Oakley M-Frames - What style and what lenses for shooting?

[threeseven]

I've been thinking about investing some money in some quality shooting glasses that I hope will not only provide effective eye protection, but also be stylish and have good (polarised, iridium, etc) lenses. The Oakley M-Frames look to fit the bill, and I have heard that they are quite often used by shooters. The vented lenses, shape and fit of the lenses (face protection) and the fact that you can swap the lenses around to get the most appropriate for the shooting conditions all seem to be real advantages.

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience or opinions on the matter, with regards to lense-type choice.

From left to right, we have the Strike, Sweep, Hybrid and Heater. If anyone knows the difference other than aesthetics, I'd love to know. Any particular good or bad for shooting?

Also, what colour lenses would be good? I'll probably get a clear lense for indoors and in shade, what other colours would be good for shooting? Normally in bright, sunny, cloudless conditions?

Thanks.

 

[echo3mike]

I've used either the sweep or the heater... can't really tell much difference. Both seem to offer equal coverage.

Have them in yellow and persimmon, with mirrored lenses for non-shooting wear (the "respect my authori-tie" lenses). The better lenses are these colors for poorer lighting and smoke / grey for brighter shooting.

S.

 

[Kestrel]

Where can you buy these glasses?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[45R]

I have a pair of the Sweeps. They work really good. I use the clear pair for indoors. For outdoors I use the Red or Blue lens.

You can get these sunglasses at Oakley, your eye doctor, or any reputable optic shop.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I've got an old set of M-Frames, be warned that if you use any type of earmuff hearing protection where the strap goes over the frames, it will compress the frames and cause the lens to pop out at inopportune time.

I wear M-frames only with earplugs or with muffs using a neckband. Even then they will still occasionally drop a lens when I don't want themo. I've heard the new model is better in this respect but don't have any experience with it.

 

[Vic303]

I use the Heater for all outdoor activities as I wear contacts and the biger lens helps keep them from drying out. Persimmon for heavy overcast days or the darker brown generally, and if indoor shooting I have a clear lens Strike, I think. It's got the squared offf ends, anyway. I don't have any problem with muffs causing the Mframe lenses to pop out either, but YMMV.

 

[MolonLabe416]

You can get some very good input from Pat Rogers over on Tactical Forums. http://www.tacticalforums.com/ Go to the U.S. Marine Force Reconnaissance area. There is a two page discussion of the Oakley's there.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the heater gives the most coverage and has the most style. it is deeper and sweeps back further...unfortunatly it doesn't go with high cheekbones. i settled on the hybrid lense for maximum coverage and enough clearence.

beware of choosing dark color lenses for use in bright conditions. they block out enough light to cause your iris to dialate, which inpedes your ability to focus on sights/target

 

[Lotzinger]

I purchased several oakley parts in the past months and use them for all kinds of competition shooting. As result of my personal experience one very important notice:

-> try the vented glasses for shooting

there is a much better air circulation in the vented than in the non-vented lenses; I would prefer purchasing the vented ones.

For shooting I use strike and sweeps, mostly the clear lens and the persimmon. I have two more (gold iridium, black iridium) that I use for other sports.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have had Heaters for years.

Don't get the frames with the folding ear pieces. They break rather easily.

If you use the heavy frames shown (which I have resorted to) you can usually get away with running the ear pieces over the top of your muffs without a problem, however, I did this once and left too much gap and got a hot shell stuck between my eyelid and the shades.

If you want to go really cool, take a set of the frames with the folding ear pieces, take the ear pieces off and affix a neck strap or a set of croakies to the frames. These go over your ear, hold the frame perfectly and don't interfere with your muffs.

I learned this from a fellow pilot and it works great.

For lenses they make a yellow lens which is pretty good for shooting. I just use the green or brown. I have the red and silver but they block too much light for anything other than shooting in the snow.