At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1.Sportsman’s Warehouse — H&K 416 .22 LR Rimfire AR, $379.99
⏺ Authentic AR15 ergonomics, good for NRL22, and fun plinking
Centerfire ammo is in short supply, and prices have never been higher, so many shooters are doing more practice with a .22 LR. If you’re looking to have more fun at the range for less money, snatch up an H&K 416 .22 LR Rifle and practice in style. This high-quality, German-engineered semi-auto rimfire rifle has earned strong owner reviews. The size, ergonomics, and “feel” replicate a centerfire AR perfectly you can train effectively for a fraction of the price.
2. Locked & Loaded — Iver Johnson Shotgun Sale
⏺ Solid self-defense scattergun, choose 12ga or 20ga
Folks around the country are looking for defensive firearms these days, given the recent social unrest. And shotguns are high on the list of defense guns. Right now LockedLoaded.com has some great deals on Iver Johnson pump shotguns. Get the basic 12 GA version for just $289.00. Or if you want a Picatinny action rail and fiber optic front sight, there is a 20 GA version for $349.99 — still a bargain.
3. MidwayUSA — Bushnell Elite XRS II 4.5-30x50mm, 36% OFF
⏺ Outstanding scope, favorite of PRS competitors, Big SAVINGS
The Elite XRS II is Bushnell’s flagship optic, crafted to exacting standards. This scope’s ED Prime Glass delivers rich color and contrast, even in low light. You can grab the Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS II 4.5-30x50mm Scope in several configurations for 36% off right now. This quality FFP scope with 1/10 Mil Clicks has been praised by many top PRS/NRL competitors. It offers a locking windage turret and an elevation turret with RevLimiter Zero Stop. The reticle has mil-based hash marks.
4. Midsouth — RCBS Rotary Case Tumbler with SS Media, $147.99
⏺ Wet tumbling works great, big savings, includes SS Pins
Want to get your old, used brass looking like new again? Try wet-tumbling your cases with stainless media. You’ll be impressed. For wet-tumbling, a good option is the RCBS Rotary Case Tumbler. This comes with everything you need to get started including 5 pounds of stainless steel pin media. This is a good unit with plenty of capacity.
⏺ Smart new Die System simplifies loading multiple cartridge types
Are you tired of buying another expensive seating die every time you try a new cartridge type? With the unique Frankford Arsenal Universal Bullet Seating Die you can have one die that loads multiple cartridge type. This cleaver bullet seating system includes 3 different stems and 9 sleeves allowing you to seat .224 up to .338-Caliber bullets with this one die system.
6. MidwayUSA — RCBS MatchMaster Digital Powder Scale/Dispenser, with $100 Gift Certificate
⏺ Fast, accurate dispenser, get $100 Gift Certificate with purchase
The Matchmaster has gotten good reviews and represents a whole new level of powder dispensing for RCBS. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to pick up an RCBS MatchMaster Digital Powder Scale & Dispenser you can get one for $899.00 — a significant discount. PLUS when you buy this from MidwayUSA you get a $100 Midway Gift Certificate by using code RCBS100. That lowers your net cost to $799.00, a stellar deal for one of the most sophisticated powder scale/dispensers on the market.
⏺ High quality, true match grade .224 bullets — just $23.90 per 100
When it comes to measuring trigger pull there aren’t many tools that can do the job across a wide range of pull weights and also do it repeatably. One of the best trigger pull measuring tools is Lyman’s Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge. This accurate trigger gauge can register from 1 ounce all the way up to 12 pounds pull weight. That makes it ideal for all firearms types. This unit features a retractable pull rod to prevent damage. We like this Lyman tool and recommend it.
8. Natchez — Sierra MatchKing 69gr .224 Bullets, $119.49/500
⏺ Excellent match-grade bullets, 500ct with attractive pricing
With reloading components getting more expensive, it pays to take advantage of great deals whenever you can. If you shoot a .224-caliber cartridge, then consider this 500-pack of Sierra MatchKing .224 69 gr HPBT MATCH bullets. These are high quality, true match-grade bullets, priced about as cheap as we have seen them in recent months. For a Service Rifle shooter or .223 Rem fan, this is a great option — grab them at this bargain price.
