[Flashpoint]

What do you prefer and why?

[riverdog]

For pistol shooting I prefer both worn together. Plugs and muffs work a little differently and complement each other well. Together I get about 50dB of attenuation.

Edit: For shooting Trap and Skeet, I go with plugs only. 50 dB attenuation isn't required with shotgun target loads.

[treeprof]

Both, esp. indoors. Minimize noise level exposure w/both, and concussive effects esp. w/muffs.

[45R]

both

Ear Plugs with 33db reduction
Muffs with 23db reduction


ESP INDOORS

[Flashpoint]

I'll go first.

Earplugs, b/c all the muffs I've tried hurt my ears, don't seem to block sound as well, and I can't figure out what to so with them between clips or if we all have stopped to reload and are talking. I tried just letting them hang around my neck when not in use but they are too bulky. Granted I 've never used a real expensive pair, just what ever you can pick up at Wally World. When I say ear plugs I'm not talking about the squish and expand kind, I'm refering to the soft rubber non-desposable kind. Which my prefrence my have something to do with having to wear earplugs in a factory for about three years, I could be just use to them.

[Flashpoint]

Ok maybe I won't go first:D

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Muffs and plugs indoors.

Outdoors- ProEars Linear Elite 'lectronic muffs if I'm shooting pistol, plugs if shooting rifle because I can't get a good cheek weld with the muffs.

[Flashpoint]

Those that use both, do you shoot inside or outside?

I always shoot outside.

[45R]

I shoot both indoors and outdoors.


The city range is about 10 minutes from work....the outdoors is 1/2 hour.

You only get one set of ears. Protect them when you can!

[Chris Rhines]

Both, inside and out. I use cheapo foam plugs with Remington electronic muffs (copy of the Peltor Tac-6.)

- Chris

[Nightcrawler]

Plugs only. Too cheap to buy muffs, I guess. Besides, I've tried muffs and they mess with my stock/cheek weld.

The plugs I use are the Army rubber ones. They work well enough, even when shooting my FAL w/ muzzle brake (which is pretty frickin' loud). And, they're convenient and compact.

[Mike Irwin]

When I shoot indoors I use both. I frequently use both when I shoot outdoors, too.

[sm]

Plugs

Muffs get in the way of long guns and shotguns for me. I shoot handguns mostly outdoors.

Yes-I do use muffs/both for some applications...rare

[The Plainsman]

I use both - indoors and out. I want to keep what little hearing I have left, so both it is.

It also helps me shoot better and it is just a WHOLE lot more comfortable, noise-wise. ;)

[Kinsman]

Had a bad (read: stupid) experience when I went shooting all day and had forgotten to bring anything; I could not hear much for a day or three. Now I ALWAYS wear something....mostly plugs for comfort / ergonomics and sometimes both.

I always wonder about combat troops....what do they do?

[Spackler]

Mainly plugs, because of the higher NRR. Sometimes use both together.

[Nightcrawler]

I always wonder about combat troops....what do they do?

Most GIs carry the GI earplugs with them. They're cool in that they muffle gunfire, but you can still hear things like shouted commands and most non-yelling speech.

So, if I were going into a firefight and had TIME to put them in, I would. Slightly muffled hearing is better than going temporarily deaf from weapons fire and not being able to hear anything.

However, you don't always have time to put them in, in which case you just deal with the noise and hope you don't get permanent hearing damage.

[TechBrute]

I use the custom made ear plugs available from hearing aid stores and gun shows. When shooting rifle or shotgun, they don't get in the way as do earmuffs.

When I have more money than I know what to do with, I'd like to try these: http://www.earinc.com/p1-electronic-hunting.php

When I'm shooting inside, I usually throw a pair of Peltors on over the plugs.

[BigG]

WHAT DID YA SAY? Oh, sorry, plugs. :D

[Silver Bullet]

Most GIs carry the GI earplugs with them
Is this something different from plain ol' foamies ? Are these available somewhere without having to reenlist ?

When I shoot indoors, I almost always wear both. I'd like to get a pair of electonic muffs for use when combatting home intruders, but that's not on my budget horizon yet.

