Anyone use shooting gloves?

[HKFan9]

I'm sure a lot of you do in the colder months. Lately I have been finding at the range that that my palms have been getting rather sweaty, and that poses a problem with a 1911 with slick wood grips. Not to mention the stock SA controls are a bit sharp (waiting to replace them).

I grabbed a pair of Ringers Duty gloves, that are meant for all weather mostly for LEO's patrol gloves. They are thin and super comfortable, and grip my gun really well. For not being familiar with the company, and only costing me $20 I am quite pleased, haven't tested them at the range yet however.

Now, I know the range isn't a fashion show. I'll admit being only 23, even acting responsible and safe on the range, I still get looks from some of the older crowd. I solely bought these gloves for my sweaty palm issues in the hot weather, but I am nervous people might look at me like I'm a certified mall ninja!:rolleyes:

My logic was, batters wear batting gloves, I wear a glove when I golf, why not wear gloves while I shoot to add more grippage (not a word but works). I was wondering if any of you wear any shooting gloves year round and if you have any any funny looks. Or if you own any handguns where you think gloves might help you.

PS. I feel awkward in the winter too but I live in the Pocono Mountains of PA and the range I shoot at is literally on top of one of them, it gets super cold. The black $10 balaclava that I grabbed at a military surplus store, thats fleece lined keeps my face and head really feeling nice in those cold cold winter shooting days. I am in no way trying to dress up like a black ops operator in the movies, it was cheap, comfortable and practical, same with the gloves, but I think people have seen too many movies.

[NightSleeper]

I have a pair of driving gloves. I forget the brand name, but they are thin and have an extra "grippy" surface on the fingers and palms. They make great shooting gloves. I prefer firing bare handed but sometimes my palms sweat too, and these gloves are the fix for that.

[GunsAreGood]

I recently bought some gloves to shoot in. While I have not used them yet they seem to be a little bulky in the finger stitching and might cause a problem seeing as I have been shooting mainly .22's and I believe loading a mag will be difficult. I have never shot with gloves on, but my reasoning is the same as yours. I get sweaty palms in the summer time and it affects grip and I just do not like to handle my guns with sweaty hands. I seem to cause rust to guns when I handle them with sweaty hands. I believe you said you play golf as do I and it reminded me of something I seen at the shooting range last week. A man was shooting with golf gloves on for shooting gloves. I found it to be a very good idea as golf gloves tend to be very slim and give you good dexterity with your fingers. I will be giving the golf gloves a try if my other gloves do not work out. You are not alone in shooting with gloves, many of us do it.

[Old Grump]

I have a pair of PAST shooting gloves, fingerless and padded for when I shoot the boomers and for shooting anything above 38 spcl when it is below 20 degrees. I don't care what people think and you shouldn't either. They are your hands and you don't meed to bleed, suffer bruises or drop your gun to satisfy their standards of what is appropriate gear. You need to feel safe and comfortable. It isn't Mall Ninja, its common sense.

Off range my gloves never leave my shooting bag, when I shoot they are with me. Period.

[45Gunner]

My hands sweat a lot in a hot range which caused me to try a pair of shooting gloves. They were OK for shooting but I found that the first pair ripped when I loaded the magazines...probably caught on the sharp lips of the magazine. I learned my lesson and took them off each time I had to load the magazines. Soon, it became a pain in the neck and too time consuming to keep taking the gloves off and on.

I bought a drop-in set of front strap checkering from Wilson Combat and changed all my grips to double diamond cut. That solved the problems of slippery grips while trying to shoot with sweaty hands.

[shortwave]

I've tried shooting gloves and we all should probably use them due to health reasons. Just really don't care for them.

A bicycle innertube, cut and stretched over grips works for me. When you first start using the innertube it won't be very tacky. A few range sessions will cure that;).

[EdInk]

Slap some Hogues on it and be done with it.

[BigJimP]

I use them outdoors / especially if its raining ...( not so much indoors ) ...

but I wear a winter golf glove / (they sell them in pairs) - Footjoy, rain grip - they're high tech material, absorb the sweat, keep you warm and dry ...and they're about $ 20 a pair .....and you can easily pick up a dime while wearing them.


http://www.footjoy.com/catalog/productview.asp?c=45

[Head-Space]

Yeah, for trap shooting. They're trap/skeet gloves. Not for keeping the hands warm, or sweat, or whatever.

