Skateboard tape and draw speed
Sorry--I'm late to this party. I just shot two USPSA matches back to back.
Yes, as @nwhpfan said, I do know a bit about tribology, but I'm not sure I can use much from that field to add anything to what has already been said.
It seems like there are two main requirements: #1: manipulate the gun to draw and form an ideal shooting grip, #2: maintain the grip and manage recoil. These are in conflict because dextrous manipulation can require sliding, and maintaining the grip prevents sliding. Because we can't (at least at this point) make the grip sticky like duck tape, we have to rely on friction and opposing gripping forces to accomplish #2.
Humans scale grip forces by estimating the friction coefficient between the digits and the grasped object: the smoother the surface, the larger the applied grip force. That suggests that when gun grips are rougher, they feel "better" in terms of our ability to grasp them. The reality is that if we are gripping really hard, it may not matter that much in terms of #2, but your hands will probably get tired a lot quicker. I find that unless my hands are sweaty and the gun is very slippery, I can crush hard enough to shoot fast and control recoil even if the gun has a smooth grip. But like @GJM, I very much prefer a good rough grip surface high up and on the rear of the left grip. My match guns have very aggressive G10 Lok grips.
For carry guns, I like rubbery Talon type grip tape because I can slide my hand during the draw, and to form the grip, but they give me enough friction to control recoil without maxing out my hand strength. Interestingly, sticky polymers bend the laws of conventional friction by increasing the contact fraction and adding adhesive forces. That means you get more friction for less grip force.
Match gun:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9a9c55b124.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1ff99db310.jpg
Carry gun:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...be7311be38.jpg