Muffs for Competition?

Sunstealer · January 24, 2010, 08:45 PM

Any recommendations for good (and relatively inexpensive) earmuffs for competitive shooting? I normally just use a standard pair of old fashioned muffs or plugs when shooting by myself. I assume those will be a hindrance when lots of people are shooting and talking though?

Pahoo · January 25, 2010, 11:17 AM

To a certain extent, depends on what you are shooting, and/or competition. Most of the time, I use Peltor and they make a range or muff types. As you know, they should all carry a DB rating to address the ambient noise. I like to limit the extension that would interfere with my cheak weld so I use an old set of shotgun muffs and when I need additional protection, I insert ear plugs. I also have higher DB rated muffs that I take along and most of these are industrial types. The point is to try and get as close to the DB rating as possible. One size may not fit all. Duration of exposure is also a consideration.

Be Safe !!!

Sunstealer · January 25, 2010, 04:52 PM

I will be shooting IDPA and/or USPSA for the most part.

Nnobby45 · January 25, 2010, 05:35 PM

Pahoo (or anyone), who makes the best electronic industrial muffs, and where might I get a set? I understand that 33dB NRR is about the tops. I ordered a set of Pro Ears Pro Mag rated for 33, designed for indoor ranges, and they didn't suppress sound well at all. Sound amplification and quality were excellent. They just forgot to build them so they block loud noise.

Returned them to Cabelas for full refund. $327 out the door.

As for Sunstealer's question. I'm hearing a lot of good things about Peltor. So much so that I have a pair of Tac 7S's on the way. Still want something heavier for indoors.

9mm1033 · January 26, 2010, 11:17 AM

Here's a good, quality manufacturer of ear muffs. http://www.opticsplanet.net/howard-l...fs-r03318.html I recently switched to this brand and find them very well priced and functional regarding the protection rating. I don't go cheap for ear protection. I'm one of those shooters who has lost some hearing. It sucks and it will not return. I've used electronic muffs, which are fine, but when shooting indoors around an exhaust fan, they were not reasonable. When outdoors try the muffs alone. You may not need to use the plugs as well. I used both and never had problems hearing the commands, etc. They both worked well for me. Because when I was done shooting, I removed the muffs to reload my mags at the bench. With others still shooting my ears were still protected with the plugs. Save those ears!

Pahoo · January 26, 2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Pahoo (or anyone), who makes the best electronic industrial muffs, and where might I get a set?

Understand that I have limited experience with what all is out there or the latest and greatest. For the electronic types, I still have to go with Peltor. Also keep in mind tha you can add to the protection by doubling up with a set of good ear plugs. Those two part molded plugs that are moulded to your own ear canal, work great, especially with the addition of ear muffs. For my age, i'd say that my hearing is very good and due mostly to the protection I have used in the industrial work that I did. I still can hear a squirrel climbing up a tree where my younger buddy cannot.

Be Safe !!!

TheDarkOne · January 26, 2010, 06:54 PM

I am no muff expert by any means. I have been really impressed with these though...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...m_campaign=655

Great protection for your ears, while still able to hear the softest sounds around you. They have an auto turn off feature just in case you forget to turn them off, and you can even plug an MP3 player into them. For the money, they are going to be hard to beat.

T. O'Heir · January 30, 2010, 02:22 AM

"...assume those will be a hindrance..." Nope. They'll be just fine. You don't need anything fancy for competitive shooting.

GA Limited GM · January 30, 2010, 06:28 PM

Best combo I've found is plain ole foam plugs with Peltors cranked up. That way I hear well enough not to be yelling at people and get great protection also.

Some guys can wear this set up while rifle shooting. I can not.

When talking about hearing protection and IPSC in the same sentence ya gotta throw in the open gun scenario. I've RO'ed some of those guys shooting in a hallway. I'd clip the timer to my belt, beep them, and then press the muffs against my head. Still LOUD. I dont think there is an Open shooter out there whos ears dont ring at night.

