OK,
I wear a customized/specialty shooting glove when I shoot. I have tried a few different ones, and have found one I LOVE finally.
Why wear a glove?
Purpose of the glove is to protect the shooters non firing (support) hand from the sling. It also protects the hand from being up against the sling swivel. I could not imagine the pain of being up against the swivel with my service rifle or Garand without a glove. It also reduces pulse.
Several kinds to choose from. There are oven mitt types, full finger types and open finger/fingerless types.
I started with the Creedmoor Sports fingerless and a Creedmoor full finger. For Standing I used the full finger and for rapids and slow prone I used the open finger. Full finger in standing helps protect the non firing hand from hot brass, dependent on the hold one is using.
The Creedmoor gloves lasted me about one full season. Then they were not as stiff and wore out.
When the scope change came for NRA and CMP competition, they allowed the use of a quad rail on the AR's. I chewed up two full finger Creedmoor gloves just in dry fire before I realized there are rail covers one can buy, to alleviate the "cheese grater" affect of the quad rail on the glove.
Someone recommended I look for an open finger Monard glove. I was unable to find a stateside dealer that had open finger Monards in stock. McKenna's Sports had a full finger Monard they sent. I used that for the end of last year, and the beginning of this year. I loved the support it gave me, but....after the hand sweats, it was tough to remove and get the felt/wool liner lined back up for the next COF. Had to have my scorekeeper cut the liner out for me, because I was unable to get my fingers back into it.
So, without the liner, the full fingered Monard was bothering my hand. To the point of it going numb and tingling.
A fellow competitor let me know that one can order from Monard directly. I believe they are in Sweden, and you have to convert to Euro, but I received mine in 2 weeks.
Google Monard and you will find the website if interested in ordering. For Monard gloves, you will want to order 1 size larger than you normally wear. I normally wear a Creedmoor Large, and Monard X Large is what I use now.
What else does the glove do?
A specialized shooting glove will have a gripping surface on it. This is a very good thing, especially in rapid seated, if you choke back. The glove gripping surface coupled with the rubberized Manta rail cover, makes for a pretty tight lockup of my hand position on the rail.
With the wood rifles, it grips it sufficiently.
A specialized shooting glove also has a form to it, that almost prevents one from closing their support hand. In other words, it forces one to keep the hand open. It is shaped that way.
Appleseed wise, any glove would be legal for use. In NRA/CMP stuff, they are legal for use in most matches. Rimfire Sporter is one that comes to mind where a specialized shooting glove would be unauthorized for use. But....one can still use a glove.
I use a Mechanix type glove when I shoot my rimfire. It is sufficient for protecting my hand from the sling, and provides a little extra padding.
I use the Monard open finger for all positions. The brass from the rifle does not bother my finger tips, I typically never notice it anyways, because I am following thru in standing.
So, in closing those are the type gloves I have used and I highly recommend the open finger Monard. The Monard costs almost twice what a Creedmoor glove would cost, but it will last more than twice as long. Excellent Gloves!
R/
Chris
While I totally understand the concept, I am not entirely onboard with shooting gloves. Before anyone dogpiles the returning guy bear with me.
It is my view (my view only, and your mileage may vary) that I train to be a Rifleman. This begs the question, "will I have a shooting glove when push comes to shove and a critter is in my view and I plan on filling a tag, etc etc etc?" Plain and simple no.
NOW , that being said in earnest competition I totally get it. Round counts can tend to be higher and a shooting glove can come in handy.
I don't shoot competition anymore (did not use a glove when I did) and don't see myself shooting competition anytime soon...that ship has sailed.
Wear a glove, if you can. I always do. Years of shooting NRA High Power, CMP, and Swiss rifle have made the benefit of doing so abundantly clear. Protecting the support hand from the pressure of the sling as well as that of the fore stock is really important to become absolutely still.
Do you use a shooting mat, ear protection, eye protection, hat, boots, sunscreen, pants, .....
Because when it really counts none of those may be available either.
Quote from: eaglescouter on August 29, 2018, 07:18:27 PM
Do you use a shooting mat, ear protection, eye protection, hat, boots, sunscreen, pants, .....
Because when it really counts none of those may be available either.
I absolutely concur
For competitions, a shooting glove makes sense and it does make a difference.
While we are on the subject of gloves: Last year I discovered hitting gloves (baseball). I have a pair that are many sizes to small and they work great in the winter. They cut the wind, add a ton of grip and I don't lose any dexterity with the hands. I only use them in the winter. Try them..
I haven't tried true shooting gloves but I did find that I like the Mpact mechanix gloves
the fingers are nimble enough I can easily load AR mags with them on.
they have a rubber armoring on the knuckles and back of the hand that really take the sling pressure off the back of the hand
I am shooting mainly Key-mod stocks on my ARs and they have some sharp edges
the palms are padded some
they breath and are machine washable important for when your sweating through all your gear
I don't need it to shoot but it offers protection that aids in the experience at about 20 dollars a pair
since they are really just work gloves they are also great for handling target stands avoiding staples and slivers in the hands , because bleeding on your rifle isn't any fun.