West Texas Granny Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 So I'm off to a match and it's freezing with a 4mph wind. How do you guys remain comfortable while shooting in cold weather. I normally strip down to just a shirt while shooting the stage then back into cold weather gear to warm back up.. Any tips to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DinosaurMikeGolf Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Get some of those hand warmers available in most Sporting Goods departments and put them in your pockets to warm the fingers jsut prior to laoding and shooting the stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) Yep, big heavy coats and hand warmers! Go to Sam's club for the hand warmers. 28 pairs for less than $10. OH, and I keep my muffs on at all times. keeps the ears warm. Edited November 27, 2011 by Kevin Sanders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe L Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) Not exactly what you were looking for but I have this fresh on my mind so I thought I would mention it... Make sure the grease in the gun is not too thick for the weather temperature. I learned last weekend in Ruidoso that I have to use oil below 30F on a 22 slide during practice instead of Slide Glide Lite. Slide Glide Lite on a 9mm or larger was OK, but this will be my first winter shooting in Midland and Ruidoso so I will learn. Carry some oil with you so that you can add some to the rails if you get a failure to feed or extraction problem due to the colder temperatures. Joe Edited November 28, 2011 by Joe L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Texas Granny Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Not exactly what you were looking for but I have this fresh on my mind so I thought I would mention it... Make sure the grease in the gun is not too thick for the weather temperature. I learned last weekend in Ruidoso that I have to use oil below 30F on a 22 slide during practice instead of Slide Glide Lite. Slide Glide Lite on a 9mm or larger was OK, but this will be my first winter shooting in Midland and Ruidoso so I will learn. Carry some oil with you so that you can add some to the rails if you get a failure to feed or extraction problem due to the colder temperatures. Joe Thanks. I hadn't even given a thought to lubrication as I assumed that all gun lubes/ oils would work in the cold. Will have to keep that nugget of info in mind over the next several months. That's a long drive from Midland to Ruidoso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Under Amour Cold Gear is your friend. They make (or made) three different levels of Cold Gear. I would start with this as a foundation layer. There is a sale of $10 off right now. It is expensive but worth it. I use their shirts when riding my bicycle. Think about 40 degree or colder weather and 15 mph wind. The UA stuff works great. I also use a pair of Windstopper Gloves. This is a Gore product which also provides warmth and keeps out the wind. And as the others have said, handwarmers and a good jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unregistered Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 It was -30°C when I did my black badge training course (IPSC Canada requires this 2-day course before you can compete). Jacket, hand warmers, Under Armour cold gear compression mock neck top as a base layer under a polo, winter running socks and Merrel goretex lined hiking boots. Kept my earmuffs on all the time Not a hat person, but a toque (beanie for you Americans) would serve you well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Personally I park my backside in front of the television and watch college or pro football. Nice bowl of hot soup and I'm set. There will be warmer weather to shoot in. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVZ Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Best to dress in layers. Under Armour is a great product. Jacket/coat come off to shoot stage. For hands look in a large sporting goods store for the "pouch" you see NFL quarterbacs using. Buckles around your waiste,swing it around to your back while shooting. couple of hand warmers inside keeps both hands warm.100% better than gloves MVZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dravz Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 For hands look in a large sporting goods store for the "pouch" you see NFL quarterbacs using. Buckles around your waiste,swing it around to your back while shooting. couple of hand warmers inside keeps both hands warm.100% better than gloves Interesting. I will look into that as I have an especially hard time keeping my hands warm (my core and legs always seem to be fine). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 We don''t have a clue about shooting in cold weather. Some people around here stay home if it is in the 50s. I feel sorry for you shooting in real cold weather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0n Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 For hands look in a large sporting goods store for the "pouch" you see NFL quarterbacs using. Buckles around your waiste,swing it around to your back while shooting. couple of hand warmers inside keeps both hands warm.100% better than gloves MVZ I use one of these while deer hunting. Fantastic product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wurm Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 If using hand warmers make sure you open them up and get them warming up before you are out in the cold. I try and remember to get them open before I leave the house to go to the range. Otherwise they just never seem to get that warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1911 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Up here in MA, we shoot through the winter. I've been down on my knees, picking up dropped rounds in the snow, on the clock. As MVZ said, the key is layers. Long underwear. Warm boots. Flannel lined Carhartt pants really cut the wind: http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10051&productId=32065&langId=-1&categoryId=48236&top_category=10931 Turtleneck shirt. Heavyweight wool shirt that blocks the wind over