Grip tape VS True Grip [Archive] - M4Carbine.net Forums

NC_DAVE

03-28-13, 09:28

I have been using skate tape and stair tape for a few years now on my handguns. I seem to always have to glue the edges down when I replace it due to wear. It also does not look that great, which I could care less about but my Lt. hates it. Every time we have inspection I hear something about it from him or my Sgt. They usually say well it is not a bad idea but Captin will flip if be see it. I say ok and don't take it off. So my question is the true grip which close to 5x in cost, does it last about the same period of time of regular grip tape or does the added cost increase longevity of the product. I know it may sound cheap but I don't want to replace tape every few months with the added cost.

http://www.ericwesselman.com/store/store.html

Ick

03-28-13, 09:37

Dave, I have been running grip tape on my G27 for about 3 years. This is my daily CCW. I don't nearly have the problems I used to once someone told me a trick to keep the curling to a minimum.

Round-off the corners, that keeps you from having them curl up.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/ick-xbox/rifle%20collection/GLOCK/grip_mag_palm.jpg

jpmuscle

03-28-13, 09:48

I used the true-grip on one of my gen 3 G22s for awhile. It held up very well with no fraying or anything.

I assume your just using the role tape and wrapping your pistol?

For the price I'd ship around online and just get few larger sheets (not the roles) of grip tape then use a heat gun or hair dryer to mold it to your gun then use an exacto knife and trim to fit. If you heat the tape up first and stretch it a touch when you apply it, it will mold a lot better. I started with a 6x6 square and wrapped each side of the pistol and just overlapped on the backstrap and front section. Then trimmed the excess. Adding heat is the key in my experience.

http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/94/20130327124225168.jpg

skatz11

03-28-13, 10:01

I've been using true grip for a few years. I replace them every few months. Can't beat the ease of installation and the fit. I've never had an issue with the seam.

The price has gone up, and the shipping is a little slow, but they're a great product.

Ick

03-28-13, 10:15

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/ick-xbox/rifle%20collection/GLOCK/grip_mag_palm.jpg

I just looked up that photo. It is from April 2008.

Here is the sakteboard deck tape today, 5 years later:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/ick-xbox/rifle%20collection/GLOCK/IMG_20130328_110940_966.jpg

Some movement over 5 years on the oval piece where my right hand thumb goes.... a little bit of deterioration on the grip where my palm goes... but no curling.

ra2bach

03-28-13, 12:47

check out Talon grips too...

john232629

03-28-13, 13:15

http://shop.powderriverprecision.net/ has worked great for me and hasn't peeled off with semi daily carry.

zerocool

03-28-13, 13:26

I just looked up that photo. It is from April 2008.

Here is the sakteboard deck tape today, 5 years later:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/ick-xbox/rifle%20collection/GLOCK/IMG_20130328_110940_966.jpg

Some movement over 5 years on the oval piece where my right hand thumb goes.... a little bit of deterioration on the grip where my palm goes... but no curling.

That's great info, thank you... any idea of round count over the last 5 years? Training classes? Bad weather shooting?

Just trying to get an idea of usage scenarios, but in any case, 5 years of use is definitely helpful.

Ick

03-28-13, 15:15

I am never in the rain and the gereral temperature here is moderate, so the weapon does not get sweaty. I have a desk job so carrying at work doesn't result in adverse conditions.

Boy, I am guessing here but I would say...
It is my carry gun so probably at least 500 rounds/year.
No training classes.

I carry in a Blackhawk Paddle holster 4:00 if that helps you get an idea of the distance the firearm grip gets from snagging on shirt, coat, jacket, seat-belt, etc.

unclestevie45

03-28-13, 20:10

http://talongungrips.com/Talon-Grips-for-Glock-Glock.htm

I have the Talon 'rubber' texture on my Glocks. When I had MP's I had Talon on those also.

I have not attended any formal training course with the Talon grip on. Just departmental stuff.

It has held up well in my limited experiance. It was easy to apply. The grips arrived quickly after I ordered them.

I really like the way the rubber texture feels, and the added control it offers. It doesn't seem to catch on my cover garment at all.

Singlestack Wonder

03-28-13, 20:22

I've used True-Grip since 2004. It lasts years under hard use including wet environments while not coming loose. The only time I change it is when the points wear down on the grit.

Shokr21

03-28-13, 21:14

I tried skate tape and 3m tread tape and didn't like the results. I've found that athletic tape layered on the grip makes a huge difference, for me.

Thanks BCM Junkie for the idea.