[ISC]

The Army makes us wear them, I don't like the issue gloves and use Mechanix brand gloves that they sell at auto parts stores,

[SigP6Carry]

I don't wear gloves because I feel that if I need to use my guns I won't have time to "glove up" before having to use them. But I don't shoot for sport, I shoot for recreation and keep myself apt to protect myself in the case of a home break in. So, I keep up with how I will most likely handle my guns.

Thought, when I fire some dirty .22lr through my IJ, I wish I wore gloves, to keep my hands clean.

[HKFan9]

Yes I can understand the self defense factor, obviously I'm not going to be throwing on gloves in the middle of night or wear them whenever I conceal carry. But when shooting a .45 ACP for fun with hot factory loads, in the summer they seem to make perfect sense. I plan on entering in some basic competitions that my cousin goes to, I believe are IPSC. Definitely want the most gripping available for that, and peace at mind for my sweaty palms.

I thought about trying out some golf gloves, especially the rain kind that get extra tacky as they get wet. I found the $20 Ringers LE Duty glove online and figured I would try them. They seem about the same thinness as my golf gloves, and most importantly, I don't need to search my shooting case when I wanna golf for my gloves, and I don't need to search my golf bag when I want to go shooting. ;)

Makes me feel a lot better knowing I am not the only shooter out there plagued with sweaty palms. I have a set of black rubber grips for my 1911 that I will probably throw on for competitions, but I'm sorry when I am trying to have fun with it on the range, the stainless steel just looks so attractive with wooden grips.:rolleyes:

[EdInk]

Another thing that may help you is grip tape for skateboards or a rosin bag like a baseball pitcher uses on the mound.

[totaldla]

I shoot a lot of full-house rounds through a S&W329pd. Even with the X-Frame grip, my hand gets beat up. Without the X-Frame grips, I bleed. A good shooting glove is the only way I can envision anyone shooting non-poofter loads with the 329 stock grips. I'd like to get a glove that won't split from the recoil, but I haven't found one yet.

[l98ster]

Common, yet interesting situation.

I wear gloves in the winter to ATTEMPT to keep warm. Since I am very fussy about a very close fit, I actually went to a ladies large golf glove (my hand is a mens medium).

They fit super tight and are comfortable. I would suggest getting a pair of black gloves. Even when it is cold out, the sun shinning on the black gloves keeps you somewhat warm.

As for the sweaty palm situation, this past weekend I think I found the "miracle cure"!!!

There is a lotion called Pistol Pro Grip!! http://speedshooter.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=PGE

There is the link to the product. I used it at an IPSC match last weekend for the first time and it was AWESOME!! Here in NY it was in the 90's and humid. the match lasted about 5 hours. I only needed 2 small dabs of this lotion. Not only did it keep my hand dry all day, but my grip was way superior. It does leave a slight white residue on your hands, but believe me, you will like this stuff.

In fact, you might not need gloves anymore by using it!!!
-George

[ThomasH]

The palms of my hands (and the soles of my feet) sweat 24/7. :confused:

I wear gloves a lot when I shoot. I used to wear some "shotgun gloves" when I shot my blued steel S&W revolvers, and when I shot skeet, but lately I wear "Atlas" brand 'gardening gloves'. Very tactile! :)

I also wear a pair of fingerless Performance Cycling "gel" bicycling gloves when I shoot heavy .357 Magnum hunting loads, to reduce the recoil effect. The "P" logo looks just like the Pachmayr logo too! :D

Do what works! ;)

- Thomas

[kraigwy]

I wear a shooting mitt in my left hand in rifle shooting to protect my had from the sling swivel.

Before I switched from a M1A to an AR for High Power I wore a michael jackson glove with the triger finger cut out. It kepts the firm grip off my skin.

Thats the extent of my using gloves for shooting.

