Earmuff ratings

[Guest]

What earmuffs provide the highest noise protection. I would profer folding if I can. I have trouble with flinching/blinking when shooting free pistol, so want the highest rating i can get.

[RobStubbs]

What earmuffs provide the highest noise protection. I would profer folding if I can. I have trouble with flinching/blinking when shooting free pistol, so want the highest rating i can get.

I'd be suprised if ear muffs really made any difference to that. The best option is to use both in ear plugs and put muffs over the top of them - you won't hear a thing.

The flinching is just a practice thing, shoot more and you should get used to it. Especially if you try bigger/louder stuff as well, or if others around you are shooting bigger guns.

Rob.

[Spencer]

What earmuffs provide the highest noise protection. I would profer folding if I can. I have trouble with flinching/blinking when shooting free pistol, so want the highest rating i can get.

Anticipating the shot release will affect the shot's placement on the target - whereas, flinching/blinking in response to the shot release cannot - your response/reaction time is not quick enough; the shot is at the target before you can react!
Ergo - why people talk about the 'surprise' shot.

[Guest]

I figured the earmuffs cant hurt as I think it may be as a result of shooting highpower rifles. It is also a problem to do with anticipation as some times it happens when the person next to me shoots if im squeezing the trigger but it diesnt if im not. If i consentrate really hard i can loose the flinch but I still blink nearly every time. Although it doesnt affect shot placement it does distroy your ability to call a shot and also brings into question whether I am really able to consentrate on my front sight and just squeez the trigger

[Spencer]

even with one given brand, there is an enourmous range (e.g. http://www.peltor.se/Admin/files/20051211214726.pdf).
it becomes a personal choice as to balancing the various factors:
- weight and fit (comfort)
- cost
- availability - not only the initial purchase, but replacement parts (insert material, compliance pads)
- suitability for shooting position - what is OK for ISSF pistol can be a bummer for rifle...
- electronic - particularly worth the extra $$$ for those spending a long time on the firing line area (coaches, range officials)

[Jimmy32]

The highest NRR (noise reduction rating) earmuffs available are the Peltor Bullseye 10. They basically use two cups in one to really cut down on noise. You can still hear range commands.

They come in an over the head band style and also a behind the neck design. Around $20 or so. I would highly recommend them, even the loudest metallic silhouette gun is not a problem.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0012828220681a.shtml

[Jimmy32]

A lot of dry firing should cure your flinching. The actual recoil of a free pistol being rather minor, a bad habit as you say.

[Spencer]

...The highest NRR (noise reduction rating) earmuffs available are the Peltor Bullseye 10...

that's one claim, but Pro-Ears Ultra 33 have an NRR 33 rating - and undoubtedly there are even higher rated muffs available.

Fit is critical. Given that most shooters wear some form of eyewear, there can be a lot of noise get in around the airgap between the compliance pad and the eyewear legs/temple.

[Jimmy32]

Thanks for the info on the Pro Ears 33:

Looking at the Amazon reviews they seem to have a habit of failing where the cup attaches to the headband. Still from a noise reduction perspective they seem to be a good choice.

[Spencer]

I think the really high rated (+40NRR?) protectors are mainly 'industrial strength' and, these days, all come with built-in communication systems - they are for use in really high-noise situations.
It would be interesting to know what brand/type of protectors the green and red shirts wear on a modern aircraft carrier.

[Jimmy32]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_q ... _n9413406/

An interesting article on carriers and hearing protection, basically even iwth plugs and muffs 14 hours in a 140db environment is going to cause lasting damage.

[Jimmy32]

http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubFull ... 111-02.pdf

Custom plugs plus active noise reduction plus custom earmuff cushions seems to be the key, performance then limited by bone transmission which can be fixed with a helmet.

[jipe]

The best option is to use both in ear plugs and put muffs over the top of them - you won't hear a thing.

Same as Rob: when I am training FP and have people shooting rifle nearby, I use my custom plugs (Variphone Stopgun) + muffs on top. No problem at all.

[Alexander]

...The highest NRR (noise reduction rating) earmuffs available are the Peltor Bullseye 10...

that's one claim, but Pro-Ears Ultra 33 have an NRR 33 rating - and undoubtedly there are even higher rated muffs available.

Sorry, Spencer, but sorry no.
Any company that does not even dare giving noise reduction rating information in its website - as is the case with Pro-Ears -, cannot be taken serious.

Alexander

[Spencer]

...The highest NRR (noise reduction rating) earmuffs available are the Peltor Bullseye 10...

that's one claim, but Pro-Ears Ultra 33 have an NRR 33 rating - and undoubtedly there are even higher rated muffs available.

Sorry, Spencer, but sorry no.
Any company that does not even dare giving noise reduction rating information in its website - as is the case with Pro-Ears -, cannot be taken serious.

Alexander

Odd, that.
I have e-mailed Pro Ears pointing out that the links to the NRR lab reports take you back to the home page

...and they have (quickly) responded 'Thank you. New site and still making fixes. Charles Ricci'

[Alexander]

Thanks both for inquiring, and for the kind update, Spencer.

The Amazon reviews of Peltor and Pro-Ears in comparison to each other are... ear-opening. :-)

[Guest]

A lot of dry firing should cure your flinching. The actual recoil of a free pistol being rather minor, a bad habit as you say.

dry firing doesnt have an affect on it. It doesnt happen when dry firing and doesnt happen when shooting air. Only when shooting free

[Jimmy32]

Ahh. In that case, if you have someone to work with, have them load your free pistol. Now they may have loaded it with a .22, or it may be an empty chamber. By not knowing if there is a round, your mind is less likely to flinch. When you load yourself you know it's going to go off.