9. Amazon — Two Sets Z87.1 Protective Eyewear, $12.95
Safety eyewear can be expensive, so losing or damaging them at the range is a bummer. We like high-quality, yet inexpensive eye protection and this 2-pair pack of safety glasses are a perfect example. They’re fully ANSI Z87.1-certified. Price? For just $12.95 you get both a clear AND tinted-lens unit. Or, if you prefer, get two clear types for the same low $12.95 price.
10. Graf’s — MTM Pistol Side Slide Ammo Boxes, $2.19
⏺ Handy opening/closing, strong when stacked, good value
Tired of ammo boxes with annoying lids that won’t stay open, or that require two hands to open? Consider these new MTM Side Slide pistol ammo boxes. The innovative design allows you to easily slide the lid sideways, providing quick access to just the rounds you need, while the others stay secure. With the cover retracted (slid open) you have ready access. When the lid is fully closed the ammo box is stiffer and stronger than some competing designs.
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The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has issued important rule changes for 2020. These cover Highpower Rifle (Centerfire), Smallbore Rifle (Rimfire), and Pistol. In addition, there are CMP Games rules changes. READ RULE CHANGES HERE.
The big news is that Eye and Hearing Protection are now MANDATORY for Highpower Rifle competitors and Pistol shooters in all CMP-affiliated matches. The 2020 CMP Highpower Rifle, Pistol, and CMP Games Rulebooks all contain the following rule:
“All competitors and competition officials are required to wear appropriate eye and hearing protection when on shooting range firing lines during highpower rifle or pistol firing. All competitors must comply with this requirement before they can participate in a CMP sponsored or sanctioned competition. Competitors are responsible for selecting their eyewear and hearing protection.”
Let there be no confusion, the CMP’s rule change notice adds: “The CMP and its sanctioned match sponsors will actively enforce this rule in 2020″.
In 2020, all CMP centerfire rifle and pistol shooters must employ Eye Protection and Hearing Protection.
Other important Rules Changes include:
1. Expansion of CMP Pistol Program rules for 3-Gun Match Pistol events.
2. Establishment of Smallbore Rifle Distinguished Badges.
3. Substantial reworking of rules for electronic scoring targets.
4. Rule Regarding “Resting” Magazine on Arm during Prone.
No More Mag Resting in Prone Position
Of note to Service Rifle and M1A shooters is a new rule that attempts to restrict a common practice of using the rifle magazine to support the gun on the arm while shooting prone. A few competitors were resting M1A or M16/AR magazines on their sling arms or shooting jacket sleeves. The prone position rule has been strengthened to state that while “a magazine may touch the shooting jacket sleeve … it may not rest on the jacket sleeve, jacket elbow pad, arm or ground. Competitors must control their prone positions to make they are not using the magazine to support the rifle in prone. Competitors can make sure their prone positions are not questioned by keeping the bottoms of rifle magazines visibly clear of sleeves or arms.
Smallbore Rifle Distinguished Badges
The Distinguished Rifleman Badge has been a treasured honor among highpower rifle shooters. Now this important award will be available to smallbore shooters as well. The Distinguished Badge Program, which dates back to the first Distinguished Marksman Badges awarded by the Army in 1884, is being expanded in 2020 to award two new badges for excellence in Smallbore Rifle competitions.
CMP 2020 Rules: Highpower, Smallbore, Pistol, CMP Games
Report based on article by Gary Anderson, DCM Emeritus
The CMP Competition Rulebooks that will govern CMP sponsored and sanctioned Highpower Rifle, Pistol, CMP Games and Smallbore Rifle competitions in 2020 have been approved by the CMP Rules Committee and are now posted on the CMP website. The 2020 rulebooks went into effect on the 1st of January. All four rulebooks can be downloaded from the CMP Competition Rulebooks webpage.
The most important changes in the 2020 Rules include a major expansion of CMP Pistol Program rules that now provide for 3-Gun Match Pistol events, the establishment of Smallbore Rifle Distinguished Badges, a change in eye and hearing protection use in Highpower Rifle and Pistol Matches from “strongly urged” to “required”, a substantial reworking of rules for electronic scoring targets and several rule clarifications in each of the four disciplines. All changes from the 2019 Rules can easily be identified in the new rulebooks because they are shown in underlined, red text (printed Rulebooks will have underlined text). A detailed summary of 2020 Rule Changes is presented at the end of this article.
