Grip Force Adapter vs Glock Beavertails

[MGW]

Quick dumb question of the day (don't judge me).

Would there be any difference between a Gripforce adaptor and a cut-down Glock Beavertail? Is the Gripforce thicker or is it the same thickness as the stock Glock beavertails.

I ran a cut down Glock beavertail for a couple of years. I've been experimenting with a full medium beavertail and it isn't agreeing with my grip. Very inconsistent grip and recoil. I would really like to take a little more of the grip hump out of my Gen 5 17's and 19's without modifiying the frame.

[nwhpfan]

They are different but they are "consistent" once installed so if you have an inconsistent grip and or recoil that is something you can fix through technique.

[spinmove_]

Inconsistent grip/recoil is on you. That won’t necessarily be a gear problem.

As for GFA vs Glock beavertail cut down: Yes, there’s a difference, but not really in reducing the hump. The main difference is going to be how wide the surface area is that interfaces with the web of your hand. As long as you’re cutting down the Glock beavertail backstrap to the appropriate length, you’ll eliminate the same amount of hump.


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[cheby]

where and how exactly do you cut the glock beavertail? I'd like to change the Glock angle but I do not like the GFA.

[El Cid]

I've found the GFA's do straighten the grip more as they don't follow the curve of the backstrap the way an OEM beavertail does. The OEM part will add material, but it's not anything close to the feel of a GFA for me. I've been using GFA's on all my Glocks since around 2008 or 2009. I've used them on Gen 3's, Gen 4's, and Gen 5's. I use them on all my Glocks except my duty weapons because they are forbidden. On them I use a factory beavertail. I get slide bite in a bloody way.

When you buy a GFA it does come with a shorter version that uses a smooth "tail" instead of the grooved style. That shorter one may be closer to the OEM than the full size. I've never tried them.

[MGW]

I've found the GFA's do straighten the grip more as they don't follow the curve of the backstrap the way an OEM beavertail does. The OEM part will add material, but it's not anything close to the feel of a GFA for me. I've been using GFA's on all my Glocks since around 2008 or 2009. I've used them on Gen 3's, Gen 4's, and Gen 5's. I use them on all my Glocks except my duty weapons because they are forbidden. On them I use a factory beavertail. I get slide bite in a bloody way.

When you buy a GFA it does come with a shorter version that uses a smooth "tail" instead of the grooved style. That shorter one may be closer to the OEM than the full size. I've never tried them.

Thanks for the info. I get slide bite bad too so a beavertail is a must. The full medium isn't agreeing with my hand shape even though groups improved during slow fire. I didn't notice the inconsistent muzzle movement until I started trying to push the speed again. Trigger reach with a cut down OEM feels a little short and magnifies my tendency to push shots left. I'm pretty close to moving to M&P's or VP9's but trying something like the GFA seems like a more cost efficient option to try first.

[Holmes375]

I don't need the beaver tail thus used it make this adapter that I do like. Glock back strap with top and bottom trimmed. It would be easy enough to leave the tail in place if desired.

36069

36070

[OlongJohnson]

I had a GFA on my 34 and still chased the front sight. No chasing with classic Sigs or USPs, so the G34 belongs to someone else now.

[El Cid]

Here are a couple pics. Both have unmodified GFA’s. One is a 17 frame (albeit a 19X) and the other a 19 frame. You can better see how it straightens the back strap.

https://i.imgur.com/EdfXHd2_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

https://i.imgur.com/6tGYohr_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

ETA: correction - I did trim the bottom of the GFA on the 19 a bit.

[10mmfanboy]

If you didn't need a beavertail I'd say try a $4 grip job. You basically buy a 20" bicycle inner tube. Cut it on an angle so it goes below your mag release but curves up towards the slide on the back. Then you cut a few thin oval shaped pieces of inner tube to stick in under the tube you cut to go over the grip. The smaller oval shaped pieces kind of build out the space between the hump of the grip and towards the beavertail. Kind of the way a 1911 grip safety shape would do.

Or Glock could get rid of that stupid hump and make all of us happy!

[MGW]

I had a GFA on my 34 and still chased the front sight. No chasing with classic Sigs or USPs, so the G34 belongs to someone else now.

You’re not helping [emoji3]


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[MGW]

I went ahead and ordered a couple. It’s worth a try.

