Grip enhancements

[stenz]

What are you guys using if anything to enhance your grip?

At this point I don't want to stipple my gun. I was thinking more a "Talon grip" or something similar.

I went through a grueling 3 day training this week (shot about 1750 rounds and was outside in the heat).

I will be doing the same thing next week and wanted to see what was out there.

Thanks

[DenverGP]

I've got talon grips on my sr9c and my wifes M&P shield. I went with the rubberized ones, really like the grip, and still comfortable when carrying IWB with the grip against skin. They offer a "granulated" version that is more grippy, but would be uncomfortable against the skin when carrying. They ship really quick too, ordered mine around 2am, and had it 36 hours later.

[ray1970]

I'm a bit on the cheap side and also haven't been willing to jump in and have any stippling done.

I go to the local sporting goods store and get this grip tape stuff that's meant for baseball bats, tennis racquets, etc. and just wrap the grip. Doesn't cost much, easy to undo or redo, and the stuff I use doesn't leave a sticky mess. Plus, you can wrap it thin and barely change the size and shape of the grip or layer it thick if you want something a little bigger to grab hold of.

[funkymonkey1111]

What are you guys using if anything to enhance your grip?

At this point I don't want to stipple my gun. I was thinking more a "Talon grip" or something similar.

I went through a grueling 3 day training this week (shot about 1750 rounds and was outside in the heat).

I will be doing the same thing next week and wanted to see what was out there.

Thanks

Are you looking for more comfort or more grip, or both?

What issues did you encounter during your grueling 3 day training?

[stenz]

More grip. I shoot a XD .45 service model. It feels fine but during the training it was low to mid 90's out and my hands got sweaty, fatigued, and dirty for 9 hours a day.

[SideShow Bob]

I've used this with decent results........

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/426000/pachmayr-pac-skin-grip-tape-multi-use-5-x-20-strip-black

[J]

I use this: http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=GRIP+TAPE

Each kit comes with three sets of self adhesive die cut sand paper grip tape. Lasts quite a while and you have replacements when it wears out.

[275RLTW]

Stipling is the way to go.

[cofi]

Stipling is the way to go.

[CHA-LEE]

Go to any sports place that deals with skate boards and get some skate board tape. Skate board tape is a lot more durable and can be formed to the grip angles of the gun than most other self adhesive sand paper tapes you find at a normal hardware store. I personally like to use Black Magic Skateboard tape. Use a hair drier or heat gun when applying the grip tape to the gun as this will allow it to form to the grip angles of the gun and allow the adhesive to stick better. Get a cheap pair of scissors to cut the grip tape to the desired shape and understand that cutting the grip tape like this will DESTROY the scissors. So don't use your favorite, special, or significant others best pair of scissors to cut the grip tape with.

Lastly, keep in mind that adding grip tape to a pistol needs to be done within reason knowing that some areas of the grip will rub on your hand while you shoot. If you put grip tape in the wrong place it will quickly saw the skin right off your hands as you shoot. A little bit goes a long way in improving your hand to grip friction on the gun. I usually add grip tape to the front and back strap of the grip, then on the sides of the grip. You usually DO NOT want to place grip tape on the under side of the trigger guard or in the beaver tail area of the grip. Doing so will result in devastated hands after an extended shooting session.

[CHA-LEE]

Stippling works, but it isn't as effective as skateboard tape in wet or sweaty hand situations. The other advantage to skateboard tape is that you can replace or modify it as needed to fine tune the grip friction you want. If you get a pistol grip stippled, its pretty much a done deal and you are stuck with however it turned out.

[275RLTW]

Stippling works, but it isn't as effective as skateboard tape in wet or sweaty hand situations. The other advantage to skateboard tape is that you can replace or modify it as needed to fine tune the grip friction you want. If you get a pistol grip stippled, its pretty much a done deal and you are stuck with however it turned out.

I've found that grip tape is too small in that it clogs up with mud too easily and doesn't clean out. Similar to cleats on tires: larger, more spread apart, and deeper generally leads to better traction. For a competition gun that will never see mud, blood, ice, or a heavy downpour then the ability to change it efficiently is better. Stippling is also easier on gloves, without sacrificing grip, if done correctly.

[CHA-LEE]

I can't speak to the mud or blood on the grip while shooting situation as I have not experienced that. But I have shot matches or practiced in down pouring rain or started stages with my hands buried in a bucket of soapy water or ice water. We also shoot matches in sub freezing temps and the guns do get cold but ice does not form on the grip. In all of these conditions I have found that grip tape produces a far more consistent grip friction verses stippling. I will agree with the fact that grip tape is harder on hands, gloves and clothes than a stippling job. From a comfort factor in a duty or daily carry gun situation I can see how stippling would be more comfortable to deal with verses using grip tape. But realistically, in those situations the use case for actually shooting the gun for its intended purpose is going to be for a very small amount of rounds. For that limited firing use case it really wouldn't matter if you had a stippling job or grip tape on the gun to improve your friction on the grip. But if you are shooting hundreds or thousands of rounds over a short duration, having stippling or grip tape will help the long term consistent grip friction on the gun while shooting for extended sessions.