Being prepared to use your firearm inside your house

[Cosmoline]

Yeah it's no flash bang. But it's a heck of a thwamp. I've fired a .357 in a small room with no protection (oops!). That was memorable, but the noise was so loud I didn't notice it if that makes any sense. I've also fired various arms outdoors with no protection and the experience is very different, with much less ringing. Outdoors you usually get a bit of ringing in one ear. Indoors, my ears were noticeably deadened for several days, so it certainly did a little damage. But as others note it's the car noises and loud music over time that do the real long-term harm.

The big drawback in self defense would be the inability to hear noises right after the initial shots, so you might not hear other sources of trouble. But not much can be done about that unless you are able to keep electronic muffs at the ready. And if you can more power to you.

 

[Bobson]

I was born with inner-ear problems, and only have about 70% of "normal" hearing. I've been asking people to repeat themselves all my life. My hearing is a great concern.

Get a suppressor and a gun you can use it with. A dedicated, suppressed HD gun.

 

[SuperNaut]

If I suspected that there was an intruder in my house there is NO WAY that I would put on hearing protection and compromise one of my most acute senses. I'm willing to live with the consequences.

 

[marv]

I would just leave my hearing aids out.

 

[Shifty]

Having fired a 1911 .45ACP with Winchester WB just once at the end of a high, narrow ravine for a function test after having the extractor tuned I will tell you it hurts....bad. Can't imagine doing it in a hallway or even more confined space. But yeah, I don't expect it would ba as bad in a panic situation. At least I know what to expect.

Having said that, amplified noise cancelling ear muffs are on my short list of things to buy for my home defense grab bag. And training the wife how to use them.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have shot a 12 gauge inside a barn and a 357 from inside a truck with the Windows down. I have no memories of the 12 gauge but The 357 made my ears ring for about an hour. But during the night at home I not worried bout my ears.

 

[TIMC]

I have this to help with the sound report inside the house if needed.

 

[DoubleMag]

All you guys that fired once inside and only ''rang for an hour'' you are very fortunate. one blast too many like that,bounce off a hard object blasts your ear, can wipe it out PERMANENTLY. Consult an ENT specialist IMMEDIATELY after loud noise exposure, not days afterwards. As I posted earlier, there is immediate steroidal treatment to minimize (hopefullly) the damage.

Trust me, once it's gone its gone and then you'll be scouring the internet, looking for the latest news from the medical world on possible restorative treatments just like some of us do for the latest tech break for a balding cure. They're working on it. As you go on with your new lost hearing, your friends & family might even graciosly comment that you're no longer pronouncing your Ts, Zs Ss, Cs correctly...

Oh also f.y.i. your brain will try to compensate by recruiting other sectors to try its futile best to interpret the missing sounds, or place them there. This is one emerging possibility being researched for early onset dementia

Best advice, train and include the 4-6 seconds to jam some muffs on. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED

 

[Bentonville]

No one seems to have addressed the suppressor idea other than to ask " why not". Seems like a great idea to me except our chief LEO will not sign the necessary permission forms in order to get one. I guess I need to get the electronic muffs. Great idea!

 

[TIMC]

No one seems to have addressed the suppressor idea other than to ask " why not". Seems like a great idea to me except our chief LEO will not sign the necessary permission forms in order to get one. I guess I need to get the electronic muffs. Great idea!

I did 2 post up!

Get a trust, no LEO sign off needed.

 

[oneounceload]

45 ACP vs 9MM indoors is much, much, easier on the ears and wears off faster.

HUH? That like being just "a little pregnant" ? the damage does NOT wear off - it is permanent and debilitating. As someone who has tinnitus, the constant "ear crickets" can be very aggravating............

 

[CoRoMo]

A dedicated, suppressed HD gun.

Precisely.

But I also have more than a couple dedicated HD guns at the ready. Not all are suppressed (shotgun) so a pair of these sits with the noise makers. As opposed to foam plugs that you might want to roll into a tight point in order to get them into the ear canal to then expand, these can be quickly shoved right into the ears, and unlike muffs, these lend themselves more easily to one-hand operation.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Combat-Arms-Earplugs/dp/B000W2CPCC

Thats my point,taking a few shots without hearing protection will help prepare for this type of situation.