I haven't been shooting outdoors much, but I moved to a different location in the Phoenix area, and Ben Avery (outdoor) Shooting Range is going to be where I get in my range time. I'll probably still wear both.

[cratz2]

Both on the few occasions when I shoot indoors or under the small awning that is closed on 3 sides. Usually if I'm just shooting recreationally, I use a pair of pretty nice earplugs I got about 6 years ago. They're not labeled at all but the plugs are white trimmed in red and this may sound strange, but the cord that connects them doesn't swish as it drags across your shirt or whatever. I have several different pairs that are kind of annoying as the cord moves against your clothing. My wife used to be the payroll manager for a temp service that staffed for EAR which is related to Peltor... don't know who owns whom but they used to give her seconds on stuff I literally have a box of different things.

My wife likes the cheapies that are yellow and have the rigid blue connector.

[ocabj]

I used to use muffs all the time, but when I started going to an outdoor range more often, I switched to plugs. Like someone already mentioned, I like plugs because it doesn't interfere with stock+cheek weld.

Also, plugs provide enough protection for me and are comfortable.

I used these inexpensive ones by Remington which fit my ear very well:

http://www.remington.com/accessories/hearing_protection/ear_plugs_pc27.htm

Even indoors plugs are satisfactory for ear protection.

[RustyHammer]

Both, indoors, at least. Clams outside ... but either will do.

[meathammer]

Plugs (reusable kind)

The next time I go handgun hunting I will have them with me. Anyone ever touch off a .44mag revolver without any hearing protection? Bad idea. My right ear rang for two days. :uhoh:

[Standing Wolf]

I use both. When you've lost as much hearing as I have, you do what you can to conserve the rest.

[Hkmp5sd]

I'm another user of both muffs and plugs for indoor and outdoor shooting.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Both -- neither do 100% on their own and as I'm hearing-impaired, what I do hear is precious.

[Shootist45]

:D Gentleman: I worked for a hearing aid manufacturer some 12 years ago. The subject of shooting and hearing aids came up several times.

You should use muffs or WELL FITTED electronic/stuff-in plugs for total outdoor shooting. Total outdoor means just that: no overhead protection, no side walls, just 360' air. Indoors use the muffs AND fitted plugs. I have a set of hearing aids that are well fitted and have a clipping curcuit that shuts off the devices at a level of 70 db.

The reasons are: you can sustain two types of deafness. Nerve deafness, the inner-ear hairs dying and you have the loss that is normally gradual, like shooting with no protection, once. Within the nerve deafness you can also loose a specific frequency. I have a high frequency loss above the 4000 Hz level due to an explosion, gun shot, in an enclosed area.

Then bone deafness, where the bone around your ear is pounded by concussions and they loose the ability to "vibrate" and conduct sound. This is where repeative shooting indoors and with no protection gets to you. You know old shooters, always yelling "Huh?, what'd ya say?":eek:

Anyway, to protect your hearing always wear two sets of hearing protection: muffs and well fitted plugs.

[Black_Talon]

Both plugs and Peltor muffs, indoors and out.

[JasonPT145]

PLUGS

The muffs make my frames on my shooting glasses press into the side of my head too much, but then again it could just be the cheap Navy muffs ;)

[10-Ring]

For the last month, I've been using both...indoors & outdoors.

[CWL]

Shootist45 explained it the best.

Earmuffs will cover, insulate and protect your ears best from bone deafness. Plugs don't.

[coonan357]

been using both for along time ,

[CZ 75 BD]

I use both indoors and out. The foam plugs carry a high NRR, but the package cautions against sudden sharp noise.

[MoNsTeR]

I shoot mostly indoors, so I use both. Outdoors, it's a hard call. Muffs are more comfortable, but plugs are more effective.

[rock jock]

I wear foam earplugs and ProEars muffs over the top.

[Ladybug]

When I lived in a decent town (with a range) I wore the muffs provided by the range to shoot indoors. Never bought my own, so now that I have to shoot outside on my in-law's farm, I wear plugs... but I hate to admit that I don't always use protection :uhoh:

[UnintendedConsequences]

When I pattern my shotgun, which has a factory ported slug and a factory ported shot barrel (swap barrel combo) from Mossberg, I have to use plugs and muffs because of the muzzle blast coming up from the ports.