[SW CQB 45]

I had a cut Glock backstrap laying around and decided to use it on my issued G17 G/5

even though its a tad short.... it works for me.

https://i.imgur.com/c6dK5sKl.jpg

[OlongJohnson]

I went ahead and ordered a couple. It’s worth a try.

I did quite a bit of adjusting (i.e. sanding) on the GFA to eliminate lumps and smooth the ribs so they were a little less obnoxious. Also trimmed the beavertail to allow use of a Gadget.

The GFA cross pin is larger diameter than the Glock pin. When I took the GFA off, the hole in the frame was stretched and I still had to use a GFA pin in order for it to be snug and secure. I just shortened it to match the length of the stock Glock pin.

I found the GFA pins were easiest to service if I treated them as one-time use. The GFA is tight enough around the back strap that getting the pin through both sides requires a chamfer on the leading end of the pin when it's inserted. The pin is longer than it needs to be, so I pushed it through until the trailing end was where I wanted it to be and trimmed both ends flush. Without doing that, they were a raised lump that would dig into my skin. The alternative was to have a real fight to get an unchamfered pin through, and it would usually hang up and just stick the corner in the plastic without going all the way through.

[gtae07]

Timely thread... I'm looking at trimming down one of the factory backstraps on my new 19 to see if that works even better. I'm thinking of trimming the large in case I don't like it (wife and I both use the medium beavertail one so we don't have a spare floating about).

[MGW]

I did quite a bit of adjusting (i.e. sanding) on the GFA to eliminate lumps and smooth the ribs so they were a little less obnoxious. Also trimmed the beavertail to allow use of a Gadget.

The GFA cross pin is larger diameter than the Glock pin. When I took the GFA off, the hole in the frame was stretched and I still had to use a GFA pin in order for it to be snug and secure. I just shortened it to match the length of the stock Glock pin.

I found the GFA pins were easiest to service if I treated them as one-time use. The GFA is tight enough around the back strap that getting the pin through both sides requires a chamfer on the leading end of the pin when it's inserted. The pin is longer than it needs to be, so I pushed it through until the trailing end was where I wanted it to be and trimmed both ends flush. Without doing that, they were a raised lump that would dig into my skin. The alternative was to have a real fight to get an unchamfered pin through, and it would usually hang up and just stick the corner in the plastic without going all the way through.

I wonder why they made the pin OD oversized? And the GFA won’t work with a gadget without fitting? I’m having a hard time picturing how it would set high enough to cause interference.

Should have mine tomorrow to start fiddling with.

[OlongJohnson]

I was using the big GFA. It doesn't directly interact with the Gadget, but it sticks out the back and blocks the ability of your thumb to contact the Gadget firmly, which is the point of the Gadget. I trimmed mine until there was just a small lip, enough to wrap the back of the Glock frame. I still wasn't 100 percent happy with it, and would probably have trimmed it flush if I'd kept going with the Glock.

[MGW]

I was using the big GFA. It doesn't directly interact with the Gadget, but it sticks out the back and blocks the ability of your thumb to contact the Gadget firmly, which is the point of the Gadget. I trimmed mine until there was just a small lip, enough to wrap the back of the Glock frame. I still wasn't 100 percent happy with it, and would probably have trimmed it flush if I'd kept going with the Glock.

I understand what you’re saying now. Kinda like a Sig Elite with the oversized beavertail.

[BK14]

I prefer a cut down beavertail over the GFA. I’ve blended a GFA into a stipple job, but it still doesn’t blend into the frame as well as the factory beavertail does.

[vandal]

Just running into this.

Always ran the GFO on my Gen 3 G19. One of the draws for the Gen 5 was the ability to just run the factory beavertails. But the interface with my hand is not nearly the same. For one, I still get some thumb knuckle bite when using the factory beavertail, but the GFA is wider and no issues there.


I have recently been trying the XL beavertail anyway. Find it gives me a better grip for my big hands. But I'm finding my RMR dot is usually high outside the window on extension. I suspect it's due to the big hump at the bottom vs the top.

I'll be going back to the medium non-beavertail grip with a cut-down GFA on top. Doesn't look perfect and maybe not as robust but it seems to work better for me.