I don't know about that. Similarly, I don't want to sprinkle saw dust in my eye just so that I know what it's like to get an eye injury, in an effort to prepare for a possible future situation where I might get something in my eye. No thanks.

 

[Lex Luthier]

I have thought this through. I plan on my ears getting blown out, the cats running in all directions, and my wife screaming. My .40 cal will probably be the defensive weapon in the dark PM, but 9mm will probably be the first floor option.

Hopefully the adrenaline will kick in and I will have enough hearing left to talk to the 911 operator and the cops.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by HOME DEPOT GEORGE: Now for the point, has anyone considered the consequences of touching off a 357, 44mag or shotgun in your house in the middle of the night?

Yes, and that is a major reason, but not the only one, for choosing something other than a .357 Magnum or a .44 Magnum for home defense.

I can think of no good reason to choose either one.

Having shot skeet outside with a friend with an old Model 97 trench gun, I would choose a 20 ga. over a 12.

Posted by 45bthompson: When you face a genuine threat and your adrenaline is maxed you don't notice how loud the gunfire is. At least I never did.

That is of very little importance.

Posted by walking arsenal: Sound, pressure, and its effects on hearing is one of the things I've considered when choosing guns for home defense. It's not at the top of my list of concerns, but it is something I've considered.

Gauges and calibers like a 12ga or a .45 acp are low pressure and are typically sub-sonic. It's the pressure, the escaping gases from the muzzle behind the projectile, and the projectile itself breaking sound barrier that causes the loud crack that wrecks your hearing.

Choosing a lower pressure caliber or gauge for indoor defense diminishes these effects somewhat and will be "better" for your hearing should you have to fire it in close quarters. Not better by a large amount mind you. But better.

Yes, but I'm not too keen on the 12.

There are those who do recommend keeping electronic ear protection handy. See this.

 

[rodregier]

For those that come in late, keep in mind that the better electronic hearing protectors
will actually amplify ambient sound, but will autmatically chop it off when the sound exceeds a pre-set threshold. So using such will give a tactical advantage against an opponent.

You can hear shuffling feet or clothing rubbing against walls that would normally be below your threshold of detection.

 

[DeepSouth]

It looks like I maybe in the minority but, I have fired a 357 loaded with hydro-shocks inside. I have since got up at night to investigate a noise a time or two. EVERY time, without exception, I have picked up a pistol and walked around the house more afraid of having to shoot it than actually finding somebody. A few times I can remember thinking "if there's someone in the living room maybe they'll run out the door when they see the gun"

I have a p220 with a threaded barrel that have been intending to get a suppressor for but there is always something else I seem to want worse. Hopefully my fear of having to fire inside won't get me killed, I really believe if I did catch someone in my house I would likely instantly "forget" about being scared to death of having to shoot inside, but honestly I do not know.

 

[Certaindeaf]

So what did you do then?.. "I put on earplugs because I knew there was going to be gunplay!". right

 

[45_auto]

Thats my point,taking a few shots without hearing protection will help prepare for this type of situation.

Kind of like practicing where the bad guy might punch you in the face a few times before you get off a shot, or he may even stab you or get a shot into you first.

You'll just have to decide whether the disadvantages of practicing the actual event outweigh the benefits. How much is your hearing worth to you?

 

[45bthompson]

"That is of very little importance."
If your ONLY talking about permanent hearing loss than you are correct. The OP asked about consequences of a loud muzzle blast in a defensive situation. One of the consequences is permanent hearing loss. Another is being in pain or distracted by the sound of your own muzzle blast. I can imagine this could contribute to your death. My input can be taken at face value. Your body's main concern at the time of action will be staying alive. MUCH further down that list will be your hearing. My experience is that your body will help you stay alive but it will not protect you from hearing loss.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by rodregier: For those that come in late, keep in mind that the better electronic hearing protectors will actually amplify ambient sound, but will autmatically chop it off when the sound exceeds a pre-set threshold. So using such will give a tactical advantage against an opponent.

