When I was in basic training in the Army of the dark ages, they issued little ear plugs in plastic containers - reminiscent of film canisters except these were relatively clear. A screw-on cap was on one end with a chain extending from the center of that cap to the base of the container - as I recall it. We hung these on epaulets, buttoned-up pockets or where we could to make sure we had them. They were used on the ranges. They weren't very good.
I didn't use ear pro at home as we were shooting shotguns in wide-open fields or shooting .22 rimfires out of guns with barrels long enough to reach Kansas City. My first centerfire handgun changed that and I haven't looked back since.
I was so cheap I used the Army earplugs for a while until we started seeing various ear protection units on the shelves at sporting goods stores. In the years that followed, I went to using full coverage ear muffs and finally to electronics. The department bought a few for the range. They didn't last.
I've had a number of good units over recent years, some excellent electronics at a very low price point. During a training event taking place in driving rain, the low cost, nicely made electronic ear muffs made some noise, a crackle, leading me to believe water got into the gear. After they dried out, no more funny noises but I don't know how reliable these would be in foul weather.
Enter MSA Sordin Supreme Pro ear muffs; like previous electronic hearing protection of my experience, these things amplify ambient noises like hearing aides do. They don't "clip" or shut off when a loud noise issues but uses noise compression technology to greatly reduce the loud sound (gunshot) while not blocking other sounds (spoken voice). The utility is to be able to hear range commands or hear your hunting guide but not be defined when gunfire erupts. Unassisted hearing is amplified four times while noise reduction is rated at 18db.
These are light at 11 ounces and are made to a slim profile. This allows the muffs to be in place while cheeking a rifle or shotgun stock. The battery compartment is waterproof - something I can appreciate!
Two AAA batteries will give about 600 hours of life. The electronics shut down after four hours of use - to prevent someone from leaving them on, unattended and running the power down. They come with a two-year warranty. They went on the great "hogless" hunting excursion and got wet some. They still work fine. The MSA Sordin Supreme Pros are now my most used ear protection.
I got mine from Kaltron Outdoors (kaltronoutdoors.com). If you want more information about the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro, check sordinearmuffs.com.
There is a certain type of mentality that thinks if you make certain inanimate objects illegal their criminal misuse will disappear!
Damn the TSA and Down with the BATF(u)E!
Support the J P F O to "Give them the Boot"!!
I just bought a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro earmuffs in Norway - they were on sale in the hunting/fishing part of a general sports shop, and I bargained them down a bit more from that price. They certainly look like the product of high-quality manufacturing, and they are light and comfortable.
I have the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X.
I think they're great, comfortable and works well, and you can turn up the volume to the level when you can hear an ejected .22 casing hit the ground at 15 metres and still dont be bothered by the gun shots that fired them. No problem standing next to people firing bigger guns either, I've had them while at IPSC matches as well as blackpowder shootings, not a problem. It's great to be able to keep them on and still be able to talk and hear, even if people are firing a few metres away. You can even whisper to each other so you wont disturb the shooters.
One thing I've heard though is that the Pro has had problems when it rains a lot, they can leak and the electronics start malfunction. Several IPSC shooters has had problems with that when competing on rainy days. Hence why I was recommended and bought the Pro-X, just to be safe. (If you're not out in the open shooting while it's raining, it shouldn't make much a difference.
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid."
John Wayne
Denis wrote:I just bought a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro earmuffs in Norway - they were on sale in the hunting/fishing part of a general sports shop, and I bargained them down a bit more from that price. They certainly look like the product of high-quality manufacturing, and they are light and comfortable.
Range report to follow...
Quick update on these - I wore them to the range yesterday. Slim, light, comfortable, and very, very effective. No clipping, and no nasty background static. Highly recommended.
