View Full Version : Alternative to front strap checkering
I was at the range today with my 1911 and when my hand started to sweat I started to loose grip on my gun...accuracy went to sh$t.
It's a Warrior which for some odd reason has a smooth front strap...way to go on that one Marine Corps!
I can not afford to get it checkered and then refinished right now. Can someone let me know what a good alternative would be.
I want to know what you used, how much it costs, and where you got it...maybe a picture too.
I was also thinking about getting some of Jerry Barnhart’s "Burner Grips" but like I said I need something semi-solid for the front strap area to last maybe a year or so.
Thanks
This is what I'm thinking:
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/BattleLab-Fricitious-Tape-1x30-P1239C121.aspx
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/Jerry-Barnharts-Burner-Grips-P1244C121.aspx
Or can someone recommend a cheaper or more solid method?
I use the grip tape on my Glocks. I bought about a 1' x 3' strip of it at a sporting goods store, intended for use on the deck of a skateboard. They even had fancy colors (I got black, but my wife's Glock has pink :D) I think it was like 7 bucks for a big chunk. Try a skate shop and they'll hook you up.
As a matter of fact, how much do you need? Just enough for a 1911 front strap? I've got plenty left over, PM me your address and I'll send you an envelope sized chunk -- that oughta be good for several applications worth.
After you use the Skateboard tape (great interim option), start saving your pennies to send your gun to Steve Morrison at MARS Armaments for his golf ball treatment. It is the best texturing treatment I have find on a 1911.
After you use the Skateboard tape (great interim option), start saving your pennies to send your gun to Steve Morrison at MARS Armaments for his golf ball treatment. It is the best texturing treatment I have find on a 1911.
Do you have a picture?
Wilson Combat offers front strap checkering for $175, under trigger guard checkering for $100, and front of trigger guard for $75...seems too damn expensive to me.
I mill the underside of the grips and extend the tape under so it's super clean and doesn't come up. Works great and IMO feels better than checkering.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/madryan/Kimber-1.jpg
Madryan,
What kind of tape is that, how much did you mil out of the grips?
When I still had my 1911s, I was using 3M grip tape from Home Depot. I prefered the grip of this to checkering.
+1 on skateboard tape - cheap, grippy but not too abrasive, easy to replenish or totally remove. If OSHA inspects your pistol, they will slap you on the back. I did not have to mill my grips out. I initially slapped a strip on there, but it looked sloppy and didn't cover the entire strap. I cut a larger piece, removed the panels (ORM 1991 black rubber pony-panels) and ran the tape from edge to edge then replaced the grips, additionally securing the tape.
I put this tape on both 1911's and my Spyderco Police, which has no texturing of its own.
I've kicked around getting those skateboard grips from Falcon grips-almost the entire surface would be no-slip.
militarymoron
02-11-07, 11:53
Do you have a picture?
Wilson Combat offers front strap checkering for $175, under trigger guard checkering for $100, and front of trigger guard for $75...seems too damn expensive to me.
well, the MARS golf ball treatment ain't gonna be cheap - it'll be more than checkering. how do i know? i've got a 1911 over there right now for that treatment precisely. it's ALL nyeti's fault - i got a chance to examine one of his 1911's that steve had on display at the SAR show in december and was hooked.
there's also this option, but i've never used one:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16409&title=1911+AUTO+CHECKERED+FRONT+STRAP
Madryan,
What kind of tape is that, how much did you mil out of the grips?
I just stood the grip up against the moveble hard jaw in a mill with a piece of cardboard up against the checkering to protect it and set a 2fl endmill about 1/4 in down then, starting in the middle of the grip moved about .025 into the grip and traversed the table one way as far as I wanted to go then the other way. That's the easiest way to do it.
I use standard 3M tape available from any hardware store.
If you want, send me your grips with enough money to send them back to you and I'll mill them. Just make a mark on the front with a small permanent marker where you want the tape to go.
I just stood the grip up against the moveble hard jaw in a mill with a piece of cardboard up against the checkering to protect it and set a 2fl endmill about 1/4 in down then, starting in the middle of the grip moved about .025 into the grip and traversed the table one way as far as I wanted to go then the other way. That's the easiest way to do it.
I use standard 3M tape available from any hardware store.
If you want, send me your grips with enough money to send them back to you and I'll mill them. Just make a mark on the front with a small permanent marker where you want the tape to go.
Thanks for the offer, I'll try just putting the tape under the grips before I go through that much trouble... but I'll let you know:)
Thanks for the offer, I'll try just putting the tape under the grips before I go through that much trouble... but I'll let you know:)
It's no biggie. The last set of grips I did for a buddy I work with took me all of 10 minutes. I'm talking bust it out on break in the morning.
Be advised... Your grips will sit all wierd if you prop up one side on the grip tape as it's fairly thick stuff.
It's no biggie. The last set of grips I did for a buddy I work with took me all of 10 minutes. I'm talking bust it out on break in the morning.
Be advised... Your grips will sit all wierd if you prop up one side on the grip tape as it's fairly thick stuff.
Roger that, but I only have one set of grips for my warrior right now and it is the only handgun I have out here...the rest are with my parents. I would have to get a cheap set prior to sending them to you.
Someone PLEASE post a pic of this Golf Ball Treatment!!
Do a search on this forum for "THUG" and look for a post by Steve Morrison "New guy checking in". I think you will find what you are looking for.
