BEST "mid/ lower' priced ear protection, (not ear plugs, please?

D

daddySEAL

New member
Where/who makes the best "over the head" type "lower/mid priced" quality ear
protectors for range shooting with larger caliber pistols, please?
 
you should probably define "mid/lower priced". It means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For me, my ears are important so $50 isn't outrageous. Others don't want to spend $20.
 
Personally, I think it's false economy to go cheap on ear or eye protection considering the value of what you are protecting - but we each have our priorities.

I ran across a recent thread on one of the forums criticizing doctors because they couldn't do anything to restore his hearing loss from long term shooting. Who's really to blame???

Doctors practice medicine and most of us never claim to walk on water or restore something a patient has lost because proper protection wasn't used. We do the best we can but are unable to perform miracles. When I see anyone wanting to cut costs there, who's to blame if the hearing diminishes?

We invest big bucks in the guns we shoot and the ammo we shoot in them. Why not spend enough to get good protection for eyes and ears??
 
I reccomend either the Peltor line of muffs or the Pro-Ears line of muffs.

For the Peltors look for the "Ultimate 10" which has a NRR rating of 29 or the "HA10" which has a NRR of either 30 or 31 (can't recall exactly).

The Pro-Ears has a muff rated at 31 NRR. I can't recall the specific model name.

The Peltors are easier to find, in my experience. The big sporting goods chain stores, such as Gander Mountain, etc, tend to carry the "Ultimate 10." I've seen the Pro-Ears at a few places locally as well. The Peltors are usually a few dollars less expensive. $15 to $25 instead of $20 to $30, for example.

You can increase the effectiveness of any hearing protection by "doubling up" with both plugs and muffs. Wear the highest rated plugs you can find, usually 28 NRR or so, and then put the highest rated muffs you can find on top of them. To figure the protection, take the highest rated of the two and add an additional 5 DB of reduction for the other. That's significantly better then either one alone.

Wearing plugs underneath muffs also protects you from unexpected shots. I keep my plugs in even when the line is "cold" and no one is supposed to be shooting. More then once I've been surprised by another shooter firing when I've had my muffs off. Having the plugs in then is a real ear-saver.
 
Peltor Ultimate 10

or

Whatever the Howard Leight model is that's rated around 31 db.

I have 2 pairs of the U-10 muffs and they work, and they're comfortable. About $20 when I got mine.

I do, however, use Remington plugs under them because I ruined my hearing shooting in the '50s and '60s without protection.

John
 
When I am shooting pistols where cheek weld is not an issue I use these.

I think they were $30

10627.jpg
 
I know you aren't interested in ear plugs, but I recently bght some with a
rating of 32. I think the best are 33 and I can use them with my hi power M1 Garand.
 
Yes; I have the Bilsom Thunder T3 Earmuff (NRR 30). They are very comfortable and seem durable so far. You can buy them for about $20ish.

I do sometimes wonder if NRR 30 is even enough for long term use, though. It lowers the report of the weapon to comfortable levels, but GUNS ARE LOUD!
 
I have the same remington-branded muffs shown above. I think they are rated at 31-31 db, and were about $30. Very effective even at a crowded indoor range, and comfortable.
 
Even though you don't want to hear it, my and other ear doctors say that adequate hearing protection comes from muffs AND ear plugs.
 
I always double up with centerfire rifles, shotguns and handguns...

I want to be able to hear my wife nagging me when I am 90 years old...LOL

for .22s I use just the muffs.
 
Peltor Ultimate 10

I'll have to affirm the previous recommendations about the Peltor Ultimate 10.

They're $30, they provide 30NRR dB reduction rating, they're lightweight and comfortable. If you throw on some foam in-the-ear disposable plugs underneath them, you'll have your hearing for a long time. AFAIK, they have the highest NRR out there of all the current headsets.

Frankly, don't skimp on (1) hearing protection and (2) eye protection. You can't get either of them back once you lose them, and for $30, there's no excuse not to use the best.

I got mine at Bass Pro, but you can find them online for a little less.

Regards,
~V
 
The Bilsom Leightning L3 Ear Muffs can be had for less than $20 on the internet ($30 in retail stores) and have an NRR of 30. They are nice and comfortable muffs too.

Edit: Ah I see someone mentioned them above, missed that.
 
thanks everyone.

Sorry about the way I phrased that about pricing.
I'm looking for the best I can get for $100 or less(which should be quite a few, I'd geuss) Hearing is very important.
How foolhearty and stupid would I be if I spent thousands on handguns, and reloading supplies...if i "cheapo'd" out on safety and went deal losing my hearing. I may not be the hottest bullet in the box, but I'm no dud, either...Ha!

For one thing, is there a decible silencing rating that would tell me which ones are most effecting when I go to buy?
Is that what "NRR" means?.....what is range is available in that scale(10 to 50?)

Please let me know guys.....THAT silence rating is the key to my purchace(comfort is good, but ear protection is the thing)!

I mainly want the best for my daughter and fiance(my sons also!
(along with just good ones for this old sea dog)
thanks
 
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