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Safety glasses

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Flintlock_bob

40 Cal.
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
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I'm sure most every one is wearing safety glasses when shooting flints and even those new fangled percussion things.

Are you using modern glasses or are there some more period correct glasses available?

A couple of times I have forgotten to put mine on and haven't noticed any hint of powder or anything coming back at my face, has anyone ever had an incident where you were glad you were wearing glasses?
 
I had a nipple once that was not tapped correctly and it blew out, darn happy I was wearing glasses.

Had a buddy last year shooting a old smokeless rifle. It blew apart. Had to have surgery to remove the metal in his face and neck. He was very happy he was wearing glasses.

I wear Decot shooting glasses. I put the little stick on bi focal lenses so I can see the up close stuff I need to see.

Fleener
 
I have eye problems. I was undiagnosed for diabetes for at least 7-8 years per my retinal specialist.

Trust me the thought of going blind sucks big time. I get shots every month in one eye now and need even more laser surgery.

Wear your safety glasses for any shooting PC/HC correct or not shooting is for fun and a GAME. seeing is very important for your life.
 
Flintlock Bob said:
I'm sure most every one is wearing safety glasses when shooting flints and even those new fangled percussion things.

Are you using modern glasses or are there some more period correct glasses available?

A couple of times I have forgotten to put mine on and haven't noticed any hint of powder or anything coming back at my face, has anyone ever had an incident where you were glad you were wearing glasses?
No...and I've been shooting flintlocks for nearly 20 years.
 
No, and I have been shooting all kinds of guns since I was 6yo. including thousands of rounds in USA. Never had a problem.
 
I wear modern style safety glasses every time I shoot. I have had retinal surgery on both eyes due to diabetes and do not wish to have any more operations. I'm not aware of any glasses that are HC/PC in appearance......the "period" glasses I see are to small to offer adequate protection. Safety first.
 
Here in Belgium, you must wear safety glasses and ear protection. I shoot flintlocks, and wear close fitting safety/sports glasses that follow the contours of the face. I ordered prescription glasses for them that are quit costly... Since these glasses are contoured they cannot be made from glass. Lucky for me I could keep the same glasses for several years, but now they are severally pitted! That can only mean that your face is regularly hit with hot sparks ... Just to take a look at those pitted lenses is a real eye opener! Pun intended!
 
Sure, I've had more problems with modern guns, but yes with flinters or caplocks I've had situations too.

One was a short stocked musket (for me anyway) and I had on a wide brimmed hat (well it was a "blank" that was going to be cocked, but hadn't had the brim folded up yet), and enough of the brim was over the pan that some of the flash came back into my face. I've had a couple of times when flint chips hit above my eye in the past. Although we are supposed to have flash guards, until they required two points of contact to ensure the guard didn't slip, the guards would often rotate down and out of the way. I had touch-hole spray hit me in the left cheek a bunch of times, until the newer guards were required. Still sometimes get that on the line with rifle shooters or musket shooters when target shooting, and no guards are required.

LD
 
I wore glasses all my life from about the age of 7 or 8, so safety glasses for shooting was not an issue. I had cataracts removed and eyes fixed about 10 years ago and no longer need glasses. I still wear safety glasses when shooting. I paid too much to get my eyes fixed to risk having them ruined by an accident.

Safety glasses are required at out range, but I also use them elsewhere. Sorta like seat belts. Plenty of folks don't used them and say "I never wear them and I'm still here." Yes, but it only takes that one time.
 
Had a piece a percussion cap imbed in my cheek...could have easily been my eye...

Clean your classes well before a shooting session and then inspect them afterwards....it should be an "eye opener"....
 
I always wear glasses even after cataract surgery. Threw away severaL pair of shooting glasses over the years mared by cap fragments before started shooting flinters.

Once, when shooting flint off x sticks, came back to loading bench and some one asked if I was ok cause blood running down the side of my nose. Had a sliver of flint imbedded above the bridge of my nose near my right eyebrow.

Ye, many of you have fired a lot of rounds w no problems. But as said above it only takes once. When that once happens, let us know. Maybe you'll save someone's eye for THEM.
 
I have had CF’s guns blow up and the like when shooting.
Been hit by spatter back and ricochets
And somethings better unsaid.


So I have had to have thing dug out of places like my eyes, not fun.
I have a small scar across the center of my right eye
Not one of my bigger problems but I could have done without it.


It is just plain foolish not to wear safety lens and hearing protectors.




William Alexander
 
Early this year a big piece of #11 cap gouged the lens of my glasses.

Years ago i was present when a piece of a musket blinded a shooter.
 
I ware a pair of historic style fitted with modern polymer 'glass'
Shot for years without glasses, but why take the chance? Never had a bad accident but I wore a seat belt before it was the law.
 
As a kid got a bolt action 22 from an uncle. Old man told me not to shoot it. Couldn't resist and shot it. Some hardware (extractor maybe) missing from the bolt and it resulted to a fare size piece of brass case to be imbedded in my bicep after pulling the trigger. Dug piece of brass out with tweezers and hemostats. Figured I needed a needed a tetanus shot. Couldn't tell old man. Stepped on nail sticking through a board to assure I got the shot. After getting tetanus shot, old man gave me my first set of safety glasses. Cross between Buddy Holly and Drew Cary. Told me to get my head out of my a$$. Don't know how, but he knew what happened. Lesson one on safety glasses complete.

Lesson two. Shooting an old Daisy pump BB gun. BB hit concrete block and came straigh back. Almost. Hit squarely between my eyes and resulted in blood dripping. No real damage, no point telling anyone. But I knew I should have been wearing glasses. Let's not discuss steel BB shot at concrete.

Years later, the old man long in the ground, the payoff occurred. Pulled the trigger on a brand new TC Contender in 35 Rem. Long story short, factory installed scope base was too thick, creating condition where only a thread or two of the screws holding the factory installed scope base to the barrel were engaged - until the recoil from the 200 grain factory loaded bullet disassembled everything. Flying scope broke my glasses frame and spider webbed my poly safety glass lense (right lense only). Lesson three complete. Got a nice cash settlement from TC. And a nice scar and stitches to go with old hockey injuries that were lined up (mumzzy called it a waiting list for scars on her baby's face).

For what it is worth, find potmarks on my safety glasses that I use for shooting. I am not a welder. Only use is shooting, mostly flintlocks. Not looking to debate the 'never had a problem crowd'. Your eyes, your choice.
 
I have had serious flash back when shooting my Bess with a flash guard. It smoked the plastic lenses on my glasses permanently.

Check out the eyewear at James Townsends www.townsends.us they have inexpensively priced glasses that are correct. There is no reason to shoot without eyewear.
 
Boy you guys really have me thinking twice about not wearing safety glasses. I guess I've just been lucky shooting 4,000 - 5,000 percussion loads and never having a problem...knock on wood.

Funny how at our ML club eye and ear protection is mandatory for youths (< 16 yr olds) but only encouraged for adults...although everyone wears ear protection.

I picked up an inexpensive pair from Value Home Center (S&W brand) on sale that I wear when I sharpening my lawn mower blades on the bench grinding wheel. Guess I'll be wearing them for another reason now.
http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/smitwes38spe.html

Thanks for sharing your stories guys.
 
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