Maybe I’m just old, but suppressors seem pointless to me. If I understand correctly, you need to use subsonic ammo to get the full effect, which pretty much negates the extra “stopping power” of rifles (or higher velocity handguns). Simple foam ear plugs, like many people wear to work, can be as good or better in terms of db reduction if going to a range or popping some off in “the back 40” if you’re fortunate. If you need to run to your gun in an emergency to save you’re own life, I don’t think you’d take the time to grab your hearing protection. Hearing impaired is better than dead. And you’re definitely not going to EDC active hearing protection. Perhaps I’m not understanding the benefits though. I see the benefits if it’s like your job or something (work at a range, are a rancher that shoots vermin/predators at night). I suppose if you’re training in some kind of militia to work in a squad, active hearing protection with integrated radio would be nice, but virtually nobody is doing that.
Even with hearing protection protracted use of firearms still causes hearing damage. A suppressed firearm is going to cause less damage over time than an unsuppressed. Is it perfect? Nope, but it is better than nothing.
I recently watched a video on the differences of a suppressed and unsuppressed weapon in the field. You can tell a difference certainly, and again, it’s enough to reduce harm to your hearing.
Maybe I’m just old, but suppressors seem pointless to me. If I understand correctly, you need to use subsonic ammo to get the full effect, which pretty much negates the extra “stopping power” of rifles (or higher velocity handguns). Simple foam ear plugs, like many people wear to work, can be as good or better in terms of db reduction if going to a range or popping some off in “the back 40” if you’re fortunate. If you need to run to your gun in an emergency to save you’re own life, I don’t think you’d take the time to grab your hearing protection. Hearing impaired is better than dead. And you’re definitely not going to EDC active hearing protection. Perhaps I’m not understanding the benefits though. I see the benefits if it’s like your job or something (work at a range, are a rancher that shoots vermin/predators at night). I suppose if you’re training in some kind of militia to work in a squad, active hearing protection with integrated radio would be nice, but virtually nobody is doing that.
Even with hearing protection protracted use of firearms still causes hearing damage. A suppressed firearm is going to cause less damage over time than an unsuppressed. Is it perfect? Nope, but it is better than nothing.
I recently watched a video on the differences of a suppressed and unsuppressed weapon in the field. You can tell a difference certainly, and again, it’s enough to reduce harm to your hearing.