We had to wear earplugs in basic training, and since then I’ve worn them every time I fire a weapon of any type. Well, I do fire .22 without earplugs at times.
I used to be on our unit pistol team, and I’d wear plugs and ear muffs at the matches. With your weapon (45 cal), and one on either side, it was very loud.
Have you noted the curious, non-antagonistic division on this thread—the shooters vs. the musicians?