Here are some 2020 CMP Rulebook changes that merit further explanation:
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
The LabRadar is arguably the most sophisticated consumer chronograph on the market. These units rarely go on sale — but here’s your chance. Right now you can now get a LabRadar for $499.95 — that’s $60 off the normal price. (Sale price good through December 2, 2019). Purchase direct from Mylabradar.com, or order from leading vendors Midsouth Shooters (in-stock $499.95), Bruno’s (back-order $499.95), and Creedmoor Sports ($499.95 in stock). NOTE: It may be possible to get additional discounts. One Forum member posted: “I was able to get the LabRadar unit for even less last year by applying a Brownells Discount Code.” If you order a LabRadar from Brownells, try Code M8Y for $20 off $200+ orders.
2. Bruno Shooters Supply — Open Box / Demo Scope Sale
Here’s your chance to grab a great scope that’s basically brand new and discounted just because it was on display. Check out Bruno’s Open Box/DEMO Scope Sale and choose from assorted brands and models. There are major-brand scopes for just about any kind of shooting — Benchrest, F-Class, PRS, Hunting, ELR, and even Multi-Gun competition.
3. Brownells — Electronic Muffs, $29.99 (29% Off)
Brownells new, Second Generation Premium Electronic Earmuffs incorporate dual microphones that let you hear range commmand while suppressing harmful noises. These affordable muffs fold for easy storage, and you can plug your smartphone into the 3.5mm input jack. Right now these muffs are discounted from $41.99 to $29.99 — a 29% savings!
4. Amazon — Teslong Digital Borescope, $49.99
The impressive Teslong digital borescope offers capabilities that rival optical systems costing $700 or more. This compact, electro-optical, cable-type borescope outputs sharp, high-resolution images and VIDEO to desktop computers, laptops, as well as Android tablets and smartphones. Check out our Full Teslong Review complete with inside-the-barrel videos. At $49.99 this is a great value. NOTE: This unit does NOT currently work with iPhones and iPads.
This is a good value in a medium-sized safe with enough capacity for the average gun-owner. Size 57″ H x 28″ W x 20″ deep, this Winchester Safe is rated for 26 long guns (real capacity for scoped rifles will be less). The safe has an electronic keypad lock with override key. The door is held with 8 steel locking bolts, and the safe is fire-rated for 45 minutes. If you don’t have a Tractor Supply store near you, shipping is available for $80.10.
6. CDNN — Sig P229 9mm Pistol, $679.99 on Sale
The popular SIG Sauer P229 pistol is carried by thousands of law enforcement professionals worldwide. The compact size of the P229 makes it ideal for concealed carry. For those who prefer a classic metal-framed gun with external hammer, the P229 is an great option, and $679.99 is a fine price, considering this SIG P229 Nitron pistol comes complete with night sights, 3 magazines, case, AND holster.
7. Midway USA — Lyman Case Trim Xpress, $111.99
Among dedicated case trimmers, Lyman’s impressive new Case Trim Xpress, delivers top-tier performance for the price. This well-designed machine comes bushings to fit most common calibers. The carbide cutter head precisely adjusts in .001″ increments using a knurled adjustment wheel. Our tests comfirm this unit trims cases quickly and accurately. To see a video of the Case Trim Xpres action, check out our recent Lyman Case Trim Xpress Review.
8. Home Depot — Low-Profile Muffs + Shooting Glasses, $14.83
Every shooter should have an extra set of shooting muffs and protective earwear. These will provide vital protection for friends/guests you bring to the range. And let’s face it, sooner or later you’ll forget your own muffs, so it’s wise to keep an extra set in your vehicle at all times. Home Depot a great deal on Walker’s NRR 22 Muffs + ANSI Z87.1-rated Shooting Glasses. Get both as a Combo Set for just $14.83. Midsouth also has this combo for $19.99.
Nikon’s Prostaff 1000i Laser Rangefinder features ID (incline/decline) technology with both horizontal distance and actual distance display modes. Choose single or continuous measurement (up to 8 seconds). Rated to 1000 yards on reflective objects, the PROSTAFF 1000i is a smart, affordable option for hunters. Compact and reliable, it will do the job at half the price of other popular rangefinders.
