So I'm out shooting skeet with a friend in this field, I'd say the size of a football field, this past Sunday. After a few hours of exploding clays with my Benelli, we start to pack up and get ready to get out of there. Now, just for shits and giggles I figure I'll take out my snubnose Titanium 357mag and go take a few shots into a nearby hill at a couple of tree stumps.
Now immediately upon pulling the trigger I came to realize that i had already removed my earplugs. I had completely forgotten. My left ear rang VERY loudly for a few seconds, followed by a slight buzz for hours. I can't believe how ridiculously loud a gun that small could be! My full size 1911 45acp isn't nearly as loud. I once fired that without earplugs as well.
If I were to ever use that snubby indoors for self defense, I'd expect the sound to basically shut my ears down, maybe permanently, to some degree.
Just figured I'd throw this out there in case there are some gun guys floating around here!
I feel like looking into a different caliber snubby for summer carry. Maybe a 44 special or something.