You can hear shuffling feet or clothing rubbing against walls that would normally be below your threshold of detection.

Yes indeed.

Posted by DeepSouth: It looks like I maybe in the minority but, I have fired a 357 loaded with hydro-shocks inside.

I'm sure you now realize that it was a poor idea.

I have since got up at night to investigate a noise a time or two. EVERY time, without exception, I have picked up a pistol and walked around the house more afraid of having to shoot it than actually finding somebody.

I would be a lot more concerned about being ambushed by an intruder, but that's another subject.

Posted by 45bthompson: If your ONLY talking about permanent hearing loss than you are correct.

The likelihood of permanent noise-induced hearing loss is very important, but it is by no means the only issue.

Consider the defender's ability to hear a warning from a family member; recognize the voice of said family member; to hear the tumultuous entry and/or charging footsteps of a second violent criminal attacker; to hear and understand the commands of an arriving first responder behind him or her.

My experience is that your body will help you stay alive but it will not protect you from hearing loss.

A set of high-quality electronic ear protectors could help you stay alive, but without protection, you will likely not hear a thing after firing the first shot indoors.

 

[KMatch]

I've fired a 9mm from my front door once (annoying animal causing problems for weeks) and other than blowing out the screen off my front door, it was nothing special. It didn't even wake up my wife in the next room 10 ft away. So, with that I wouldn't be concerned in my own situation about noise. Second, what about AFTER you shoot? Do you really want ears on, or would you rather be able to listen as much as possible for any other intruders? You might get a ringing sensation, but that still beats trying to deal with finding/installing hearing protection, making the BG wait while you put it on, thinking to remove it for follow up, etc.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Bubble boy has a dog. because bubble boy has a large brain and can't hear nothing for the bubble anyway

 

[Cosmoline]

The muffs are not a bad idea at all, and I'm thinking of investing in some.

I can think of no good reason to choose either one.

If your life is on the line you want the biggest, most powerful firearm you have. Besides, the power of the cartridge is only one factor in the damage the noise does. If you want to minimize the impact of the noise lengthen your barrel. A Mosin 1891 will hit your ear with far less force than a magnum handgun. The gas is escaping many feet away and the pressure is lessened quite a bit after all that barrel length.

and other than blowing out the screen off my front door, it was nothing special.

It's likely the soundwaves did not bounce back at you, but went out into the night. Trust me if you shoot a handgun in a small enclosed room the noise is magnified quite a bit.

 

[45_auto]

If your life is on the line you want the biggest, most powerful firearm you have.

Crap. And here I always believed that I wanted the MOST EFFECTIVE firearm I had for the particular situation. Now I'm going to have to try to figure out a way to keep the BAR in 338 Win Mag or the Browning 1919 in .308 in the dresser drawer as my nightstand gun. Would you recommend that I use the BAR with 4 shots of .338 Win Mag (more power per round) or the 1919 with the 250 round belt (more total power) as my house gun?

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by Cosmoline: If your life is on the line you want the biggest, most powerful firearm you have.

I have to respectfully disagree.

Kinetic energy remaining in a projectile that has passed through the target is of no use. In fact, it can constitute a serious problem.

If my life is on the line, I want a firearm that will penetrate adequately, make a sufficient wound channel, and allow me to put follow-up shots on target very rapidly.

Neither a loud report nor really great penetration will help me at all.

For home defense, a magnum revolver is not the best choice. We should not confuse either the boom, flash, and fuss at the muzzle or the violence of the felt recoil with defensive effectiveness.

Out doors in animal country...that's a different story. More penetration could be very important indeed.

If you want to minimize the impact of the noise lengthen your barrel. A Mosin 1891 will hit your ear with far less force than a magnum handgun. The gas is escaping many feet away and the pressure is lessened quite a bit after all that barrel length.

That is true--outside. Not in your house.

Compare the sound of a 6 1/2 inch .44 Magnum with that of a Garand at an indoor range.