Shooting with Gloves

[Gutshot John]

At the Rogers Carbine class I had brought gloves to use for getting up, down and around.

Generally speaking I've shot barehanded most of my life, and you can't help but notice a difference in your shooting when you use them. I ended up going "michael jackson" to keep my trigger finger bare. I realized that this is an imperfect solution.

My question is how would you recommend getting used to them, before you go and blow a lot of ammo on the range?

Am I committed to one or the other? (I don't want to be) or since I'm used to it barehanded I'll always know how to shoot without gloves, the problem is now learning how to shoot with them?

[28_days]

I recently purchase a pair of Mechanix Stealth Gloves (based on the original series). I've yet to shoot with them yet, but they feel very thin and light. What gloves are you currently using?

[RD62]

I remember the first time I went to run Department Quals in frisk gloves!

What an eye opener! The thick kevlar lined leather gloves complicated just about every weapons manipulation, and I shot like crap. From then on I made it a point to regularly shoot in gloves.

I bought a thinner pair of duty gloves of the Hatch/Mechanix type. They definately were easier to shoot it. I had a better trigger feel, and it was easier to manipulate tactical reloads of partial mags out of a cargo pocket cause I just had better feeling in the thinner gloves. But I still made it a point to practice in the thicker frisk gloves too.

I now shoot in gloves almost always. I ran Pat's Carbine Operator's class last Dec in gloves.

Other than just wearing them around and shooting with them on, I'm not sure what else you can do, to get more used to them. I ran pretty much my whole shift in gloves. You never know when you'll have to go "hands on" with someone, and the majority of the people I'd rather not touch WITH gloves on, much less bare handed.

Just wear them around the house and what not and you'll get used to them in no time.

Good luck!


-RD62

[CAPT KIRK]

My thoughts were that if my hands are indeed a valuable tool in a fight then I must protect them, especially if it turns into a long haul like the L.A. Riots did. If I then know I will "fight" with gloves on them I MUST also train with them on.

I try to always shoot with gloves on, with the one exeption being that of "plinking" shooting with the kids, then its just about fun.

[Patrick Aherne]

Do a lot of dry fire with them on. Practice your repetitions until you get comfortable manipulating the weapon.

[Oscar 319]

Try the Hatch Operator Shorty. They have great tactile sensetivity in the finger tips. I have used them for years and I love them. In my 13 years on the job, these are the best gloves I have found.

[Gutshot John]

I use the Hatch Operator but full length (if you're going to protect hands, might as well protect wrists too).

They are very comfortable and I like them as gloves.

I'll try the dry-fire a lot more.

So is the consensus that if you're going to shoot with gloves... ALWAYS shoot with gloves?

[KevinB]

I dont always shoot with gloves.

Sometimes you just wont be able to use them -- either civilian or low profile/covert military - and so its best to keep some mental and muscle memory for both IMHO.
I learned that way from a guy who is way way better than I, so I am just blindly following his logic -- that said - its been working for me, I just accept the occasion cut and burn when training without.

[rob_s]

I typically don't shoot with gloves on, but have for one reason or another from time to time, including ANY time I'm shooting the AK.

The biggest issue I've noticed is changing POA when transitioning to the pistol. Repeated dryfire and draw practice at home will help correct this, but you have to figure out if it's something you want to "correct".

[rob_s]

So is the consensus that if you're going to shoot with gloves... ALWAYS shoot with gloves?

My consensus generally went the other way.
Since I couldn't be sure that I'd ALWAYS shoot with gloves, I NEVER shoot with gloves.

Like I said above though, I've been violating this pretty regularly for the last year.