A roll of athletic tape costs like $3-4 which would do many many pistols.

jonconsiglio

03-28-13, 21:48

I keep thinking aout ordering A-Grip. It looks pretty effective and seems to hold up well. I don't know. My gen 3 17 doesn't give me any problems, but a gripper texture would be nice.

Litpipe

03-28-13, 22:00

This is what I use. Its at Lowes and costs about $6 a roll. Thick and jet black. Good positive grip. Blends in well with the Glock plastic.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/mobileportal/show_product.do?pid=2159

Ill post a pic in the morning.

zerocool

03-28-13, 22:01

Litpipe

03-28-13, 22:14

Cant sleep...so here are pics. This is my duty gun that is exposed to the elements. I just went through my yearly qual, over two days some of it was in the rain, 500+ rounds

By the end of the two days I was cutting grips for 5 people. I have a template I made like a 5 year old. Paper over the grip and a #2 pencil to make an impression on the paper. Works great.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/29/yte4udaz.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/29/sezy3u3e.jpg

Mak8080

03-28-13, 23:03

I've had great success with Talon grips and True Grips. Been using both those products for years and they've held up very well.

texasgunhand

03-29-13, 00:08

ive had grip tape on my .45 front strap for like 15 years,and its still as nice as day one. and it was bought from a board shop..

NC_DAVE

03-29-13, 01:24

Thanks for all the feed back, my main issue is the tape wearing down to a point of being useless. It gets hot and really humid in the summer especially when directing traffic. The tape really helps with a good grip and I was hoping something would last longer with the elements and repeated use.

Litpipe

03-29-13, 02:15

I think stippling is your only answer for solid results like that. Being an agency gun though means thayt is out.

darr3239

03-29-13, 02:36

I ordered some Trugrips from Wessleman two weeks ago, via a PayPal payment on his website. I've heard nothing. No emails to verify the purchase, and no response to an email and or a voice mail. Anyone have any idea what's going on with him?

Ick

03-29-13, 08:39

First class information here. I will have to try some of those ideas.

hwaya

03-29-13, 09:49

Does anyone here run bicycle innertube on the grips? I carry IWB with no undergarment between the frame and my skin and was wondering if it causes irritation.

I have used skate tape and loved it, but that stuff is not nice on my skin when carrying.

tul9033

03-29-13, 21:26

I've waited months for shipping. Great product, terrible communication. Order the 3 pack so when you do finally get them you have some spares. I had a local shop that used to carry them and would install them for free with the CA adhesive. They stopped carrying them after having supply issues.

I ordered some Trugrips from Wessleman two weeks ago, via a PayPal payment on his website. I've heard nothing. No emails to verify the purchase, and no response to an email and or a voice mail. Anyone have any idea what's going on with him?

NC_DAVE

04-01-13, 14:42

Well I just re-taped my duty weapon. I guess I can use the date of the thread to test longevity of the tape. Once this wears down I may replace it with true grip to test longevity as well. I also took a bit more time to cut the tape to form correctly to the pistol.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o616/mgdave/7D201C7A-150E-4894-89BB-E77B1790291F-4564-000002FF8D0E56A8_zps6df714ee.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o616/mgdave/73A308A2-D58F-4607-9247-A4CDCD722E78-4564-000002FF94141AEC_zps134d9d3c.jpg

NC_DAVE

04-01-13, 14:53

I keep thinking aout ordering A-Grip. It looks pretty effective and seems to hold up well. I don't know. My gen 3 17 doesn't give me any problems, but a gripper texture would be nice.

I never really felt like I needed it with glocks or HK pistols. However the curviture of the back strap with the M&P causes my support hand to slowly slide forward when wet, or slick. I am very prone to this under situations of duress due to me gripping the weapon alittle tighter due to adrenaline/stress.

Ick

04-01-13, 15:05

Dave,

Looks like you have a lot of corners that are going to snag on everything. Round those corners off!

darr3239

04-01-13, 15:27

Received an email from Wesselman yesterday stating the grips were shipped. That was the only communication during the 2 1/2 weeks, after emailing and leaving a voicemail. Guess that time frame isn't too bad, but I would have liked to see an order confirmation, other than just the PayPal receipt.

To his credit, he makes an excellent product. After trying a number of rubber based products, skate board tape, etc. over the years, I settled on the Trugrips. The surface has just the right coarseness, for a pretty much cemented grip, without ruining anything that it rubs against. Great for duty or competition use, if you have a factory gun that is too slick. Plus, it stayed in place over the course of daily duty use for over two years.

Michael2007

04-14-13, 02:26

I just put some talon grips on my duty G22 I love them especially because I don't have to fool around with cutting tape on my own. I'm not very artistic.