Anybody here use Champion shooting gear?

[Perd Hapley]

I got these at Wal-Mart yesterday.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Champion-Shooting-Glasses/39818415

They are a little cheaper than my usual safety/sunglasses, but are supposed to have a mil-spec rating, and UV protection. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with Champion products.

The glasses seem pretty good, so far, though I've only used them a little bit. I like glasses that are lightweight, so I can clip them on the front of my shirt, or push them up on top of my head, and not worry about them falling off. These are light. They also come in clear and amber, if you like.

Naturally, when I get to the range, I'll shoot myself in the eye a few times, just to make sure they work.

[41magsnub]

The only champion gear I have that I know of is a clay pigeon hand thrower that isn't very good, cheap overly floppy plastic.

[Perd Hapley]

The only champion gear I have that I know of is a clay pigeon hand thrower that isn't very good, cheap overly floppy plastic.

So I should hold off on the eye-shooting thing? 

[Cliffh]

So I should hold off on the eye-shooting thing? 

Probably.

FWIW, mil-spec ratings are sort of hit and miss.  The wrenches issued from the Tool Room at MINSY were mil-spec - and cheaper than what Harbor Freight sells.

[MechAg94]

The web site says it also meets ANSI compliant Z87.1 rating which is the standard rating for safety glasses.

I would say that if they are comfortable and you see good out of them, go for it.  For shooting glasses I prefer something that comes with a case or bag I can keep them in as most any safety glasses will scratch up over time no matter how good the coatings are.

[Perd Hapley]

The web site says it also meets ANSI compliant Z87.1 rating which is the standard rating for safety glasses.

I would say that if they are comfortable and you see good out of them, go for it.  For shooting glasses I prefer something that comes with a case or bag I can keep them in as most any safety glasses will scratch up over time no matter how good the coatings are.

Yeah, but once you buy a few pair with cases or bags, that becomes less important for the next pair.

FWIW, mil-spec ratings are sort of hit and miss.  The wrenches issued from the Tool Room at MINSY were mil-spec - and cheaper than what Harbor Freight sells.

I'm talking about the military standard for protective eye-wear. It's supposed to be a higher standard than the ANSI, but I don't know the specifics.

[Scout26]

Champion tends to be bottom of the barrel chinese import crap.  The make the worst clay birds (more then half will break in machines and about halh will break in manual throwers. 

But if all you are looking for is cheap eye-pro.  Don't.  Save your pennies and get a good pair.  Go to a good gun store or a chain like bass pro or cabela's and ask there.

[Perd Hapley]

I'll be using these mainly as sunglasses,* although the idea of a special, fancy pair for shooting does intrigue. What are the benefits?


*I've found that shaded safety glasses make for cheap, durable sunglasses. I don't like 'spensive ones, because they tend to get lost or scratched up, anyhow.

[wmenorr67]

ANSI compliant Z87.1 rating is the .mil standard.

[dogmush]

Eye pro is a good plase to save cash. After all you did get one spare eye from the get go.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Anything marked ANSI Z87 should be just fine in terms of safety and protection.  The expensive stuff buys you more comfort and style, not more safety.

[MechAg94]

Yes, ANSI compliant protective eye wear can be bought for under $5.  You aren't paying extra for protection.

If you really want more safety, you can get a face shield or goggles.  You might find someone who makes goggles with bullet proof glass. 

[brimic]

Eye pro is a good plase to save cash. After all you did get one spare eye from the get go.

+1

As a chemist that I used to work with liked to say as he wore his goggles on his forehead- "I've got 2 eyes but only 1 forehead."

[T.O.M.]

I used to buy cheap sunglasses all the time, especially when I cared what was fashionable or in style.  Then I got my first pair of Ray Ban aviators.  The difference in the lenses was pretty astounding.  the clarity, the lack of distortion because of the quality of the lens grind and polish.  I haven't gone back to cheap glasses since.

For protective eyewear, you can find inexpensive quality lenses.  WileyX glasses run in the $50 range.  Worth the cost, IMHO, since eyes don't grow back.  Well, at least mine don't.

[dogmush]

It should be mentioned here that the ANSI spec covers a bunch of stuff besides impact (dust, splash, droplet, etc) and with the new (2010) Z87.1 spec you can actually have ANSI spec safety glasses that do not have an impact protection rating.  The old spec had "basic" or "High Impact" but with the new spec it's either "impact" or not.  So when looking at ANSI specs you need to look for Z87.1 +.  The "+" indicates that it iis impact rated, and passes what used to be the "High Impact" tests.  The kicker is if it doesn't have a "+" it's just not impact rated, so don't assume "basic" protection.

The Mil Spec is only an Impact rating and doesn't cover any of the other hazards.

Also, much like AR parts, "Mil Spec" and Z87.1 are what is considered the bare minimum[/] protection Scrooge McDuck has to offer his employees.  A prudent enthusiast would look to exceed that standard.  I use Wiley-X, Revision, and Oakley Ballistic glasses for shooting, and the improvement in protection, comfort and clarity is hard to overestimate.  Don't skimp on PPE.

Brought to you by your friendly, neighborhood DOD Safety/OSHA Compliance Officer.

[cosine]

My expensive shooting eye pro is from ESS.

My "cheap" shooting eye pro is from Edge Eyewear.

[Perd Hapley]

ANSI compliant Z87.1 rating is the .mil standard.

I presume most people are wearing the ANSI glasses for shooting. I was trying to get something better, by getting the MIL-PERF-whatever glasses. It looks like that's not good enough for some of you. Sorry.