Who has fired a gun without hearing protection?

[BimmerJon]

This thread was inspired by:

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/938...e-problem.html


I think it is worth mentioning. I have fired thousands of rounds in practice but always with hearing protection.

Wouldn't it be smart to be proactive or at least experience shooting without hearing protection?

If I get into a situation where I need to fire, surprises are not good. How will it sound, how loud, how will my body react?

We can't go around wearing earplugs 24/7, but we talk about practice, muscle memory, etc. Shouldn't this be important as well?

EDIT: Ah, crap.... can a MOD edit the typo "nkow"

[Searcher67]

Um HUH? What did you say?

[S&WM&P40]

in an adrenaline fueled street encounter your ears will partially shut down in order to protect them. People that shoot in self defense sometimes don't even remember hearing the shots. I have experienced my gf's .38 snub without hearing protection and I didn't like it. I always wear ear protection when shooting. I don't think that the lack of me knowing what my .40 cal sound like without ear protection will matter much if I am in a self defense situation.

[mythaeus]

I was at an indoor range by myself a while ago, took my earmuff off to do something, then forgot to put it back on prior to firing my AR15. Got a headache for the rest of the day just from 1 round.

Al

[Yellowfin]

It certainly makes an arguement in favor of suppressors for home defense.

[CHEMICAL]

I think that in the adrenaline filled situation of a self defense shooting you won't even notice the effects of the noise until its over...if you even hear it at all at the time of discharge.

[CHEMICAL]

in an adrenaline fueled street encounter your ears will partially shut down in order to protect them. People that shoot in self defense sometimes don't even remember hearing the shots. I have experienced my gf's .38 snub without hearing protection and I didn't like it. I always wear ear protection when shooting. I don't think that the lack of me knowing what my .40 cal sound like without ear protection will matter much if I am in a self defense situation.

damn....posted this while I was typing!

[Hawk]

1979 - 38 derringer - extra loud because I was between a house and a hill - lost hearing in my right ear for 2 days. Still have limited hearing and ringing 30 years later.

2009 - A firing line of AR's and Garand's, and my own AR - I'm on the line during a competition (rapid fire 10 rounds in 60 seconds x 15 competitors)- forgot to put in my hearing protection and I had to endure it or forfeit that leg of the match. Wasn't as bad as the 38 30 years earlier.

Multiple times at the range during an "all clear" and some asshat doesn't call "going hot, eyes and ears" before he opens fire.


I think I won't have any issues if I had to fire without protection...

[dsnover]

Not sure if I like the given choices, but yes, I have fired without hearing protection, just to know what to expect. However, it wasn't pleasant, and so I don't make a habit out of it. In a SD situation, I doubt that the decibel level would be my biggest concern.....

[Steve in PA]

Last night. Had to put down a large doe that ran into the side of an SUV and broke its leg.