10. Midsouth — MTM Flip-Top 100-rd Ammo Box, $4.63
MTM Case-Gard ammo cases are made of virtually indestructible polypropylene that will not warp, crack, chip, peel, expand or contract. The mechanical hinge is guaranteed for 25 years. Snap-Lock latch protects contents from accidental spilling. This mid-size MTM ammo box will hold .22-250, .243 Win, and all .308 Win Family cartridges. A smaller 100-rd MTM box fits .223 Rem and similar cartridges for just $4.17.
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Proper eye protection is ‘must-have’ gear for shooting sports. In addition to providing reliable impact protection, good shooting glasses should be comfortable, fog-free, and not interfere with your preferred hearing protection. Those who require corrective lenses also need to consider the various options available. In a past episode of their Weekly Gear Review, the 6.5 Guys discuss a variety of shooting glasses they have tried, including examples from DeCot, Oakley, and Wiley-X. Ed and Steve outline the key considerations when choosing eye protection, and then review practical aspects of eyewear design and construction that enhance comfort and functionality in the field.
The 6.5 Guys (Ed and Steve) offer a number of smart tips consider safety eyewear, helping you select the most effective safety glasses at an affordable price. Here are the 6.5 Guys’ KEY Take-aways when choosing shooting glasses, including prescription eyewear:
Key Things To Consider When Choosing Eye Protection
1. Avoid polarized lenses or lenses that reduce light transmission significantly (except for action shooting in very bright conditions with large, close targets).
2. Avoid frame designs that interfere with prone shooting.
3. Avoid designs that easily fog.
4. Avoid frame designs with thicker temples that are uncomfortable to wear underneath hearing protection.
5. Select lenses with an appropriate degree of ballistic protection. CLICK HERE to learn more about eyewear safety standards.
6. When you get your prescription, be sure your ophthalmologist includes the interpupillary distance. This is a critical measurement particularly for heavier prescriptions.
7. If you have a complicated prescription select a vendor who will actually spend time with you to address any concerns.
Safety First — Your Eyes Are Irreplaceable Accurate shooting begins and ends with the human eye. Your career as a marksman could be cut short if you don’t use good eye protection every time you go to the range and/or handle a firearm.
Every year, 1,000,000 people suffer serious eye injuries. Shooting is hazardous; it is estimated that there are 30,000 firearms-related eye injuries each year (if you include paintball sports.) After paintball, general hunting accidents comprise most firearms-related eye injuries.
Quality eye protection need not be expensive. You can find comfortable, ANSI Z87.1-certified shooting glasses for under $10.00.
If you select shooting glasses carefully, and ensure that your eyewear is safety-certified, inexpensive shooting glasses can perform very well. But you need to avoid cheap, soft-plastic lenses that claim “impact resistance” without satisfying a testing standard.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is pleased to announce the launch of its annual grants partnership with the Boy Scouts of America Councils. Through this partnership, BSA Councils can receive a portion of $100,000 in NSSF-provided grant funds to develop or expand their troop activities in target shooting and marksmanship. Target shooting programs continue to rank among Scouting’s most popular activities, teaching firearms and range safety, teamwork building and fundraising skills.
“This seventh year of supporting the BSA Council Grant Program … brings with it a new level of excitement,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Range Services. “Safety and marksmanship training through the Boy Scouts is a time-honored introduction to the shooting sports. We’re looking forward to increased participation from Scouts pursuing [merit] badges in these activities and then taking those new skills afield for a lifetime of enjoyment.”
How Scouting Groups Can Apply for Grants
BSA Councils wishing to apply for grants should visit the grant guidelines and application procedures at nssf.org/bsagrant. Councils awarded funds through NSSF’s BSA Grant Program must use those grants to purchase of equipment and supplies for their shooting sports activities from an NSSF Member Retailer. The full list of these retailers is available at nssf.org/retailers/find. Examples of qualifying purchases are: ammunition, eye and ear protection, firearms, targets and shooting vests. For more information on this special program and qualifications, contact NSSF’s Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 224.
