Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks - A couple questions for shooters.

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A couple questions for shooters.

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Topic: A couple questions for shooters.

Posted By: GARY(OH/IN)
Subject: A couple questions for shooters.
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2020 at 10:26pm

Bought two S & W 380 pistols and some ammo for the wife and I. Went out to the farm to target practice and three rounds were enough for us. Was so loud we had to quit and get out something smaller. The ammo is Blazer Brass 380 AUtO 95 gr.FMJ. What should I be buying for target practice ?

Next question. I have bought some ear muffs. Two are 3M pro-grade with a noise reduction rating of 30 decibels. The other two are Walker's electronic shooting muffs with an NRR of 22 decibels and has they have a 50dB of power label on the package. Which should I keep or should I return both and then buy what ?

I'm an obvious novice at this and learning. Thanks.

Replies:

Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 6:15am

First question, you bought both S&W correct? Are they by chance the ported performance models.
The ported ones are very loud.
Wear which hearing protection has the highest level of protection and never shoot without it.
If you develope the flinches from the loud bang it’s very very hard to overcome.

Posted By: plummerscarin
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 6:39am

With my 44 Magnum I first put foam earplugs in then wear the Walkers. Neither one was adequate alone.

Posted By: Dave H
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 8:44am

wife and I have S&W Body Guards. I don't think they are any worse than the 9mm with Blazer ammo.

Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 10:35am

I bought my wife the S&W M&P performance which is ported. It seems much louder than mine which is not. Both 9mm

Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 4:11pm

My 45acp has less report than my 9mm handguns. I believe it has to do with total powder load.

Posted By: KMAG
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 4:47pm

Unless your pistol is suppressed, hearing protection is needed. Some pistols are quieter due to longer barrels or using sub-sonic ammo.

Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 5:21pm

I still use shooters earmuffs, and when shoot the .50 muffs AND Plugs.

Posted By: klinemar
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 6:14pm

I have a pair of Caldwell Electronic Shooting Earmuffs that you can talk and listen and protect when the gun is fired. Here is a link. https://www.caldwellshooting.com/safety-gear/hearing-protection/e-max/e-max-low-profile-electronic-hearing-protection/487557.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.caldwellshooting.com/safety-gear/hearing-protection/e-max/e-max-low-profile-electronic-hearing-protection/487557.html

Posted By: Dave H
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 7:41am

Gary, what kind of pistols did you buy?

Posted By: GARY(OH/IN)
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 8:53am

They are Smith & Wesson Bodygaurd 380ACP 2.75" barrel semi automatic with laser.

A couple responses have mentioned if they are ported. I don't know enough to know what that means.

Thanks for all the replies.

Posted By: Dave H
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 9:33am

Gary, we have two of those also. Mine without lazer and the Mrs with lazer. Yep i think they are louder than the 9mm Sig but I am not concerned with the potential noise and flash.

One thing I did to get a more comfortable fit in the hand is put an extended grip on the end of the mag. Available on ebay and just slide and snap right on. Allows for another finger to grip on that little bugger.

Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2020 at 10:24pm

A good set of ear protectors from a gun shop or sporting goods store should be adequate. I had a Glock .380 but did not notice it being excessively loud. I moved up to a 9 mm for more power and it has about the same amount of noise. My hearing is somewhat impaired so I don't notice the noise as much. Also I had a S&W snub nose .357 mag that would make your ears ring, especially with "business" loads.

Get to know someone who works at a gun store. They are a wealth of information and are usually happy to share their knowledge. Their prices are usually a little more but you deal with someone who has some knowledge about firearms. The indoor gun ranges are another good place to learn. And I would also highly recommend a gun safety course and a basic marksmanship course which are available at the indoor ranges.

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Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.