Winter EDC - Are wearing gloves a good idea?

[1ST IN]

Gloves can be particularly challenging. If you choose to wear gloves I recommend investing in a more “tactical” style glove like PIG or Mechanix. When assessing gloves pay attention to these key factors:


- Can you clear your garment quickly, safely and efficiently?

- Can you get a solid strong hand purchase on the draw?

- Can you fit your finger in the trigger guard?

- Can you obtain a proper grip to withstand firing multiple rounds?

- Can you manipulate all fire controls like the trigger, mag release and manual safety (if applicable)?

- Can you perform reloads and clear malfunctions without any issues?

- Can you rack the slide without excess glove material getting bound up between the frame and slide?


You can’t do something you’ve never practiced and expect good results.

[PNW Minuteman]

Good info, nice drill. Subbed.

As for gloves, I’m guilty of choosing warm over tactile.

[1ST IN]

Thanks! It's hard not to when the weather gets bad enough, just some things to keep in mind. If it's bad enough outside, I'll keep both the thicker and the tactile pairs with me while out and about to swap and mitigate some of the deficiencies of the warmer, thicker ones.

[Hawkeye]

Yes. All of this. Folks need to follow exactly what you are pointing out with their every day/normal times setup (clothing, concealed handgun, etc...) and also do the same with their bad times rifle setup.

[1ST IN]

100% John. Agreed.


DBD, I agree with you 100% on the things you mentioned and when it comes to rifle it is much easier and almost a non issue if you practice.

This post however is aimed at EDC and that's not nearly as simple or easy particularly when many people choose comfort over utility. These can all be major issues if it's not sorted out beforehand. I appendix carry a G19 under multiple layers not an AK or AR when I go to the store. The manual of arms with a compact pistol is not the same as a rifle while wearing gloves. If I'm home that's a different story and then yes I'd be in agreement having a rifle within arm's reach. 

[1ST IN]

I definitely agree with you on the paying attention part, but the way I see it, all these things are part of the same puzzle. It shouldn't be one or the other. I live in Philadelphia which at this point closely resembles the 7th circle of Hell so believe me I would prefer to avoid everything if I could. That being said you still have to train for if and when paying attention isn't enough.

We don't always get to dictate the parameters of the fight and certainly not at what speed it happens. To use an analogy, I think being capable of driving a race car at 200 mph and then slowing down if I need to is more of an asset and easier. It is impossible the other way around. Someone who is not used to operating at that speed will not all of a sudden gain that skill set on the fly. In my opinion too many people are too used to operating and practicing with no pressure put on them. Too many heavy bag hitters with no sparring experience.

Mental stress (time constraint) and physical stress are a thing. I came from the "tactical" world and only recently started competing in the last year and a half. My end goal is always self preservation and freedom. I just think that there is value to be taken from both. Then you can use that higher level of skill in whatever application is your end goal.

[1ST IN]

The disadvantaged scenarios you're referring to are things I practice myself. In fact, if you scroll through my dry fire and range videos you'll see them multiple times. As I said before there are multiple pieces to the puzzle. This is another one. I'm not sure why you would consider practicing things like speed a bad thing. If you've ever been in a fight, which I presume you have, things can happen very fast and under immense stress.

It's not about a "Wick" scenario or mag dumps. It's about aggressive shooting with accountability. It's about acclimating yourself to a level of stress you're not accustomed to so that it becomes your new default level of skill. The multiple silhouettes you mentioned are ways to increase your visual processing. How would this not be an asset in say a CQB scenario if that's what you're concerned with? If I can process things faster than my enemy I'm at an advantage. If I can shoot sooner and with accountability then that's a benefit to me.

I think most people (and I would include myself in this before I changed the way I train) are afraid to look bad which is why they don't practice in this manner i.e. speed. It's the same crowd that says you don't need to know how to shoot a pistol past 7 yds. An imaginary number they came up with. Yet grocery store aisles are on average 30 yds. How about big box stores, churches etc.? Why would practicing to get my gun out faster not be a tremendous asset in regards to EDC? Who wouldn't benefit from training that makes you faster, safer and more efficient?

Fight outcomes can be measured in tenths of a second. How is being slower a better option? This isn't meant to be confrontational at all. I want guys to get away from some of the unnecessary tribalism within the community and see that there's benefits on both sides. Being more capable with your weapon helps us all especially in these crazy times. I enjoy the healthy debate my friend.

[Modern Minuteman]

Something I noticed with wearing gloves with my normal EDC is that the gloves added just enough bulk to my thumb that I would periodically accidently hit the mag release on it. But on my full size EDC that did not happen. So my cold weather EDC changed a bit because of that. I never would have realized this if I wasn't out putting in the work out in the field. But as with any EDC setup you're dressing for the environment (and occasion) anyways.

[1ST IN]

Exactly. You wouldn't have realized it without putting in the work. This is an important key point and if you're not getting regularly hands on with your gear you may not realize how seemingly small changes can have big impacts. Also highlights why dry fire, particularly EDC focused, should have blocks of seasonal outerwear practice too.

[1ST IN]

I'm not sure I understand the context here or the point you're trying to make. Please elaborate.

[1ST IN]

Well, actually it's about whether it was a good idea to wear gloves for EDC. And if one decided to wear them then to pay attention to some key components that could have an effect like:

- the clearing of the garment
- draw stroke
- grip structure, pressure and durability
- shooting
- manipulations like reloads and malfunctions.

But why should details matter.

Clearly you can wear your winter mittens if you like and I'm sure you'll be able to get the gun out in a timely 5 seconds or so while the bad guy waits. I understand, if I'm not mistaken, that "there is no level of stress that you lack experience in navigating" and that you are in complete control of all external factors when you are out in public and that your 24/7/365 awareness "initiative trumps speed." Incidentally that's called murder in the civilian world. I got to tell you as a former fireman with a career in one of the busiest houses in the country I've never heard these words uttered from anyone. It's impressive.

But for me I'm honest about my capabilities and routinely test them to ensure I'm not believing a movie playing in my head.

I'm only sharing what I do and what works for me and students. I share my experiences and offer them as things to try. If it works for you, great. If it doesn't or is not applicable then don't use it.

I show people A way, the way I have found that works over the years and continually learn from and refine. I will never say it is THE way.

If someone is close minded, chooses not to push themselves out of fear of failure or looking bad, believes they have all the answers or is stuck on "this is the way we've always done it", " I was in the military/LE" then the conversation is pointless.

I listen to everyone in the hopes I'll learn something new or in a different way.

Commenting as you have with nothing but cliches, almost zero substance to back up anything and a passive aggressive tone that is overtly ridiculous is not productive at all. But I'm sure you'll talk about the community coming together.

[1ST IN]

Needlessly makes instigating, rude comments without offering constructive critique or rebuttal throughout the entire thread. Then is shocked when I finally confront the nonsense. Priceless.

We're adult men. I'm all ears and love to discuss a point whether you agree or not. I'm not going to sit here and tolerate asinine wise cracks or nonsensical John Wick comments over and over. Grow up.