Tab, Glove, Bare Fingers?

[cornfedkiller]

What do you guys suggest for a new shooter?

Can you give me a few pros and cons of each?

I have only shot a recurve once (besides the ones we shot in elementary school) for a few dozen shots, and quickly went home and ordered one, but I also noticed that the tips of my fingers got pretty dang sore (shooting bare fingers), but I assume I would get used to it after awhile...

[vermonster13]

Try a few gloves and tabs and see what works best for you. What does it for me or anyone else could be an epic fail for you.

I am a Big Shot glove man myself since you asked.

[cornfedkiller]

What about bare fingers?  Do guys shoot like that, or no?

[vermonster13]

Not since I was very young. Some still do. The majority don't. Hunting weight bows can raise havoc with the finger tips, especially when you are starting out.

[eflanders]

A tab is cheap and gloves are also relatively inexpensive so really it's just a matter of comfort and personal preference.  I have several of each so that I always have a backup available.  I think gloves give you a better feel for the release and thus more consistant shot.

[R. Fletcher]

I shot bare fingers for a while years ago and after a couple years noticed my fingertips going numb.  Switched to a Damascus glove.  It is thin so I still get a good feel but it is just enough protection to keep my fingertips from going numb again.

[LeeBishop]

I have shot split-fingered without a glove or tab since the age of 12.

I can't wear a glove. It just doesn't feel right to me. I need to be able to feel the string.

But I just started out on a recurve and it definitely hurts after a while, much more than a 60+lbs compound. My 50lbs recurve digs deep into my fingers after about 20 minutes, but I will still shoot until my forearm gets tired and shakes.

Ya get used to it.

I don't hold my fingers perpendicular to the line though. I hold the line diagonally, always have. It creates a little more surface area.

[30coupe]

I like a plain cordovan tab. Mine is a Screaming Eagle tab for split finger. It is just a simple piece of leather. Contrary to eflanders statement, I think I have better feel for the release with this tab than I did with a glove. I've tried several gloves. The one I like the best was the Duraglove from 3Rivers Archery.

Vermonster is right though. You will have to try several before you find the one that fits you the best. It is a very individual thing.

[El gran J]

I can shoot bare fingers, but it starts to hurt after a few shots to the point where they get numb.  I use the  the Black Widow Stick Tite glove, even for my bows that are not BWs.

[m midd]

i go back and forth alot.. I usually shoot better with a calf hair tab..

[rmcpb]

I shoot with a BW tab. As for bare finger, well some people have done it for years but I'm not about to join them.

[njloco]

If you shoot bare fingers, you stand a very good chance of stretching the tendons, or is it the ligaments and possibly tearing them off the finger tips.

So no, I will not shoot without a glove or a tab, I just ordered two Bateman cordovan tabs to try out.

[Terry Green]

Find what works best for YOU.

I'd recommend not shooting bare fingers a lot.  No worries if you are hunting and can't find your glove or tab....but not practicing for sure.

[stujay]

Even different gloves and tabs can make a difference. Was using a tab, liked it alot, but tried and like better a tuff glove from 3 rivers archery and it hits my anchor pt perfectly.

[Jim Wright]

Try both, I find that a glove makes it easier to load up the tension on my middle finger and a tab makes consistent deep hooks and anchor easier but I can swap back and forth easily. Concerning bare fingers, 30 years ago I was shooting a 60" Bighorn recurve pushing 70 lbs. and was operating under the assumption that my fingers would eventually "toughen up". I was developing some very "manly" callouses and was pleased over-all untill my ring finger "busted open" at the bottom of one. It took even longer to heal enough to shoot again than it had taken to form. It is partly what has brought me to my currently held opinion that "manly" is often synonomous with "stupid".