I am a new shooter and am really bothered by the noise, to the point where I don't like to be at the range if there are other people shooting. Any suggestions? I double up on east protection and, weirdly enough, I don't think I flinch when I'm shooting. I really enjoy shooting and want to get past this...
Noise!!!
- Thread starter RC5129
- Start date
Cheapshooter
New member
What do you use for hearing protection?
I use electronic muffs, and have no problem. They don't even have to be the expensive ones to work well. Mine are Caldwell E-Max from Midway.Got them on sale for something around twenty bucks. They work great, and I shoot some really loud guns.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2135416662/caldwell-e-max-low-profile-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-23db
I use electronic muffs, and have no problem. They don't even have to be the expensive ones to work well. Mine are Caldwell E-Max from Midway.Got them on sale for something around twenty bucks. They work great, and I shoot some really loud guns.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2135416662/caldwell-e-max-low-profile-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-23db
nightowl64
Inactive
I am a long time shooter and don't like the noise either...I prefer plugs over muffs...muffs make my outer ears sore after a while...I put plugs in deep enough that the noise is very dampened. If the blast is uncomfortable, they are not inserted deep enough (mind your eardrum however..also stay away from .50 rifles, they put out an impressive shock wave)
Don't use a cheap-o pair of ear muffs --- double-up with ear plugs. Have the arms of the safety glasses positioned so that they are not inside the ear muff, but pointed more vertically outside or inside the head band of the muffs.
Make sure that you are not in front of any other shooter's muzzles while standing on either side --- left or right --- of the muzzle. At our range...all muzzles must be over the firing line while in the act of shooting. If the shooter is to far back from the firing line {front edge of the concrete firing pad,} you'll be subject to more muzzle blast noise and concussion. Tell the offending shooter to please move his table or body further towards the firing line. I usually offer to help him move the shooting table.
Make sure that you are not in front of any other shooter's muzzles while standing on either side --- left or right --- of the muzzle. At our range...all muzzles must be over the firing line while in the act of shooting. If the shooter is to far back from the firing line {front edge of the concrete firing pad,} you'll be subject to more muzzle blast noise and concussion. Tell the offending shooter to please move his table or body further towards the firing line. I usually offer to help him move the shooting table.
g.willikers
New member
You sound like my wife.
When someone shows up at the range with anything nosier than a .38 she retires to the car and reads a book until they leave.
These days, with the shortages and high cost of ammo, that's not usually a very long wait.
When someone shows up at the range with anything nosier than a .38 she retires to the car and reads a book until they leave.
These days, with the shortages and high cost of ammo, that's not usually a very long wait.
Shadi Khalil
New member
Noise is part and parcel to the shooting game. If you really want to enjoy the sport and learn to shoot properly, you'll just have to get over it.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
Buy some custom earplugs like these from EarInc - and then use -30 dB earmuffs over those.
You'd be hard pressed to hear anything short of a hand grenade going off next to you.
I use the molded plugs for shooting rifles and trap as they don't interfere with the cheek weld on the stock. For handguns I use Peltor Tactical Pro electronic muffs so I can easily hear range commands.
Look for muffs rated -28 to -30 dB. Many are rated -19 to -22 dB which, for you, will probably not provide enough sound attenuation.
You'd be hard pressed to hear anything short of a hand grenade going off next to you.
I use the molded plugs for shooting rifles and trap as they don't interfere with the cheek weld on the stock. For handguns I use Peltor Tactical Pro electronic muffs so I can easily hear range commands.
Look for muffs rated -28 to -30 dB. Many are rated -19 to -22 dB which, for you, will probably not provide enough sound attenuation.
Don't give up on ear plugs either. There are many styles out there. Find the most comfortable even if they don't have the highest nrr.
The most comfortable ones will be worn more correctly and fit better. This will reduce the noise tremendously. You most likely will NOT end up wearing the same brand/style as your shooting partner(s).
I keep 3-4 different brands in my truck when my family and friends go out.
