Custom-molded ear plugs.

[Jetmugg]

I noticed a lot of custom-molded ear plugs at the Southern Nats. Are you folks who use them having them professionally made, or do-it-yourself from one of the commercially available kits?

If by kit form, is there one preferred supplier for this stuff - how about the pros/cons of the custom molded versus generic ear plugs?

SteveM.

[Innocent]

Made at various matches. Some made by Lones Wigger, some by Glenda Graves, some by Ronny Chandler should run about 40 to 45 bucks. Tried the kit stuff, do not like it.

Mary

[Hawk-1]

what is the decimal rating on the molded plugs that they do?

[Baja_Traveler]

Custom molded vs generic is a no-brainer - the molded ear plugs are so much more comfortable to wear all day. Since there are no pressure points anywhere in the ear like generic plugs will give, the comfort level goes up tremendously. I got mine made years ago when I shot skeet alot, and still use them for the shotgun sports. On the silhouette and pistol line I really like my Peltor electronic headset however. They cost alot more, but it's so much easier to carry on a conversation with them, and also not miss any calls by the rangemaster when I'm way down at the end of the line.

[rogersptl]

Glenda made mine and I dislike them. The foam plugs close out more noise and are way more comfortable. Foam plugs 50 cents, $40 for custom plugs. I doubt I'll have a second set made. Roger

[Innocent]

I have had both Glenda and Wigger make some for me. Glenda has always been willing to adjust (if needed) whenever I see her, and they fit me the best. Ronny Chandler is always willing to work with the customers also. Wigger I have not seen at a match in a while, so do not know how he would respond to tweaking any plugs.

Mary

[lone ringer]

Custom molded ear plugs when made properly will outperform the foam kind. I got my first pair from Lones Wigger and they lasted me over 10 years, lately I also had a set made for me by Glenda Graves and they work well. When shooting center fire cartridges I use both ear plus and ear muffs.

Roger I also make ear plugs buy have not made any for some time, my recommendation is that you take them back to Glenda and explain to her that you do not think they suppress noise as well as the cheap foam ones and she may decide to make you another set or give them a coat or two of sealer.

A few times I had to do that to keep my customers happy and only one time I gave somebody his money back because he told me he did no like them, I also let him keep them since I had no use for them and guess what? A few years later I saw him at a shooting range and was wearing the plugs I made for him, so I guess he was not all that unhappy with them.

It does take a while to get used to them and on a Championship like the Nationals where one shoots for several days, they may make your ears sore. I have been using them since I started shooting silhouettes in 1978 and when I don't have them I really struggle with the foam ones unless they have the plastic string on them because I have very large and deep ear canals and can't remove them with my fingers.

[ShooterP14]

I had mine made at a gun show. These are my second pair. I can't wear ANY ear protection for more than 15-20 minutes before they become an irritant. If you do pay out $40 for the molded ones, a word of caution: dogs seem to love "ear wax" flavor.