[richiecotite]

I wonder why they made the pin OD oversized? And the GFA won’t work with a gadget without fitting? I’m having a hard time picturing how it would set high enough to cause interference.

Should have mine tomorrow to start fiddling with.

I have GFA’s on all my Glocks. They all have Gadgets, and needed no fitting or filing to properly use them.


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[El Cid]

Well sadlly it seems Gripforce products may be no more. I was trying to order a few more of the adapters and the site is down. Despite my best efforts, the products are showing out of stock or discontinued everywhere I look. Amazon shows a bunch of counterfeit knock-offs, so I'm hoping he wasn't driven out of business by Chicom punks.

If anyone sees them for sale, especially Gen 4 FDE versions please feel free to share it here. The OEM beavertail is workable but the GFA fills out the curve for my hands and points better.

[Dave Williams]

Well sadlly it seems Gripforce products may be no more. I was trying to order a few more of the adapters and the site is down. Despite my best efforts, the products are showing out of stock or discontinued everywhere I look. Amazon shows a bunch of counterfeit knock-offs, so I'm hoping he wasn't driven out of business by Chicom punks.

If anyone sees them for sale, especially Gen 4 FDE versions please feel free to share it here. The OEM beavertail is workable but the GFA fills out the curve for my hands and points better.

Web site folks screwed up is all, he's still in business, I'm shooting him a text now, he'll probably PM you.

[El Cid]

Web site folks screwed up is all, he's still in business, I'm shooting him a text now, he'll probably PM you.

That’s a relief to hear! I can’t even shoot a gen 3 without one. Lol! Thanks!

[Dave Williams]

That’s a relief to hear! I can’t even shoot a gen 3 without one. Lol! Thanks!

He can't either, that's how the product came to be.

[Glockman9mm]

He can't either, that's how the product came to be.

Are they still making the Gen.4 and 5 specific product? All that’s in stock anywhere is Gen. 3. The Gen. 4 model has more meat where the pin goes through and seems much more robust. I’ve got them on 3 19’s and they’re great.

[Mark D]

Are they still making the Gen.4 and 5 specific product? All that’s in stock anywhere is Gen. 3. The Gen. 4 model has more meat where the pin goes through and seems much more robust. I’ve got them on 3 19’s and they’re great.

I'm not sure, but I met a guy at the range this weekend who claimed The Glockstore was making grip force adaptors now, although they might call them "beavertails". I have not confirmed his report.

[dilla916]

Web site folks screwed up is all, he's still in business, I'm shooting him a text now, he'll probably PM you.

Any idea when he plans to restock?

Made an account just because I've been on the hunt for a gen3 set.
I'd rather support him than the cheap stuff on amazon.
Emailed the site but no response.

[golden.pierpoint]

I’m considering a GFA for my G19.3 and was curious for those that have one how much do they impact your concealability particularly in appendix.

[El Cid]

I’m considering a GFA for my G19.3 and was curious for those that have one how much do they impact your concealability particularly in appendix.

They are no larger than a factory beaver tail. I don’t see any difference in how the guns conceal or carry. I’ve been using them for over a decade on Gens 3, 4, and 5. Both 9mm framed guns and 45/10 frames.

[Chuck Whitlock]

If you have small hands, they can impact your trigger reach. If your hands are larger, there should be no issues.

[MGW]

Web site folks screwed up is all, he's still in business, I'm shooting him a text now, he'll probably PM you.

Can you talk him into building a GFA for the 43x/48?

[Magsz]

Can you talk him into building a GFA for the 43x/48?

https://www.sandstormprecision.com/product-page/storm-grip-glock-48-43x-backstrap

While its not secured by a pin, i've had this on my off duty G43X for something like two years now. It's really, really on there.

I didn't really care for the size of the beavertail itself so i ground that down a bit. It's unnecessarily long. I'll try and get some pics up later.

EDIT: The guy went out of business...well...crap. Sorry man.

[Sammy1]

GFA will probably continue production as long as SOCOM issues Gen 3. Seems like everyone in Army SOF is running a GFA on their Glock.

[Dave Williams]

Can you talk him into building a GFA for the 43x/48?

Forwarded your request to him.

[Dave Williams]

GFA will probably continue production as long as SOCOM issues Gen 3. Seems like everyone in Army SOF is running a GFA on their Glock.

