I’ve done a search with no luck but I would like some help with some tactical gloves. I went to the range today and did some 2x2x2 and 1x5 drills and my barrel and handguard get really hot. I’ve got a DD 14.5 pinned pencil barrel, shaved FSB, DD 9.0 Lite rail, AFG, and XTM panels but had to let the gun cool before running more drills.
So I need some gloves and a few recommendations (with links). I would prefer the “tactical” look and heat resistant.
Thanks!
may not fit the “tactical” look, but the original Mechanix gloves work great. They even have a thinner version, along with a stickier palm/finger version.
they work very well.
+1 on the Mechanix gloves. I am currently using the FastFit version. Bought them for $15.00 at Pepboys.
I was looking at the Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3’s and the Oakley SI’s. Will the Mechanix Wear gloves help with heat?
The Oakley SIs are nice (I own a pair and take them out for classes) but they’re a tad pricey when compared to the Mechanix. The Mechanix won’t be any more or less “heat resistant” than anything else, really. Remember, the part that helps with the heat is the amount of material between your hands and the hand-guards.
But if you want something “tactical” then: http://www.google.com/products?q=tactical+gloves
You’re going to be hard pressed to
a) find gloves that don’t sufficiently help with the heat or
b) are noticeably better at keeping your hands cool than any other pair
So just find a pair that are the right price, are comfortable (buy from a shop with a good return policy), and look the way you like.
Nomex flight gloves are cheap and will get the job done. Even if you wreck em, you wont care because of the low cost. This is what I wear usually and I dont lose any sleep over wear and tear.
Oakleys certainly look cool, but if you arent military they are pricey. Even with the military discount, you’ll think twice about abusing them. A CI officer I was training with punctured a brand new pair on the first day he wore them and was freaking pissed. The stitching is a little weak as well.
Mechanix gloves are a good route. Even the higher priced models are cheaper than Oakleys.
Also consider Wiley-X CAG-1. They are far more durable than Oakleys, but the price is scary, even at the local PX
Let me say this, if you want the Oakley’s then buy them if that is what is going to make you happy. Dont waste your money on brand X if you think for a second you’ll up with Oakleys anyway
I have been quite pleased with the two pairs of Vickers gloves I got from EOTAC. I have both a short pair and regular pair. Good on heat resistance, and they still preserve a high degree of dexterity.
I have a pair of the Oakley SI gloves, but don’t wear them as much. I like the cut, but the cadet length on the fingers works better for me on the Vickers. If you have stubby digits, that may be a factor.
I do like the Hatch Nomex flight gloves as well. Pretty inexpensive, and I don’t get bent out of shape when they wear out.
I purchased several pairs of the Mechanix fast-fit gloves off ebay recently for something under $10.00 a pair. Free shipping too, IIRC. I don’t remember the seller, but all I did was search ebay to find them. The seller I purchased from had a 100% positive feedback rating, or damn close, and I got the gloves within a few days.
Streichers had the 5.11 NFO2 gloves on sale for $19. Nice light gloves, great fit, leather palms and Nomex uppers. No hot barrel problems.
Though…I cant deny that nothing screams cool and tactical like Oakley 
…got to have the oaks to run with the cool kids!
…but, I only have a humble pair of Hatch Operator CQB gloves. They are not quite as tacticool as Oakley but they protect my hands well enough when cradling my shotgun by the barrel while loading with my strong hand.
I’ve been using the Fox Bomber Glovefor both riding and shooting for a couple of years. I just bought my second pair. They have similar construction and design as the Oakley’s but are (slightly) less expensive and fit differently. The Oakleys never fit me right, but these fit perfectly. Might be worth a look.
I like the gloves that Camelbak makes. They are lightweight and breath very well. They will also protect you from a hot barrel. Best part is that they don’t cost too much.
I like Mechanix gloves…fairly durable and inexpensive for range work. My favorites are the short Larry Vicker’s gloves and the nomex aviator gloves. Just wish they made a short version of them.
+1
I have been running a set of Camelback Vent gloves for some time now, they are really good for shooting.
http://www.camelbak.com/government-military/gloves/vent.aspx
they don’t take much sensitivity from your fingers which for me translates into good trigger control. It doesn’t feel like you are pulling twice the weight that your trigger normally is, which happens when the leather is too thick or the gloves requires a break in period. the leather for me feels like is thin enough to allow you to use and find all the levers and button’s on my AR, but thick enough that i am not burning my hand when i place my support hand as far forward as i can on the hand guards. I am running them here in afghanistan right now and they are really cool. the fact that they are vented allows for the air to keep your hands pretty cool and dry.
they have worked good for me in cold weather also, I wore then in montana when it was about 28 degrees and snowing. also at USTC when i was still teaching there, It was about 25-30 on one of the Tac 1 pistol courses and they protected my fingers from the elements without taking away from my trigger.
Now the one thing they lack is impact knuckles, for that they have also a set:
http://www.camelbak.com/government-military/gloves/fr-magnum-force.aspx
I would also recommend the Oakley SI gloves,
https://secure.usstandardissue.com/Product_Detail.cfm?id=66 they are really good. the only thing that i didn’t like is that over time the leather would sometimes stretch a little too much, specially when wet.
I use to always use SI gloves, but i am now using the camelback gloves all the time. both are really good gloves but for shooting and manipulations i like the Vents by camelback a lot more.
just my 2 cents.
The mechanix m-pact 3 have some padding in the palm and do help with the heat. However, you will sacrifice a little dexterity, IMHO, with the extra padding. I’ve used them and had no problems with them, but I am currently using the mechanix original and haven’t had any problems with the heat of the barrel when wearing them.
Hope this helps.
JC
If you don’t have a need for flame resistance (aren’t working in vehicles with a high probability of blowing up) pretty much anything will work. I recommend finding something that fits your hand well and gives you the dexterity you want in the climate you live in, at a price you can afford a few times a year.
I recommend Hatch flight gloves, Camelbak gloves, and Mechanix gloves. They don’t cost too much and hold together pretty well. I’m nor saying they are the only ones that work, but rather that they are ones I have used that work that are cost efficient for their intended use.
I use these as well, but have found that if you don’t have access to issue gloves you have to be VERY careful what you buy on the commercial market as there are a lot of knockoffs that are total crap in terms of materials, construction, and even fit. I got a pair from Cheaper Than Dirt or similar that appeared to be cut for Mickey Mouse.
I tracked down the Protech version I was used to and am very happy again.
+1 on the oakleys
Machine washable, tactile, great grip, and cheap.