pens). I would give 5 stars but the weight should be reduced in the design so military personnel don't have sagging sleeves. Love the great work keep it up guys!!!!

I bought the Impromptu 6 months ago and was really pleased with it, sometimes I noticed the push button was getting loose and just needed to tighten it, unfortunately last week I found out that the push button fell away while having the pen clipped to my pocket, rendering it useless.

Lost push button

I really liked this pen. The heft was nice and it felt good in the hand. Unfortunately, after traveling thru 4 different airports, the 5th decided that it was a dangerous item and not allowed as carry-on. In closing, pen was nice and TSA sucks.

Absolutely loved this pen.

I have carried this pen on duty as a law enforcement officer and now as a technician. I purchased the pen in 2013 and have carried it daily. The finish has worn off and I have replaced the ink cartridge countless times. I have extracted victims from vehicles utilizing the glass break and it performs flawlessly. The clicker mechanism sucks. It has sucked since I first purchased it and still only works 40 percent of the time. It's disappointing and frustrating but past that I love the pen. Hopefully Gerber will be able to correct this flaw in design. If they do I'll buy the "2.0" version.

@tactical_beard_1225

Agree with Robert, had this pen in my backpack and was told at the TSA security checkpoint it is not authorized for carry on. Great pen that I have used around the world?.really disappointed it was taken.

Great idea but TSA insists it's something else and will make you put in checked luggage so not worth it

Your Title

The Impromptu Tactical Pen seems designed for abuse. Even the internals of the click mechanism are metal and the removable pocket clip has indents in the pen body to position it and keep it from rotating. Comfortable to write with and balanced well. No problems writing with gloves on and clicks every time without missing a beat! Rite in the Rain ink cartridge is a definite plus as well.

Law Enforcement Officer

First off, I'm comparing my benchmade to the Gerber. Gerber comes with write in the rain ink but you can swap it out with the Fisher space cartridges standard on benchmade. Both are weighty pens. I did like the location of the glass breaker on my bench but here's the truth the cap was clumsy and rattled on the other end. Push button rocks. Price rocks. If your into flash go with the benchmade if your actually going to EDC your pen go with the Gerber. Like I said I use a Fisher cartridge and have had no problem with the clicker. One suggestion I did use loctite on the clip screw put not on the point of the pen. Enjoy and save yourself a hundred bucks. Good job Gerber.

Best Tactical Pen Period

I carried this pen on patrol for close to two years before the pocket clip broke. This pen was dropped, thrown, kicked, stepped on, and otherwise treated poorly. When pen tip failed to retract, a reopening of the pen tip opening fixed the issue. The pen is easy to write with despite the glass breaker location.

Officer

Pen was great until the clicking mechanism stopped working.. I used lubrication/grease to see if it will loosen up but it just failed to the point where the pen tip won't retract back into the pen.. and the metal clip broke off..

Im a contractor and have never had a pen for more that a week before I broke or I lost it. I have had this pen for two years no issues at all except the pocket clip. No issues at all with the spring it has worked flawlessly in pretty harsh conditions. It is heavy and anytime someone borrows it to write something they remark about the quality, It is one of the only tactical pens I have owned that functions in both rolls perfectly. I bought a spare just in case because it is the only thing I carry every day besides my wallet and phone. Someone once asked for a pen and several people offered to loan one and after using mine by chance the guy held it up looked at everyone recited the old line from Crocidile dundee and (substituting pen for knife ) said thats not a pen mate , this is a pen.

This pen really great except for the fact that the clicker only works when it wants to. It often gets stuck in the down position and has to be disassembled it to fix the issue.

Disappointed

I've had this pen since 2014 and it's still going strong. (except for the pocket clip that I just broke which I'll be getting replaced soon) I've used this everywhere from in the office to various field projects. I noticed at one point the pen was sticking but that was because I dropped it on its tip and the metal bent in slightly. All it took was a little file and the issue was gone. My only complaint is the Rite-in-the-Rain ink cartridge is only ok. I've used R-i-t-R brand for years now and I've never liked the way they write - not always very smooth. But it is nice to have when the weather is a factor. Overall - this is a great pen and I love the way it looks now that it is worn and beaten up from use. I get lots of compliments on it.