[EdInk]

Was it white with rhinestones?:D

[14cm]

2 super blackhawks one hunter one bisley 45lc
1 freedom arms 454 casull
1 bfr 475 linebaugh
1 freedom arms 500 wyoming express

Yes i do:D

the worst of all, hawes western marshall in 44mag with full house loads

[LordTio3]

When I bought my wife her S&W 637, I bought her a pair of gloves to shoot in. She's very petite and they help her to grip tightly without having her skin blistered with the recoil, or having her trigger finger beat up too much. I use them sometimes with the big-dogs or in the winter.

Gloves are good... just make sure you can shoot accurately without them too if you carry daily. It's good to expand your dexterity with other factors like shooting gloves. Makes you well-rounded.

~LT

[wingman]

I use an Adidas batting glove on right hand when shooting, one of the best I've found, I have some grip problems due to age and found the batting glove really helps.

[ilikesa]

I believe in training as I fight and vice versa, but gloves make sense when shooting a non-carry gun.

In terms of sweaty hands, why not a chalk bag and some climbing chalk?

[HKFan9]

Yea, my carry guns I do not plan on using gloves and never have. My 5inch 1911 is strictly a range toy. I keep it with a few mags loaded near my bed, but only to buy me some time to grab one of the many shotguns if ever something went bump in the night. I have shot it and continue to shoot with out gloves, and can hit my target fine. Just wanted something to make those long range days a bit more comfortable.

[OldMarksman]

Because extended handgun shooting sessions cause me some discomfort due to age, I (1) bought a steel-framed semi-automatic pistol before attending a tactical defensive pistol shooting class to reduce the effects of recoil and (2) bought some gloves.

Actually, the gun was intended as a carry gun, but I chose steel over a light alloy frame because I intended to take a course that would possible involve shooting the better part of 1000 rounds in one day.

I bought some weight lifting gloves, which have a gel padding, and batting gloves.

The soft padding in the former caused some issues with positive pressure on my grip safety, so I switched to the batting gloves. I shot about 350 rounds in the day and experienced no discomfort afterwards.

[Coltman 77]

Take a look at some Hatch gloves, specifically the NS430 Specialist.

They are thin, comfortable and not too expensive.

[Dannyl]

I do,
When I shoot my S&W 586, (particularly in pin-shooting matches) I wear a bycicle-riding glove on my left hand (the finger parts only go half-way over my fingers) . this is essential because sometimes I have to punch the ejector hard to eject empty cases, and part of the match includes a reload (8 pins, 6 shot revolver).

When I go hunting and it's freezing cold I pretend that these two fingerless gloves actually keep my hands warm, as long as I can fool myself into believing it I will use them. :D

I use a bike to commute most of the time, and my EDC is a S&W 4006. I use full gloves that are small enough to allow me to handle the gun and shoot without first having to remove them, so I shoot a few magazines with the gloves when I am practicing with this particular gun.

Brgds,

Danny

[LynnTX]

I have used golf gloves on occasion and they are a good choice. If you get them in right size, they give you good grip and dexterity. You can snug them up with the velcro flap and they also make good driving gloves. I even like using them when loading magazines.

I got the idea since I have been a golfer for decades and used 2 gloves in colder weather, so I tended to have gloves for both hands - on hand in case I needed them.

You can get them in all kind of price ranges, from cheap to moderatly more expensive versions.

[animal]

I don’t use gloves … but only because I haven’t found any to match my bag and shoes. :p

Seriously, don’t bother yourself with what others might think at the range. Most don’t really care what you’re doing as long as it’s safe.

If it really bugs you, pick out "wrong spots" to aim at on the targets for a few range visits when not wearing the gloves. Then show up with the gloves and aim normally.
They’ll be looking at your gloves, and writing down the brand name so they can buy some too.:D

[ftballgod]

i got a very nice pair with a gun i bought at a show. i took them to the range to use with my new gun. i did not care for them. i loved the gun. i never used the gloves again.

[FEG]

I sometimes use a simple cotton glove (the kind used by bands and bell choirs) when shooting my S&W 638 for an extended period. It does help. That said, I've never found any other need for one.

I have nothing for or against them. I'm getting old, so I don't put myself through endurance tests that often. If I did, I might use them more.

