Try other/multiple hearing protection (Or custom make your own)
Train yourself to not be so effected/distracted by the loud noises
Get hypnotized…
Not much else I can figure as helping seeing as just about any noise reduction device would be NFA classified.
I know for musicians they have very custom and expensive Personal Audio ear inserts that allow you to adjust the frequency level and DB level allowed into the device and thus into your ear; they look like hearing aids. Those are about as expensive as several rifles… But they would do what you wnat them to do; I don’t have a link but I remember them being very specialized and only offerred from (1) manufacturer (as far as I know?).
Out of curiosity; what is the specific “distraction” you are coming up against? Anxiety from the boom that is coming? Head beeps/sounds after the bang? The actual report itself? ETC…?
I know you are looking for something that “isn’t a supressor” however, in all seriousness have you considered taking that next step into NFA land and purchasing a real suppressor? I see from your location that you are in TX and everything should be good to go there af far as NFA laws are concerned.
There are options like the OPS-INC M4S that is very reasonably priced. While it may not offer “hearing safe” sound levels it will bring down the noise of 14.5 or 16 inch AR considerably. Also it is very compact, lightweight, and did I mention cheap?
I’m well aware of my rights and capabilities in the state of Texas. My goal of avoiding a supressor wasn’t centered around confusion about their legality. It’s about cost. a $225 supressor + a $200 tax stamp is noticeably pricier than a ~$50 MD. If I had the scratch for a supressor, I’d first invest it in something like Sordin earpro.
Another thing to consider is that as per the BATFE any muzzle device that reduces the sound signature of the weapon AT ALL, even by 1dB, is considered a suppressor.
Which is why all conventional MDs REDIRECT sound, not reduce it.
Out of curiosity; what is the specific “distraction” you are coming up against? Anxiety from the boom that is coming? Head beeps/sounds after the bang? The actual report itself? ETC…?
The actual report itself. It’s not huge or crippling in a .223 carbine, but it is my biggest distraction.
Serious question:
Have you been to an audiolgist and been checked for Ménière’s disease?
I have not as I have never demonstrated any symptom of the disease. I do not have progressive hearing loss, dizzy spells, vertigo, lasting pain or ringing in my ears (unless shooting WITHOUT earpro, a mistake I made exactly once).
Again, I think a lot of you are imagining this as a lot worse or more debilitating than it is. I was just wondering if there was an MD alternative to the A2 FH that significantly reduced perceived report for the shooter that wasn’t a supressor. There isn’t, I get it. We can all move on now, thank you.
As others have stated, get better electronic EarPro and use plugs. Spend more time on the range. How does the report from others going off on the range affect you? The same as your weapon or no?
How does the report from others going off on the range affect you? The same as your weapon or no?
Because of the way the ranges I’ve shot at are set up, I’ve yet to shoot alongside others shooting centerfire rifle simultaneously. I’ve done a lot of that on the indoor handgun range though. In that situation the people in the stalls immediately next to me sound about as loud as my gun does (when we’re shooting the same round, usually 9mm or .45), I don’t really notice people in stalls further away unless they’re shooting something considerably louder (i.e. 44 mag and up).
Wow dude, take it down a notch, all I was trying to do was help.
Sorry if I came off harsh or mean, I didn’t mean to, I was just in a hurry and wanted to make my points clear.
Revised:
Point #1. Suppressor, know I can, would love to, but too broke
(PS thanks for the referral on the $225 supressor, if I ever do go this route that could be helpful as I had been operating under the impression that the cheapest decent .223 supressor around was more like $600)
Point #2. No villainous/constructive intent here, just looking for something that’d make more racket for people who aren’t me than… yknow, me
I appreciate your help. The supressor tip in particular may make a big difference down the line.
NP. Glad I could help. I am in a similar situation as most of the shooting I do I have a 14 month old child near by (with ear pro of course) so an overly loud rifle is something I am leery of. Me personally, I have so much permanent hearing damage it doesn’t really make a difference to me.
