When the Bullet Flies, Protect Your Eyes!

[Forum Boss]

I still encounter too many shooters who neglect to wear eye protection. I can't really comprehend why people don't always wear eye and ear protection while shooting. When shooting a rifle, your eyes are just inches from a chamber operating at up to 65,000 psi!

I've heard all the excuses: "They're uncomfortable"; "I sweat too much"; "They make my nose itch", and even "I don't like the way I look with glasses". None of those excuses are valid reasons not to wear eye protection.

So... If you don't have good safety glasses -- get some pronto. Here are some recommended UVEX XC Ultra-Dura safety glasses. I've tried them and they are pretty comfy, with soft nose pads and adjustable temples. You can also swap in different-color lenses. The price? Just $9.44 per pair:

Uvex S3300 Genesis XC Safety Eyewear, Black Frame, Clear Ultra-Dura Hardcoat Lens -- $9.44

Not only do these UVEX glasses pass the primary ANSI Z87+ and CSA Z94.3 safety standards, they also pass the more rigorous mil-spec military Vo ballistic impact test (7 times higher than ANSI requirements). That means they are as tough as a $100 pair of Oakleys.

If you live where it's cold, wet or very humid, there is another version with a hardcoat, anti-fog lens, for $10.33:

Uvex S3300D Genesis XC Safety Eyewear, Black Frame, Clear Dura-Streme Hardcoat/Anti-Fog Lens

If you need a darker lens, UVEX also makes a shaded version for $11.33:

Uvex S3305 Genesis XC Safety Eyewear, Black Frame, Shade 2.0 Infra-Dura Ultra-Dura Hardcoat Lens

If you don't like the styling on the UVEX XC series, UVEX makes a wide variety of other ANSI Z87+ and CSA Z94.3 approved eyewear, such as the Uvex S3222 Genesis, and the snazzy UVEX S4025 Milan with photochromatic lenses. UVEX also makes an S3350 holder for prescription lenses. UVEX isn't the only brand out there -- it just offers some of the best performance for the price.

UVEX Milan S4025

I recommend all shooters have at least three (3) sets of safety glasses. One for primary use, a second for a friend or spotter to use, and a third back-up pair kept in your vehicle.

You can learn more about safety standards for shooting glasses in our Eye Protection for Shooters article on the main site. Link: http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/eye-protection-for-shooters/

 

[Hal]

There were pictures of a guy on Saubier.com that had a primer leak.
Lucky for him he was wearing saftey glasses.
If he hadn't been wearing saftey glasses, he would more than likley be BLIND in both eyes.


Hal

 

[dansig]

I am all for safety for the right reasons, but if the gun explodes and the bolt hits your face with a 60.000psi force then not even 10 layers of safety glasses are going to save you.

I use glasses to prevent flying debris, powder residue and dust from hitting my eyes when shooting, but I never use them with the illusion that they might save me if the gun explodes

 

[Forum Boss]

I am all for safety for the right reasons, but if the gun explodes and the bolt hits your face with a 60.000psi force then not even 10 layers of safety glasses are going to save you.

I use glasses to prevent flying debris, powder residue and dust from hitting my eyes when shooting, but I never use them with the illusion that they might save me if the gun explodes.

Dansig -- you make some very good points! But among the myriad types of things that can go wrong, safety glasses can help with many. Nothing's going to save you if the lugs shear off in a catastrophic detonation driving the bolt into your skull. But short of that, the mil-spec eye glasses can protect against small metal particles in many situations. As noted above, we should always wear eye protection, even just to protect from blow-back from a pierced primers. You only get one pair of eyes!

 

[vmaxpro]

I had a guy shooting next to me that popped a 22mag and the extractor smacked me in the glasses haha so I usually wear mine from now on. Plus I work in a machine shop so im used to them, and theyre free!!

 

[bowslngr]

I never seem happy that i have enough of these lying around. Just ordered three.

 

[Forum Boss]

I never seem happy that i have enough of these lying around. Just ordered three.

Like socks at the laundry, my shooting glasses seem to be capable of disappearing on their own accord. I must go through half a dozen pairs a year. That's why I like the UVEX duralens CX. They don't cost much more than drug-store cheapie sunglasses but they pass all the important safety standards. I just wish UVEX offered a CX with an amber photochromatic lens -- that could replace my expensive Serengeti driving sunglasses.

 

[jonbearman]

Years ago I was shooting some vintage 30-06 ammo up and had a complete case rupture.It threw all kinds of garbage in both of my eyes using a vintage 03-a3.The pressure bleed did its thing but couldnt handle a full rupture.Sooooooooo if you think its a waste,I completely agree with the forum boss and feel safety has no price tag as it is priceless.

 

[Steve Wilson]

Our range has a safety glass requirement and, though I find my vision is not as good with them on, you have to wear them. A couple of Saturdays ago a member loaded his 22 PPC with 28 grains of VV 110 pistol powder by mistake, instead of VV 135. Right handed shooter using a Panda, LP RB. They have pictures of his bolt face posted on the clubhouse bulletin board. It's a total wreck.

I don't know what bullet he was using but I used Quick Load to see what the pressure would be with a 50 grain Berger. 140,379 PSI. They say his cheek was severely lacerated but no damage to his eyes. Everything I have heard is second hand, excepting for the pictures on the board that state it was a Panda with 28 grains of VV 110.

 

[DennisH]

I was the worse about wearing safety glasses.

Flying AR cases on the line +

Spotters blowing up in the pits and ricochets!!!!

I have actually seen parts of the spotter pin stick in a person's cheek!

SOLD me on wearing glasses!!!!! And a big hat!

 

[wmdron]

I always wear my safety glasses at the range, I also wear them mowing grass,weed whacking, pretty much whenever I do almost anything. This is a very good reminder for everyone. I lost the use of my right eye back in 1991 due to an industrial accident. Makes you appreciate how precious your eyesight really is. Had to learn to shoot left handed among other things. Wear your safety glasses !!