Anybody Ever Fire a .357 in a SD Situation?

H

Homerboy

Moderator
I fired ONE round from a 357 many years ago with no hearing protection. Young and dumb and just wanted to get a feel for it if I ever needed to fire one in self defense. It was a 4" S&W 66 and the best way I can describe it was like an ice pick into the ear.

That was one of maybe 5 times in my life that I shot without ears on. I have no tinnitus and my hearing is excellent and I hope to keep it that way.

Now, I know some are gonna say "deaf is better than dead" and "you won't notice it with the adrenaline pumping", but for those who HAVE fired them without ears on in a SD situation, what was it like? Were you stunned by the blast? Deafened?

Just curious. I pack a 357 when I walk in the woods but have never used it.
 
I'm 57, never owned or used ear protection until I was in my late 20's. I fired thousands of rounds from numerous guns including lot of magnum revolver rounds. I had a CDL (commercial drivers license) and occasionally drove a bus as part of my job. That required a yearly physical including hearing tests. At age 30 I was told that my left ear (the one closest to the gun) had a very slight hearing loss, but my right ear was still perfect.

That was still the case up until about 4 years ago. My left ear is still exactly the same, but I lost 80-90% of my hearing in the right ear because of a rare medical condition. Not shooting or noise related.

I started wearing ear protection at some point in my late 20's while practicing, but never wore any while hunting and did occasionally fire handguns, including magnum's with no protection at targets of opportunity while hunting. Never had to fire in a SD situation.

I'd describe magnum revolvers blast without protection as uncomfortable and a big reason I prefer semi-auto's and rounds such as 9mm, 40 or 45. They are less uncomfortable, and every bit as effective as magnum revolver rounds.

On the other hand I'm aware of 2 cops who were forced to retire early after discharging their 357 mags in SD situations. They suffered enough hearing loss that they could no longer perform their job. They both had to fire inside enclosed areas (cars) and from unconventional positions with their gun very close to their head during a struggle with suspects.
 
Never a SD situation, but in the wide open out of doors with gun held gun in conventional method with arms extended, not so bad though I wouldn't recommend it regularly.

Indoors and how close walls, etc. are, very bad.

Even a .38 is no picnic indoors or any other gun for that matter.

How many remember the chase scene in the tight passageways of an aircraft carrier in Magnum Force? I love how the bad cops fire three-round strings of supposed .357 with no ill effects and still seem to be able to hear Eastwood running. :rolleyes:
 
I had to when I was in my mid 30's. Some guy was wasted and screaming and trying to force his way through my neighbor's front door (she was trying to hold it shut). I went outside and yelled, which he ignored. Then I fired a 357 round into the mud at the base of a tree and told him the next one was for him. He left in a hurry.

Now at 49 I have some hearing loss but don't know if it's related. My ears rang a bit at the time.
 
I have, but it was outside and it was against a mt loin that was charging my friend. I have shot lots of rounds without hearing protection and have lost about 30 % or more of my hearing.
Wish I had my hearing back, dam ringing and crickets suck.
 
Have fired a 357 in a semi-enclosed space ONCE. Felt like a physical
blow to both ears, they rang for days. No SD, just stupid and forgot
to flip my muffs down.

If you are truly in a SD situation---in immediate fear of serious injury
or death to yourself or others---fire away.

They can fix damaged hearing pretty well. Fixing death--not so much.
 
Anybody Ever Fire a .357 in a SD Situation?
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Once, years ago. Outside at nighttime in a fairly open area. Fired two rounds at a fleeing felon. Did not feel the recoil or hear anything, the only way I realized I had fired shots was the muzzle blast, that lit up the entire area.
 
I have tinnitus and hearing loss. We never wore hearing protection back in the late 60's through the 70's while hunting or target practice....paying for it now.

I once shot a rattle snake inside our hunting camp tool shed....ouch!
 
