Mechanix Original Tactical Shooting Gloves

Until the requests came in to review large caliber rifles and handguns, I had never slipped on a pair of shooting gloves. Even after receiving a series of these types of firearms, and even though I then owned a pair of Mechanix Wear Original Covert Tactical Gloves, I would begin all of my shooting sessions gloveless.

However, when bruises began forming on the palms of my hands while shooting heavy recoiling handguns, or blood began flowing from knuckles skinned by trigger guards of large-caliber rifles, I picked up the Mechanix Tactical-style gloves and kept firing.

Mechanix Original Tactical Shooting Gloves

In addition to protection from bruising and blood-loss, I found the Mechanix gloves to be indispensable when firing side-by-side shotguns and rifles that were trim in build. Trim enough that my large hands and long digits would come in contact with VERY hot barrels.

Mechanix Original Tactical Shooting Gloves

One of my major concerns with using shooting gloves of any kind was the loss of sensitivity for feeling light trigger pulls. The Mechanix Original Gloves allow me to feel trigger movement even when the weight of the trigger pull is as low as two pounds.

Mechanix Original Tactical Shooting Gloves
Courtesy Amazon

The final aspect that may be unique for many of the firearms I have been asked to review. Specifically, when I am holding a firearm worth $10 – $25,000, it’s comforting to know that my sweaty, dirty hands won’t come into contact with the Grade 5 Walnut stocks and forearms, or that expensive bluing/engraving.

They’re really well-made, functional and affordable. At about $20, they’re worth every penny.

 

 

Mike Arnold writes about firearms and hunting at his blog Mike Arnold, Outdoor Writer.

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30 COMMENTS

    • Why are they “covert”? Is that just a selling pitch? If so, it worked. I’m gonna buy a pair. Sincerely, I need a new set of good, reasonably priced, shooting gloves.

      • YEP. Great gloves. I wore a stealth black pair as batting gloves, back when I was a softball player.

      • You’re right Tom. Also, don’t forget: never wear white ones after Labor Day. You may get whacked with a ruler on those knuckles.

  3. If you care about such things…
    Checking, i see Mechanix are made in various places, made in china, vietnam, usa.

    • On a side note, I had my 1st blown primer today with IMI ammo after over 2000 rounds from them.
      I was waiting for it because they are so hot.
      Worst case head swipe with them.
      Can feel besides see.
      Ya it’s a carbine length gas, which are over typically pressured anyway.

  5. Yeah, the quality on theses is all over the place now, with gloves at every price point. I use the leather 4x M-Pacts at work now, much better quality than the base models. For shooting I swap out my strong hand glove for a M-Pact Framer open finger.

    • I agree with using framing gloves for the shooting hand. I started using glvpes while shooting because my bolt action rifle has a REALLY aggressive knurling and framing gloves gives me protection when working the action without interfering with my trigger finger’s sense of touch.

  6. Okay, I’m about to say something against the sacrosanct nature of gun gear, but I’ve never shot with gloves and probably never will. Tried several, but I simply do not like the loss of tactile feel when my fingertips are covered, as well as the extra girth added to my trigger finger from the fabric when my finger’s inside the trigger guard. Just don’t like it at all.

    I’ve looked for gloves that have the trigger finger open at the last knuckle, but haven’t found any. Thought I saw some in an ad some time ago, but don’t recall the brand.

    Dunno. I’ve shot and trained my entire adult life without gloves, so unless I’m storming an enemy nest or rappelling down a cliffside on a mission engagement, I don’t plan on using gloves.

  7. I had a pair of these once, the finger an thumb tore after shooting a shotgun for 15 minutes…never again.

  8. I use a pair of PIG FDT Deltas that have a bit more dexterity in the fingertips, enough to let me reload pistol mags without too much trouble. Mechanix Wear are solidly good for the price. But anything is better than nothing. I would put a pair of gloves to protect from hot barrels right behind ear and eye pro for must-haves in your range bag.

  9. I use the .5mm version for rifle shooting. No problem with trigger feel, lighter and well ventilated for Florida heat. It’s amazing how beat up they get after just a couple range days. Well made and well worth the bucks.

    • thanks for the reference to the 0.5mm. Just ordered a pair. Mechanix Specialty 0.5mm. Perfect. I have found that most of the Mechanix wear gloves are way to stiff and thick for me as far as shooting goes. Have a pair of their Mpact gloves and I can’t even half way make a fist with them.

  10. I never tried gloves. The heaviest recoiling handgun I have is a Smith 629 Mountain Gun. I put Pachmayer Round Butt Professionals on it. It ain’t that bad with standard 240 gr HP. My 6″ 629, 6″ stainless Python. 3″ round butt Smith .357s with Pachmayer Professisonals are pussycats. Some people just need balls.

  11. ASK JOHN TAFFIN ABOUT GLOVES, RECOIL AND THE NERVES IN HIS HANDS. Protecting the middle knuckle on the trigger hand when shooting a heavy-caliber rifle is a good idea. And knock off the crap about purses. I used to live in Philly and men carried some kind of shoulder bag or briefcase. If you go downtown it is either but public transportation and you need something to carry stuff OR you drive and pay $20 or more for parking so you drive around and park several places at 20 per, YOU CARRY A FRIGGING BAG to haul the stuff you buy. Besides that, what is another name for a range bag with a shoulder strap? Think about it, tough guy. There was a time in the mid-60s when guys in the South wore matching sweaters and socks.

    • Personally, I don’t need to shoot heavy caliber rifles. I think a 30-06 would be sufficient for almost anything I’d ever need to do. I don’t hunt big game in Africa.

      I’m assuming “heavy caliber” means stuff significantly more potent than the 30-06.

  12. I’ve been wearing a pair of the base model for the last year or so, to prevent carrying my grocery bags from cutting into my palms. After that time, there is a hole in the right index finger. The rest of the gloves are fine.

    I suppose if I were using these for shooting, that hole in my trigger finger would allow greater tactile sensitivity. 🙂

    I believe they have models with reinforced finger tips since that appears to be wear gloves wear out most frequently depending on how they’re used.

  13. I work with my hands all day every day as a home remodeling contractor and I put gloves on maybe once a year for the nastiest, sharpest rusty stuff I have to pick up. Rest of the time my hands are bare. I just hate the feeling of gloves when I have to do something, no problem wearing them for winter walk in the woods.
    I never felt the need for shooting gloves, until my friends friend offered me to try his 5″ 500 s&w revolver. That’s the only time I asked to borrow one and was damn glad I did. Then again my guns don’t cost 5 grand a piece.

    • I’m screwed because my second gig is cooking. So I can’t let my hands get too nasty and all the hot water and chemicals don’t really let me build proper calluses. So, gloves it is. You get used to it.

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