People really overthink this. Here are a few things to consider:

* ANY firearm being discharged indoors is going to be painfully loud without a suppressor.

* Something known as AUDITORY EXCLUSION occurs when a person is in the fight or flight mode. As such, the sound of gunfire is not likely to even register with you in a life or death encounter.

* Your proficiency with the particular firearm is far more important than worrying about which one might leave you 70% deaf vs the one that will leave you 56% deaf.

* Even if you are wearing ear protection, the rest of your family members likely aren’t.

 

Totally my guess, but I'd suspect the AR would be louder than the 12g. Both would be stupid loud indoors without protection. Yes, I also think both would be a good bit louder than a .45 Glock.

 

Yeah, I kind of figured both would be louder than the .45 also. I've been in a 10 x 10 room with a 9mm going off, so I'm somewhat familiar with the report of a non-magnum caliber handgun going off in a small indoor room - so I can just image how much louder a .223 vs a 12 ga would be.

Thanks -

 

People really overthink this. Here are a few things to consider:

* ANY firearm being discharged indoors is going to be painfully loud without a suppressor.

* Something known as AUDITORY EXCLUSION occurs when a person is in the fight or flight mode. As such, the sound of gunfire is not likely to even register with you in a life or death encounter.

* Your proficiency with the particular firearm is far more important than worrying about which one might leave you 70% deaf vs the one that will leave you 56% deaf.

* Even if you are wearing ear protection, the rest of your family members likely aren’t.

Thank you, I appreciate the answer.

 

I have accidentally touched off a round without ear pro on a couple of times. A 12g is most definitively easier on the ears than an AR15 carbine.

I can only imagine the AR15 would be louder indoors.

In the unlikely event of a home invasion my last concern is my ears. If you really want to put a set of muffs next to the gun and toss them on.

 

Reference link:

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?id=2052

Table 2. SHOTGUN NOISE DATA (DECIBEL AVERAGES)

.410 Bore 28" barrel 150dB
26" barrel 150.25dB
18 " barrel 156.30dB
20 Gauge 28" barrel 152.50dB
22" barrel 154.75dB
12 Gauge 28" barrel 151.50dB
26" barrel 156.10dB
18 " barrel 161.50dB

CENTERFIRE RIFLE DATA

.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18 " barrel 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB
.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB
.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB
.30-06 in 18 " barrel 163.2dB
.375 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB

 

Note: according to the experts, any sudden noise trauma 140dB or above will cause damage. That said, the following are dB levels of various firearm calibers/gauges.

22 caliber rifle 130dB
.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18" barrel 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB.
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB.
.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB.
.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB. In 18" barrel 163.2dB.
.375 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB.
.410 Bore 28" barrel 150dB. 26" barrel 150.25dB. 18" barrel 156.30dB.
20 Gauge 28" barrel 152.50dB. 22" barrel 154.75dB.
12 Gauge 28" barrel 151.50dB. 26" barrel 156.10dB. 18" barrel 161.50dB.
.25 ACP 155.0 dB.
.32 LONG 152.4 dB.
.32 ACP 153.5 dB.
.380 157.7 dB.
9mm 159.8 dB.
.38 S&W 153.5 dB.
.38 Spl 156.3 dB.
.357 Magnum 164.3 dB.
.41 Magnum 163.2 dB.
.44 Spl 155.9 dB.
.45 ACP 157.0 dB.
.45 COLT 154.7 dB.

 

Here is another pretty good reference


https://www.caohc.org/UserFiles/file/Shot of Prevention extra handout.pdf


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The AR will not only be louder, but the blast and pressure are much worse indoors. An unsuppressed AR can push 170db. No matter who tells you "you won't notice the noise", damage will be done.
An AR pistol or SBR is even worse.

 

An AR pistol or SBR is even worse.

THAT is exactly what I figured and also part of why I asked.


I'm really surprised to see the numbers on a 16" AR vs a 12" are just as loud if not louder than a .45 though??

Guess I can forget my 10mm then.............................

Thanks -

 

Wonder what a PCC would be? Say a Ruger PCC in 9mm. Anyone have any data?


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Reference link (Ruger PC Carbine is mentioned):

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/6-reasons-a-pistol-caliber-carbine-makes-sense/#axzz6UvXlMVK2

From article:

Noise Level

For most any imaginable application, less noise is generally a good thing. With far lower operating pressures in the 17,000 to 35,000 operating range, most pistol calibers are quieter than rifle calibers which routinely operate in the 50,000 psi give or take range. For example, from a pistol, a 9mm generates about 158 dB. A .223 Remington AR-type rifle creates 164 dB. Keep in mind that decibels don’t follow normal numerical measurement; they work on a logarithmic scale. That means that 164 dB is not just 4% louder. In fact, a rule of thumb is that every three, yes just three, decibels represent a doubling of sound level. So, a pistol caliber is much, much quieter than a rifle caliber, all else being equal.

 

I've been waiting for the Feds to get done with my paperwork for six months on a suppressor. Might be another six months.

 

The typical brake found on AR's whether in rifle or pistol form will surely rattle your earbones; the shotgun not so much as the blast is directed more forward but still loud as F.

I'd suggest a suppressed pistol over all else...'much easier to wield than a SBR or AR pistol. And if you ever have to use it in the dead of night the only thing that would awaken those on the other side of the house would be the "thud" of the uninvited guest(s) hitting the floor

 

I always hear this “much easier to wield” claim, and I always wonder if the people saying it have any experience with shooting and moving in/ clearing rooms with suppressed pistols?