If you are old enough to own a handgun, you should be beyond what other people think, IMHO. Overt machismo is like poetry, they're both the last refuge of sissies, and no one cares...

Just kidding to make a point. ;) Good poetry has a lot more value than forced machismo! OTOH, bad poetry...

[FEG]

If it really bugs you, pick out "wrong spots" to aim at on the targets for a few range visits when not wearing the gloves. Then show up with the gloves and aim normally.
They’ll be looking at your gloves, and writing down the brand name so they can buy some too.

You just made my week.

If I were a gambling man, I'd go so far as to lay odds on that.

[HKFan9]

HAHA yea I like animal's idea.

It's not that I really care what other people think of me. It's mainly because when I show up people don't seem to think I belong at "their" range. I just graduated college so yea normally I am in khaki shorts and a polo, I do not do the whole sandals thing at the range.... but especially if I am shooting a carry gun, I shoot in the clothes I would be wearing when I carry it, mostly a baggy golf polo.

Mostly I just read horror stories on here of people poking fun of the type of characters they experience at the range. I have done some of the things such as brought my girlfriend along but I am not some show off, and I taught her how to control a gun before we even left the house and explained a hot & cold range.

When I put the gloves on and picked up my gun I was like oh man these feel great. But once that wore off I was thinking oh god did I just receive my mall ninja club card card in the mail as well?

Just wanted to see how people used or responded to gloves I guess, and thought we could have some fun with the topic like Animal did nicely.

I don't mind getting the once over when I show up on the handgun range looking like I belong on the golf range. A lot of times when I start shooting, and not being an idiot, the old coots that were giving me looks normally come over and start up a conversation, trade guns sometimes and shoot.

This is getting off topic a little bit but the BEST is that I have a pair of expensive sun glasses that SCREAMS yuppy, that a G/f bought for me. They are D&G, last time I checked, the lenses are made by our beloved Swarovski (SP?) who make mighty fine hunting optics as well.:rolleyes:

I just remember a whole thread on here maybe about a year ago where people were I guess you could say stereo typing the types of people at their ranges, it was done tastefully and a lot of fun to read. The gloves made me think of it.:D

A couple of you said you were also golfers..... so you might understand this... I definitely don't show up to the shooting range in the golf clothes that John Daliy has been wearing lately.:eek:

[jg0001]

My situation is a bit different. I often wear (on both hands) blue (http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/blue-nitrile-gloves.html) or black nitrile gloves (http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/black-nitrile-exam-gloves.html). Why? Because I shoot a LOT of 22LR and my hands would otherwise be blackened after the usual 300 or so rounds I like to shoot in a 22LR session. (The off hand gets dirty just from LOADING the rounds.) A box of 100 of these gloves runs about $9 (http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/black-nitrile-exam-gloves.html). They are VERY thin and fit very nicely. These gloves neither make my hands hot, nor would do much to keep them warm were it cold out -- they are quite neutral.

At the range, people do look at me a bit funny (more so with the blue gloves, which stand out quite a bit) -- that is until I am done and I slip the gloves off and my hands are 100% clean. On days I forget to wear them, I end up with blackened finger grooves -- visibly so for at least the next 3 days. I have very young children at home, so having contaminants on my hands is not at all desirable. I use the exact same gloves when I clean my guns, which is where I first got the idea to use them while shooting.

[HKFan9]

Yea, loading .22LR's definitely leaves stuff all over my hands. Definitely can see why you would wear the gloves to keep your hands clean. I know gloves are a common thing on a shotgun range. Normally some nice leather ones. I didn't want to spend the extra money on leather however so I went with the LEO duty gloves and they seem to be exactly what I wanted. Guess I'll give a little feed back when the weather clears and I can spend some time on the line. I just picked up an AR so I have been focusing on that. It has a nice soft rubberized grip by Ergogrip, which is super nice if you have sweaty palms. I don't really need to worry about control much recoil on the AR however.

[Stevie-Ray]

I've never needed shooting gloves until the .45-70 Contender. It's still the only one I need them for. I use simple weightlifting gloves; they probably work better than any other.

[pinetree]

Sometimes. I love Mechanix gloves (Lowes). I first wore them in Canada hunting geese, upland and ducks. I always wear them bird hunting now. They allow for great manual dexterity. I also wear them shooting pistols. I love them and they are not too pricey.

