If you're at all interested in self-defense, getting used to the percussion, albeit with hearing protectors, is a very good idea, since you might have to use a

If you're at all interested in self-defense, getting used to the percussion, albeit with hearing protectors, is a very good idea, since you might have to use a gun inside a building. (There are earmuffs that'll receive, or even amplify outside noise except of course for gun shots. They're very useful for instruction.)