Bling or worth while?

[Deleted member 709]

So the temps here in Eastern Iowa are down below -20° F this weekend into the next week.

A lot of people look at other people’s guns & see oversized ‘fancy’ controls on guns & think its ‘bling’— unnecessary upgrades.

But here’s reality: no one using a firearm in these temps is doing so without thick winter gloves on.

AR: Extended trigger guard, bigger easier to use mag release, & safety. Oversize knobs on an ambidextrous charging handle. Light & laser buttons workable with gloves on. Magwell to help with inserts using thick gloves.

P80s, Sigs: magwells, oversize paddle mag release, glock extended slide catch, a light with buttons easy to use while wearing gloves.

Some people have told me i overbuilt my firearms, and my response is always “have you tried driving your guns in bitter cold with gloves on before?”

 

[clm2112]

Well, there is something to be said for the original AR-15 trigger guard.... I actually use it as intended during the winter... unlock it and fold it down against the grip so I can get my big mitts in there )

 

[Racer88]

"You're just compensating for something."

Yeah! The cold!

 

[Bongo Lewi]

The average time of a gunfight isn’t long enough to get frostbite in Antarctica.

If you are a Finnish Special Forces and need to shoot while skiing downhill? They don’t modify their rifles or pistols.

Your friends are right. Wearing thick winter gloves is a handicap in a gunfight. Oversized controls are clumsy and don’t work. You would be better off getting some shooting gloves that are designed for that purpose and forget mall ninja upgrades.

 

[Racer88]

The average time of a gunfight isn’t long enough to get frostbite in Antarctica.

If you are a Finnish Special Forces and need to shoot while skiing downhill? They don’t modify their rifles or pistols.

Your friends are right. Wearing thick winter gloves is a handicap in a gunfight. Oversized controls are clumsy and don’t work. You would be better off getting some shooting gloves that are designed for that purpose and forget mall ninja upgrades.

I don't think an enlarged trigger guard or extended mag release would be considered "mall ninja."

 

[Bongo Lewi]

I don't think an enlarged trigger guard or extended mag release would be considered "mall ninja."

It's a question of degrees. Pun intended. The only legit reason for putting an extended mag release on a gun is you have a dexterity issue or handicap of some sort. Or a self-imposed handicap of wearing thick gloves (which will not help). No gun designer ever said... Gee, I think our mag release is inadequately short, but that's OK. Let's just leave it that way.

As we know, some AR lowers allow the trigger guard to drop open to accommodate a gloved hand. That's for combatants. Imagining a civilian scenario being in any way similar to a combatant is bullshit. Doesn't happen. It's a ninja fantasy.

Hunters often wear gloves. That's not a defensive scenario and the guns are made for that. No mods necessary.

Handguns... I know Alaskan bush pilots who would agree with me this is ninja-esque. They carry big bore revolvers and the occasional 10mm. Like they came out of the box. Some pistol shooter competitors add mag release extensions. Some classes permit it. Others don't. They aren't wearing winter gloves.

If I find myself in a situation where the bad guy is wearing heavy winter gloves he's going to the ER, not me. No matter what extensions he put on his firearm. Imagine for a moment finding yourself in a situation where you have to draw and fire a concealed weapon with thick, heavy gloves on. Bang. You're the one who is dead.

Purpose-built shooting gloves allow you to control a bone stock factory gun just fine. The gloves you wear for shoveling snow are going to get you killed in a defensive situation no matter what gizmo you bolt on the gun.

The moral of the story is don't bring mittens to a fist fight.

 

[Racer88]

Purpose-built shooting gloves allow you to control a bone stock factory gun just fine. The gloves you wear for shoveling snow are going to get you killed in a defensive situation no matter what gizmo you bolt on the gun.

But what if your mom dresses you like this?

 

[Bongo Lewi]

But what if your mom dresses you like this?

You'll likely end up shooting your eye out!

 

[Bongo Lewi]

Speed and agility is everything in any sort of fight.