Lotsa Gen 3s out there. Personally I think the Gen 3 19 is the best carry gun. Nice and simple.

[Dave Williams]

Also,

Www.Gripforceusa.com

Grip Force has a new Glock extended base plate out, people that have used them so far really like them.

An advanced Rogers grad I know used them in a 5 day class and said :”I need ten of these”.

Also, there is a challenge coin available and with all the good shooters on PF, I’m sure some will be won by PF members.

[HeavyDuty]

I just wish he did Gen5 GFAs.

[Noah]

I just wish he did Gen5 GFAs.

Aren't the backstrap and therefore GFA the same between a Gen4 and Gen5?

[HeavyDuty]

Aren't the backstrap and therefore GFA the same between a Gen4 and Gen5?

If they are for the purposes of the GFA he really should say so on his web page.

[Noah]

If they are for the purposes of the GFA he really should say so on his web page.

I agree. I went through the same internal runaround when I wanted to try a GFA on a gen 5 back in 2021. Yes, it fits.

[HeavyDuty]

I agree. I went through the same internal runaround when I wanted to try a GFA on a gen 5 back in 2021. Yes, it fits.

I should try to order one, then - I’ve been chasing Glock grip angle changes.

[SW CQB 45]

https://www.sandstormprecision.com/product-page/storm-grip-glock-48-43x-backstrap

While its not secured by a pin, i've had this on my off duty G43X for something like two years now. It's really, really on there.

I didn't really care for the size of the beavertail itself so i ground that down a bit. It's unnecessarily long. I'll try and get some pics up later.

EDIT: The guy went out of business...well...crap. Sorry man.

Damn, I was about to order one.

My G48, could have used that. I would still like to see some pics with your mods.


Ref GFA vs Glock Beavertail, the GFA caused a blister on my web area and parked them for the Glock version. I cut one down on my G19G4 and like it.

this is an older pic

https://i.imgur.com/8CGfYYuh.jpg

[HeavyDuty]

I should try to order one, then - I’ve been chasing Glock grip angle changes.

Well, they are out of stock - and I suspect my cut down Glock beavertails are doing pretty much the same thing.

[MGW]

https://www.sandstormprecision.com/product-page/storm-grip-glock-48-43x-backstrap

While its not secured by a pin, i've had this on my off duty G43X for something like two years now. It's really, really on there.

I didn't really care for the size of the beavertail itself so i ground that down a bit. It's unnecessarily long. I'll try and get some pics up later.

EDIT: The guy went out of business...well...crap. Sorry man.

I went looking for this site actually. I was disappointed to see he closed up his shop.

I've seriously considered buying a 3D printer. I have just enough past CAD/CAM experience to pull off the production of some basic parts.

[MGW]

SW CQB 45 solution is what I ended up with. I messed around with a cutdown beavertail thinking maybe I could add some epoxy, do a little contouring, and come up with something better. It didn't work out and I gave up on the idea.

I'm this close to sending a 48 to Boresite. Ben's Razorback mod is pretty amazing. Of course, I would need a second 48 set up the same way. I haven't talked myself into letting go of that kind of money yet.

[golden.pierpoint]

Web site folks screwed up is all, he's still in business, I'm shooting him a text now, he'll probably PM you.

Are you saying the GFA for the G19.3 still available despite what his website says? If so how do we contact him to order.

Thanks

[golden.pierpoint]

They are no larger than a factory beaver tail. I don’t see any difference in how the guns conceal or carry. I’ve been using them for over a decade on Gens 3, 4, and 5. Both 9mm framed guns and 45/10 frames.

Much appreciated for the answer. Looks like I’ll be ordering one

[El Cid]

I don't need the beaver tail thus used it make this adapter that I do like. Glock back strap with top and bottom trimmed. It would be easy enough to leave the tail in place if desired.

36069

36070

The GFA does fill in the curve and makes it point more like a 1911, etc.

[awp_101]

Www.Gripforceusa.com
Are the GFAs available here as well? I’m not seeing any listed.

[Dave Williams]

Hi, the owner is named Frank, and his email is rx7925@aol.com. He’s still in business and has product for sale, he just has a lot irons in the fire(new EBP mag base launch, full time cop, SWAT, Rogers instructor at Southington Gun club).

You can also order them on Amazon.

