Anyone use shooting gloves?
- Thread starter HKFan9
- Start date
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
Staff
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.
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
New member
Take a look at some Hatch gloves, specifically the NS430 Specialist.
They are thin, comfortable and not too expensive.
They are thin, comfortable and not too expensive.
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.
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
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.
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
198ster beat me to it.
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.
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.
I don’t use gloves … but only because I haven’t found any to match my bag and shoes. 
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.
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.
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...
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...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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My situation is a bit different. I often wear (on both hands) blue or black nitrile gloves. 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. 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.
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.
Last edited:
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
New member
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.