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'Shooting' glasses-- how are they different?

ShootinLady
How are sunglasses sold as 'shooting glasses' different from regular, medium quality sunglasses?

Is it safe to shoot with just 'regular' sunglasses? Would the material (plastic or glass) of the lenses make any difference?

When I say regular, I mean just modest, straight-forward, 'wrap around' design, not 'fashion' glasses.

Thanks.

______________________

I Like Guns and I Vote.
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • Fourth Horseman
    I would never use anything with a glass lens as shooting eyewear. It'd be just my luck that a cartridge case from the freak with the .50AE Desert Eagle in the shooting position next to me would pop over, hit my "sunglasses" shatter the lens and put my eye out.
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  • perry shooter
    Most normal sunglasses do not have the optical quality of shooting glasses or offer as much protection from burning powder or flying metal in case of a gun malfunction . If you are target shooting you dont want any distortion and even though gun malfunctions are rare we all only have 2 eyes "PROTECTION" needs to be the best available. There are many tints not found in sun glasses some in vermilion or yellow can increase contrast and some also look good but lens are bigger then the fashion types.
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  • Hokkmike
    I have a pair of Smith & Wesson yellow shooting glasses. They give me piece of mind and brighten up the sight picture considerable. I hope the difference is that they can withstand the impact of unexpected blowback. (I also wear them when doing yard work)

    Sako Fan
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  • 505firearms
    I got rid of a pair of my shooting glasses because they had enough of a gap to let a shell get between my face and the glasses.

    I had a spent cartridge burn on my skin right below my eye. the shell came in the top of my safety glasses and wedged between my skin and glasses. I had never had that happen before. It was a good thing that it did not burn my eyeball.

    [B)]



    "I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy -- but that could change."

    Governor George W. Bush
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  • nmyers
    Most over-the-counter sunglasses have plain glass lenses that will easily shatter if struck by a hard object; shooting glasses have tempered glass lenses that are highly resistant to damage.

    Glass used in prescription lenses can be ordered "tempered" in order to provide better eye protection. Regular plastic prescription lenses provide a high level of protection; polycarbonate lenses are even stronger.

    Aviator style frames usually better protection against an object flying into the gap between the glasses & your face because of their size & shape. A baseball cap helps to minimize this danger since the bill will sometimes deflect objects.

    Always anticipate the worst possible scenario: catastrophic failure of a high power rifle 2" in front of your face. If you do, you should be able to survive anything.

    Neal
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  • bobski
    also too, for shotgunning, lens' are set higher on your nose so when you dip you head to look down the bbl, the top frame will not interfere with your sighting. a good set of glasses will not have a frame all the way around the lens, as not to interfere with your sight.
    the best glasses are a lens all the way across your nose wit hno seperation...much like what a machinest would wear.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.
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  • He Dog
    In point of fact, "shooting glasses" can vary from $3.00 gunshow junk to $500 fine optics. They should fit snuggly to the face, have no distortion, enhance contrast for the shooting or activity you are envolved in, filter UV, and be impact resistent. If your regular glasses do all that, they are fine. For shooting colors ranging from yellow through ambers into orange, magenta a purple can be used for different conditions and activities. A wise man once said,
    said, "even though gun malfunctions are rare we all only have 2 eyes; "PROTECTION" needs to be the best available."
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