Ear protection during range practice

[nelson6603]

On the shooting range, do the electronic ear protectors really work better? I have a pair of Peltors (ultimate 10's non electronic)and they seem to drown out things out a bit too much?

What do you folks normally wear Electronic or non-E? What about the range master? I assume they must wear E for better person to person instructuions, etc.

[Olsson]

Just speaking for myself, I still use just plain old roll-em-up-and-stick-em-in ear disposable plugs for handgun and small rifle shooting, going to muffs for the really big stuff like the 300 win mag. The muffs protect the small bones in the ear with the big stuff. Never had any problem hearing what I need to hear on the range either way. I'm interested in what others here think.

[PBR549xxx]

I've mostly used the triple flange rubber ear plugs that I was issued.

[Bravo_One_Three]

I lost a significant amount of my hearing in my left ear by relying on those yellow ear plugs that are issued at the range... not because they were inadequate, but because they got so uncomfortable after about a half hour that I would take them out.

I like the electronic hearing protectors. I can hear my friends talking but the weapons report is minimized. As a matter of fact, I can turn up the volume in my left ear and hear conversational speach better than I can without the damn things!

[whodo32]

Originally posted by Bravo_One_Three
I can hear my friends talking but the weapons report is minimized. As a matter of fact, I can turn up the volume in my left ear and hear conversational speach better than I can without the damn things!

I ocassionally bring the electronic protection as well. I use a pair of Peltor Tactical 6 muffs. I enjoy hearing the conversation going on several seats away.

The first time I took a CETME to the range was the first time I shot a rifle with a muzzle break. A fellow, with standard hearing protection, was half-snoozing about 3 stations to my right. Others were shooting under the roof, one right next to him. I could see him, out of the corner of my eye, lift & turn his head and look at me after my second shot. Then I could hear some others, about 5 stations down, commenting on the muzzle blast from "that rifle".:D It was also good to listen in on some of their political discussion that afternoon.

On another occassion with the CETME & the electronic hearing protection, I lined up about 10 yards to the right of some guys with AK's. After I fired, I could hear them saying that I would be "unable to get good & quick follow up shots". After I fired a few rounds in rapid succession, making a plastic bucket hop around 125 yards down range, their conversation got amusing.:cool:

So far, I've not heard anyone say anything to the effect of either "that boy can shoot", or "what a pathetic excuse for a rifleman," but the jury is out on that. ;)

My main reason for having them is for use in the home. I keep them next to my pistol at my bedside. If I thought I had an intruder and I had the time, I'd put them on. They enhance my hearing, and would allow me to hear what's going on after discharging a weapon indoors. I especially want to hear if my wife or kids are calling, or if someone else is entering the situation.

whodo32

[nelson6603]

I will invest the money on a set of Peltor Tactical 7's eventually, but for now I'm going to stick with the small yellow rubber ear protectors.

The electronics are nice, but expensive, then again so are "hearing aids", when I'm in my late 20's........way to young to lose the hearing!

[Alex F]

The problem I've had with the ear muffs was mainly in the summer... they get hot. Also, they're a bitch to wear under a helmet unless you get the ones that go around the back of your head...

So, stick to plugs for standard light caliber stuff and leave them in.

:)
Alex

[DCH]

The following were excerps taken from another forum, discussing eyes and ear protection;

"Earlier this year i had an M4A1 delaminate in my hand. A sub-sonic round (Engall) was apparently stuck in the barrel. I didn't realize it, and fired an M855 Ball.
The upper receiver shattered into 3 pieces, the bolt carrier peeled back like a banana, and it made a very loud noise. Very loud.
Doc viewed the gun the next day, as did Dwyer.
The glasses absorbed various pieces of fragmentation without breaking- as per ANSI Z87.1.
I am satisfied with them. Very satsisfied."


For safety's sake, go with ear muffs as they do afford a bit more protection than foam plugs- not just from decibals but the occasional cast aluminum meteorites!

DCH

[adambalhetchet]

Would those electronic hearing protection be suitable for use in actual missions/operations under the MICH helmet?

[whodo32]

Originally posted by nelson6603
I will invest the money on a set of Peltor Tactical 7's eventually, but for now I'm going to stick with the small yellow rubber ear protectors.

The electronics are nice, but expensive, then again so are "hearing aids", when I'm in my late 20's........way to young to lose the hearing!

The Peltor Tactical 7's appear to be "thicker" than the Tactical 6's. This is no problem with handguns, but can get in the way of your usual cheek to stock weld more than the T6's.

whodo32

[Paule]

The Peltor Comtac muffs will fit under helmets and have a decent cutaway for rifle stocks. At a nominal db reduction of 25-26 they are better than most muffs at attenuation. For the bigger reports, "double plug", use earplugs and electronic muffs, then turn the muffs up to where you can still hear conversation, etc.

[Nightmare]

What's the price on one of those Peltor Comtacs ?

[TheBigC]

The Peltor ComTac cost about $450 at a bunch of different vendors. They are phenomenal when used with out a helmet and/or when connected to a radio. Once you put on a helmet, well they are a bit awkward, but manageable. Overall if you can afford them I would highly recommend them.

[Amato]

I have a pair of Tactical 6's, they are good, but I'd like ones that stay one even when firing and just block out the gun fire. Mine just cut out when there is a loud noise, and then come back on when it goes away. I think the 7's or something just block out the frequency of loud noises, but not sure.

[Tabasco]

I bought my Peltor ComTac's from Botach (I know, I know) for around $200.00, one of the best investments I've ever made. That post that DCH mentioned regarding the M4 Kaboom inspired me to go buy a couple of pairs of Oakley (the glasses mentioned) shades. Another good buy. I got the XX's (twenties) and a pair of Straight Jackets for around $100.00 a pair at a local sunglasses shop.

[fokket]

just whatever was around in the range... Which were
mostly good ole British issue Peltors (none of that electric stuff just plain)..

as for the COMTACs, try lightfighter.com

[Bravo_One_Three]

Old threads anyone?

I was out at the range yesterday, firing up a couple of mid and large caliber rifles with some friends. I can't tell you how many morons were out there with NO HEARING PROTECTION AT ALL!

45-70's, .308's, .300's and .338's going off left and right, and these jackholes are standing there with thier fingers in thier ears when they aren't shooting.

Sooner or later they are going to be paying for that kind of stupidity.

[GackMan]

i like the good old "stuff a couple spent 9mm cases in your ear, you'll be fine."

:rolleyes:

dude is out at a gravel pit shooting from the bed of his pick-up truck... 2 little ones in tow.... not an eye or ear in sight. I get a little closer, he's shooting a freaking jennings. begging for that thing to explode.

[Snowball]

If you look at the NRR (noise reduction rating) you will see the little roll-ups beat everything else hands down (33dB v. 23-26). Plus, you can wear them with anything, sun hats, sweat bands, helmets, Lapuas, Weatherbys, ... you get the idea. I only use the Peltor 6 for use as RO so I can hear what the shooters are saying. I figure that if something goes south, I will have a better chance of hearing that. For really loud or sustained firing, double up with roll-ups inside muffs.

For those who care, EAR, inc. has some pretty good electronic "in the ear" ones which are two way capable. http://www.earinc.com/p1-electronic-law.php

[smith308]

Peltor Tac 6 for both handguns , shotguns 7 rifle.

An added advantage is that I keep them on the bedside table. I ain't into house clearing, but for those things that go bump in the night, they greatly increase your hearing ability.