Stippling

[breakingtime91]

I have had grip tape on my carry gun for awhile now (MP 9c) and while its easy to reapply it annoys me when it wears out. It also has been resulting in some wear to holsters and my shirts. I was curious how many of you stipple your carry guns and if you don't can you explain why. thanks.

[DocGKR]

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/DocGKR2/MampP9c_zps3fb9d592.jpg

You'll still get wear on your shirts...

[45dotACP]

I don't. Because
A.) I'm cheap
B.) A strong grip helps me control recoil more betterer
and last but not least
C.) I shoot a 9mm, so recoil control isn't something that (in my mind) requires more effort than just "Grip the gun high and hard."

YMMV of course, but I'd recommend working out your hands with Captains of Crush grippers. You'll likely find that recoil control and generally speaking your ability to shoot your gun fast will improve as your hand strength does.

[GJM]

When my hands get cold, wet or both, I really like stippling or grips like the Hogue G10 chain link.

[DocGKR]

GJM hits the nail on the head, so to speak.

All the hand strength in the world does not help if you have blood, sweat, water, mud, oil, etc... on your hands when you most need to use your firearm to save your life. Try shooting one handed while injured--a more aggressive grip surface comes in handy...

[msstate56]

I started stippling my Glocks a while back, and I can tell you I'll never go back to grip tape again (except on my issued "can't modify" duty pistol). I use a $15 wood burner that I found in the craft section of Walmart. I don't get crazy with the patterns, I just make thousands of tiny dots. It has worked out really well for me so far. In Mississippi in the summer, any range time means your hands (and every other body part) will be soaked with sweat before you even finish setting up targets. I even had a range day right after a big rain, and lots of mud and standing water on the range. During a "dynamic movement" I slipped and put both hands in the mud. I continued the 50 round course of fire with hands and arms covered in mud. At no time did I feel like my stippled G17 was shifting in my hands.

I also carry my stippled guns IWB against my skin, and I find it no more abrasive than factory Glock Gen4 texturing.

[167]

I have stippled a few guns, then found what I think is a better alternative and started using Marine-Tex. Much less time intensive.

http://masterclasschronicles.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-tale-of-two-textures-non-stipple.html?m=1

[Jay Cunningham]

I prefer grip tape.

[WDW]

I really wish all Glocks had the original RTF grip texture. That was spot on for what I like in handgun.

[JBP55]

I really wish all Glocks had the original RTF grip texture. That was spot on for what I like in handgun.


The original RTF1 before the RTF2 pistols or the RTF2?

[Jay Cunningham]

2564

2565


I bought this pre-cut grip tape from an Amazon vendor recently and am very satisfied. I really like how the back is completely open, allowing my firing hand to slide up high without a stutter step.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVVLAT8/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_dp_1/187-1963126-6545836

[RevolverRob]

I really wish all Glocks had the original RTF grip texture. That was spot on for what I like in handgun.

All frames should come as sharp and sticky as RTF1. The only Glock I ever liked was an RTF1 G17.

Personally, I love grip tape/stippling/aggressive grips. If I could have gecko hands and van der Waals force to help me hold onto a gun, I would. Anytime my hands are wet/damp slick grips slide and guns squirm. All of my open back/front strap guns get grip tape on the front/back straps, and most get it on the palm side of the stocks as well. The one gun I find the stocks maybe a tad too sticky on, is the rubber stocks on my GP100 and even those aren't too sticky, just sometimes if my hands are super dry they don't slide as well as I want.

[orionz06]

RTF2 sucks. It's useless to me. Stair tread tape is a great poor mans stipple job and it won't ruffle any vests if by chance you compete.

The precut tape looks better yet.

[Eli]

I don't get crazy with the patterns, I just make thousands of tiny dots. It has worked out really well for me so far. In Mississippi in the summer, any range time means your hands (and every other body part) will be soaked with sweat before you even finish setting up targets.

I also carry my stippled guns IWB against my skin, and I find it no more abrasive than factory Glock Gen4 texturing.


That exactly.....except my location is Alabama instead of Mississippi.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee95/ceelfi/2kg3.jpg

[YVK]

I use both, stippling and tape. Would've used grip tape only, if I found one I could tolerate against my skin in an appendix position.

[breakingtime91]

I use both, stippling and tape. Would've used grip tape only, if I found one I could tolerate against my skin in an appendix position.

That is my issue as well YVK. I also find it hard to stomach the wear on my JM holster as I found it as an amazing piece of gear and don't want it ruined. I have already done a grip on my AKm and a few pinky finger extensions on the compact mags. I am slowly working up the courage to take the plunge. For those of you who do the back strap, do you find it grabs onto your cover garment?

[taadski]

I've found stippling to be the best solution for me. I actual prefer the texture of grip tape but haven't had much luck getting it to stay in place on the Sig grip panels. I do use a strip on the front straps in conjunction with my whittling though. I personally don't have any issues carrying them against my skin, damaging holsters/shirts (sharp rear sights seem the more likely culprit for the latter) or catching on cover garments. Of course, YMMV.

Couple of my cobb jobs (b/c pitchers :p):


http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo324/taadski/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps8efd3571.jpg


http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo324/taadski/Mobile%20Uploads/photo1_zps4405bf61.jpg


http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo324/taadski/Mobile%20Uploads/photo2_zps1e21558c.jpg





t

[GJM]

Taadski, that is class A stippling.

[Texaspoff]

Texturing is the only way to go. :cool:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff295/Texaspoff/G19G42_zps93a8900f.jpg

TXPO

[YVK]

It is a great stippling on those Sigs.

