Shooting Gloves for Real World Use?

[JLStorm]

I have been looking around for a pair of shooting gloves lately, and have been pretty disappointed in the selection I have seen. Many gloves seem to be nothing more than black colored baseball gloves or work gloves. I need something that will suffice for late fall and light winter gloves, but also offer great dexterity. I would like them to be just warm enough for me fingers to stay somewhat warm in most weather in order to grip well in cooler conditions, and all so that my hands stay out of my coat pockets for decreased response time. Of course I realise in really cold weather there isnt an option, but we dont get THAT much freezing weather in Pennsylvania, most of the time. My main carry weapon is a full size HK USP, which offers plent of room for gloves inside the trigger guard, and my backup weapon is a S&W 340PD ,which unfortunately does not have much room inside the trigger guard.

I would like something that can blend in with casual attire and doesnt scream tactical, but that also will not at all hinder my ability to grip and operate the firearm as well as change magazines etc. I was considering a pair of lambskin driving gloves as they are very thin and have great dexterity, but they dont hold up well, and I dont know that the slick smooth leather palm and finger area is a gerat idea.

Anyone find anything that works?

 

[Preacherman]

Shooting gloves are typically fingerless - not good for warmth. See here for the ones I use. They're very good for protecting the hands, but pretty useless for warmth.

I suggest thin neoprene gloves for general warmth and ease of shooting. They offer less protection against recoil than shooting gloves, but are much more flexible and "shootable" than most generic gloves. See here for an example.

 

[30-40Krag dude]

take a look at the under armour gloves that have the rubber grippy spots on the palm.

 

[Wiley]

FootJoy makes winter golf gloves that you might look at. Austads has them for $20.

 

[Fosbery]

I use these:

http://www.coatsandhats.com/item6435.htm

When you want warmth, you wear them like a glove. When you need dexterity, the fingers can be folded back and secured in the rearward position, turning them into finger-less gloves. Very very nice gloves.

 

[eng23ine]

I've heard great things about turtleskin brand gloves, check them out here:
http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=GL252

 

[gunsmith]

some kind of aviation gloves I think

is what my friend in the infantry prefered...I cant remember what they are called

 

[LAK]

In the past I have used hardware store goatskin gloves; very good they are too. For summer get a tight fit, for winter alittle extra room for some silk or knit polypropylene liners. There are some excellent all leather shooting gloves by Hatch for example. Additionally there are a plethora of not so well known brands made here and o/s. The main problem with cheap gloves is that they ususally have those thick seams across the palms or web of the thumb; but some "cheap" gloves do not, if they are good quality items that are available at a special price for one reason or another.

I hate to sound like I worship the evilBay, but careful work there really yields results. I have a superb pair of Austrian made shooting gloves (from a very good seller in the U.K.) suitable for winter; soft green wool and suade leather with a slit for trigger finger. They were not cheap - but a bargain compared to what they would have cost retail if they were even available in this country, which they are not.

For some cheaper alternatives along the lines of what you are looking for, here is an example of what I currently see on the evilBay (NOTE: I have not purchased anything from this seller, nor can recommend them for any other reason - this is posted here for example only):

http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/_Sporting-Goods_W0QQcatrefZC12QQsacatZ382QQsassZt51tom

Run Hatch shooting gloves in an evilBay search and you will get a pile of listings and evilBay Store postings.

---------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[Zach S]

I've heard Nomex flight golves worked well for shooting (probably the ones that gunsmith was referring to above), but dont know how they do for cold.

I've also heard that golf gloves work well too. You can also buy them each in case you wear your strong hand glove out before the the other.

I prefer Mechanix Gloves, which normally run about $20 to $25 out the door of your local parts house. Of course, as a greasemonkey I have several pairs. Dexterity is alright, not the greatest, but easy to get used to. Insulation is alright, not the greatest, but every little bit helps. I've been meaning to get a pair of the covert gloves (pic) to use for everyday use during winter, but cant find them locally. I guess I'll just have to pay the few extra bucks to order them from the website. Someday (I've been meaning to for about three years).

