Your thoughts on the noise level of .357

[venomballistics]

Bottom line, some may seem louder than others but ALL of them will damage your ears. Even if one doesn't seem to "bother" you as much it's doing damage. When you hit 50 years of age you will wish you had protected your hearing. The .357's problem is so many of them are loaded so hot that a large percentage of the powder is burned after the bullet has left the barrel. Why so many people think this is the best load for a snub is something I never quite got.

a 357 snub is arguably inefficient and would do better in a longer barrel. but even with this efficiency shortcoming, the only auto that will match its energy is the 10MM which is more of a reloaders caliber than that of the unwashed masses.
Power is one of the revolvers advantages, and it is a trait that should be exploited.

 

[sirrduke2010]

I read most of the responses and see where you are going with this question.

All fired guns people should wear hearing protection. If it is a life or death situation you aren't going to have time to put them on so you would have to use a gun without the hearing protectors. It becomes a matter of priorities which is more important your hearing or your life. I have heard that you won't notice the gun fire as much when you are defending yourself but it still depends. If it is a shotgun blast I am sure you won't miss it especially without hearing protectors. Shotguns are rated at 160 decibels. Will the gun fire damage your hearing and according to the experts yes but it may not. There are a lot variables that could make the sound louder or softer.

 

[Jeb21]

I agree with your choice of a 357 magnum k-frame as a camp gun. The noise level is an issue but if you need the gun you will appreciate the magnum's extra power.

 

[MSgtJimmy]

In 1989, just to satisfy my curiosity, I fired 6 factory magnums through a 2 1/2 inch 19-3. Each shot felt like a slap on the side of the head. My ears rang for a while and by that evening, I was fine. I'll never do that intentionally again but if I have to fire to save my life, I will not hesitate.

 

[OLDFED]

WHAT? Please write louder because I can't hear a bloody thing!

 

[38-44HD45]

WHAT? Please write louder because I can't hear a bloody thing!

Huh? (Carrying two .357s today...)

 

[blackpowder]

Yes, repeated gun-blasts from large caliber handguns will damage your hearing. And yes, the noise level from a .357 is far greater than other calibers like 9mmP or .45ACP, etc. And if you set off a .357mag indoors in a confined space just once, your ears will pay the price short term and long term when they perhaps would not suffer permanent damage from the other calibers mentioned. The .357 is just devastating in terms of flash and bang.

And the stories flying around about not hearing or noticing the gunblasts in an earnest sd encounter are misleading. This may indeed appear so due to a phenomena called auditory exclusion but this will not prevent hearing loss. Ask your doctor.

But I really don't understand the real issue. The .357 is a proven stopper. When you practice (indoors or out) you use hearing protection. Not to would be foolish. If you need to fire it in an emergency in earnest, then your hearing can only be of secondary concern. Anything else would be foolish.

 

[auburn2]

I have permanent hearing loss in my left ear from firing a .357 Magnum without hearing protection when I was young and stupid.

People talk about losing hearing over time, I did it in one day. I still remember th exact day. A friend and I went through 150 rounds of .357 at the range. We forgot the hearing protection and figured what the hell. It was actually painful (and I thought I was macho for gutting it out). My ears were ringing when we finished and the ringing in my left ear has still not stopped. That was in 1994.

Now do I think emptying 6 .357 rounds in self defense will do that? No I don't and I still keep mine loaded in my house and would use it without hearing protection. However for any recreational shooting learn from my mistake and wear hearing protection. If you forget it stuff cotton, paper, empty casings or whatever you can find in your ears. It ay be gross and they won't work as well as "real" ear plugs or muffs but they are a lot btter than nothing. Don't be stupid like me.

 

[themaxx69]

I know this is an old thread but oh well. I had a malfunction last week with my Comanche 6" 357 magnum, loaded with hydra shok 158gr. I had just cleaned the weapon and was going to cycle the cylinder and have it drop on the 1 empty cylinder by pulling the trigger. I will never do that again! Even though I have never had an issue with the cylinder not rotating correctly, it did it then. Of course I had the gun pointed downward, but it was no more than a foot and a half in front of my face when it went off. It was quite a strange few minutes after that. Wasn't like anything I've ever experienced. More than a flash bang or any homemade pyrotechnic device at close range.

Had no plugs on and was in a small basement, maybe 11'x18' or so. Not sure if I will have any permanent damage, but will be surprised if I don't. No bleeding or fluids came out of my ears though. Ringing stopped within a day or so, but even after a week my ears still feel, congested maybe, off and on throughout the day. I can still hear almost at the same level as before, at least that's how it seems. I can really notice a difference when driving with the windows down though. Makes them feel more plugged up.

