Missouri State University, School of Business, cum laude , class of 05.
I got there because you are arguing against the use of suppressors for introducing new shooters to the sport.
Why does it have to be either ear pro OR suppressors? The answer here is BOTH. I've said this already on this thread. Did you not read? Do you not comprehend?
You acclimate the shooter by basically doing what you did. Start with rimfire. Shorter sessions. Work to a center fire cartridge. Again shorter sessions. Move on from there. But you do all of it suppressed.
If a shooter has access to a suppressor why must they acclimate to a blast? Can't they just shoot suppressed all the time?
What is gained with a suppressor? Noise and recoil reduction. Again, can you read? It's a more enjoyable way to shoot.
Ok, some extremely sensitive individual who is not properly acclimated to the concussion of not only un suppressed firearms but a heavy concussion producing firearm. This person is on the line with a shooter shooting Barrett 50BMG with a 50 degree brake. How do you expect them to react when that thing touches off?
I never said it has to be ear pro or suppressors, it can be neither or both. My point is one needs to understand that training can determine good reactions and mitigate poor reactions. SAFETY FIRST!
Examine this, you train people with firearms. Is it your responsibility to evaluate the perspective shooter for stability? You bet it is! Are you are aware that a new shooter has very little to no chance of evaluating your value as a firearms trainer? Unfortunately a firearm training certification means very litte today, much like many other degrees and certifications.
So I can be confident that a shooter will be on line with unsuppressed firearms. So maybe being acclimated to concussion would be a reasonable idea to enhance the person's shooting experience.
I trained my children with hearing protection starting low and going big, then with using suppressors. Because, by not doing so I would be negligent as a father and a trainer. NOTE suppressors not silencers.
While I currently do not own a suppressor I have over 50 years of experience with them. If you got'em, smoke'em, just understand the safety parameters, I get it, shooting suppressed (on the range or in the field alone) you can shoot only using ear plugs.
Unfortunately just last week AGAIN I sat at the bench beside a shooter who was disappointed because his 6.5 PRC with a suppressor was to loud to shoot without hearing prprotectionI guess his certified training officer didn't explain that to him.
(You may want a bit of a refund the money spent on that MSU degree, you paid for cum laude)