Sugestion for ear protection for the range

BernieP · BernieP's Garage

I need a recommendation for something when I go to the range. I shoot hand spoons and currently use the earplug inserts but find them uncomfortable. What are the alternatives.

Thanks,
Bernie P

foxpaws · foxpaws's Garage

I got some sound canceling muffs at Harbor Freight for like $15 bucks or so - they are battery powered - and they work great. You can hear conversations - but the sound of the shots sort of just fade away - I think they work only on certain frequencies. And if it is really loud at the range (like the guy next to you is dumping a full mag) you can put plugs on under the muffs and then it really blocks everything out.

stomachmonkey · 03-04-2011, 06:58 AM

I use earplugs and muffs at the same time.

sammyg2 · 03-04-2011, 07:00 AM

I just bought about $1000 worth of ear muffs from mcmaster carr this week for my machinists, low tech but have an NNR of 27. that's pretty good, better than ear plugs would give ya.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Call your local hearing aide places and see if they do custom fit ear plugs. Mine were $25 and worth every penny

ODDJOB UNO · ODDJOB UNO's Garage

you know over the years of being around turbine engines/APU's/prop jobs/GUNFIRE/race cars/dirty bikes....................................its a SURE DISASTER in the making if ya dont have yer "ears" on.

i have used them all. from mil-spec, to OSHA, blah blah.

butt cha know what?????????????

my buddy came over and turned me on to some "noise canceling" muffys that are the "KATZ AZZ!"

picked 'em at cabelas. and LIFE IS GOOD!

now what proves this fact....................is going to the washingtons b-day 1000yd MATCH for 2 days populated by over 200 really really LOUD FREEKING BIG BORE SERVICE RIFLES!

whats really nice...............is i can turn them up and HEAR MY NEIGHBORS TALKING a 100yds away. perfect for hunting. hell you can hear a PIN DROP!

way coooool and they were like $75 bucks.

jeffgrant · 03-04-2011, 07:24 AM

I'm a big fan of the Peltor Tactical. Use them shooting IPSC, and they're awesome. Protect you from the noise, but also let you hear ambient when no shots being fired. You forget you're wearing them, really.

http://peltorcomms.3m.com/Americas/Product.asp?PageNumber=1018&ProductCategory_Id=97&Product_Id=189

masraum · 07:35 AM

I bought a set of cheap Winchester SXT shooting muffs, 26dB, at Walmart for around $20. They seem to work really well. Heck, I even use them when I'm using some of my louder power tools too.

Jeff Higgins · 03-04-2011, 07:37 AM

I just grab a couple of cigarette butts out of the ash tray on the way in.

id10t · 03-04-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I just grab a couple of cigarette butts out of the ash tray on the way in.

I know a guy who will use 45 cases...

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

When I was at SHOT a few weeks ago, several ear plug manufacturers were giving away all the samples you could carry. I got a lot. I always wear plug and muffs at an indoor range or outdoors when shooting rifles. Plugs will suffice for handguns outdoors. Two weeks ago at an indoor range the guy next to me rented four machine guns and it was just obnoxiously loud, even with plugs and muffs.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I bought a cheap pair of Beretta branded earmuffs a few years ago and they are adjustable, comfortable and effective.

BlueSkyJaunte · 03-04-2011, 08:15 AM

I have weird-shaped ear canals, so I have problems with off-the rack ear plugs. Muffs just get too swampy for me. I have a set of custom-molded ear plugs that I've been very happy with. I think they ran me $50 or so.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

My ears were damaged during my time in the desert from '90-'91. I had earplugs in and I didn't hear the "incoming enemy aircraft, this is not a drill" announcement and I almost paid the ultimate price for that screw-up! Now, I protect my ears as much as I can. My wife lost the hearing in one of her ears, so I really appreciate the hearing that I have left and want to keep it!

Jeff Higgins · 03-04-2011, 08:28 AM

I like muffs just because they are so easy to put on and take off. I hate taking out wax-covered ear plugs during cease fires, and running out of new, clean ones when the cease fire is over.

tabs · 03-04-2011, 08:40 AM

Ehhhhhhhhhh...What didja Say????????

Muff Baby Muff to keep your ears nice an toasty....I mean quite...

Few years back late at the Shot Show on of the Vendors was giving away Ear Muffs and Shooting Glasses FOR FREE so I grabbed about 3 pairs of Muff and a coupla pairs of glasses..guy was a bit ticked I was taking so much...Now if I could only get the Perrazi, Pilotti, Knights or Noveske guys to give some of their samples away...

Rikao4 · 03-04-2011, 08:58 AM

yrs of under the rotors..
left me..
as the flight surgeon put it..
almost deaf..
at the range I just turn off the aids..
voila...deaf ,dumb..not yet blind..

Rika

kidding...keeping what I got left..
muffs for me..

Tim Hancock · 03-04-2011, 09:01 AM

I presently just use these cheapo Caldwell electronic muffs for IDPA. When doing bullseye type indoor shooting I use foam plugs under them also.

Caldwell E-MAX Low Profile Electronic Earmuffs (NRR 23dB) Green - MidwayUSA

peppy · 03-04-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikao4

yrs of under the rotors..
left me..
as the flight surgeon put it..
almost deaf..
at the range I just turn off the aids..
voila...deaf ,dumb..not yet blind..

Rika

kidding...keeping what I got left..
muffs for me..

My sons hearing aids cut out at certain levels, but the audiologist said they were not hearing protection. He still needs hearing protection to preserve what he has left.

scottmandue · 03-04-2011, 09:28 AM

I picked up highest rated (db) muffs I could find at Big5... work good at the range and the NASCAR race also but got uncomfortable after a few hours (not a problem at the range cuz I'm not there that long.

Would really like a set of the electronic ones... you guys got some Brand names and model numbers?