Once you get them figured out, the ear muffs will help more.
The most comfortable ones will be worn more correctly and fit better. This will reduce the noise tremendously. You most likely will NOT end up wearing the same brand/style as your shooting partner(s).
I keep 3-4 different brands in my truck when my family and friends go out.
Once you get them figured out, the ear muffs will help more.
I ordered these from Amazon on Saturday and received them on Monday. They work great and I am very pleased. I really like the cord that comes with them so I can hook them up to my computer. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B8ONZI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Well, besides doubling up on hearing protection like you're already doing, I'd say there isn't too much you can do except get used to it. The first time I went to an indoor shooting range many years ago, I was flinching like crazy from the noise of everyone else's guns. You probably don't flinch when you're shooting because you're expecting the noise to happen. You don't know exactly when to expect noise from other shooters.
I'd say don't avoid going to the range because there are others there. The more time you are exposed to an environment with other shooters, the more you should get used to it. I went from being very jumpy around guns to actually enjoying loud guns... the louder the better.
I'd say don't avoid going to the range because there are others there. The more time you are exposed to an environment with other shooters, the more you should get used to it. I went from being very jumpy around guns to actually enjoying loud guns... the louder the better.
Several suggestions:
1. I prefer muffs over plugs. Good muffs (not the ones you usually get at indoor ranges) simply work better for me and provide better protection than plugs. But, you could use plugs and muffs together. If you are wearing muffs and eye protection, make sure that the eye frames aren't interfering with the fit of the muffs around your ears. I personally have a hard time getting plugs to stay in my ears, and I get concerned about wax compaction - not fun!
2. You are going to have to get used to the noise, unless you have acreage out in the country to set up a private range. And, it's not just the noise to the ear - it's the concussion you feel when someone is shooting near you. The best thing you can do is spend more time shooting in the vicinity of other shooters. Believe me, you will get used to it, but you need to spend the time - not just 1/2 hour every 6 months.
3. This next bit of advice will sound really stupid - but there's something to it. If possible, try shooting a pistol that is fairly loud and somewhat powerful - louder than those generally around you. That would be .40 (or 10mm) out of a rather short barreled pistol; .357 from a revolver. You don't need to go extreme, i.e. beyond these cartridges, if you don't want to. But, once you've put half a box through one of these guns, the report from other guns won't bother you as much.
4. Or, take up archery. I'm not being sarcastic - I really enjoy the quiet, precision and physical aspect of shooting my bow over a rifle. I still like shooting pistols and Skeet, but have moved away from shooting my rifles.
1. I prefer muffs over plugs. Good muffs (not the ones you usually get at indoor ranges) simply work better for me and provide better protection than plugs. But, you could use plugs and muffs together. If you are wearing muffs and eye protection, make sure that the eye frames aren't interfering with the fit of the muffs around your ears. I personally have a hard time getting plugs to stay in my ears, and I get concerned about wax compaction - not fun!
2. You are going to have to get used to the noise, unless you have acreage out in the country to set up a private range. And, it's not just the noise to the ear - it's the concussion you feel when someone is shooting near you. The best thing you can do is spend more time shooting in the vicinity of other shooters. Believe me, you will get used to it, but you need to spend the time - not just 1/2 hour every 6 months.
3. This next bit of advice will sound really stupid - but there's something to it. If possible, try shooting a pistol that is fairly loud and somewhat powerful - louder than those generally around you. That would be .40 (or 10mm) out of a rather short barreled pistol; .357 from a revolver. You don't need to go extreme, i.e. beyond these cartridges, if you don't want to. But, once you've put half a box through one of these guns, the report from other guns won't bother you as much.
4. Or, take up archery. I'm not being sarcastic - I really enjoy the quiet, precision and physical aspect of shooting my bow over a rifle. I still like shooting pistols and Skeet, but have moved away from shooting my rifles.
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nightowl64
Inactive
As much as I like guns, they will never have the pure, noble quality of the bow.