Ear protection near your HD gun

Springfeildkid585 · #1 05-22-2015, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protected One

I know someone who is talking about keeping some electronic ear protection (muffs) near his HD firearm. He says if he hears a bump in the night and has the time before investigating, he will put on the ear protection so he can preserve his hearing if he has to fire, but at the same time be able to hear noises around him.

He spent a lot of time playing music in bars and clubs in his youth, and the loud music took some of his hearing. He wants to preserve whats left.

Sounds a little "extreme" to me, but I couldn't argue with his logic.

I say if he's that worried about it, shell out the extra cash get a suppressor.

Laketime · #2 05-22-2015, 05:48 PM

For me it's always been a loaded 1911,two spare mags,and a cheap pair of foam plugs.Just enough to protect my ears while allowing me to still hear.

moxie · #3 05-22-2015, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springfeildkid585

I say if he's that worried about it, shell out the extra cash get a suppressor.

Does your suppressor suppress the bang from the bad guy's gun?

RobertJ. · #4 05-28-2015, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxie

Does your suppressor suppress the bang from the bad guy's gun?

If you hear the bad guy's gun, hearing damage could possibly be the least of your concerns!

My "go to" HD gun is a .44 Magnum snubby. However, it's loaded with a 200 gr. Gold Dot HP at about 900 fps. I'm not too worried about any damage to my ears should I need to fire it indoors, and I wouldn't be regardless of what I was using.

ContinentalOp · #5 05-22-2015, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springfeildkid585

I say if he's that worried about it, shell out the extra cash get a suppressor.

You're assuming suppressor's are legal where the OP's friend lives.

LennyLames · #6 05-23-2015, 03:24 AM

I do keep electronic ear protection next to me. As some have mentioned, my primary purpose is also to amplify sounds and improve directional hearing. My hearing is normal but it's amazing how much of an improvement electronic hearing protection provides. Prevention of hearing loss in case shooting starts is a good bonus.

I've also taken steps to minimize surprises by a multitude of perimeter sensors long before the potential bad guys reach the house structure. Then, there are various intrusion detectors that will be triggered if an actual break-in occurs.

So the chances of being surprised are significantly reduced. I'd like to say "eliminated" but I'm a realist. I would most likely get an early warning and have a chance to assess the situation, rather than just being startled and immediately shooting at the silhouette sneaking across the room (might be a family member). I'd have extra time to put on the hearing amplifiers (6 seconds additional). The amplified hearing and improved directional hearing are part of my tools for better assessment of the situation.

I've actually had to investigate things in the dark a couple of times, and the proximity of the electronic hearing protection helped a lot. Most (hopefully all) of these "bumps in the night" are not home invasions and do not result in gunbattles.

Now, if a bad guy just happened to streak through the air undetected, and CRASH through a window to land right next to me, that would entail a different reaction involving kicking, punching, scratching, biting, throwing anything within reach, until my explosive-driven projectile hurler can be activated.