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There is one subject as to which we should all be in agreement — the need to wear quality, protective eyewear whenever one uses a firearm. Sadly, it’s not uncommon, at the range, to see shooters wearing no eye protection, or wearing cheap, “dime-store” glasses that can shatter on impact.
This video from Luckygunner Labs shows what can happen with low-quality eyewear. When hit with pellets, the left lens came out and the right lens entered the eye socket!
Read Our Guide to Protective Eyewear
We’ve created a comprehensive Guide to Protective Eyewear. Forum member ChuckW2 told us: “That was the most important article that has ever been posted on this site. I am amazed how many people do not wear glasses while shooting or hunting. Great read….” If you haven’t done so already, read the story. We guarantee you’ll learn something new.
The Eyewear Guide explains the safety standards that apply to protective eyewear and reviews the best lens materials currently available including Polycarbonate, Trivex™, and SR-91. You may not have heard of Trivex, but it is probably the best material out there right now — it’s tough, lightweight, and has better optical properties than Polycarbonate. SR-91 is a good choice for those who need a polarized lens. Our Eyewear Guide also includes a section by Danny Reever on Prescription Shooting Glasses. Danny discusses the available options in lens materials and has many helpful recommendations.
Along with our reviews of lens materials, tint properties, and frame design, we highlight a study done by the NRA’s American Hunter magazine. 10 popular brands of eyewear were tested, with some very interesting results. The testers observed that price does not necessarily assure quality. Relatively inexpensive Bollé VX and Pyramex eyewear both worked better than some expensive brands.
On the other hand, don’t select eyewear simply because it’s cheap or easy to find. American Hunter editor Jeff Johnston observed: “It’s a mistake to assume that any plastic-lens sunglasses off the rack at the local 7-11 are made of polycarbonate and therefore are effective as shooting glasses—cheap plastics are not polycarbonates; in fact, wearing them could be worse than wearing nothing, as they can introduce sharp shards of plastic to your eyes in addition to the projectile(s) that caused them to break.”
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At the request of our readers, we have launched a “Deals of the Week” feature. Every Monday morning we offer our Bargain Selections. Here are some of the best deals on hardware, reloading components, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
Quite simply, this is a steal. This Sightron 10-50x60mm SIII scope originally retailed for around $1250.00. You can grab it now for well under $800.00. If you want a high-magnification scope for Long Range Competition, this is a good choice. It has been used successfully by many top competitors. There is also a Fine Cross-Hair (FCH) model ($1039.00) and a Mil-Dot model ($960.00).
2. CDNN Sports — Baikal MP161K Rimfire .22 LR Rifle
Here’s a very cool semi-auto rimfire rifle from Russia. The modern design of the Baikal MP161K is very ergonomic, making it useful for off-hand shooting. It has an adjustable comb and adjustable LOP. We tried it for some informal silhouette shooting and the testers like it. On the bench the flat “toe” in the rear of the stock works well in the bags. At $229.99, this rifle costs less than a Ruger 10/22. Out of the box we think it’s a better rifle — with a better stock and better trigger. It also comes with a scope rail AND iron sights. A 10-round magazine is included.
3. Cabela’s — Herter’s Range Bag $9.99
Range bag for under ten bucks — this $9.99 Herters Range Bag measures 15″ long x 9″ wide. Along with the main compartment, there are four additional zippered pockets suitable for muffs, ammo, safety glasses, and more. There is a removable shoulder strap. If you order other items from Cabelas.com, you can even get free shipping. Use Coupon “5JOLLY” for Free Shipping with orders over $49.00.
4. Midsouth — $100.00 Off All Leupold VX-3 Scopes with Rebate
Click Image to Zoom for details
No doubt about it — this is one of the best deals going. This $100.00 rebate offer applies to Leupold’s entire line of VX-3 Optics. And Midsouth has sweetened the deal by offering FREE shipping on VX-3s purchased this month. The Leupold $100 cash-back program is good through December 31, 2015. CLICK Here for VX-3 scopes with $100 Rebate and Free Shipping.
5. Grafs.com — Federal .22 LR Ammo $48.99 for 500 Rounds
You can’t have too much rimfire ammo… particularly when you can get quality, American-made .22 LR ammunition for under $50.00 a brick. This Federal HV Match ammo is good for varminting, cross-training, and general plinking. Graf’s price includes shipping after a single $7.95 handling charge. Buy while you can — this will sell out fast.
