[TheFrontRange]

I've read some references to folks out here using skateboard tape to enhance the "gripability" of their sidearms.

I'm considering applying some to the frontstrap of my 1911. I have a fear, though, of not liking it and the tape marring the gun's finish if I remove it. Can this stuff be removed cleanly or is it a lifetime commitment? :)

[GinSlinger]

I'm not sure about skateboard tape per se, but to offer a little help. I have spent several years working in sub-0 freezers that require "freezer tape" (the same thins a stair tape). When it was time to remove the tape to aplly new tape, we used Naptha to remove residue. I have used naptha on firearms before to remove very bad things, and have not damaged anything, naptha is pretty mild stuff (zippo fluid) and I believe it can be reduced with denatured alcohol. Hope this helped.

GinSlinger

[TheFrontRange]

Thank you, GinSlinger, I appreciate this info! :)

[Ebbtide]

I use skateboard tape from an actual skate boards shop. It is different than the 3M stair tape/non-skid.

I don't have a brand name, but the stuff I get is 12" x 26" and cost about four bucks (sells it to me in scrap peices).

It sticks on strong, but peels off in one clean, but slow pull. Leaving no residue at all. The skateboard tape does not seem as abrassive as the non-skid.

I got this stuff 3 years ago and only replaced it once. Needless to say, I now have a life time supply of it.

[TheFrontRange]

Thanks, ehenz, I may try to do the same here, find a shop that would just sell me a small sample for starters and see if I like it.

[Steve Smith]

I get mine from a skateboard shop. It works fine...you're worrying about nothing.

[tech]

T.F.R., try it my son is a big skateboarder and I have tried several brands. Not my bag but did not hurt the gun on removal.

Mike

[KP95DAO]

Skateboard tape is on the front and back of both my KP95s and on my KP97. It tends to grab cloth a little too much for CCW in standard holsters. You can counter this by wearing it down some to take the points off.

[Sisco]

I've skateboard tape and had to pull it off, very little residue. What was left came off with a little WD40.
It also comes in colors. I stuck with black, pink didn't do it for me.

[blades67]

Don't use Denatured alcohol if you like your finish, it'll strip it faster than a belt sander.

[9x19]

TheFrontRange

E-mail me with your address and I'll send you a small piece. I spent the $4 for a large sheet, so I can spare a little.

{This is not an open offer to any and all that ever wanted to try it... I don't have that much to spare... :D}

[TheFrontRange]

E-mail me with your address and I'll send you a small piece. I spent the $4 for a large sheet, so I can spare a little.

Thank you much, sir...I'll email you in just a second here.

[Charles S]

9X19,

Do you or did you post on Shooters?

I was just currious, I used to post on shooters a couple of years ago and there was a 9X19 there who's post I always enjoyed reading, just currious.

I used to post there under CS45, but I have not even browsed the board after I found the TFL.

Charles

[GlocksRock]

As a skater, I can tell you there are two basic types of griptape, regular and what is known as flypaper. The regular is a heavier grit, while the flypaper is a finer grit. If I were to use it on my firearms I would probably choose the flypaper. YMMV

[TarpleyG]

Maybe this thread will help:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7485

GT

[shootingfarm]

I like stair tape, and when you remove it it comes off clean.

I use it on my Kimber Pro Carry HD, it works great.




Paul

[VaughnT]

Tarpley, I really wish you hadn't posted that link! Now I feel it is incumbent upon me to share a recent developement that contradicts my statement below.

VaughnT
Senior Member

Registered: Dec 2002
Location: Western SC
Posts: 124
I've used the tape on pistol frontstraps and revolver backstraps. I can't think of a single downside to using grit tape and so long at it is available, I won't begin to consider actual metal work.


A recent disaster with a local smith forced me to ship my 1991 off to Ted Yost for repairs. Subject to "while you're there" syndrome like anyone that's ever done home-remodeling or the like, it wasn't hard for Mr. Yost to talk me into having the frontstrap and MSH stippled with what he calls a "sharkskin" texture.

I really, really, really didn't mean for him to do anything more than get her shooting reliably - like she had before being butchered. But having to pay $50 in shipping, one way, I thought it best to have him put in some better sights while he had it at the shop. Once he was able to get the gripsafety fixed, which required frame welding, he asked that fatal question I really didn't want to hear: "Is there anything else you want me to do?"