I had a nurse in a class once who told me plugs alone wouldnt provide enough protection as the vibration would cause damage in itself. (BIR, thats what how she described it)

Have fun. Competing is a hoot.

Hammonje · January 30, 2010, 10:41 PM

Skip the muffs. Get custom molded silicon ear plugs. Cost about $45-50. They're phenomenal. Comfortable and dampen sound well.

It's has an added benefit when rifle shooting b/c there is nothing to interfere with cheek weld.

Dave Bone · February 19, 2010, 08:20 PM

Nothing but molded ear plugs for me as well. The muffs are just too darn hot in the summer.

Nomadicone · February 19, 2010, 08:55 PM

I like to wear both electronic muffs and molded ear plugs when I shoot USPSA. I turn the volume up on the muffs so I can hear the commands but the plugs give me added protection. I do agree, they get hot here in Arizona during the summer. However, when they get hot I take the muffs off for a minute or two and still have the plugs in place if folks are continuing to shoot.

Zak Smith · February 19, 2010, 08:56 PM

I wear the slim "Shotgunner" earmuffs over NRR 33 plugs.

Casimer · February 19, 2010, 10:14 PM

The best electronic muff on the market is probably the MSA Supreme Pro model. The big difference with these is that rather than cut-off when their programmed decibel threshold is exceeded, they reduce the peak level through digital processing. So there's no interruption in the throughput of the ambient sound.

And they're only $300! - http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/6811/?mc_id=1022

Personally I use the slim Leight Impact Sport muff for pistol and double plug with these for rifle.

Zak Smith · February 19, 2010, 10:19 PM

I have ProEars which work the same fundamental way as the Sordins. They didn't attenuate the report enough to wear alone and weren't loud enough to hear normal speech any better with earplugs underneath. So now I wear NRR 33 plugs alone if I need to communicate and those plugs cheap muffs if I need maximum attenuation.

Don Gwinn · February 20, 2010, 11:07 AM

How about some links to places to get custom-molded ear plugs? I didn't realize they were that inexpensive.

January 24, 2010, 08:45 PM	#1
Sunstealer Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Posts: 29	Muffs for Competition? Any recommendations for good (and relatively inexpensive) earmuffs for competitive shooting? I normally just use a standard pair of old fashioned muffs or plugs when shooting by myself. I assume those will be a hindrance when lots of people are shooting and talking though?

January 26, 2010, 11:17 AM	#5
9mm1033 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: A big city with far too many cars and people. Posts: 932	Here's a good, quality manufacturer of ear muffs. http://www.opticsplanet.net/howard-l...fs-r03318.html I recently switched to this brand and find them very well priced and functional regarding the protection rating. I don't go cheap for ear protection. I'm one of those shooters who has lost some hearing. It sucks and it will not return. I've used electronic muffs, which are fine, but when shooting indoors around an exhaust fan, they were not reasonable. When outdoors try the muffs alone. You may not need to use the plugs as well. I used both and never had problems hearing the commands, etc. They both worked well for me. Because when I was done shooting, I removed the muffs to reload my mags at the bench. With others still shooting my ears were still protected with the plugs. Save those ears! __________________ No one reads or cares what is written in ones signature box. So I'm not writing anything worth reading or remembering.

January 30, 2010, 02:22 AM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...assume those will be a hindrance..." Nope. They'll be just fine. You don't need anything fancy for competitive shooting. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 19, 2010, 08:20 PM	#11
Dave Bone Member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 33	Nothing but molded ear plugs for me as well. The muffs are just too darn hot in the summer. __________________ Dave NRA, NAHC, USPSA

February 19, 2010, 08:55 PM	#12
Nomadicone Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 214	I like to wear both electronic muffs and molded ear plugs when I shoot USPSA. I turn the volume up on the muffs so I can hear the commands but the plugs give me added protection. I do agree, they get hot here in Arizona during the summer. However, when they get hot I take the muffs off for a minute or two and still have the plugs in place if folks are continuing to shoot. __________________ Outdoor Equipment Outfitter for your outdoor equipment needs www.outdoorequipmentoutfitter.org

January 25, 2010, 11:17 AM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	To a certain extent, depends on what you are shooting, and/or competition. Most of the time, I use Peltor and they make a range or muff types. As you know, they should all carry a DB rating to address the ambient noise. I like to limit the extension that would interfere with my cheak weld so I use an old set of shotgun muffs and when I need additional protection, I insert ear plugs. I also have higher DB rated muffs that I take along and most of these are industrial types. The point is to try and get as close to the DB rating as possible. One size may not fit all. Duration of exposure is also a consideration. Be Safe !!!

