A new rule for range etiquette.

[PWC]

In post #85 I talked about foam plugs and muffs. Now I wear hearing aides daily. When the VA took the impressions for my ears, I asked for another set to use as ear plugs. They work great, at home all noise is blocked to the point I can hear my heart beat in my ears. At the range, with muffs I can hear the shots that sound like BB guns. My shots are louder due to bone conduction at my cheek weld. I don't worry about range commands because activity on the line let's me know what's going on.

Remove my muffs for quiet conversation. Just remember don't shout to hear yourself, talking in a quiet voice, they'll hear you and you can hear them.

All this is to say, ask your audioligist for a set of your ear molds to act as ear plugs. I've done so twice: one set in my range box, one set in the truck for times I stop off without my range box.

 

[armoredman]

I had to get a set of good plugs made for SASS - hard to wear standard muffs with a cowboy hat on!

Otherwise, it's my electronic ears, (Walkers EXCEL), and the outdoor range. I haven't shot at an indoor range in 20 years, and I know ALL about how loud they can be. I worked at one for a year and a half.
Muzzle brakes can be very obnoxious - when my son insisted on getting a brake for his AR, (really? that itty bitty recoil bothers you? Wuss), I was sitting next to him during his first test firing. Annoying. And I PAID for the dadgum thing!

I explained to him how he should behave if the range is crowded. I never thought about bringing some plywood before, neat idea, might have to try it.
This one gets attention every time it goes off...but it's more of a thump than a crack.

We put on our ears when we leave the car, because there is a short walk to the line from the parking lot, and I already have tinnitus pretty good in my left ear, don't want the kid to go through that!

 

[Rockrivr1]

I had to get a set of good plugs made for SASS - hard to wear standard muffs with a cowboy hat on!

Otherwise, it's my electronic ears, (Walkers EXCEL), and the outdoor range. I haven't shot at an indoor range in 20 years, and I know ALL about how loud they can be. I worked at one for a year and a half.
Muzzle brakes can be very obnoxious - when my son insisted on getting a brake for his AR, (really? that itty bitty recoil bothers you? Wuss), I was sitting next to him during his first test firing. Annoying. And I PAID for the dadgum thing!

I explained to him how he should behave if the range is crowded. I never thought about bringing some plywood before, neat idea, might have to try it.
This one gets attention every time it goes off...but it's more of a thump than a crack.

We put on our ears when we leave the car, because there is a short walk to the line from the parking lot, and I already have tinnitus pretty good in my left ear, don't want the kid to go through that!

A few years ago I was at a gun show and there was a vendor doing injection mold hearing plugs. It felt really weird when he put the stuff in my ears. Though when I got the final product they fit like a glove and work very well reducing the noise. I wear them alone or with additional muffs, which cuts down the noise to nothing. I have really bad tinnitus from my military days working on jets so need to take care when shooting.

I notice recently that the guy who did my ear plugs now offers an electronic option like muffs do so you can hear when not shooting. They are not cheap though. Interesting though.

 

[jdc1244]

On another board a member complained of his bad experience with the 50 AE Desert Eagle-not firing one, but being present when one is fired. Occurs to me that shooters of such loud firearms should announce "Fire in the hole !" or something similar when they are ready to touch off a round so other shooters can brace themselves, maybe step back from their booths, wait until that shooter is done before trying a precision shot.

Pistol ranges can just impose caliber limits – .44 mag is the limit at my range.

Anything about that goes to the rifle range; AR pistols can go to the rifle range as well.

 

[armoredman]

A few years ago I was at a gun show and there was a vendor doing injection mold hearing plugs. It felt really weird when he put the stuff in my ears. Though when I got the final product they fit like a glove and work very well reducing the noise. I wear them alone or with additional muffs, which cuts down the noise to nothing. I have really bad tinnitus from my military days working on jets so need to take care when shooting.

I notice recently that the guy who did my ear plugs now offers an electronic option like muffs do so you can hear when not shooting. They are not cheap though. Interesting though.

Yes, the same guy who did these does have an electronic option, which I would love IF I could afford it.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

Well I feel very strongly both ways. Yes you should go to a range with hearing protection necessary for what is allowed at the range. That is just common sense.

But I believe it is also reasonable to give as well as expect courtesy and consideration when doing something with a group of people where you know you can have an adverse effect on those around you. How hard is it to be aware of the effect you are having.

The macho man, suck it up, be as tough as me or leave attitude shouldn't have to be expected. No I wouldn't like to see more rules. They shouldn't be necessary. But unfortunately in this world too many people don't give a rip about anyone else.

 

[texgunner]

Indoors, everything is loud.

You might not like the responses that you get, if you asked another person that question, while at an indoor range.

When I'm at the outdoor range and someone sets up next to me, I point at my 50 BMG rifle. I let them know that the blast from the muzzle brake, will blow their rifle off the bench. Most move a couple benches away for reasons.

Using double hearing protection is also a thing for indoor/outdoor shooting. Especially if you're around large caliber firearms.

When I'm at an indoor range I always wear double hearing protection. At outdoor ranges I've found ear plugs to be adequate in most situations.

 

[MEHavey]

Yes you should go to a range with hearing protection necessary for what is allowed at the range.

Be at the table next to my BeoWoof, ....and you won't believe that anymore.





In the end I think common courtesy is the name of the game
...and pays incredible dividends.

 

[Master Blaster]

On another board a member complained of his bad experience with the 50 AE Desert Eagle-not firing one, but being present when one is fired. Occurs to me that shooters of such loud firearms should announce "Fire in the hole !" or something similar when they are ready to touch off a round so other shooters can brace themselves, maybe step back from their booths, wait until that shooter is done before trying a precision shot.

In a properly run and set up range you should have one or two lanes on the very end for magnums and .50 cal handguns. The backstopping has extra reinforcement as well.

 

[david58]

I only get pissed when I am set up and shooting, and someone with a cannon comes and sets up on the bench next to me. As mentioned a few times, common courtesy is nice. But it seems to be as common as common sense.

 

[tazbigdog]

I had to get a set of good plugs made for SASS - hard to wear standard muffs with a cowboy hat on!

Otherwise, it's my electronic ears, (Walkers EXCEL), and the outdoor range. I haven't shot at an indoor range in 20 years, and I know ALL about how loud they can be. I worked at one for a year and a half.
Muzzle brakes can be very obnoxious - when my son insisted on getting a brake for his AR, (really? that itty bitty recoil bothers you? Wuss), I was sitting next to him during his first test firing. Annoying. And I PAID for the dadgum thing!

I explained to him how he should behave if the range is crowded. I never thought about bringing some plywood before, neat idea, might have to try it.
This one gets attention every time it goes off...but it's more of a thump than a crack.

We put on our ears when we leave the car, because there is a short walk to the line from the parking lot, and I already have tinnitus pretty good in my left ear, don't want the kid to go through that!

Same range I went to when I lived in Chandler.

 

[armoredman]

It's still there.