I've no problem going at it on replaceable panels. Pistol frame itself is another deal.

[farscott]

If you ever shot Bullseye when the temps and humidity are both in the 90s (hello, Camp Perry), you understand the value of stippling.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h229/farscott/Caspian_Colt_02_zps2d67151d.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/farscott/media/Caspian_Colt_02_zps2d67151d.jpg.html)

[Dave J]

I have stippled a few guns, then found what I think is a better alternative and started using Marine-Tex. Much less time intensive.

http://masterclasschronicles.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-tale-of-two-textures-non-stipple.html?m=1

What kind of coating are you using over the Marine-Tex? Epoxy paint?

[167]

I don't put anything over the marine-tex. It dries to that dark grey color.

[okie john]

Stippling is a must. Check out Kyle DeFoor's recent blog posts on a minimalist approach to stippling a Gen4 G19.


Okie John

[Clobbersaurus]

It's important to note that not all stippling will provide an appropriate improvement in grip on the gun.

With my Glock I went with a fine stipple pattern. It's not bad and does provide a better grip on the gun, but it's not perfect. At a recent indoor class, it was extremely humid and my hand were sweating enough to cause issues, even with the stippling. I'm going to redo it.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/clobbersauras/DSC03099_zps701aad5e.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/clobbersauras/media/DSC03099_zps701aad5e.jpg.html)

I made some improvements with a more coarse pattern on a Sig Clone I had:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/clobbersauras/DSC03420_zps4724b764.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/clobbersauras/media/DSC03420_zps4724b764.jpg.html)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/clobbersauras/DSC03421_zpsec7ed76d.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/clobbersauras/media/DSC03421_zpsec7ed76d.jpg.html)

With my Beretta I went even more coarse and it works very well. So well that I had to sand down some portions that contact the web of my hand.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/clobbersauras/b66019d4-b524-43f5-8d3e-ed963b552819_zps579ae1c8.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/clobbersauras/media/b66019d4-b524-43f5-8d3e-ed963b552819_zps579ae1c8.jpg.html)

[taadski]

Taadski, that is class A stippling.

Ha! ;)

Thanks G.


167,

Does the epoxy add much noticeable thickness? Looking at some of your pics (especially the 22) it would appear so, especially given how much texture there appears to be, but it's hard to tell in 2D.

Good stuff!


t

[msstate56]

That is my issue as well YVK. I also find it hard to stomach the wear on my JM holster as I found it as an amazing piece of gear and don't want it ruined. I have already done a grip on my AKm and a few pinky finger extensions on the compact mags. I am slowly working up the courage to take the plunge. For those of you who do the back strap, do you find it grabs onto your cover garment?

I usually leave the areas of factory Gen4 checkering intact, and stipple all the smooth areas of the grip. I do sand down the lower outboard (right) heel of the grip just a little. This is really just to keep from chewing up the inside of Under Armor and Dri-fit type polos that I wear in the summertime.

[167]

Ha! ;)

Thanks G.


167,

Does the epoxy add much noticeable thickness? Looking at some of your pics (especially the 22) it would appear so, especially given how much texture there appears to be, but it's hard to tell in 2D.

Good stuff!


t


It depends on how thick you put it on. That picture of the Glock 22 is heaviest I have done and I honestly didn't notice any extra thickness, but I am sure if you put a set of calipers on it, it would be. I eventually sanded that one back down to the polymer and retextured it. Looked and performed better the second time, but I don't have any pictures of it.

You really don't have to put it on that heavy to get good texture. It does take some practice to figure out the process, so if you try it, buy a cheap AR-15 grip or something and practice first.

[taadski]

Good copy. That makes sense. I may have to find some polymer to dabble with. ;) Thanks for the info and link.


t

[Up1911Fan]

I like the stippling on this G17 chopped for 19 mags by ColdBore Customs.

2568

[LOBO]

Is a wood burning tool the most common implement used to stipple the polymer frames?

[Clobbersaurus]

That will work. I just use a cheap soldering iron. If you can get something with different tip attachments, you can mess around with your pattern a bit to find something that suits you.

[Default.mp3]

I had my HK45 stippled by Cold Bore Customs (AKA Texaspoff), in the "tactical" pattern (the most aggressive pattern). They did a great job on the stippling, and it did enhance the grip compared to the stock grip, but I felt that it was inferior to the grip tape in the long run, as it was more work to clean out the crud that accumulated in the stippling than to simply swap out grip tape, along with possible reduction in resale value. I recall SeanM stating that stippling is pretty much the only way to go in certain operational environs where grip tape would not hold (e.g., jungle, waterborne, etc.), but since that is not a problem for me, I just stick with 3M Safety Walk tape these days.

The old HK45:
http://i.imgur.com/pYctMr4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/f6x1Le5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Q6nZ0kj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NR0Ck.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Gtsja.jpg

[Irelander]

I've stippled a few Glocks and am learning a lot about the process. I recently removed the finger grooves and factory checkering on my G19 because the the grooves never fit my hand right and the checkering is useless IMO. I really love the way it feels now. Much improved for my use. Here is a crappy picture of my G19.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47624012/G19%20Stipple.JPG

[Chuck Whitlock]

I've stippled a few Glocks and am learning a lot about the process. I recently removed the finger grooves and factory checkering on my G19 because the the grooves never fit my hand right and the checkering is useless IMO. I really love the way it feels now. Much improved for my use. Here is a crappy picture of my G19.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47624012/G19%20Stipple.JPG

Any clues or tips about what tools/techniques you used? I really like the lines/tree bark patterns over the dots.