January 25, 2010, 04:52 PM	#3
Sunstealer Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Posts: 29	I will be shooting IDPA and/or USPSA for the most part.

January 25, 2010, 05:35 PM	#4
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Pahoo (or anyone), who makes the best electronic industrial muffs, and where might I get a set? I understand that 33dB NRR is about the tops. I ordered a set of Pro Ears Pro Mag rated for 33, designed for indoor ranges, and they didn't suppress sound well at all. Sound amplification and quality were excellent. They just forgot to build them so they block loud noise. Returned them to Cabelas for full refund. $327 out the door. As for Sunstealer's question. I'm hearing a lot of good things about Peltor. So much so that I have a pair of Tac 7S's on the way. Still want something heavier for indoors.

January 26, 2010, 06:54 PM	#7
TheDarkOne Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2010 Posts: 6	I am no muff expert by any means. I have been really impressed with these though... http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...m_campaign=655 Great protection for your ears, while still able to hear the softest sounds around you. They have an auto turn off feature just in case you forget to turn them off, and you can even plug an MP3 player into them. For the money, they are going to be hard to beat.

January 30, 2010, 06:28 PM	#9
GA Limited GM Member Join Date: March 27, 2008 Location: Gods Country Posts: 73	Best combo I've found is plain ole foam plugs with Peltors cranked up. That way I hear well enough not to be yelling at people and get great protection also. Some guys can wear this set up while rifle shooting. I can not. When talking about hearing protection and IPSC in the same sentence ya gotta throw in the open gun scenario. I've RO'ed some of those guys shooting in a hallway. I'd clip the timer to my belt, beep them, and then press the muffs against my head. Still LOUD. I dont think there is an Open shooter out there whos ears dont ring at night. I had a nurse in a class once who told me plugs alone wouldnt provide enough protection as the vibration would cause damage in itself. (BIR, thats what how she described it) Have fun. Competing is a hoot.

January 30, 2010, 10:41 PM	#10
Hammonje Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2010 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 117	Skip the muffs. Get custom molded silicon ear plugs. Cost about $45-50. They're phenomenal. Comfortable and dampen sound well. It's has an added benefit when rifle shooting b/c there is nothing to interfere with cheek weld.

February 19, 2010, 08:56 PM	#13
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	I wear the slim "Shotgunner" earmuffs over NRR 33 plugs. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

February 19, 2010, 10:14 PM	#14
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	The best electronic muff on the market is probably the MSA Supreme Pro model. The big difference with these is that rather than cut-off when their programmed decibel threshold is exceeded, they reduce the peak level through digital processing. So there's no interruption in the throughput of the ambient sound. And they're only $300! - http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/6811/?mc_id=1022 Personally I use the slim Leight Impact Sport muff for pistol and double plug with these for rifle.

February 19, 2010, 10:19 PM	#15
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	I have ProEars which work the same fundamental way as the Sordins. They didn't attenuate the report enough to wear alone and weren't loud enough to hear normal speech any better with earplugs underneath. So now I wear NRR 33 plugs alone if I need to communicate and those plugs cheap muffs if I need maximum attenuation. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

February 20, 2010, 11:07 AM	#16
Don Gwinn Staff Emeritus Join Date: March 9, 2000 Location: Virden, IL Posts: 5,917	How about some links to places to get custom-molded ear plugs? I didn't realize they were that inexpensive. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don Gwinn: Chicago Gun Rights Examiner