Professional shooters can tell you how many times they have been hit by bullet fragments while shooting. There should be no shooting situations at the shooting range where you are not wearing eye protection.
Choosing the right glasses can be quite a detailed process. You need to make sure that the glasses you choose are not only comfortable to wear, but also provide the best protection for your eyes. There are three important factors to consider when choosing the perfect pair of glasses.
BALLISTIC RATING of tactical glasses
3 important factors when choosing the right ballistic glasses – 2We love our eyes very much. With this in mind, you should choose glasses that will protect you from ricocheting debris. There are two ratings that you should pay attention to when choosing tactical glasses.
- The first is ANSI Z87.1. This rating is used to classify most safety glasses that you will see on factory and industrial sites. Although they protect your eyes from light debris, this is the minimum specification, so you shouldn’t trust them to protect your eyes during shooting.
- The second rating is MIL-PRF-31013, also called MILSPEC. This rating is the one to look for when choosing a pair of shooting glasses, as glasses with this rating have had to undergo much more rigorous testing than the ANSI rating.
MILSPEC goggles offer approximately 6 times better shatter protection compared to the ANSI rating. Also, these MILSPEC glasses tend to be more expensive than ANSI rated glasses, but what is your vision worth?
FITTING tactical glasses
Your glasses should be comfortable, but the fit should be tight enough that you don’t have to worry about the glasses slipping off or falling out. If your favorite glasses are loose fitting, you can add an eyeglass holder to keep them properly on your head, like the example of a headband. Another factor to consider when it comes to fit is what kind of ear protection you’ll be wearing with your glasses. Many people don’t think about the effect of wearing headphones on the placement of safety glasses. If you wear headphones, it’s a good idea to take them with you when you try on your new glasses to make sure they don’t press on your temples.
You also need to consider the bridge of your glasses. Does the bridge make your glasses sit too high or too low on your face? Is it possible to adjust the nose bridge? For example, Smith Optics glasses have an adjustable pin that allows you to precisely fit them to the type of face. Properly fitting glasses on your head will also ensure that your lenses are positioned correctly and provide you with maximum protection.
SETTING
Sometimes at the shooting range you have to shoot against the direction of the sun. But for those who usually prefer to wear clear lenses, this can be a problem, and a quick lens change would be useful here. It’s a good idea to have glasses that allow you to change lenses quickly and easily. This keeps you from having to have several different pairs when you go to the range. Or there are photochromic versions that independently change the dimming level
Having multiple lenses also means you can play with different colors. Some colors make it easier to aim, while others make targets stand out. Find the right color where you need to focus.
If you have less than perfect vision, you’ll also want to look into glasses that have an Rx option. There are many brands that offer excellent eye protection and allow you to customize it to your vision with corrective inserts.
BUY EVERYTHING TOGETHER AT ONCE
Ballistic rating, fit and adjustment with accessories are not the only factors to consider when choosing professional eye protection, we also recommend that you pay attention to ready-made sets, which can be a profitable purchase. But eye protection does nothing for you if you don’t actually wear it! It only takes one bad shot without glasses to deal a devastating blow to your vision. Whether you’re shooting competitively or just plinking on the weekend, top quality eye protection is critical.