that. Fleece zip up over that. Then a coat on top. Gloves and a hat. I take off the coat and fleece while I shoot. Handwarmers in your pockets. When it warms up during the day, you can shed a layer or two. Edited December 8, 2011 by M1911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben-Sons Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 It was in the low 30s this weekend and I had a chance to try my new Columbia jacket. It is thin and light, 100% waterproof and has a titanium liner woven into it. The liner radiates heat back towards your body like a emergency blanket. I'd call it the perfect jacket for colder temps. With under layers, I'd use it into the teens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHA-LEE Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 For cold weather I pick clothes that are thin but also wind resistant for when I am shooting the stage. Then I have a thick coat that I wear between stage runs. I like to use the Under Armour Cold Gear Long Sleeve Compression Mock. Then over that I like to use the Nike ACG long sleeve half zip over that. These two combined provide a great wind block on their own which keeps the bone chilling cold from sapping your dry as you run the stage. They are also not bulky or restricting which would inhibit your movement through the stage. The main goal is to keep your head and hands warm. Get some hand warmers and gloves to keep your hands warm between stage runs. Once your hands get cold its hard to get them heated back up then you are stuck with frozen fingers while shooting a stage which isn't fun. Lastly stay extra active. RO, Tape, Reset Steel, and Brass more when its cold. The extra body movement will generate heat and keep you warmer than standing still and shivering. Hell I have had to do jumping jacks and run around the berm before my stage runs some times to get warmed up to a point where the cold isn't on my mind and everything is heated up and ready to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoldasLions Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 When your hands get very cold... A SERE instructor told me to swing my arms in circles at a high rate of speed. It pulls nice warm blood to your frozen hands, allowing you to see great improvements in movement immediately. This helps warm up your muscles and it's free! Haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D. Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 (edited) My tip is wait for warm weather! I shoot for pleasure and shooting in the cold is no pleasure! Edited December 23, 2011 by Tom D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Texas Granny Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 (edited) My tip is wait for warm weather! I shoot for pleasure and shooting in the cold is no pleasure! Actually I'm considering taking the plunge of getting an RV so I can follow the warm weather. My parents would spend there winter in Florida from November to April and I'm thinking of following their example. Just don't know how far south to go. But in the mean time I've picked up some UA, hand warmers and mittens to place my gloved hands into. Got the shooting gloves and cut the gloves at the first knuckle of the trigger finger and thumb. Also going to try the arm swing Saturday as it makes perfect sense. Oh well time to go shovel snow. Edited December 23, 2011 by West Texas Granny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigS. Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I like to bring a propane heater to the range, a small one gallon tank is easy to pack from stage to stage or in a wagon plus everyone wants to be your friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I have not really done a lot of shooting outdoors in the winter, but this year I will go for the Under Armour stuff, hand warmers, hot chocolate, and fleece headband/fleece hat. I don't know though, I personally don't handle the cold very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I have not really done a lot of shooting outdoors in the winter, but this year I will go for the Under Armour stuff, hand warmers, hot chocolate, and fleece headband/fleece hat. I don't know though, I personally don't handle the cold very well. You and me both ..... But I try to stock up on hand warmers when I see them on sale (usually around March or April), plenty of Under Armour gear, and just wear gloves up until it's time to shoot. But the cold weather isn't exactly ideal for your hands when trying to manipulate a pistol at high speed. It makes for some clunky reloads, and unavoidable trigger freezes at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWLAZS Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Guys you don't want gloves. I wear a big pair of ski mittens loaded up with hand warmers. I take them off at make ready and wear them for just about everything else. I wear the insulated 511 pants with under armor pants. I wear an under armor turtleneck a regular turtleneck and my jersey. I put a big ski jacket over that. I have been wearing a leather winter boots with traction spikes strapped on. My ear muffs keep my ears warm and my ball cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert King Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Get a paster gun, so you don't have to take your gloves off to tape. Use a small 4 wheel cart as a range cart. In addition to your shooting gear, put a small propane tank in it, with the camping heater that attaches to the tank. Make sure your lube is going to work at the temp you are shooting. Keep ammo and gun warm until you get to the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scffacenter1 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 When your hands get very cold... A SERE instructor told me to swing my arms in circles at a high rate of speed. It pulls nice warm blood to your frozen hands, allowing you to see great improvements in movement immediately. This helps warm up your muscles and it's free! Haha lol a friend of mine was a SERE instructor and that sounds just like something he would say. Those guys are just crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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