I have spoken with an LEO who fired a single shot of .357Mag in an armed, indoors encounter. Two shots (caliber unknown) were fired at the officer and the officer's partner from relatively close range. The officer reports that permanent hearing damage resulted from that encounter.

I fired an .357 on one occasion in indoor conditions without hearing protection. The results were significant and permanent hearing damage in one ear.
I thought hearing damage due to a loud noise is permanent and irreparable?
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There are some studies that indicate that if the person receives steroid treatment very soon after the noise exposure the hearing damage can be ameliorated or perhaps completely reversed. Outside that there is no treatment.
 
I've killed two dogs & a cat (injured from being hit by a car), fired a couple shots at a deer.

All out in the open, the sound levels were obviously loud, but hardly debilitating.
Indoors, in a more confined area, it'd be extremely unpleasant.
Denis
 
When I was a teenager, we used to routinely shoot 9mm and .45 ACPs without hearing protection. Not a great idea, but certainly not something that makes you feel as if you've just been hit with a 10 lb sledgehammer, which is exactly how I would describe the ONE time I shot a 6" barrel Model 19 .357 Mag outdoors with no protection. I literally saw colors in the horizon!!! :eek: Never did that again.

My primary carry is 9mm, but when using a revolver, its .38+P or a very mild .357 such as Golden Saber.
 
I would be willing to bet if you fired a 357 in a SD situation you would probably not even hear the blast because you would be preoccupied with other things. I know I shoot 2 3/4 and 3 inch 12 ga. buckshot with hearing protection and it is a lot louder than when I shoot at a deer without it :)
 
I am usually hardcore about hearing protection, sometimes to the annoyance of people who think they don't need it. Once, I was out with some friends blasting our "recyclables" off a little junk table in front of the burm. I walked about 100ft up the trail, away from the firing line, to greet another friend who just pulled up. I took off my muffs to say hello. I had my left side facing the range. My buddy down on the line popped a soup can with his 4" GP100. I don't know if it was a freak happenstance of acoustics but I still got the "ice pick in the ear" effect. My left ear only rang for a little while but it was enough to reinforce my position! :eek:
 
I fired my 357 Python many times out doors when I was in my 20's. I also shot 38's indoors and it was not pleasant without ear protectors. As for shooting 357 mags indoors, only if my life or my family was in imminent danger. I expect I'd lose my hearing(what little I have) but hopefully not my life.
 
You need to talk to the Texas DPS.

They have fired REAL .357 Magnums in defensive situations over the years.

And .357 Sigs to.

Never heard of one of them having their hearing damaged in a gunfight.

I would be willing to bet if you fired a 357 in a SD situation you would probably not even hear the blast because you would be preoccupied with other things.
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True. I've shot many deer in my life and all I can remember is a few times a muffled report. My mind was busy with buck fever and trying to make a good shot.

Deaf
 
I'm usually pretty good about using hearing protection. Once, 40 years ago, an idiot friend of mine fired a .357 out the window of a car at a rabbit. It hurt and, it may have caused a little hearing loss in one ear.

I worked alot of indoor rock concerts, usually wore ear plugs if I was anywhere near the stage.

Now, 30 years of sirens, radios, thunder flashes and occasional impromptu gunfire, my hearing is getting pretty tore up.
 
I once had a malfunction with my .357 stoked with full power 125 grain rounds, where I accidentally drank a six pack of beer and pulled the trigger on my revolver due to the overly light dangerous factory single action hair trigger on the gun. Totally the guns fault, obviously. ;)

But really, I did shoot through my neighbors wall with said gun and load. I had earbuds in... I guess it did well to protect my hearing as I haven't had any issues since.

I've blocked out most of the experience though... I remember hearing what sounded like a thunderclap in my apartment, but was so stunned I didn't believe it was my gun going off. Just a totally mortifying experience... but luckily I didn't have any hearing issues, and luckily didn't blow my neighbors face off. :eek:
 
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