Here is a pic of chuck rogers work. Steve uses the same specs.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/474513.jpg
Another permanent option is "hand matting" by Novak's. They take a file and place it flat on the weapon, then strike it with a hammer. At least, that is how it was explained to me.
Here is a pic from their website of a Para with it:
http://www.novaksights.com/images/GUNS/para%20&%20colt%20slide/dustin-l-0852.jpg
And here is my Para P12 that Novak's worked on with hand matting on the front strap. It doesn't hurt at all, but gives plenty of purchase with or w/o gloves.
http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/293/327/104823.jpg
Several of the internet gunsmiths say they do Rogers' type golfballing........but I have yet to see a nice and clear picture of it.
Another permanent option is "hand matting" by Novak's. They take a file and place it flat on the weapon, then strike it with a hammer. At least, that is how it was explained to me.
Here is a pic from their website of a Para with it:
http://www.novaksights.com/images/GUNS/para%20&%20colt%20slide/dustin-l-0852.jpg
And here is my Para P12 that Novak's worked on with hand matting on the front strap. It doesn't hurt at all, but gives plenty of purchase with or w/o gloves.
http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/293/327/104823.jpg
VERY nice!
Can I ask where you got the replacement grips from? I've been looking for replacements for my P12 and P13...
Thanks!
jim
Or you can get it scalloped.
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/images/semi_gal/dimples_lg.jpg
I'm really liking my chain link front strap on my Ed Brown SF. Here's a picture of it, although I didn't realize how fuzzy the picture was until just now. It's kind of a stretched out golfball treatment. 3 days and 1200+ rounds of a Randy Cain class two weeks ago and it was a perfect balance of grip without pain.
Here (http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/00208.1.888961339414700216) is the link to the Ed Brown site.
Here is a pic I took.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/1911%20Comparison/FrontstrapBrown.jpg
VERY nice!
Can I ask where you got the replacement grips from? I've been looking for replacements for my P12 and P13...
Thanks!
jim
Thanks! :) I got them from www.carboncreations.com but they may not offer them any longer. The mould for the Para hi-caps was wearing out and he wasn't going to make a new one because they didn't sell that many. I actually bought the P12 grips almost a year before the gun (when I got them for my P14).
Hopefully he still has them - good luck.
Kevin
I just got a Kimber Stainless II in .40. The first thing I did was put the Ergo Grips (skateboard tape type) and put non skid tape (I use the kind fire departmens use on their tools and trucks). Here's a pic:
http://www.geocities.com/rifleman1973/kimber.jpg
I love the grips. I did the relief cut in front of the mag release. The blued mag well is temporary until I can get a Stainless Ed Brown Wedge Maxi-Well.
Just wanted to thank Josh (LOKNLOD) for sending me the "skate board grip tape". It's guys like this, that go out of their way and do something nice for a stranger.
Big thanks Josh, the this tape is a great fix for the problem and it sicks a lot better than I could have imagined.
The gun handles 200% better!
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/Griptapepics001.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/Griptapepics003.jpg
Dave that looks great on there!
davemcdonald
02-23-07, 10:46
http://www.rogersprecision.com
http://www.rogersprecision.com
Those guns look badass
chapperjoe
02-26-07, 19:45
this is a FANTASTIC thread. Great ideas here.....
Joseywales
02-28-07, 00:11
Get some skate-boarder's tape and epoxy. Works just fine.
John Fettes
02-28-07, 21:11
I have used the skate board tape too.
Keep in mind the Marines guns have the smooth front strap, but their stocks are the Gunner Grips vs. the Warrior style. I have some of the former but have only looked at the latter. The gunners are more aggressive, and are designed to work with gloves.
John
I have been using some skateboard tape for a long time now and its about time to get some more tape! Now I have Gunner Grips and they are the best grips I have ever used!
Grunt Out!
I use friction tape from Brownell's.
Nice work from Ned Christiansen:
http://michiguns.net/galimg/aaj.jpghttp://michiguns.net/images/aa_riflesa_lrg.jpghttp://michiguns.net/images/lrg10a.jpg
I've been using non-skid/skateboard tape on front straps since the mid 1990s and I prefer it to checkering. The only downside is that you have to replace it occasionally. How often depends on the tape you use, how much you use/handle the gun, etc.
I also use the grip panels to hold the tape down. I've never had to relieve any material from the stocks; I just tighten the screws and it looks fine (and is secure).
Glockster35
03-02-07, 16:25
I too am a firm believer in the skateboard grip tape.
I use it on my 1911, and will continue using it until I have the gun refinished many years from now!
3M friction tape has worked well for me.
Ive grown to like anything BUT checkering. I have a nasty tendency to wear down those expensive little points. The one 1911 with 30lpi checkering I have feels no more "grippy" than well used tape.
Cesiumsponge
03-02-07, 21:43
Skate tape won't come off either when it's clamped between the grips. I have the exact same thing on my Warrior as well and it's stay put after 500+ rounds at the range. It's better than the perforated metal cheese grater things (I think Wilson sold it). I tried it and ditched it for simple skate tape. http://www.impulselabs.org/Personal/Eric/Gun/Kimber.jpg
Anyone tried the Brooks Tactical A-grip? I put one on my G27 because I had trouble holding onto the tiny thing and love it! The purchase it provides is amazing - especially since it isn't abrasive.
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