When I shot my first deer last fall, I had my muffs with me but I couldn't have them on and still hear the deer coming in. I hate to admit it, but I fired my 12 gauge slug gun at the deer without any hearing protection. Fortunately, the adrenaline in my system blocked the hearing and pain sensations from the report and recoil, but I know that I hurt my hearing.

For turkey hunting this spring I now put my muffs over my head, but the muff covers are just on the back of my ears so that I can quickly slip them forward to fully cover my ears when I know a bird is coming in. I can then just use my sight to see the turkey moving.

I would prefer to wear plugs and electronic booster/protector muffs so that I could have my cake and eat it too.

[Dave Markowitz]

I've never cared for muffs. They scrunch my ears and push my glasses into my temples. For the last couple of years I've been using the foam plugs with a blue plastic connector. They are disposable but I wash them in hot soapy water and reuse them.

[Kentucky Rifle]

..because I use both plugs and Pro-Ears!
Even when wearing plugs, I can turn up the Pro-Ears and hear conversations just fine. The plugs I use are "Mack's" silicone. I even stuff one in my completely deaf right ear. You never know. Technology might catch up and find a way to "hook me back up" and there's no sense blowing all those little hair cells away. I recently had one of those custom plugs made for my left and only working ear. It cost 70 bucks. It was worth every penny. It works about 25% better than the "Mack's" and should last for years. (I still use the silicone for my deaf right ear.)

KR

[JohnBT]

I'm 52 and have been shooting for more than 40 years.

Here's my opinion...

Wear the damned plugs and muffs.

I wouldn't wish the ringing and whistling I hear on anybody. Then there's the problem of trying to understand conversations when there is any background noise.

Everybody understand?

I can't hear you, so just nod your heads.

John

[Chairman Meow]

I use both. My AR is damn loud, especially if I'm standing next to my girlfriend while she's shooting it. :eek:

I just bought the Howard Leight Leightning muffs and I am very pleased. They're about 30 bucks, they're rated to 31 NRR which is the highest I could find, and they are super comfy. Most comfortable muffs I have ever worn in fact. They seal to my head very well and thats the important thing with muffs.

I have a rather long neck, so maybe thats why they don't mess up my cheek weld too bad, but to get a good weld I do sometimes have to pull the rifle in close enough that it lifts up on the muff and opens the seal up a bit. I figure that even with plugs, I'm better off with them than without.

[stevelyn]

Both indoors. Outdoors I prefer muffs since I can unblock one side slightly to hear what's happening around me when the firing stops.

[another okie]

Indoors I always wear both.
Outdoors depends on what I'm shooting.
.22 rifle - plugs alone seem to be enough.
Shotgun or big bore handgun - put 'em all on!

I'm thinking of trying that electronic-plug combination for IDPA and IPSC, because with plugs and muffs on I have a little trouble hearing the range officer.

[ranger]

Have tried both, and muffs alone. After winding up with five pairs of muffs, the best deal is the Pro Ears Magnum model, with the GI-style orange plugs.

Like mentioned earlier, the low-level sounds are amplified by the electronic Pro Ears, so that you can hear everything, even throught the ear plugs.

I never realized how much the gravel crunches when walking at our IPSC range.

By the way, by far the best non-electronic muffs are also about the cheapest, the Peltor 10 for $20. What a value/bargain, way better than several other brands that cost the same.

I use the disposable foam earplugs most of the time when I'm riding a motorcycle too, so I always have them around.

[JasonPT145]

I just read a message at a Naval pistol range yesterday saying that the Sound Guard ear plugs are not considered to be effective enough to prevent hearing loss. I know I use these foamies al of the time, and they advertise an NRR of 29, so this was somewhat of a shock to me, but something I will seriously concider. Hearing conservation is very important.
Jason

[blue86buick]

Anyone ever touch off a .44mag revolver without any hearing protection?

No, but i've been next to someone (outdoor range) that was shooting one. Then he started with a 30-30. :rolleyes: