Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Manedwolf on October 31, 2008, 05:38:45 PM

Title: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Manedwolf on October 31, 2008, 05:38:45 PM
Quote
British Troops in Afghanistan Returning Deaf, Times Says

By Andrew MacAskill

Oct. 30 (Bloomberg) -- British soldiers returning from Afghanistan are suffering from hearing problems that may prevent their return to frontline service and affect their civilian job prospects, the London-based Times reported.

The Royal British Legion said it dealt with 1,195 claims against the U.K. Defense Ministry over the last three years, the newspaper said, citing information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aDaFJhcSqw5o&refer=uk (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aDaFJhcSqw5o&refer=uk)

I have heard concern that a bullpup having the chamber right next to your ear might transmit a dangerous level of pressure even with hearing protection, just due to proximity.

They ARE using SA-80 bullpups, no?

Could that have something to do with it? Or more likely to be artillery related? IED?
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Gewehr98 on October 31, 2008, 06:20:37 PM
It isn't the chamber next to one's ear that's causing the aggravated hearing loss.

It's the muzzle sitting just barely in front of your nose, instead of being at least 14" or 20" out there.

The last guy I loaned my Wichita pistol to ended up having a slight concussion from running a box of 50 rounds through it. Rifle cartridges going through a 10" barrel produce quite the blast effect so close to one's face, and I'd wager a bullpup like the FAMAS or SA-80 wouldn't help matters much.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas on October 31, 2008, 06:20:52 PM
A few possibilities:
1. The MoD doesn't issue earplugs, or soldiers aren't hounded about using 'em. No idea on this one.
2. The Brits are fond of automatic fire from their SA80s. Possible that a Brit squad would expend a lot more ammo, thus making a lot more noise, than a comparable American squad. More noise = more chance of damaging your hearing.
3. Distance from ear to the front of the barrel is shorter than that of the M4 and M16. The overwhelming majority of sound, IME, comes from the front of the gun.
4. Wearing shorts damages your hearing.  =D
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: crt360 on October 31, 2008, 06:39:20 PM

4. Wearing shorts damages your hearing.  =D


:lol:

I recall a report not long ago about a large percentage of U.S. soldiers returning with significant hearing damage.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: 280plus on October 31, 2008, 06:52:52 PM
Are any of them still wearing kilts?  =D
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Jim147 on November 01, 2008, 12:21:42 AM
WHAT?
We all have hearing damage.
I can see the bull pup design making it worse.
Yet another reason to add suppressors.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Crosshair on November 05, 2008, 10:13:28 PM
It isn't the chamber next to one's ear that's causing the aggravated hearing loss.

It's the muzzle sitting just barely in front of your nose, instead of being at least 14" or 20" out there.

I disagree. Most all 22 rimfire rifles are under 140 db at the shooters ear. I fired a G22 once without hearing protection. Big mistake. After only 5 rounds, my right ear was ringing since the ejection port was only 2 inches away from it. The breech is much farther away from your ear on a gun like the 10/22 or a non issue on a manual action gun.

Of course this is also dependent on the timing of the gun as well. How much residual pressure is still in the chamber when the breech opens and breaks the occlusion between the case and the chamber?
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: freakazoid on November 05, 2008, 10:21:19 PM
I remember firing the PS90 without hearing protection to see how loud it was, didn't bother me at all. Man that gun is so sweet. =D
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: seeker_two on November 05, 2008, 10:26:15 PM

4. Wearing shorts damages your hearing.  =D

I can understand that....AFAIK, there's never been a documented incident of a man who went deaf because he didn't wear shorts (or even pants) while at a shooting range....
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Matthew Carberry on November 05, 2008, 11:14:08 PM
I can understand that....AFAIK, there's never been a documented incident of a man who went deaf because he didn't wear shorts (or even pants) while at a shooting range....

I would like to buy your rock.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: freakazoid on November 06, 2008, 12:01:22 AM
Is it a tactical rock?
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: MicroBalrog on November 06, 2008, 05:15:50 AM
Is it a tactical rock?


I hate people who attach rails and carbon fiber to a perfectly good vintage rock.

Do you know how few of those there are left?

Oh, yes, they are cheap now, but what will you do when there are no more vintage rocks and you can only get one at $1500 at Rockbroker.com? HUH?!
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: roo_ster on November 06, 2008, 10:18:23 AM

I hate people who attach rails and carbon fiber to a perfectly good vintage rock.

Do you know how few of those there are left?

Oh, yes, they are cheap now, but what will you do when there are no more vintage rocks and you can only get one at $1500 at Rockbroker.com? HUH?!

That is why Tapco now produces the "Clamp-on, No-Mar Rail System for Rocks."
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: AJ Dual on November 06, 2008, 10:24:09 AM
So... uhh....

"Picatinny Rails for her pleasure"...?  =|
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: HankB on November 06, 2008, 11:39:32 AM
Most combat vets I've encountered DO have signs of hearing loss . . . fire a lot of centerfire ammo (.223/5.56, .308/7.62, 7.62x39, .30/06, .50 BMG, etc.) without hearing protection and you WILL damage hearing.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: freakazoid on November 06, 2008, 12:24:44 PM
Quote
I hate people who attach rails and carbon fiber to a perfectly good vintage rock.

You just have to get with the times.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: RevDisk on November 06, 2008, 02:00:06 PM
Is it a tactical rock?

Yep, keeps the tigers away.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: Matthew Carberry on November 06, 2008, 02:41:30 PM
Yep, keeps the tigers away.

I'm planning a trip to Sri Lanka is why.
Title: Re: Because of bullpup...?
Post by: BrokenPaw on November 06, 2008, 03:56:39 PM
"Picatinny Rails for her pleasure"...?  =|

"Eeeeeeewwww!"