Like I said before I have no problem wearing eye protection while shooting anything, {rimfire or centerfire} but spotting scopes in general do not have enough eye relief to wear glasses and see the full view. I have never heard a story where the spotter was injured during a highpower match let alone smallbore match. I'm sure there has been a freak accident at sometime somewhere that someone's uncle's cousin's brother-inlaw had or almost had that will be posted here later.
However I'm guessing that some of the people that are adamant about saftey glasses, don't wear a helmet when they ride their motorcycle, drive their vintage muscle car way over the speed limit, sit right next to the track at Nascar race and on and on inspite of the danger involved. My point is it's a risk I'm willing to take because I believe it's very small.
For something more interesting to read check out my post in ammunition on Federal Automatch.

FYI
I have seen spotters at smallbore rimfire matches hit with lead while sitting at the benches behind the line. Enough to break the skin on the face below the eye.
I also know of a person that was hit with a bullet , bent and twisted, behind the firing line at a black powder silhouette match.
Yes I have been at matches when rimfire rifle cases blew, could not find the extractors. Two in one day.
Yes I have been at matches when primers blew and faces got peppered with powder-primer parts, the shooters, spotters and neighbors.

Apparently I'm the luckiest shooter alive, I started silhouette in 1981 and haven't experienced or witnessed a single incedent you described.

We've had folks hit here with splatter from the Chicken rails, but not the other distances.

To each there own.... and do what you'd like.

To me, it's not worth risking loosing or damaging an eye when with minimial protection they are protected. I would like to shoot for many more years.

Just my 2 cents....

You nailed it, to each his/her own. Personal choice's, personal responsibility. That's what this country is supposed to be all about, I wouldn't ride my motorcycle around the block without a helmet on, but every time the do-gooders try and pass a helmet law I vote against it. Saftey glasses are same deal, wear them 24/7 if you want to, just don't tell me I have to.

I agree that shooting glasses should be worn when shooting a fire arm. Wtih that said, can someone give me a small list of excellent shooting glasses. I hate the cheap ones, that distort and scratch the first time you put them down.

kevinbear wrote:You nailed it, to each his/her own. Personal choice's, personal responsibility. That's what this country is supposed to be all about, I wouldn't ride my motorcycle around the block without a helmet on, but every time the do-gooders try and pass a helmet law I vote against it. Saftey glasses are same deal, wear them 24/7 if you want to, just don't tell me I have to.

If you are on the range when we have our matches, you wear or you go home. No way we are going to be open to a Liabilty claim just so you can do what you want. Personal responsibilty/choices are subject to the rules.

Your right rules are rules and if a club requires them I wear them, I've also never sued anyone for anything and probably won't.
Think about this, 25 years ago it was a rare sight to see people at 22 matches wearing eye protection. Every kid that lived in the country had a 22 and shot thousands of rounds when they were growing up. A large percentage of them if not all of them didn't wear eye protection. If it is such a hazard to shoot a 22 without eye protection why isn't every third person at a gunshow or gunclub meeting wearing an eye patch? You know anyone thats lost an eye shooting a 22, I don't.

Tim, I recommend the Oakley Ballistic M Frame SI Glasses HIGHLY. I researched shooting glasses for a month before I bought these. Got them on Ebay for like $70 delivered. They are as issued to the Special Forces and are both protective and distortion free and they don't break the bank. I have had a pierced rimfire primer ONLY once and I was very glad I had shooting glasses on. This was with Lapua Midas L and a Turbo action bench rifle ( so not substandard ammo or equipment). I felt stuff hitting my glasses ! At one time I was shooting over 20,000 rounds of Lapua a year and it only takes one bad round to ruin your life ! Back to the glasses, they are comfortable, light and damn near bullet-proof. I now shoot BPCR silhouette mostly, and would feel naked on line without the glasses.

timfinle wrote:I agree that shooting glasses should be worn when shooting a fire arm. Wtih that said, can someone give me a small list of excellent shooting glasses. I hate the cheap ones, that distort and scratch the first time you put them down.

Tim, See me at the next match or give me a call re glasses. Jim

Tim, The Oakleys are the ones. I was typing while he was answering your question.

Most places around here make you an offer you can't refuse: Wear ear and eye protection, or go home!

Tim, There is Decot, also. Right in Phx.

timfinle wrote:I agree that shooting glasses should be worn when shooting a fire arm. Wtih that said, can someone give me a small list of excellent shooting glasses. I hate the cheap ones, that distort and scratch the first time you put them down.

Randall, and Decot make some really nice shooting glasses with quality frames and lenses, i have a pair of Decots myself. Oakley also makes a few safety glasses models

kevinbear wrote: Think about this, 25 years ago it was a rare sight to see people at 22 matches wearing eye protection. Every kid that lived in the country had a 22 and shot thousands of rounds when they were growing up. A large percentage of them if not all of them didn't wear eye protection. If it is such a hazard to shoot a 22 without eye protection why isn't every third person at a gunshow or gunclub meeting wearing an eye patch? You know anyone thats lost an eye shooting a 22, I don't.

They gave up shooting after they lost there dominate eye.

Eric

I might believe that if it wasn't for all the guys with other maladies that you see out shooting, in wheelchairs ect. People that love an activity almost never let an injury stop them from participating.
The debate rages on!!!