noise/blast in a defensive situation.
- Thread starter wogpotter
- Start date
lee n. field
New member
It is possible to know how loud that is, without having experienced it.
Facetiously, it's "Awful darn loud".
A mental effect (not noticing the sound) will not protect from physical harm.
What you'll be experiencing afterwards, "auditory exclusion" or not, is hearing loss. Actions have consequences.
I don't buy into the auditory exclusion idea, at least it doesn't happen to everyone. I've shot a couple times hunting without ear protection and was instantly aware of severe pain from the shot each time. I lost noticeable hearing from one shot from a 338 shooting a deer once. It may work for some, but it doesnt seem to work for me. Thats one major reason I won't use a 357 for much other than plinking. The 44 with medium or even full power loads is much less sharp, though I still carry ear plugs in my pockets at all times, and use them when making a shot hunting. If I can't get the ear plugs in, I wont take the shot, no game animal is worth losing any more hearing over. I dislike muzzle widgets for that reason, way too much noise is reflected back.
I fired off a .44 magnum revolver once outdoors without hearing protection. I could barely hear for an hour and the ringing took a couple of days to settle down. I sold that gun shortly thereafter to a friend. I regret the sale because it was a beautiful, deep blue Model 29 6.5" purchased new in 1979 that would be a nice collectors item if I had kept it, but it was too much gun for me and I never would have shot it.
That was in my 20s and here 30+ years later I still get some tinnitus, which may be unrelated, but you never know. I wouldn't risk it.
I also haven't shot myself intentionally to practice how I would react after being shot. Some things you hope you never need to learn.
That was in my 20s and here 30+ years later I still get some tinnitus, which may be unrelated, but you never know. I wouldn't risk it.
I also haven't shot myself intentionally to practice how I would react after being shot. Some things you hope you never need to learn.
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Stevie-Ray
New member
If you're lucky, you'll experience auditory exclusion, and you'll have one less thing to worry about. I wouldn't count on it though, even though I would definitely save my life first and worry about hearing later. Given enough time, such as a simple bump in the night, I'll don my E-muffs, as they improve my hearing.
warningshot
New member
Indoor decibel handgun report levels...
I read something about some guy with a Ruger or S&W .357 letting lose with a ND in a hotel room recently. That wasn't you was it? Should that be the real queston here don't worry. The answer is yes! Everyone did hear it.
I read something about some guy with a Ruger or S&W .357 letting lose with a ND in a hotel room recently. That wasn't you was it? Should that be the real queston here don't worry. The answer is yes! Everyone did hear it.
FloridaVeteran
New member
I agree with Daggitt, that the pitch (frequency) is what causes the most damage. Almost all externally caused hearing loss begins at the highest frequencies, AFAIK. Presumably that is because the hairs that pick up those frequencies are smaller or else it is the ends of them that pick it up or whatever.
In handguns, .357 Magnum and .327 Magnum I won't carry because I would not want to fire them inside a closed space. That sharp crack would wipe out what's left of my hearing. While a .45 might be, or seem to be, as loud in decibels, I think that the frequencies at which those decibels occur matter most. I'm not an audiologist or expert in this stuff, but I've observed a lot of hearing loss and experience enough to form these views by deduction.
In handguns, .357 Magnum and .327 Magnum I won't carry because I would not want to fire them inside a closed space. That sharp crack would wipe out what's left of my hearing. While a .45 might be, or seem to be, as loud in decibels, I think that the frequencies at which those decibels occur matter most. I'm not an audiologist or expert in this stuff, but I've observed a lot of hearing loss and experience enough to form these views by deduction.
I agree on the barrel length part of the equation, tho there's the balance between carryabilty and shootability. I dont carry concealed for the most part, so the shorter than 4" barrels don't appeal to me, though I do belt carry, and the over 4" barrels dont appeal much either because of the shear handiness of a 4" belt gun for day in day out carry.
I had a 2 1/2" Smith 19 years ago, it was absolutely hideous to shoot with factory magnum loads. I sold it because I hated to shoot it with magnum loads, and would have never been able to shoot it in a bad situation without extreme hesitation about the muzzle blast. I ended up carrying +p 38 loads in it and grumbled about the weight and size. If I wanted a 38, I could have one that was smaller and lighter, so sold the 19.
A 6" 357 till has a very sharp pitched report compared to even a 4" 44 though.
Dragline45
New member
While I agree that typically the shorter the barrel the louder the noise, but even out of a 6" barrel the .357 is still louder compared to a .45 or 9mm out of a 3" barrel. Also want to throw out there that revolvers are louder than semi's because of the cylinder gap, add in any walls to your left or right and the noise from that cylinder gap is coming right back at you, more so than from the muzzle. There is a reason my left ear still rings and my right doesn't.
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I shot a 357 magnum while hunting w/o hearing protection and it hurt. Ringing and headache after the fact. I've had to use a firearm in self defense three times, (pistol and 5.56mm,) and I never was bothered by the noise nor did I have any ringing or other after effects. I'm not saying it didn't do damage but there was nothing at the time and it was completely different then the hunting incident.
warningshot
New member
Speaking of 30.06 noise
Have 1952 Korean photo of a dozen GI's on the firing line proned-out with a M1 Garands; No ear or eye protection for them.
"If the music is too loud you're too old" so says their kids & grandkids.
Huh, you said this mattress is from Palm Springs? Speak-up.
Have 1952 Korean photo of a dozen GI's on the firing line proned-out with a M1 Garands; No ear or eye protection for them.
"If the music is too loud you're too old" so says their kids & grandkids. Huh, you said this mattress is from Palm Springs? Speak-up.
Shooting without protection will be very loud and you will permanently damage your eardrums even if it "doesn't bother you" and you can't even remember hearing the noise afterwards.. I worked around jet engines and gunfire most of my life and I have watched many guys lose their hearing because they simply didn't believe it was harmful. We had hearing tests monthly and you could watch your hearing fall off plotted on a graph. Take good care of your eyes and ears. They have to last a long time. And having your ears ring 24/7 REALLY REALLY sucks.
Chuckusaret
Moderator
Yes I have fired my weapon many, many times within a closed area almost daily for several years but not under any of the conditions you provided. Did it effect my hearing? What did you say, according to my wife are my most used words. Yes, I have a 40% hearing loss. The military claims it was caused by gun fire and/or the engine/transmission noise while flying gunner on a good old Huey in Vietnam. In the heat of battle I did not hear the noise are the smell, only after it was all over. Many vets that I know not only lost a % of their hearing they also now have a constant ringing in their ears. Bottom line, wear hearing protection.
North East Redneck
New member
Used to shoot .22 and Black Powder guns outside without hearing protection. Even some cartridge hand guns, .357, .38, .40. Fired the AR (5.56) without hearing protection once, just one round. That was enough.
Don't do that anymore
. In fact I always use eye and ear protection now. Guess I had to learn the hard way. 
If I ever have to fire a defensive round inside, hearing will be at the bottom of the list of my worries.
Don't do that anymore
. In fact I always use eye and ear protection now. Guess I had to learn the hard way. If I ever have to fire a defensive round inside, hearing will be at the bottom of the list of my worries.