Adding Grip Texture

[9mmepiphany]

I'm not sure if I just have oddly shaped hands or if I'm just picky about how my hands and grips work together...maybe it is just that I have too much time on my hands and this platform allows it, but...

I'm looking to add some texture to the grip of my S&W M&P polymer pistol. This is a pistol I shoot in Action Pistol competition, so I'm not looking for an Olympic or Bullseye adaptions

I actually like the general texture of the frame as it allows my hand to slip into the Master grip easily. I'm also pretty happy (more later) with the contours of the inserts, I'm just looking for a little more texture in certain specific areas

Yes, I know about stippling and that isn't what I'm looking for...too generic (told you I was picky).

I'm done some work cutting shapes put of skateboard/stair tape. The problem is that the compound curves of the backstrap and palm budges cause the edges to lift...as the backing medium is a bit rigid. I'm currently using contact cement to attach strips and it seems to be holding up well.

When I used to shoot on my high school rifle team (Yes, in San Francisco) there used to be a textured tape we would apply to the griping areas on the stock.
Does anyone know what this was or what current small bore shooters are using for this?

My other thought was to apply some contact cement to the areas where I'd like additional texture and applying some abrasive medium to it...like making your own sandpaper (we used to do this to our PPC revolver grips).
Does anyone have any suggestions on a medium to use for this?

What I'm doing to trying to do is build consistent contact indexes on the grip to limit overgripping as the grip moves in recoil and to insure a consistent placement when attaining the master grip in the holster. Something that really helped, with all three sized grip inserts was building up the area under the curve of the tang with Sugru (moldable latex rubber)...this cured a multitude of other gripping issues I was trying to address with the grip

 

[9mmepiphany]

There wasn't much input in Competition, so I thought I'd try it here

 

[TreeDoc]

Talon grips is what I use on my G26 have had good luck so far

 

[oneounceload]

They used to make an electrical black tape that had a textured surface as opposed to the smooth glossy surface. Don't know if they still do, but that would probably work

 

[KenW.]

I just last night stretched a segment of bike innertube over the grip of both my XD9 subcompact and XDm40 compact. It feels nice and sticky.

 

[thefish]

How about some no slip paint?

http://www.nonskidpaint.com/

Or you could make your own abrasive glue with aluminum oxide and epoxy?

I'd do some test samples on wood before trying it on your M&P.

The nice thing about the griptape is it's pretty easy to freshen it up, remove and reapply, vs a permenant solution that once gets clogged with dirt, skin, or oil, may be harder to clean.

 

[RedAlert]

Two possibilities: Electricians used to use a tape called Friction Tape. It was fabric based not plastic or vinyl. Problem as I recall is the adhesive tended to bleed a bit on the edges. It's old school stuff and might be what you remember from drill team days. Another is a miracle repair tape for RVs and the like. I keep a roll or two in my truck and my MC for fluid repairs to hoses and the like. The RV stuff is found here:

www.EternaBond.com

The repair tape I have on hand has a slight tackiness to the touch.

I just thought of handlebar tape. Used by bicyclists to tape their bars for a good grip. It has some texture and might work. After all it is for handles which is another name for grips ;-)

 

[David E]

Try applying the skateboard tape on hot. IE; use a heatgun on low setting to get the tape to follow the contours better. Of course, the quality of the skateboard tape matters.

 

[ATBackPackin]

I would use something like this and it is probably available at most sporting good stores. It's cheap, readily available, and in a variety of colors if that matters. Plus, IIRC it has some stretch to it which will help with the contours.