Comments on: Muzzle Blast http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/ Our Unique Perspectives on Life and Politics Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:37:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Cap'n Bob http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26516 Cap'n Bob Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:34:22 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26516 Ha! Sneaking in a magnum round after the relatively docile .38 loads is a neat trick! Damsel tried to hold up a .50 cal at the gun shop with one hand - she needed both hands to keep the barrel pointing downrange. We have yet to try out a .50. Maybe we can rent one at the range. Ha! Sneaking in a magnum round after the relatively docile .38 loads is a neat trick!

Damsel tried to hold up a .50 cal at the gun shop with one hand - she needed both hands to keep the barrel pointing downrange. We have yet to try out a .50. Maybe we can rent one at the range.

]]> By: sig94 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26513 sig94 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:09:09 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26513 I was always curious why the .357 concussion was louder than the .45. I have shot and reloaded both rounds for years. I remember years ago I took a friend of mine (he is now a NYS Superior Ct judge) to shoot my duty weapon, a Colt Trooper .357. I loaded it with 5 of my issued S&W Police+ rounds (for some odd reason we were issued .357 revolvers but could only use .38 Special ammo) and 1 of my "special" .357 loads. He shot the first five under my direction and then I stepped back for the last round. Boom! After nearly crapping his pants, he said he thought it was the Second Coming. I am seriously looking at the new S&W .50 cal revolvers - just to say I own one. It would probably break my wrist. I was always curious why the .357 concussion was louder than the .45. I have shot and reloaded both rounds for years. I remember years ago I took a friend of mine (he is now a NYS Superior Ct judge) to shoot my duty weapon, a Colt Trooper .357. I loaded it with 5 of my issued S&W Police+ rounds (for some odd reason we were issued .357 revolvers but could only use .38 Special ammo) and 1 of my “special” .357 loads. He shot the first five under my direction and then I stepped back for the last round. Boom! After nearly crapping his pants, he said he thought it was the Second Coming. I am seriously looking at the new S&W .50 cal revolvers - just to say I own one. It would probably break my wrist.

]]> By: Cap'n Bob http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26471 Cap'n Bob Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:31:02 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26471 I appreciate comments from these expert shooters. There's always something interesting to learn from the various perspectives you guys provide. We're still learning even though we have been into shooting for years. I appreciate comments from these expert shooters. There’s always something interesting to learn from the various perspectives you guys provide. We’re still learning even though we have been into shooting for years.

]]> By: Old Soldier http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26470 Old Soldier Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:58:48 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26470 While in the Air Force, I was NCOIC of the Security Police indoor fireing range at one point, and know for sure the effects of muzzle blast. I have lost 20 % of my hearing. Of course had I used the proper equipment all of the time maybe I could still hear. Ha. Proper gear is the same as read the manual. I hate to do both and will only do it when all else fails. While in the Air Force, I was NCOIC of the Security Police indoor fireing range at one point, and know for sure the effects of muzzle blast. I have lost 20 % of my hearing. Of course had I used the proper equipment all of the time maybe I could still hear. Ha. Proper gear is the same as read the manual. I hate to do both and will only do it when all else fails.

]]> By: coconut.commando http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26459 coconut.commando Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:58:35 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26459 Given the nature of my job, I usually compensate for both the auditory and the non-auditory traits of the muzzle blast. Tactically speaking, for the auditory, we position ourselves strategically in order to “bounce” the sound off of a nearby structure or terrain feature. The result of this being that, for the target’s friends, the sound will appear to originate from a direction other than where the round came from. The non-auditory trait is compensated with a combination of the weapon design itself (flash suppressor, compensators, etc) and properly positioning ourselves to take a shot so the flash and sparks don’t give away our position. This takes care of the muzzle glow, the primary, the secondary flashes, and the sparks. The exception to these is when we WANT to be seen, such as the case of using a shotgun at night due to the “flame” output. In order to avoid hearing and concussion damage, we research and find out what the potential decibel output for the weapon system is, and then we compensate, either with standard earplugs or a combination of earplugs and shooting ear muffs. In order to reduce the toll of the concussion on our bodies as a whole, we utilize different firing positions such as sitting or prone in order to fire. Prone is obviously the preferred method for us due to the stability it provides, low silhouette, and lower exposure to the concussion. Given the nature of my job, I usually compensate for both the auditory and the non-auditory traits of the muzzle blast. Tactically speaking, for the auditory, we position ourselves strategically in order to “bounce” the sound off of a nearby structure or terrain feature. The result of this being that, for the target’s friends, the sound will appear to originate from a direction other than where the round came from.

The non-auditory trait is compensated with a combination of the weapon design itself (flash suppressor, compensators, etc) and properly positioning ourselves to take a shot so the flash and sparks don’t give away our position. This takes care of the muzzle glow, the primary, the secondary flashes, and the sparks.

The exception to these is when we WANT to be seen, such as the case of using a shotgun at night due to the “flame” output.

In order to avoid hearing and concussion damage, we research and find out what the potential decibel output for the weapon system is, and then we compensate, either with standard earplugs or a combination of earplugs and shooting ear muffs. In order to reduce the toll of the concussion on our bodies as a whole, we utilize different firing positions such as sitting or prone in order to fire. Prone is obviously the preferred method for us due to the stability it provides, low silhouette, and lower exposure to the concussion.

]]> By: Robb Allen http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26440 Robb Allen Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:39:52 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26440 Not very expensive to start if you're willing to do a little extra work - e.g. a single stage or turret press. Progressive presses are $$$ but will churn out ammo like it's going out of style. Since I shoot 10mm, it was either get into reloading or get a second mortgage to pay for ammo. Not very expensive to start if you’re willing to do a little extra work - e.g. a single stage or turret press. Progressive presses are $$$ but will churn out ammo like it’s going out of style.

Since I shoot 10mm, it was either get into reloading or get a second mortgage to pay for ammo.

]]> By: Cap'n Bob http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26438 Cap'n Bob Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:53:40 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26438 Awesome pix, Robb. There weren't any small children in the range, but one (extra-large) teenager walked over and stood behind us to see the show. Others outside the range came over to the windows to peer in at us. One of these days, I need to try reloading. Sounds like it could be more fun than we're having now. Awesome pix, Robb.

There weren’t any small children in the range, but one (extra-large) teenager walked over and stood behind us to see the show. Others outside the range came over to the windows to peer in at us.

One of these days, I need to try reloading. Sounds like it could be more fun than we’re having now.

]]> By: Robb Allen http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26436 Robb Allen Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:30:06 +0000 http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/02/19/muzzle-blast/#comment-26436 <a href="http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/05/30/M44-Fireballs.aspx" rel="nofollow">Some fireballs I've had the joy of making</a>. Also, I specifically load my .357s to make a concussion blast that scares the dead. I call them my "<a href="http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/10/18/It-was-everything-I-had-hoped-for.aspx" rel="nofollow">Sound and Fury</a>" loads. The sound gets confused for a .44 Magnum which makes me smile ;) Some fireballs I’ve had the joy of making.

Also, I specifically load my .357s to make a concussion blast that scares the dead. I call them my “Sound and Fury” loads. The sound gets confused for a .44 Magnum which makes me smile ;)

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