Adding 6-8 inches of suppressor doesn’t do wonderful things for the balance and handling of a pistol. Not to mention it’s significantly more accurate to use a long gun/SBR platform.

 

Take it from a guy that made his living designing guitar amplifiers. It isn't just the decibels, it is also the frequency. Lower frequencies are harder for the human ear to hear. So, the "boom" of a shotgun may be a lot less painful than the "crack" of a rifle.

The report of a shotgun will also be more omnidirectional than the tighter, more focused sound pattern of a rifle.

So, 150 dbls from one gun is not necessarily the same as 150 dbls from another as far as what is more painful, damaging etc. The lower frequency sound patterns are more likely to be felt in the body too.

 

I let off half a mag from an M16 in a 20x10 concrete room in Iraq. It’s been 15 years and I still hear the ringing in my ears. So I’d say the 5.56 round would be painful after the fact.

 

that’s sucks man. After developing the same, while wearing ear pro all the time, I can’t imagine how veterans don’t all have tinnitus.

a suppressor is next in my list now.

 

So, while you’re popping away with your suppressed, ear safe firearm, the bad guy is cutting loose with AR pistol or 357mag...
Doesn’t seem like anything to make a priority.
My dad was a WWII vet, who joined a Guard Cavalry unit before the war. He spent years shooting Machine guns including the .50, the 37mm cannon, and enduring artillery. He was lucky if he had a cig butt in his ears. His hearing seemed fine in his 80’s.

 

You could keep electronic muffs next to the HD firearm. Protect hearing and allow you to hear that bump in the night.

 

"Just rethinking my whole HD plan for what is best for all in the hose (myself and two others on the OPPOSITE side of the house in the middle of the night)? Not enough time or ability to distribute earmuffs to all when something goes bump in the night"

 

A Short barrel AR or even a 18” is pretty loud to me. The 223 or 556 is screaming when it leaves the bore.

it’s 12ga or 9mm for me preferably for HD; however currently I have my trusted 21 paired with my 12ga Mossberg.

As far as noticing the blast, although not indoors, every time I’ve shot a whitetail, I never noticed the noise or recoil.

 

I can't speak to all ammo or all situations. What I can tell you from years of firing qualifications in indoor ranges is that .223/5.56 is louder out of a 14" barreled M-4 than 12 gauge slugs are out of a 14" 870. The slugs I refer to are just old school LE pumpkin balls. Our M-4 rifles were downright painful unless earplugs AND electronic earmuffs (23 db) were worn. You can actually feel the .223 noise.

Hot .357 mag rounds out of a revolver are also wicked indoors.

 

If you are in a HD situation your Adrenalin levels will be up & you won't notice the volume of the noise. I hunt deer with a 8.5" barreled .300 blackout AR pistol shooting supers without hearing protection.
While my Adrenalin levels are up by watching the game walk in towards me I have yet to notice how loud the pistol is. I have mistakenly shot it at the range without my hearing protection on & it was almost painful. But for some reason I don't hear it while hunting.
But like someone said it's not going to help the others in the house at the time.

 

Just something to think about ... deaf doesn’t mean you don’t hear anything. When it comes to noise induced deafness, you’ll probably still hear plenty. You just won’t hear anything real.

Imagine the high pitch tone from a hearing test, combined with loud radio static. Always.

I like 45acp.

 

Alright all, I've listened to all your responses, and I thank you all for them.

Looks like it's back to running either the G21 as I have been, or switching back to a 9mm in the G17 for me then, and keeping the long gun stuff for if things ever get hair outside. No AR pistols then inside this house.


Thank you all again, I appreciate your opinions AND YOUR EXPERIENCES.

 

Hearing damage is cumulative.
You might think you got away with it a few times, hunting, or rock concerts, or machinery because your ears haven't started ringing yet.
Next time might be the tipping point when the ringing starts and never stops.

I'm not an audiologist, but I've been listening to tinnitus nonstop since Clinton's first term.
:notlistening:

 

What say ye -

What do you think is louder to light off (God forbid) indoors in a HD situation?

16" AR or a 18" 12ga?

That said, that BOTH I am sure are going to be louder than a .45 / G21 fired under the same circumstances?


Just rethinking my whole HD plan for what is best for all in the hose (myself and two others on the OPPOSITE side of the house in the middle of the night)? Not enough time or ability to distribute earmuffs to all when something goes bump in the night.


Thanks -

Eric

16" Ar is 165 dB according to Silencer Central. 12 ga. with 18.5" barrel is 161.5 https://earinc.com/gunfire-noise-level-reference-chart/

That chart also says the AR is 155 with an 18.5" barrel.

Basically not a major difference, but both are going to vary with ammo. I think the pitch of the 5.56 would be worse for your ears.

 

Take it from a guy that made his living designing guitar amplifiers. It isn't just the decibels, it is also the frequency. Lower frequencies are harder for the human ear to hear. So, the "boom" of a shotgun may be a lot less painful than the "crack" of a rifle.

The report of a shotgun will also be more omnidirectional than the tighter, more focused sound pattern of a rifle.

So, 150 dbls from one gun is not necessarily the same as 150 dbls from another as far as what is more painful, damaging etc. The lower frequency sound patterns are more likely to be felt in the body too.

What he said.

I'd rather fire the shotgun indoors.

 

Hot .357 mag rounds out of a revolver are also wicked indoors.

This is the main reason I got rid of my Colt Trooper. It was stupid loud. 44mag Revolvers for me after that.