EAR PLUGS FOR AR15

[entropy]

For reference, the ones my ENT molded in my ears are the ones on the left side below the box and you can see why they are the most effective.

They also look like peach Gummy worms.

Thanks for the info, jmorris. I'll have to look into the EAR push-ins, they'd be perfect for the 4-H kids. We've had he roll up ones, (parents donate them usually) but the kids have a heck of a time getting them in right.

 

[pintler]

Not sure what age/size the 4H kids are, but FWIW the ones I posted earlier are a tighter fit in the ear canal than these:

http://www.earplugstore.com/noname10.html

Small ear canals might have different preferences, so don't buy a thousand w/o trying them

 

[Ifishsum]

I use the Decibullz plugs you mold yourself at home - better than average noise reduction and they are comfortable enough for me to wear several hours at a time.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

peltors or some cigarette butts in a pinch.

 

[hso]

What ear plugs do you use when shooting an AR 15
If I use Muffs they block me from using the scope

As a safety professional I can assure you that foam plugs provide the highest level of protection when properly inserted. The problem is that many people fail to roll them up small enough to insert deeply blocking the ear canal to greatest effect. For those with limited use of their hands for fine manipulation I recommend molded permanent plugs to allow for better use.

I don't know what sort of muffs you've been using, but try the Howard Leight Impact Sports for a low profile muff adding protection on top of the plugs.

I'm also curious about how your AR is set up. Fixed or collapsing stock, cheek rest, optic mount height, etc. My optics are mounted on risers that allow me to see my front sight and this allows for me to drop my chin onto the stock and roll down so my cheek welds making a pad keeping my head more upright instead of tilting my head dramatically and craning my neck over. That keeps my compact muffs from being moved.

 

[HOWARD J]

I use Howard Leight Impact Sports
I have a 3-9 scope about 12" long
I f I strain I can use the scope.
I have never had this problem on any other rifle & I have been shooting about 70 years

 

[hso]

I have a 3-9 scope about 12" long

Do your other rifles have a drop to the stock vs. the very straight typical AR stocks?

How low is the scope mounted?

 

[HOWARD J]

Do your other rifles have a drop to the stock vs. the very straight typical AR stocks?

How low is the scope mounted?

The mounts are about 3/4" to the bottom of the scope-then 1" scope

 

[HOWARD J]

I find I don't like ear plugs-- I will stick with muffs only & live
with pushing to see thru scope.
Also have brass catcher--works good

 

[hso]

I find I don't like ear plugs--

I don't think anyone likes earplugs, but they are the most effective protection and we get used to them if we want to protect our hearing.

At 70+ you've probably lost some hearing and may not care about losing a bit more, but tinnitus is terribly annoying at times.

Try the custom plugs if you can't get used to foam. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[jmorris]

As a safety professional I can assure you that foam plugs provide the highest level of protection when properly inserted.

I assume vs when not properly installed. They alone don't offer the highest protection.

I can tell you from use that a molded to your ears (R&L) set of custom plugs offer greater protection than any foam plug I have ever used. If I am using foam, I sometimes "double plug" or use foam plugs under a set of muffs to get enough noise attenuation to satisfy me. Don't have to do that with molded plugs.

 

[HOWARD J]

At 80+ I have lost a lot of hearing.
I like muffs
I still don't like ear plugs
Thanks for all the opinions

 

[CapnMac]

Sound impulse from 5.56 is pretty stout, so I've always tried to double up, plugs and muffs.

I learned a long time ago to be careful about letting the muffs touch the stock to avoid "SPROING!" from the buffer.

 

[luzyfuerza]

I double up with plugs and a set of low-profile muffs, and raise the muff on the side of my dominant eye (the side above the cheek weld) a little bit so it doesn't touch the buttstock as often.

 

[rskent]

I use cheap fomeys from the Home Depot under Howard Light muffs for general purpose and under my old Radians when I shoot a rifle match.
On the bottom of the right muff I have some Velcro tape, the soft side. If they rest against the stock the Velcro keeps it from banging in my ear.