 

[Manedwolf]

I just use the right glove of my gel-palm gym gloves if I want to practice with several hundred rounds or more through my PT745 compact. It doesn't have bad overall recoil, but .45ACP from a compact with a hard composite grip does tend to make your hand a bit sore after that many rounds, otherwise.

 

[Dravur]

I use

the biggest sheepskin mitten I can find and just keep a Kel-tec p3at in there with my hand....

 

[Kentak]

I've heard golf gloves can work well for shooting. May not provide the best warmth in very cold weather, tho.

Another solution might be high end dre$$ glove$. Look for thin, soft and supple leather with a thin knit wool lining.

K

 

[Boom-stick]

I've got Oakley S.I gloves and like them a lot

 

[flip180]

I used nomex gloves in the infantry while serving in the Army. I think they are the best balance for protecting you hands in both cold and warm weather during movements while not being too hot in the summer. They are thin enough that you don't have to strip them off while reducing stoppages on your weapon. They do keep your hands warmer than you think. I've been comfortable wearing them in temperatores to around 30 degrees. I'm taking my advanced defensive pistol class next month at www.tacproshootingcenter.com and need to pick up a pair for the class.

Flip

 

[JLStorm]

Ya I have have suff coming up at blackwater soon and they would be good for that too. Thanks for all the opinions!

 

[Big Calhoun]

If you're anywhere near an urban area, look for the Thinsulate liners they sell on the streets for like $5. Thin enough to use with a variety of handguns (depending on your finger thickness) yet warm enough to be functional. At $5 a pair, go crazy and get several pairs.

 

[JoeHatley]

I use Nike golf gloves. Regular shooting gloves, with padding, are just way to thick.

Joe

 

[JLStorm]

If I were walking down the street or meeting with a client in work, golf, or baseball gloves I would feel pretty silly. Thats why I said for real world use. I understand for the range gloves like this would be fine, but I dont want to become a complete social outcast lol.

 

[jac714]

If you cannot find what you need in Streichers 10 pages of gloves they probably don't exist.

http://www.streichers.com/ProductList.aspx?catalog=Footwear+and+Gloves&category=Gloves

 

[Punkermonkey]

I had been looking for a good pair of gloves and decided on a pair of Hatch Mustang. Mostly because they don't look "Tacticool" the can pass for a normal pair of everyday gloves. They fit snug enough to allow me to handle my weapon well.

 

[Boom-stick]

If I were walking down the street or meeting with a client in work, golf, or baseball gloves I would feel pretty silly. Thats why I said for real world use. I understand for the range gloves like this would be fine, but I dont want to become a complete social outcast lol.

Thats probably why my wife go's abit 'off' when I'm wearing the Oakleys

 

[10-Ring]

I very rarely use gloves...it just changes the dynamic I've grown accustomed to through my training but I have also learned that those times when I do need to where gloves, the nomex gloves that have been mentioned work well.

 

[USMC Tanker]

Like Flip said, the Nomex flight gloves are pretty capable.

Warm "enough" in cold weather, yet not too hot in hot weather. Use them in Iraq, use them here at home while shooting in the desert.

The leather provides good grip and the fabric on top provides adequate breathability.

Like he also said, they're low profile and won't get in the way. I don't think a pair of black ones would scream "GUN!" on the street, but obviously stay away from the OD green and tan colors.

Mine are tan though, I live in CA so no CCW for me...

 

[rwc]

I use a pair from REI that have a light grey colored, rubberized palm and a black fleece backing. Warm, comfortable and a great grip.

 

[Limeyfellow]

I've heard Nomex flight golves worked well for shooting (probably the ones that gunsmith was referring to above), but dont know how they do for cold.

They are okay to take the chill off but if you are getting temperatures near freezing or colder they tend to lack the warmth to keep you cosy but far better than nothing at all.