Is the 40SW too loud?

[modraker]

A post I just read says that if one were to fire a 40SW in a hallway or a car without ear protection, there was a good chance that he would suffer permanent hearing loss.

In 40 years of shooting, the only gun I've fired without ear protection is a .22LR in an open field. So, I ask anyone who has shot self defense calibers without ear protection, is the 40SW too loud?

 

[Gunsnwater]

Well 357 and 44 mag beat it. All handguns are too loud. If they aren't your deaf. You didn't say but I'm thinking you didn't shoot a 22 revolver because that's too loud in my book. I never had to do it but I was told if you shoot a handgun in a car with no ear protection you will probibly throw up. That's why buying a can should be unrestricted.

 

[lilro]

Anything you shoot inside your house will be incredibly loud. I don't think this should be a determining factor in choosing a caliber for defense.

 

[MichiganScott]

Even your .22LR will cause permanent hearing damage if fired in a hallway in a home.

There's a lot to be said for keeping good quality electronic muffs by your home defense gun. If you have time to put them on, not only will they protect your hearing if you should need to fire, but they will amplify those small sounds that may give you the advantage you need to protect your family.

I've been known to wear them in a deer blind, but most of the damage has already been done from spending 45+ years around firearms, even with them on.

 

[JFR]

Good question,

My phone has a sound meter app I think I'll run it at the next range visit. I'm thinking add 5-10db for being in a hallway scenario.

This chart doesn't list .40 but it will give you some idea....

FreeHearingTest.com - Gunfire Noise Levels

 

[OKFC05]

One competitor in a USPSA match last sunday was shooting an open gun in .38 Super loaded to major power, with a compensator on the barrel. Now that is LOUD!!

But any handgun, even a .22LR is way above the level of causing permanent, irreversible hearing loss. Hearing loss is cumulative, so a few shots in self defense is minor, and it's the hundreds of shots in practice that really make you deaf.

 

[Hunter5]

I had the unfortunate experience of having an accidental discharge of my MP40 FS in my master bathroom (and trust me I kicked myself in the *** for months on how f..king stupid I was, but it did increase my gun safety awareness 10 fold, I use this experience to teach others the importance of gun safety) but I will tell you it was loud, very loud. I can't really tell you if I have any permanent hearing lose but even to this day I still get a sudden loud ringing in my ear about once a week.

 

[Lost Lake]

It's louder than a rubber band, but much more effective.

All guns will be too loud. You need to make a decision, live with the chance of damaging your hearing, or die.

Only you can decide which you prefer.

.

 

[JFR]

I had the unfortunate experience of having an accidental discharge of my MP40 FS in my master bathroom (and trust me I kicked myself in the *** for months on how f..king stupid I was, but it did increase my gun safety awareness 10 fold, I use this experience to teach others the importance of gun safety) but I will tell you it was loud, very loud. I can't really tell you if I have any permanent hearing lose but even to this day I still get a sudden loud ringing in my ear about once a week.

Wow, I couldn't think of a worse room in the house between tiled walls reflecting the sound and the potential of ricocheting off of tile, cast iron or porcelain. But I guess the best room to keep it from penetrating into others.

That would be the one time I'd hope to have the fuzzy carpet coverings on the johnny's tank and seat for sound absorption alone!

Glad your okay other than a little hearing damage.

 

[ronnie gore]

loud

if you have to shoot anywhere in self defence you won't even hear the shot, I shot an armed robber 7 times from the front seat of my police car, with the gun inside the vehicle, 45 auto commander, and shot another guy outside with a 357 mag, never noticed the the sound.

 

[SmurfHunter]

Always shoot with protection. I do.

 

[vipermd]

Firing any firearm without hearing protection will cause damage. The 40SW is somewhere between a 38-357mag in sound depending on load and barrel. My belief is that every firearm should have a can!, but that does make it difficult to conceal, Laws,time, and money all play into that. My hearing is significantly damaged from 45+ yrs of shooting without protection for the first 20 yrs. I have tinnitus 24/7, the only thing that changes is how loud and irritating it will be at any given time. That being said, I will use my 40SW/12 ga/223 to defend my life in a hallway, BUT, I will be going out to finish zeroing a 300 blk with a can, sub sonic. If the 40 SW saves your life it can not be too loud, use protection any time you can. Be Safe,

 

[Brucenterry]

One competitor in a USPSA match last sunday was shooting an open gun in .38 Super loaded to major power, with a compensator on the barrel. Now that is LOUD!!

But any handgun, even a .22LR is way above the level of causing permanent, irreversible hearing loss. Hearing loss is cumulative, so a few shots in self defense is minor, and it's the hundreds of shots in practice that really make you deaf.

Whad he say?

 

[robkarrob]

Talk about loud, try shooting a 1 7/8 inch stubby with +P ammo. The sound comes right at you. I have a compensator on my AR10 (.308 win), not only super loud, but anyone standing near gets a big blast of concussion.

Bob

 

[rwsmith]

Loud

For inside the house emergencies I use loads that are approximately super .38 specials to light .357. We are musicians and don't have a hankering to blow our ears out.

 

[murphydog]

if you have to shoot anywhere in self defence you won't even hear the shot, I shot an armed robber 7 times from the front seat of my police car, with the gun inside the vehicle, 45 auto commander, and shot another guy outside with a 357 mag, never noticed the the sound.

Massad Ayoob has written about this often, when the adrenaline surge due to stress decreases or eliminates the perception of noise, called "auditory exclusion". Not sure if this leads to damage later on.

 

[SSGT Pride]

A post I just read says that if one were to fire a 40SW in a hallway or a car without ear protection, there was a good chance that he would suffer permanent hearing loss.

In 40 years of shooting, the only gun I've fired without ear protection is a .22LR in an open field. So, I ask anyone who has shot self defense calibers without ear protection, is the 40SW too loud?

US ARMY ARTILLERY 22 years.....Totally 100% deaf...finally got an implant that I rarely wear so my M&P .40 cant bother me...My M&P .45 dont either! BUT! I still have to wear ear plugs...It does bother my ears without them! Its the pressure!

For real though...Spend some bucks on hearing protection!....You DON'T want to be like me!

In an emergency...Home invasion....Who cares!

Wife and kids trump my hearing any day!

SSGT PRIDE

 

[Soldiernurse]

What? I can't hear a single thing y'all are saying?

 

[shouldazagged]

Talk about loud, try shooting a 1 7/8 inch stubby with +P ammo. The sound comes right at you.

I was shooting 158 grain +P from a snubby at an indoor range a while back and the guy in the bay on either side of me asked if I was shooting a .357 Magnum.

Like others here, I shot a hell of a lot with unprotected ears for many years before we learned that muzzle blast is forever. I've had tinnitus for probably 25 years, have substantial high-frequency hearing loss in my right ear and am almost deaf in the left--the one closest to the muzzle.

I haven't shot without ear protection for some years, but I definitely left it too late.

I didn't find my .40's to be any worse than .38 Special +P. Probably not as severe if the .38 was a snub.

 

[warbird]

About 20 yrs ago fired a .357 in my living room. No permanent hearing damage as far as I know but at least I know what to expect.