Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Unfortunately no. Just custom molded plugs similar to these: http://www.cabelas.com/p-0037460227874a.shtml. Only I had mine made at a gun show by a specialist rather than a home kit. I would love to get a set of SportEars, but they are a lot of money...

I have a pair of cheap electronic muffs I bought at Gander Mountain. They work pretty well but I also have a real nice pair of muffs I got from work for working around heavy equipment and noticed that they really deaden the sound well. I like the extra protection that I get from the non electronic ones but miss the mic in my ear. So, I've been thinking about doubling up on the electronic ones with a cheap pair of squishie plugs. Maybe that might be the happy medium.

Oh, sorry for the ramble, MUFFS.

I use custom molder silicone ear plugs. If I don't have that, I use muffs. The foam plugs ya squish up and stick in yer ears are my last choice.

Aroooo wrote:Unfortunately no. Just custom molded plugs similar to these: http://www.cabelas.com/p-0037460227874a.shtml. Only I had mine made at a gun show by a specialist rather than a home kit. I would love to get a set of SportEars, but they are a lot of money...

I've never met anyone who owned custom SportEars. I spoke to the rep at ShotShow and of course he touts that he sells tons but, I can't imagine dropping $1200-$1500 on electronic ear plugs. I could see how they might be an advantage for an instructor, covert or security work but for all other applications I think it's overkill.

RJames wrote: I can't imagine dropping $1200-$1500 on electronic ear plugs. I could see how they might be an advantage for an instructor, covert or security work but for all other applications I think it's overkill.

Believe I'd use that much cash to buy a couple nice new shiny guns and use cigarette butts...

I hope that was a staged photo. A possible ATF agent with a gun to his head and his finger in the trigger... ug...

RJames wrote:I've never met anyone who owned custom SportEars. I spoke to the rep at ShotShow and of course he touts that he sells tons but, I can't imagine dropping $1200-$1500 on electronic ear plugs. I could see how they might be an advantage for an instructor, covert or security work but for all other applications I think it's overkill.

When running instructor courses we spend hours on the range. The electronic muffs are great, but just so uncomfortable for that long a period. One day maybe I'll get a pair...

Aroooo wrote:I hope that was a staged photo. A possible ATF agent with a gun to his head and his finger in the trigger... ug...

Yeah, but from some of those guys would you expect anything less. Having said that I'm sure many in BATFE do not like their jobs very much right now.

electronic buds like sportear are definitely the way to go. there non-custom line [$200-500] has the same electronics and, unless you have oddly shaped ears these will do fine. i like their concealable version that are clear and have skin color cavities. the nice thing about buds vs. muffs aroooo mentioned, which is cooler and more comfortable. that said, i also own peltor st's which are great and used peltor, sordin, sportear and various non-elec plugs in the sandbox. all do fine except muffs are better in helos.

all the various electronic muff's i would expect use the same or similar electronics and the only difference to spending more money on say swattac is, if you need a narrower headset to fit under helmets.

You can get custom molded silicone ear plugs at most places that do hearing aids for $20 - $40 w/o the inserts that allow you to hear normal conversation. Those are what I have and they have lasted 7 years so far!

Unless it's a bigger bang than a 45 or 30/06 I don't wear pluggs. I guess I was around an M 109 to long in the Army..