 

[Deleted member 709]

The average time of a gunfight isn’t long enough to get frostbite in Antarctica.

If you are a Finnish Special Forces and need to shoot while skiing downhill? They don’t modify their rifles or pistols.

Your friends are right. Wearing thick winter gloves is a handicap in a gunfight. Oversized controls are clumsy and don’t work. You would be better off getting some shooting gloves that are designed for that purpose and forget mall ninja upgrades.

well thats one take. pretty clear you dont live where it gets cold and dont have to be outside very long in it.

 

[Deleted member 709]

It's a question of degrees. Pun intended. The only legit reason for putting an extended mag release on a gun is you have a dexterity issue or handicap of some sort. Or a self-imposed handicap of wearing thick gloves (which will not help). No gun designer ever said... Gee, I think our mag release is inadequately short, but that's OK. Let's just leave it that way.

As we know, some AR lowers allow the trigger guard to drop open to accommodate a gloved hand. That's for combatants. Imagining a civilian scenario being in any way similar to a combatant is bullshit. Doesn't happen. It's a ninja fantasy.

Hunters often wear gloves. That's not a defensive scenario and the guns are made for that. No mods necessary.

Handguns... I know Alaskan bush pilots who would agree with me this is ninja-esque. They carry big bore revolvers and the occasional 10mm. Like they came out of the box. Some pistol shooter competitors add mag release extensions. Some classes permit it. Others don't. They aren't wearing winter gloves.

If I find myself in a situation where the bad guy is wearing heavy winter gloves he's going to the ER, not me. No matter what extensions he put on his firearm. Imagine for a moment finding yourself in a situation where you have to draw and fire a concealed weapon with thick, heavy gloves on. Bang. You're the one who is dead.

Purpose-built shooting gloves allow you to control a bone stock factory gun just fine. The gloves you wear for shoveling snow are going to get you killed in a defensive situation no matter what gizmo you bolt on the gun.

The moral of the story is don't bring mittens to a fist fight.

Yeah right because no one lives in a cold climate and spends more than a couple minutes outside. "just dont wear gloves!" Some times i wonder if people actually use their brain before they post in forums.

 

[Deleted member 709]

Speed and agility is everything in any sort of fight.

exactly how many gun fights have you been in?

 

[Deleted member 709]

The really fun part of threads like this is it tells us who the arrogant idiots are so you can mute them.

 

[NavyVet83]

exactly how many gun fights have you been in?

This is interesting to read as Im sure you don't want to know the reality of how many gunfights Bongo has been in. Actually, there are a large majority of us in here that speak of actual gun fight scenarios from first hand experience. Im not going to get into the tit for tat of this thread, but do think this should be said before anyone on either end inadvertently makes an azz of themself.

 

[Racer88]

exactly how many gun fights have you been in?

This is interesting to read as Im sure you don't want to know the reality of how many gunfights Bongo has been in. Actually, there are a large majority of us in here that speak of actual gun fight scenarios from first hand experience. Im not going to get into the tit for tat of this thread, but do think this should be said before anyone on either end inadvertently makes an azz of themself.

Hint: He's actually one who can speak from experience.... and has been on the receiving end of gunfire.

 

[Stephen G]

To answer the question- Bling.

Some of my Hunting rifles could be considered "Fancy", with gizmos on them. They are just for show and stay in safe mostly.
To combat the cold I found a thin cotton glove and dish washing gloves( big hands) with the trigger finger cut off to be removable works best.
Also works well for motorcycle riding.
I normally keep a pair of weight lifting gloves in pack with latex gloves under them. That normally works to around 15°F.

My ARs are far easier to use in cold weather for me. I can feel safety with numb hands. Slide safety is a problem for the bolt action etc. Downside is all metal, it just sucks the heat out of everything. So I dont touch it unless Im shooting. I sling it when walking, so still no touching.

Gibbz side charging uppers
MVB ambi lower or a PDQ has solved 95% of my issues with most things.
None of my pistols have anything attached.