for all of us up north

[scfd5]

So i was thinking about situation awarness today, here in mn it is 0 degrees outside at best. As i was walking all bundled up i realized i would never get my gun out in any reasnable time under all those layers. I do have an LCP that i keep in the outer most pocket but even then to take off glove and get a shot off with froozen finger seems imposable. I think i need to go the range and practice in this weather. Just wonder others thoughts on this topic.

[Phillip Gain]

If you wear gloves a lot...be sure to:

a) Acquire a firearm with a large trigger guard, so that you can fire it while wearing gloves

b) Acquire snug-fitting gloves, so that you avoid fabric bunching around the trigger.

c) Practice often using the gloves.

[KCD1974]

Well I too am frozen in the arctic circle known as MN LOL....I also carry a LCP in my front pocket. I think it's about the awareness you referred to. I'm not sure exactly where in MN you live, but as I'm sure you know there are areas more dangerous than others. Basically if I think there is a remote chance I may need it, I keep my right glove off and just put it in my jacket pocket. Otherwise I assume the criminals think it's just too cold to mess around too. If I thought there was a good chance I'd need it, well then I'd leave the area.

[Teluch82]

Look into gloves that are mitten like but can be flipped back to expose your fingers kinda like hunting gloves

[BluesStringer]

I think i need to go the range and practice in this weather. Just wonder others thoughts on this topic.

Practice is an absolute necessity no matter what climate one lives in, but if your climate presents more challenges to proficiency than most, then you have to practice more than most.

Hunter's gloves is a great suggestion, but they're not made for tactical situations, so getting your trigger finger free from the glove is something else you'll have to practice until you've got it down to as fast as possible.

But hey, shooting is a sport or recreational activity beyond just being a means of self-defense. The more excuses I have to practice, the happier I am!

Blues

[B2Tall]

It was 78 and sunny today at my house. I can't relate.

[Wyldekard]

I live in NW Iowa so I feel (literally) the point you make. Technically you are in a disadvantaged position as the bad guy already knows what he plans to do and you have to do more to react in time. As BluesStringer pointed out, physical practice in your cold weather clothing becomes critically important. You also have to develop your intuition (tingling in your spine - spidey sense - whatever you call it). I pay increased attention to minutiae. Like why is that guy checking people out with his eyes more than a casual person walking down the street? Why does that guy have only one hand in his pockets? Why is that woman walking with one hand inside her shoulder bag? That guy has zippers on both pockets, but one is unzipped. It's cold, why is that coat only 3/4ths zipped up? I've looked in the reflection of a window twice now in 20 feet and that same guy is still the same distance behind me, that's not normal.

When you pay attention to what the majority of people do casually as they progress through their day, the small differences that might mean a threat is imminent start to easily stand out. Practice this enough and it will shave time off your reaction speed. It's really not hard to do once you think it through.

[glendenbreed]

Or you could just open carry. If its legal of course

[Rich_S]

This is yet another reason why I like pocket carry. In the winter I only wear waist length coats. I have the gun in the front pocket of my pants so other than dealing with gloves it's no different than summer. I will also go without gloves often and just keep my hands in my jacket pockets.

[kelcarry]

My first thought was what KCD said. Odds are the BG, who is probably not a very motivated criminal capitalist, will not be "out and about". Solutions? Not sure if I saw it but those gloves with removable fronts that allow fingers to free---I have used same for photography. If good enough to focus and shoot a picture, should be good enough for focus and shoot a BG.