I have shot 45, 22, 9mm, 223, at arms length before with no protection and none of those comes close to what happened when that thing went off a foot and a half or so from my ears. I think I am no longer going to even consider a 357 or 12gauge for home defense any more. I'll stick with the 45, and start looking for suppressors.

 

[Rangerpat]

I have tinnitus due to a combination of gunfire, heavy equipment operation and running chainsaws for over 30 years. I wore hearing protection the majority of times but there were times when I did not.
I agree with Lobo, I use .357mag loads in my J-frame and they will definately make your ears ring; it was outdoors, up close and personal with a 205 lb. wild boar, no time to put in earplugs. It seems to me that .357mag is even louder than .44mag.

 

[blackpowder]

Never mind the age of the thread. It may be an old thread but this topic is always current - as well as always hotly disputed - and thank you so much for sharing your experience. And, of course, you draw the right conclusions from the lesson you've learned. And you still can use that .357 for SD indoors. Just load it up with good .38spl self defense loads. There are plenty good loads to be had and they will do the job.

And again, before someone jumps on this wagon and tells us how much more effective the .357 loads are, there is no argument on that. They are more effective. Period. The point is that not everyone is willing to trade in their hearing for the additional stopping power of the .357 when he most likely can get by with a good .38spl. And don't forget: When you use the .357mag in a closed, confined (and likely dark) space, you had better be done after the first shot. Because follow up shots will be extremely difficult in the environment created by the blast of a .357mag and its effects on the shooter.

 

[blujax01]

. And don't forget: When you use the .357mag in a closed, confined (and likely dark) space, you had better be done after the first shot. Because follow up shots will be extremely difficult in the environment created by the blast of a .357mag and its effects on the shooter.

May be true for you.

 

[vytoland]

i like the "sounds" that come from my S&W .357 magnums and the attention it gets at the range.

 

[blujax01]

i like the "sounds" that come from my S&W .357 magnums and the attention it gets at the range.

And if the booth is small enough and the charge big enough I can feel it move what's left of my hair!

 

[blackpowder]

May be true for you.

unless you have Spock's ears and the six million dollar man's bionic eye, it's true for you too

 

[blujax01]

unless you have Spock's ears and the six million dollar man's bionic eye, it's true for you too

Having practiced shooting the .357 in near darkness many times, I can say that the "shock and awe" is no more nor less than a healthily loaded .45 acp or 38+P.

I was taught to use the muzzle flash to find the front sight on follow up shots. It's not difficult.

I will not say whether it is an acceptable round for you or anyone else, but I do say that for me it is. I have practiced with it, I carry it and I trust it.

 

[blackpowder]

. . . I can say that the "shock and awe" is no more nor less than a healthily loaded .45 acp or 38+P.

you are kidding now, right?

 

[johngalt]

How well does the .38 penetrate the human body? If it is good enough to pass completely through, what does the .357 do for you? I read somewhere (I forget where) that once you achieve adequate penetration, extra velocity just gets you more range. Since most defensive shootings are at very short range, I am skeptical that the extra velocity from the .357 adds anything. Of course, I'm assuming that a .38 has adequate penetration, which may be incorrect.

If you can get equivalent performance from a lower pressure cartridge like a .38, .44 special, or .45 auto, why not use it and avoid subjecting yourself to unnecessary noise and flash?

 

[themaxx69]

Considering over penetration possibilities and the fact that it felt like a mortar exploded close to me, 357 seems seems honestly stupid as home defense, almost as bad as a rifle. An 18" 12gauge, according to the charts is actually not as loud. I'm sure a sorter barrel would still be less DB, and realistically, I don't think anything beats the stopping power of 12 gauge at self defense ranges. Or the intimidation factor. One shot is all you need, and shot placement isn't that important. I still keep my 45 next to my head, but my shotty is now also within arms reach. 45 for instant response, shotty if no one is in sight.

 

[Darkenfast]

Back when my wife's service revolver was an old Security Six 4-incher (magna-style grips), and my private revolver was an early 586 six-incher, I really noticed the difference in recoil with 145-158 grain full-power loads, but I don't recall how much difference in noise there was, because I don't think we ever shot them with magnums side-by-side. She carried Treasury Load .38's anyway. I can't find anything on the 'net regarding barrel length effects on decibels. Anyone have anything on that?