I had first heard about them when reading a report regarding what was and was not working in Afghanistan. Interviews with troops mentioned that the troops prefer Mechanix to the army issued.

[bikerbill]

I use a padded glove when I'm shooting my j-frame with full-power +p loads; otherwise, my hand gets beat up after a cylinder or two and it stops being fun ... none of my other guns causes me any issues ... I don't wear them to keep warm, since in Texas we don't allow winter under any circumstances ...

[publius]

I use just the right hand padded fingerless glove when I'm shooting hot loads from the big bores.

[DonutGuy]

I do only after I get a manicure :D

[Sid]

I use Hatches Officer Duty gloves. They are excellent and allow me to shoot handguns in cold weather. They fit skin tight so it is easy to load cylinders and magazines and handle individual cartridge cases as well. They also provide an excellent grip on the wheel when you are driving. Best of all, they are well made and very inexpensive. I believe I paid about $20 a pair when I bought mine last year.

[Dresden2001]

I hunt early season and found the Blackhawk SOLAG gloves to be the best shooting gloves that I have ever used. They fit perfectly and the Kevlar in the fingers and palms have kept my hands from getting torn up when I get up and down in all kinds of brush and cactus. Antelope season starts October
5th and can be 20 degrees or 80 degrees in southern Wyoming. I've used them for 3 years now, as my primary gloves for everything from hunting to working in the garden. They are expensive, at about $79 but they are darn near indestructible. I use them on the range, sporting clays and in the field and I can't beat them.

[paranoia911]

ok wierd question for everyone...I am incredibly paranoid/hyper-vigilant due to multiple trips to the desert. So I have been wondering how to keep my hands warm and limber so that if I have to draw my firearm for self defense I can operate it with confidence. I dont walk around with my hands in my pockets nor do I wear gloves every time the temp drops below 40. Any ideas would be welcome because as the weather is getting colder this has been on my mind constantly

[reticle]

I started wearing gloves when I began using a suppressor. Suppressors get hot within the first couple of mags and sometimes need to be cinched a bit to keep them from backing off the threads. If the suppressor gets loose enough....baffle strikes galore. Anyway, tightening a hot suppressor is more comfortably done with gloves on. Another benefit is myfingers don't get torn up and dirty as much while loading mags...

[Captains1911]

Mechanix gloves, I get them at Walmart. I wear them for winter shooting, and for whenever I shoot big bore revolvers. I noticed the other day that they now have a "light duty", I may have to give those a try for summertime use.

[sandbag]

I once broke my right hand very badly in a fight with a suspect on a Sunday.
I didn't realize it was broken and thought it was a bone bruise-Monday was quartely qualification,so I got my bowling glove and put it on tight as possible because my hand was sore and I had to shoot 50 rds 357;50 rds 9mm;and 25 rds 3" Magnum 12 ga.
I did allright,considering-and then went to the HMO where I found out my hand was broken in three places and I wound up having surgery the next day and having temporary pins put in.
I was out for two months.My hand was never 100% after,but I still shoot all the time 20 years later.
The funny thing was it didn't hurt all that badly that I thought it was broken til I got off the range and it was all swollen and purple.

[Shadi Khalil]

I have never used them or tried them but I can see how they would come in handy for certain situations. However, if I had a pair they would be reserved for the guns I'm not carrying. I never understand people who buy a light weight gun, like the 340PD for example, then only practice with shooting gloves on.

[paranoia911]

thank you all for the responses...I'll check out the lightweight mechanix gloves, as I said, normally i don't wear any but it would be nice to be able to operate my firearm should I need to (God forbid) if it's really cold and my hands are blue and numb

[Pyzon]

Winter golf gloves are lightly insulated and come in dark colors so you don't feel overdressed at the range.

And I agree that loading mags can ruin good gloves instantly, easily solved by acquiring an UpLula device. Use it once and you'll be a convert forever.

[dwatts47]

My fingers are too short to get proper trigger control on a handgun while wearing gloves of any type.

But I do use the Blackhawk! gloves when training with my AK47...