BTW, a muzzle device does not redirect the sound, it redirects and reforms the supersonic gasses into forming a specific shockwave front. This can be to promote the rapid oxygenation of the expanding gasses and therefore reduce the amount of muzzle flash, or they can be focused into concentrated jets which add a reactive force to the mechanical recoil system therein reducing the felt recoil. It is this redirection that largely determines the sound pressure level (SPL) that is apparent to the shooter and others in the area. The reason why a suppressor is so effective at reducing sound pressure levels is that it slows the expanding gasses to below supersonic levels. Anyway, my mechanical engineer is showing.
BTW, a muzzle device does not redirect the sound, it redirects and reforms the supersonic gasses into forming a specific shockwave front. This can be to promote the rapid oxygenation of the expanding gasses and therefore reduce the amount of muzzle flash, or they can be focused into concentrated jets which add a reactive force to the mechanical recoil system therein reducing the felt recoil. It is this redirection that largely determines the sound pressure level (SPL) that is apparent to the shooter and others in the area. The reason why a suppressor is so effective at reducing sound pressure levels is that it slows the expanding gasses to below supersonic levels. Anyway, my mechanical engineer is showing.
Makes sense. Certainly explains why a big open can (as opposed to a supressor, which is a closed can) shrouding the muzzle and beyond would be crap idea.
(1) Can I use your explanation? It’s much cooler than mine.
(2) As regards this: ‘Another thing to consider is that as per the BATFE any muzzle device that reduces the sound signature of the weapon AT ALL, even by 1dB, is considered a suppressor.’
If you know, what does BATF&E use as a baseline to compute if the sound signature has been decreased? Do they measure the firearm’s sound signature with and without the muzzle device? Use an industry standard barrel without the device? (I have no idea how they do this.)
(3) How do you divide your name? Is it “decoded/diesel” or “decod/eddie/sel” or “deco/ded/diesel”? I’ve wanted to know for some time.
Sure thing. This sort of thing is literally my bread and butter at my work. Usually it is one a much larger scale though, but the basic physics still apply here.
If you know, what does BATF&E use as a baseline to compute if the sound signature has been decreased? Do they measure the firearm’s sound signature with and without the muzzle device? Use an industry standard barrel without the device? (I have no idea how they do this.)
I wish I knew to be honest, however this is the definition which seems to be embraced by the ATF. Logically I would guess that the baseline would be a bare muzzle, but that is just a guess.
(3) How do you divide your name? Is it “decoded/diesel” or “decod/eddie/sel” or “deco/ded/diesel”? I’ve wanted to know for some time.
decoded/diesel I guess. It is kind of a play on words from my first call sign from when I first joined the Army.
Wear those inexpensive foam ear plugs underneath and you’ll be good to go. I do it at times (except I use the Surefire Defender Plus ear plugs). I also use the MSA/Sordin Supreme X with gel pads and they are awesome!!
Other than that, generally the longer the barrel the less perceived noise the shooter will experience. Shooting a smaller caliber (IE: .22LR or 9mm) with the same barrel length should also help.
Is it illegal for someone to market a muzzle device that just partially reduces the noise - maybe by half - without it being considered a can? Seems like there would be a huge demand.
It would go a long way to reducing health care costs for those that have “not yet” suffered serious hearing loss. Most young people are too [fill in the blank] to realize that even with good muffs hearing loss is inevitable for a serious trigger puller. Even double plugged around other shooters with brakes is no guarantee.
ETA: Let me rephrase: Is it too much to ask our elected representatives to allow such a device?
1:Shoot an SBR without earpro for a while. Then you won’t be able to hear the noise at all any more.
2:Shoot airsoft
3:Shove your tampons in your ears:lol:
I had the same problems. Have had cans for a while have shot them less and less after f’n one up , picked up sordins, they’re good when shootin with others but are still a little loud.Especially with sbrs All in all I think the 22 route is best the can on it is super quiet, and cheap.Runnin the sordins and listenin to the ipod is kinda cool though.