Geologist

Like many others, this is a great pen with great weight and versatility. But, within months the clicker stopped working and now it's a paper weight! Not sure what to do with It now? I would love to have one that works.

Great Pen, Didn't Last Long

good at first until the click mechanism wore out, gerber will not respond or honor their warranty, if the pens had interchangable or replacement parts would be great,so many people have negative feedback on the clicker, Gerber should listen to its customers, because they are the ones who made the company as it is.

Crane technician

3 years of daily use. From below freezing to over 100 degree days, in the rain, dropped in the dirt, sand, wet concrete, and off bridges this pen has kept going without issue.

Construction Inspector

Solid build, no issues with the retractable cartridge, but wow this thing is closer to 4oz then it is 1.2 as it is described, not a good choice if you have alot to write.

Love the pen.. but dang it's heavy

Bought 3 total pens so far. 1st perfect. 2nd sorta ok. 3rd does not really work. Will try the warranty but would love a better quality pen for the price?

Corrections Officer

As with many others on this review, the pen clicker has failed, almost immediately on opening, it never, ever worked. I contacted Gerber and they didn't have the decency to reply. Poor workmanship and crap customer care. I was going to buy a selection of knives from them, but if they're as bad as these pens, forget it

Awesome pen, because of the steel body it is heavy, but im used it now. Writes smooth. I wish the glass breaker was tungsten carbide glass-breaker and dlc coating. Other than that, its a great edc pen.

Love it

Not allowed to carry firearms in my job, so any defensive advantage makes me feel a little better prepared. I whipped this pen around like a Chinese broad-sword when I got it, and it still writes beautifully! Have not had the opportunity to break a windshield yet, hopefully one will present itself. No, you may not borrow my pen!

Computer Field Technician

One of the best tactical pen! But if make the glass-breaker tip from tungsten carbide it's would be best of the best !

from Ukraine

I want to love this pen. In every way but one, it is an amazing tactical pen. I love it's more traditional width, as it isn't abnormally wide like most tac pens. This makes it look less obvious and less bulky in the pocket. I really love the glass-breaker protrusion on the end as well: gives me confidence it will be very painful if needed to defend myself. In principle, I love the click-open design, as I loath pens with caps, and this was the primary reason I bought this pen. However, this is simultaneously the pens fatal flaw. My first pen came malfunctioning right out of the box. It would not consistently click-closed, and took multiple tries, as well as some twisting on occasion. I immediately returned it, and felt temporarily relieved when the replacement did not do the same right out of the box. However, by the end of the day, it too was having troubles clicking closed. I don't care how awesome the rest of the pen is, if it's going to cause me frustration every time I close it, it isn't a good pen. I'm very, very disappointed in my experience with this pen, and it is with great sadness and irritation that I prepare to return the second one, as I was really, desperately, wanted to love this pen!

Two duds in a row doesn't inspire confidence!

The pen is great. I only buy American for my tactical EDC gear and this pen fits the bill. I also use a few Fisher Space Pens (i.e. matte black Bullet with clip and black Trekker) as they are smaller and much easier to EDC with a small black Rite in the Rain notebook like the 771FX-M or 754. I wish Gerber would make a second model of the Impromptu that looks exactly the same as the current, but is a bit shorter - like 4" overall length as opposed to the current 5.5". I would even be ok with losing the glass breaker and having a smaller refill if necessary to shorten it. Then it would be absolutely perfect and would be my pen for life.

Tactical Botanist

As the NAVY can't operate without paperwork, having a pen on hand at all times is part of my job description. I see a lot of comments about the push button; I've had mine about a year and use it daily without any issues. Ink replacements are Rite in the Rain Item number 37R for black ink. Everyone who I have let use it loves the feel of it, too.