Stippling not IDPA legal?

[Loner]

I just read in the IDPA rulebook that stippling is not allowed in SSP. Does this mean I cannot use the stippled backstrap of my M&P?

[Robb Jensen]

Correct. You can however use skateboard tape.

You can stipple grips for ESP, CDP.

[Loner]

Thanks. Good thing I read the rulebook again and confirmed here before competing. Thanks again.

[bulbvivid]

From what I can gather, stippling the backstrap is okay, just nowhere else on the gun. Check this thread at the IDPA forums: http://idpaforum.yuku.com/reply/3446...uld-I-get.html

Here is what Robert Ray said in a reply to my question regarding aftermarket sharkskin grips. I have asked him to rule on work completed by the shooter. Note in his reply the front strap cannot get the same treatment and I think on the above gun the front strap has had the same treatment. If it has then the gun goes to ESP.

"Ok, the problem with SSP is this. We have always said that after market grips were ok as long as they were not weighted. With the interchangeable back straps like Walther, S&W M&P and H&K guns it is not really any different than changing out a set of factory Sig grips for another more aggressive set. It's not a permanent modification. Unfortunately I really see no other option at this time than to say that the non-permanent treatment would be legal. The removable back strap would be ok but not the work done elsewhere such as the front strap, trigger or trigger guard."

Thank you,

Robert Ray

International Defensive Pistol Association

[Rosco Benson]

Wow! Ultra-silly.

I suppose one could just cover up their stippling with skateboard tape and hope they don't peek.

I understand the motivation of avoiding a game-gun equipment race (I recall Hackathorn saying that they wanted the guy with the Ruger P-85 and an Uncle Mike's holster to be able to come out and not feel daunted), but some of this stuff isn't reasonable.

I guess one can just shoot ESP or CDP and forget it. Others will choose just to forget it altogether.

Rosco

[Robb Jensen]

Wow! Ultra-silly.

I suppose one could just cover up their stippling with skateboard tape and hope they don't peek.

I understand the motivation of avoiding a game-gun equipment race (I recall Hackathorn saying that they wanted the guy with the Ruger P-85 and an Uncle Mike's holster to be able to come out and not feel daunted), but some of this stuff isn't reasonable.

I guess one can just shoot ESP or CDP and forget it. Others will choose just to forget it altogether.

Rosco

I understand the logic but the execution is illogical:

Skateboard tape = legal
Soldering Iron/heat stippling = not legal

[kartoffel]

The spirit of the IDPA rules were, I assume, to let people compete with the same simple, reliable equipment that they would carry daily. I wouldn't put tape on a daily carry gun because (a) it's too rough and (b) tape eventually peels off, especially if carried and sweated on regularly.

My daily carry gun is stippled. If that puts me in ESP, so be it.

[threeheadeddog]

I hate that rule. I have shot IDPA for a few years and for a while was shooting a Sig in SSP. I stippled the grips and the plastic on those perticular grips was very abrasive and Sig grips cover a huge amount of area on the frame. I could not shoot much more than a couple hundered rounds a day and would have wounds, but to this day that is the gun that was the easiest to control for me.

Fast forward to now and I had to buy 2 M&P's just so I could stipple one frame up for carry and keep one factory soap-smooth for competition. But I do use a stippled backstrap since IDPA technically considers this a removable grip just like a set of grips for any metal framed gun.

[ambluemax]

If you are just getting started at the club level- nobody will care. People, espeically CSO's, are more concerned about you learning the game and shooting safely. If they have a problem with it, they will probably just say "hey, you might want to change that or use something else next time"

As a CSO though, if I know you've been shooting IDPA long enough to know better and you tend to be a gamer/try to cheat type...then I'll call you on it.

At the club level though, most people are just out of a good time and don't sweat the small stuff.

[gringop]

Fast forward to now and I had to buy 2 M&P's just so I could stipple one frame up for carry and keep one factory soap-smooth for competition. But I do use a stippled backstrap since IDPA technically considers this a removable grip just like a set of grips for any metal framed gun.

Or you could shoot in ESP and not worry about it.

SSP was designed for factory configuration stock guns. If you want to make permanent grip mods to your gun, go shoot in ESP.

That being said, I have some form of grip tape on all my carry guns, Glocks, 1911s, Kahrs and SIGs. Grip tape works, is SSP legal and stays on for 6 months or more on my daily carry gun. You just need to prep well before applying it.

Gringop