Shooting Glasses Question

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swede79

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Jan 30, 2001
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I have a question that my sister, who is an Army doctor, posed. I don't know the answer, so I'm posting the pertinent parts of her email directly here. Any answers are greatly appreciated...

Thanks guys!

what are the best shooting glasses / eye armor? Most of the casualties overseas are limb injuries and head shots (probably because we are wearing better body armor more often) -- lots of eye injuries. The military issues safety glasses, which is very good, but in short supply. What do hunters use? It needs to be something to protect from shrapnel / rocks on the sides as well as the front. If there is a material better than polycarbonate, I'm not up on it. I know Smith & Wesson makes something like the Oakley, they use them in the OR to protect from splashes of blood, but I don't know how "bulletproof" any of them are.
 
Main thing is to look for glasses that meet ANSI z87.1 standards, it is the industrial safety standard IIRC. I think the S&W ones are rated pretty good and affordable. There is another standard, Z90-something, but that is alot weaker.

The late, lamented Gungames magazine did a review of safety glasses and some of the affordable z87.1 ones came out quite well. This was up to and including #4 buckshot. The glasses aren't good for much after a big hit but they may save your sight.

As for brands I like WileyX (website), I've used them for several years in daily wear. I looked at Rudy Project glasses (website), they were said to be good for shooting, but I can't figure out if they are rated or not. For my own I'm leaning towards Shields (website) but they are backordered on the protective ones. I haven't looked at Oakleys but alot of people like them, I'm a cheap guy...

Whatever you get, get a good soft pouch to protect from scratches when in baggage. This is all just my best info, I haven't searched in a few years, things may have changed.
 
I've heard Gargoyles are pretty good and I think you can get an insert for your prescription lenses that fit them. They come in clear and several other colors.
 
I like UVEX SPECS II (Special Protective Eyewear Cylindrical System - Second Generation). The lenses have passed U.S. Military V ballistic testing (the ability to stop a 15-caliber cylindrical projectile with a velocity of 650 feet per second). These glasses meet or exceed civilian safety specs Z87.1 & ZP4.3. They are also very comfortable to wear. You can wear them all day just as if they were a pair of wrap around shades.

Bob

specs2.jpg
 
Mine have never been tested, but I used to have a customer who was one of their reps. He once showed me a pait that had been tested at the wrong end of a 12ga. He was a glasses guy, not a gun rep so he didn't know what size shot was involved, but the glasses were not penetrated. The were certainly ruined as far as being sunglasses go, because they deformed pretty badly as they absorbed the energy, but no pellets penetrated. There were too many hits for it to have been 00 buck, but it was pretty impressive.

I have a yellow set for indoor shooting and a dark set thaat I use for outdoor shooting, or other outdoor activities where protection is more important than optical quality (mountain biking?). They've always served me well.

jmx
 
Gargoyles for me . took a 22 caliber ricochet of the lens of a pair , saved my eyes and still wore the glasses even with the mar on the lens ( was over my right eye , gave me an excuse for missing ;) ).
I also have a pair of Wiley X ( got em cause my last name is Wylie :D )...like my Gargoyles better , they fit my odd shaped rather small head better.
 
I found the magazine, May 1998 Gungames. Glasses getting a passing grade (including #4 shot @ 1100fps) were the S&W Assault Shields, Silencio Cudas, and Silencio Wrapps. They did not test Oakleys, WileyX, or Gargoyles (most all manufacturers were solicited for sample pairs but some declined to participate after hearing the extent of the tests.

I have used Gargoyles and still keep a clear pair for night work. But they are a little too Terminator-esque and are kinda small for my big head.
 
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