6. Amazon — Kowa 60mm TSN-601 Spotting Scope Body
If you are looking for a rugged, reliable, and affordable spotting scope to watch flags, mirage, and shot spotting discs, this angled-body Kowa TSN-61 will do the job. These Kowa spotters have been used successfully for years by prone and High Power competitors. Sure the glass is not as sharp as the latest top-of-the-line HD spotting scopes, but the TSN-61 is a small fraction of the price of high-end models which can run $2000 or more. The money you save can buy four premium hand-lapped barrels. NOTE: This item is the scope body only. Eyepieces are sold separately — expect to pay about $250.00 for a Kowa 20-60X Zoom eyepiece.
Safety eyewear for two bucks. That’s right, you can get ANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses (clear or amber lenses) for just $1.99. At that price you should pick up a half-dozen sets, just so you have extras for friends and family. We strongly recommend that shooters wear eye protection at all times when handling firearms. You only have one set of eyes folks — take care of them. This eyewear special is offered by CDNN Sports in the latest catalog (pp. 101-102). Call 800-588-9500 to order.
8. Amazon — ShotShell Thermo Bottle
Looking for a perfect, last-minute holiday gift for a shooter in your family? This is a great gift item that is as useful as it is clever. Verified purchasers of this 25 oz. Shotshell Thermo bottle give it high marks, saying it is a great gift for a hunter or sportsman.
9. Amazon — 8x30mm Military Marine Binoculars
Your Editor uses these Steiner 8×30 binoculars. For most duties, they work great. They are compact, light-weight (18 oz.) and easy to hold. The best feature is the focusing system. Once you adjust each eyepiece for your eyes, everything from about 25 yards to infinity is in focus — honest. The $202.49 price at Amazon.com is $30-$50 less than you’ll pay at other vendors. NOTE: If you want better dawn/dusk low-light performance, spend more money on premium binoculars. But for basic daylight duties, these will do the job. NOTE: Steiner offers a 10x50mm version, but the 8x30mm is HALF the weight. Verfified Purchaser Review: “I bought these binoculars for a recent hunting trip. They are…very clear at any range. I have very different eyes, one is 20/200, the other is nearly perfect, 20/30. The sports auto-focus on this is GREAT. Once I set them for my eyes, they were perfect.”
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If you’re one of those folks who doesn’t wear eye protection, you need to check out the LuckyGunner Labs Eye Protection Test. For those who DO wear safety glasses — don’t assume that everything is OK. Just because you purchased name-brand “safety glasses” doesn’t mean that you are getting truly effective protection. In fact, many forms of protective eyewear sold today are flimsy, or poorly made. Consequently, they won’t stop even low-energy, slow-velocity fragments.
Two years ago, LuckyGunner Labs conducted very extensive field tests of 28 types of eyewear, ranging in price from $7 to $220. Remarkably, some of the most expensive safety eyewear performed no better than $10 items. Many of the products failed shockingly — with the lenses coming right out of the frames when hit with pellets. LuckyGunner recorded these kind of failures even with ANSI Z87-“approved” eyewear. The reason is that the Z87 test is not tough enough: “The basic ANSI standard is referred to as Z87, and you’ll see this marked in a number of locations on most eye protection marketed to shooters. However, the Z87 impact standard involves a .25″ steel ball traveling at 150 fps — this is fine for protecting eyes from debris that might fall or be thrown, but is not extremely relevant to shooters, who are dealing with objects traveling at much higher velocities.”
Standard
Impact speed
Caliber/Size
ANSI Z87.1-2003
High Velocity
150 feet/second
45 meters/second
0.25″ diameter steel ball
(25 caliber)
Mil-PRF-31013
Vo ballistic test
640-660 feet/second
195 meters/second
0.15 inch diameter steel projectile (15 caliber)
The testers recommend you select eyewear that meets military specification (above and beyond ANSI Z87). The MIL-PRF-31013 Standard covers projectiles up to 650 feet per second. This is much more stringent. Additionally, you want to replace often-used protective eyewear every year or so. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can weaken polycarbonate and lessen its ability to withstand impacts.
