How loud is a pistol?

[muffler man]

This sounds like a dumb question, but I have to ask. I shoot at ranges with ear protection, hopefully like everyone else, but the other day I went to shoot my new baby, a Cyclopes, and this thing is loud. I know the noise is from the porting, but it's noticable. I was shooting a 6 inch barreled Rossi with the 8 inch barrel Cyclopes and the sound is much louder. I was wondering if anyone has ever shot with a sound meter at the range and checked the db's of their handguns? Thanks, Joe

[Neko456]

Loud enough to mess up your hearing!! Always wear ear protection when at the range. If not, slight permenant hearing lost will gradually aquire.
Believe me its true. Been there done that.

[shortthrow50]

so many different pistols with different lenght barrells and calibers.

[Steve_NEPhila]

I have never heard of a "Cyclopes" what is it?

As for the sound, porting does make some handguns to appear to be louder by direct more of the expanding gas towards the shooter. All firearms with or without a suppressor have sufficient sound pressure levels to cause hearing damage.



There is a part one to this video as well, yet it does not have the db measurements.

Here are guidelines for hearing damage:
http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/edu...me-guidelines/

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by Steve_NEPhila

I have never heard of a "Cyclopes" what is it?

As for the sound, porting does make some handguns to appear to be louder by direct more of the expanding gas towards the shooter. All firearms with or without a suppressor have sufficient sound pressure levels to cause hearing damage.



There is a part one to this video as well, yet it does not have the db measurements.

Here are guidelines for hearing damage:
http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/edu...me-guidelines/

The Cyclops was a long barreled .357 made by Rossi years ago. Not the Rossi of today, but the independent Rossi before Taurus involvement.

At this link are some Cyclops models.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...=Rossi+Cyclops

[SCBaldr]

I'd have to say 'Pretty f*****g loud!' For me earplugs/muffs with a noise reduction rating of 30 decibels or more is necessary equipment.

[Gun]

At an indoor range, depends on the sound absorbing material used on the walls, if there is any!

Guy next to me was shooting a 9mm. I had on a pair of Rx glasses, I just acquired. The polycarbonate material of the lenses vibrated with every shot this guy took. Not so with the 45 I was shooting. BTW, the walls on either side were bare concrete.

[*Klutch*]

I've heard a S&W 642 38+P and an XD 40 without hearing protection and I don't recommend it. The 38 was a real hard crack sound that made my hears ring instantly, and the XD 40 made a similar sound but my ears started to hurt as soon as the round was fired. It SUX!

[chivvalry]

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/106...el-levels.html (Gunshot decibel levels)

[WWGunslinger]

the only gun i shoot without hearing protection is a .22 rifle or pellet gun.

even a .22 pistol is way too loud.