Ear protection

[eightmd]

What do you guys think the best ear protection is for shooting? I like the ear muff kind but when I went to the skeet clinic Don thought they got in the way of properly mounting the gun.

I've tried several kinds of ear plugs and they seem to have a hard time staying in. I have to keep adjusting them. I have surfer's ear so I guess I have fairly small ear canals.

What do you guys thing does the best job and fits best?

[uyoga]

Bingo! I was totally against using foam plugs until I watched this video.

Hint: You really have to squeeze hard to form a very small diamater tube.

http://consumerist.com/2009/06/earplugs-youre-probably-inserting-them-wrong.html

also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPNPZJingZA

[Montu]

^
yep put them in correctly to avoid issues...I still can't get a perfect fit in my right ear to I bought some electronic ears to go on top of the plugs...Haven't tried it yet but their the slim kind so it shouldn't get in the way too much.

[gugoo]

Interesting, thanks!

Bingo! I was totally against using foam plugs until I watched this video.

Hint: You really have to squeeze hard to form a very small diamater tube.

http://consumerist.com/2009/06/earplugs-youre-probably-inserting-them-wrong.html

also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPNPZJingZA

[5539]

Get custom molded ear plugs from the guy at BBB's, he is there on most Saturdays, Sundays and on days when they have competition shoots.

Fitting only takes a few minutes and cost $45.00 per pair.

Mine work great, easy to put in your ear and hard to lose or misplace them.

Look on the big bulletin board in front of the restroom building, he has posted a flyer, with contact informaation.

John 5539

[lawhite92]

Don from Martinez gun club?

[goldduster]

Where can you get these in NorCal?

[Fadedline]

Where can you get these in NorCal?

Cow Palace gun show this weekend.

[scootle]

I think part of the proper gun mount and relation to muffs is person-specific too. I haven't had too much trouble using muffs and mounting most long guns. Regardless, I usually run plugs under my muffs just in case the muffs get bumped or pushed out of place somehow while moving around.

[Ricky-Ray]

Surefire EP-4 defender ear plugs. Ever since I got these I don't even wanna touch the ear muff ones anymore.

[Databyter]

What do you guys think the best ear protection is for shooting? I like the ear muff kind but when I went to the skeet clinic Don thought they got in the way of properly mounting the gun.

I've tried several kinds of ear plugs and they seem to have a hard time staying in. I have to keep adjusting them. I have surfer's ear so I guess I have fairly small ear canals.

What do you guys thing does the best job and fits best?

Personally I use ear-plugs AND quality muffs because when I go shooting I'm there all day shooting loud guns and don't want any damage to my already shipyard and machine shopped ears.

There is a limit to how much one device can help you but the combination of layering devices is very effective.

If you get high quality foam ear plugs and roll them between your fingers for a few minutes to get them warm and compressed they get ridiculously small, especially with certain brands, so give that a shot.

Also when you put them in hold the outside of the ear plug for about 60 seconds or more. I notice most people put them in and just let go or let them expand for a few seconds and let go.

They are losing some ground doing that. They will stay in better and be more effective if you press on the end of the freshly inserted foam protector for at least a minute or a minute and a half till it has had a chance to fully expand which it does quite slowly.

If you try this you will notice that the sound is muffled even more and the plugs will NOT come out by themselves.

Also there are low profile muff types but I cannot speak to effectiveness or if you could maintain gun mounting technique.

[Colt1911]

Surefire

Second vote for the Surefire EP-4. Comfortable for all day, don't get in the way for gun mount and most important you can hear range commands (or Coach Don).
I've used them for our Skeet classes, combat pistol and shotgun classes and never have any regret. But; when I shoot at an indoor range I do use them and muffs over them too.
For around $16.00 the price is right too. They do have different sizes too since you mentioned you have small ears.. Only thing that I would consider better are custom fit molded plug such as mentioned by 5539 if you get them with the insert that allows conversation but blocks loud gunfire. Also remember if you ever have any ringing your ear protection is inadequate.

[Lugiahua]

I use EP-3 on all shooting activities, and they work really well.

It seems there is a new EP-6, but I don't know the difference yet.

[tacticalcity]

Option 1: Checkout the new SureFire ear plugs...range between $11-13

http://stores.ebay.com/Tactical-Auctions/Surefire-/_i.html?_fsub=3042062018&_sid=177334068&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Option 2: Try low profile electronic ear muffs from Caldwell for only $29.99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CALDWELL-LOW-PROFILE-ELECTRONIC-EAR-MUFFS-SHOOTING-WORK-HEARING-PROTECTION-/250921813052?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6c1b043c

Option 3: Try the Allen Sound Sensors...$19.95

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALLEN-SOUND-SENSOR-HEARING-PROTECTION-EAR-PLUGS-BLACK-/280762408548?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415ebe5e64

Option 4: Check out the other 40 choices...

http://stores.ebay.com/Tactical-Auctions/Ear-protection-/_i.html?_fsub=3042164018&_sid=177334068&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

[Bigtwin]

These are the ones I use now. http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/leight-plugs
Not saying they are the best, but using muffs for rifle have been uncomfortable and have caused pinching/abrasion for me, some scabs on my jaw from the muff to rifle stock contact.
I then went for the cheap yellow barrel shaped earplugs but was not happy with the fit/feel of them.
That is when I found the howard Leight ear plugs and have been very happy since.