Dave

[HTM]

Hi, the owner is named Frank, and his email is rx7925@aol.com. He’s still in business and has product for sale, he just has a lot irons in the fire(new EBP mag base launch, full time cop, SWAT, Rogers instructor at Southington Gun club).

You can also order them on Amazon.

Dave

All the amazon ones look like chinese knockoffs. He used to use Bill Rogers for manufacturing but I think Bill sold Prezine when he retired.

[HeavyDuty]

Yeah - I’ve never seen the originals on Amazon.

[Dave Williams]

I wasn’t aware of the knockoffs. Just email Frank if you need GFAs he’ll take care of you.

[HeavyDuty]

I just sent him an email. Thanks!

[awp_101]

All the amazon ones look like chinese knockoffs.


Yeah - I’ve never seen the originals on Amazon.

Same for the ones on eBay.

[HeavyDuty]

Whelp, that didn’t work for me. I picked up three sets, and they don’t fit Gen5s. I’ll be putting them in the FS forum.

[MGW]

Whelp, that didn’t work for me. I picked up three sets, and they don’t fit Gen5s. I’ll be putting them in the FS forum.

Which ones did you end up buying? What was the fit issue?

[HeavyDuty]

Which ones did you end up buying? What was the fit issue?

I’m not sure, but I emailed him with the information they would be used on my Gen5s. They don’t fit the curve and groove of the pistol’s backstrap.

[MGW]

I’m not sure, but I emailed him with the information they would be used on my Gen5s. They don’t fit the curve and groove of the pistol’s backstrap.


That's disappointing.

[El Cid]

I’m not sure, but I emailed him with the information they would be used on my Gen5s. They don’t fit the curve and groove of the pistol’s backstrap.

I've used them on Gen 3, 4, and 5 pistols. Just to be clear, they are not supposed to match the curve exactly. They fill out the upper part of the curve and provide a more natural POA for those of us who grew up on 1911's, BHP's, etc. And the Gen 4/5 guns are easier IME because they are smaller in circumference than the Gen 3's when not using an OEM backstrap.

[UNM1136]

My hand gets chewed up by my G17.4 despite the best grip insert for me. The GFA fixes that.

pat

[HeavyDuty]

I've used them on Gen 3, 4, and 5 pistols. Just to be clear, they are not supposed to match the curve exactly. They fill out the upper part of the curve and provide a more natural POA for those of us who grew up on 1911's, BHP's, etc. And the Gen 4/5 guns are easier IME because they are smaller in circumference than the Gen 3's when not using an OEM backstrap.

They just didn’t fit stable enough for me, and I wasn’t going to epoxy them in place. The cut down Glock backstraps work well enough for me.

A nice product, just not for me.

[Blades]

Also,

Www.Gripforceusa.com

Grip Force has a new Glock extended base plate out, people that have used them so far really like them.

An advanced Rogers grad I know used them in a 5 day class and said :”I need ten of these”.

Also, there is a challenge coin available and with all the good shooters on PF, I’m sure some will be won by PF members.

I have been looking for this post!

I could not remember what the base pad was called. I want to try the EBP(ergonomic base pad) on my G26 magazine.

[MGW]

I have been looking for this post!

I could not remember what the base pad was called. I want to try the EBP(ergonomic base pad) on my G26 magazine.

Site states they’re compatible with 17 and 19 size magazines. But if you try it with the 26 let me know how it goes. I’m pretty sure spring length is going to be a problem though.

[GearFondler]

Site states they’re compatible with 17 and 19 size magazines. But if you try it with the 26 let me know how it goes. I’m pretty sure spring length is going to be a problem though.Unless there is something special about the base of their extended spring, I'd try it on the 26 mag with a G19 mag spring... That's a 15 round spring for the 10 +5 mag.

[Blades]

Site states they’re compatible with 17 and 19 size magazines. But if you try it with the 26 let me know how it goes. I’m pretty sure spring length is going to be a problem though.

As I was falling asleep last night I realized it didn't list springs for a sub-compact Glock but it did say it works with all Glocks. So I was hoping it'd work on the 26 magazine.


Unless there is something special about the base of their extended spring, I'd try it on the 26 mag with a G19 mag spring... That's a 15 round spring for the 10 +5 mag.

Good idea.