SUMMARY — What to Look for in Protective Eyewear
THE GOOD — Eyewear Protects Against Direct Hit with .22 Short Bullet
APEL Revision Sawfly eyewear was shot with a .22 Short, pushing a 29 grain bullet at 710 fps. That’s not powerful by modern firearm standards, but this might be fairly representative of a ricochet bullet fragment. The Sawfly lens stopped this 29gr bullet with minimal damage to the cheek area.
THE BAD — Remington Eyewear Lenses Separate. Right Lens Enters Eye Socket
The most gruesome example was the cheap Remington eyewear which shed both lenses back towards the eyes, one of which embedded itself into the eye socket. The real-world implications of this action are disturbing to say the least.
THE UGLY — Prescription Glasses Failed Miserably
Many ranges don’t see any need for protective eyewear beyond prescription glasses. However, most prescription lenses offer little if any protection. If the prescription lenses are glass, this can create more problems. As shown below, these prescription glasses offered no ballistic protection, and, in fact, proved more dangerous to the eyes due to the flying glass shards.
Results Chart, Video Clips, and Photos copyrightLuckygunner.com.
Summary and Conclusions:
For faster-moving projectiles such as ricochet fragments, you need high quality, tested eye protection. LuckyGunner recommends eyewear with a single (one-piece) lens for any activity where your face might be struck by small, fast-moving objects. Individual lenses detach from the frames once a certain level of force is reached, and they are driven back into the eye sockets, where considerable damage may be done. There are good examples of protective eyewear with two separate lenses, but a broad, one-piece lens distributes force much better.
A wide, comfortable, and preferably soft rubber nosepiece is critical. Along with good “arms”, this will serve to keep the eye protection in place and will also reduce the chances of the lens being driven down or back into the face with enough force to damage the orbital bones.
A frame that connects across the top of the lens, not individual arms which attach to the outside corners of the lens, is recommended. This will reduce the chances of the lens detaching from the frame under impact (it’s still possible, just less likely). Some types of eye protection actually use the frame to absorb impact and distribute force.
NOTE: Andrew, the author of the LuckyGunner Eyewear report, was a former Navy Corpsman. Accordingly, he is familiar with health and safety matters.
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We recently shopped the web to find a new pair of protective shooting glasses. Expecting to pay $20 or more per pair, we were surprised to find high-quality UVEX safety glasses for under $9.00! Available from CooperSafety.com, UVEX glasses feature wrap-around lenses and comfortable padded temples and nose bridges. The UVEX line of safety eyewear passes ANSI Z87+ and CSA Z94.3 standards and meets the MIL VO ballistic test for impact protection. UVEX offers a lifetime frame guarantee–something you won’t get with many $100.00 sunglasses. Among the UVEX product line, we liked the UVEX Skyper ($7.80) with its extended side-shields, the UVEX Genesis ($7.75 -$9.92), and the lightweight UVEX XC ($9.07-$10.55). All three come in a variety of lens shades, and replacement lenses are available for under $5.00 per set.
For more information on protective eyewear, read our comprehensive Guide to Shooting Glasses. It explains the various safety standards which apply and gives the pros and cons of the various preferred lens materials: Polycarbonate, Trivex, and SR-91.
EDITORIAL — Zero Tolerance Needed on Protective Eyewear
I’ve noticed a disturbing percentage of shooters, novice and expert alike, who fail to wear proper eye protection when shooting from the bench. You’ve probably seen this yourself — experienced shooters who’ll grudgingly wear protective glasses in a match (only because they are required), but who won’t wear glasses while practicing. Or, you may have noticed young shooters who shun protective eyewear because they think safety glasses “look dorky”.
To be honest, guys, I think we need to exercise “ZERO Tolerance” when it comes to eye safety. “Mandatory eye protection” rules need to be enforced… no safety glasses = no shooting, period. Rangemasters must INSIST that ALL shooters on the line wear protective glasses. And when you’re out practicing on your own, wear your safety glasses… always… no matter whether you’re shooting centerfire, rimfire, or even air rifles. One little shard of brass or a popped primer and you could be blinded. Your eyesight is precious. Take care of it!
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Accurate shooting begins and ends with the human eye. Your career as a marksman could be cut short if you don’t use good eye protection every time you go to the range and/or handle a firearm.
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