Oh boy.

As my buddy from Pickens County would say, "It was on like a pot of neckbones.", and I wound up with a 1* upgrade package.

I still contend that skateboard tape is the best, most tactical, frontstrap treatment and lay a pox on all smooth-talkin' gunsmith/artists.
:neener:

[Sisco]

I tried the stair tape first but found it to be too coarse for my tastes. Maybe it comes in different grits?

[Shmackey]

If it's too rough, you can lightly rub it with another piece of the same thing. Takes off just enough. I do that as a regular part of the install, so to speak.

[bompa]

If you want something that is not as aggresive as skateboard tape try A-Grip .. It is great stuff and easy to use and won't hurt the finish at all.. The good people at www.BrooksTactical.com are
great to do business with.. Check them out and see what there is there..

[shootingfarm]

Yea stair tape is pretty rough but this piece has been on for almost a year and I think its not as rough as it was, it realy makes a big difference.


Paul

[sonny]

Try this out.........get a piece of window screen and cut it to size,remove your grip panels...slip it under, put your panels back, you might be suprised how good it feels.

[boing]

I just screened a window today. I think I'll try that. :)

[boing]

Hmmm...not bad, but it feels a little slick.

Maybe I should use metal screening instead. :evil:

[9x19]

Charles S,

Sorry for the delayed response... I've been rather busy.

Yes, I used to post on Shooters, but don't visit there very often any more. I was a member of TFL from the first month (I was given member #9 after the upgrade, IIRC), and joined here as soon as it came up.

I'm glad to have been of some small entertainment to others, and only mildly dismayed at being such a huge irritant to many more! :D

[sonny]

Boing.....I should have said metal screening.

[Peter Gun]

BTW, I worked in a surf/skate shop for years. Those shops throw away thousands of strips of tape that are big enough to cover the strap. If you can stomach a recon mission to see how pathetic some of our youth has become, stop by and they'll probably give you a whole sheet for a look at your CCW!;)

[boing]

Oh, you meant metal screen. What does your front strap look like with the screen removed?

[sonny]

I don't know ....wasn't my gun....but it did feel good ......you could just get a small sheet of metal screen and somekind of thin cardboard and use some contact cement spay and glue them together ....let it dry and cut to size.....better yet back it up with a piece of rubber from a balloon or something else....maybe an old rubber glove..... some kind of non slip backing...just a thought

[boing]

I love to tinker, so I may give it a shot. Thanks for the idea.

[Onslaught]

Maybe I like wasting money... but I use Decal Grip (http://www.decalgrip.com/sys-tmpl/door/) when I need a grip on something. It's $9 as opposed to $4, but it's not as abrasive as skateboard tape. It's available in "grit" or "rubber", and both are great on a pistol. I prefer the "rubber" as it still gives a firm grip, but it's not as scratchy. Peels right off with no residue.

It's available in pre-cut pieces, or as a sheet for custom stuff.

FWIW though, I do think A-Grip is probably the best stick-on grip I've ever used, but it's FUZZY! http://images.bravenet.com/brpics/smilie/bunny.gif and that's just not right! :D

[Missouri Mule]

I prefer the textured, adhesive backed rubber sheeting available from Brownells. It looks a little pricey up front but it goes a long way.

[DeltaElite]

I've used friends weapons with it, it is effective and also allows you to file your fingernails while at the range.
It looks very tacky in my opinion, even though it is effective.
If looks don't matter, then it is a good option, IMHO.

[Chris Rhines]

I would suggest going to the local skate/surf/head shop, preferably the most underground, alterna-loser one you can find, and buying your skateboard tape there. Very important - make sure that you tell the dude behind the counter what you plan to use it for.

Man, the look on that guy's face was priceless... :D

- Chris

[Quartus]

Oh, you are going to hate me for this. On my 1911 frontstrap I have a nice thin peice of metal that is textured like good checkering. Remove grip panels, install, replace grip panels, done. VERY nice. I think most folks would mistake it for a good checkering job unless they were tipped off. And it's completely removeable.


My buddy the gunsmith put it on and I have NO idea where he got it!

:what:

[Sisco]

I did tell the lady at the skate shop that I was going to use it on my pistol.
She didn't blink an eye, just asked if it was a 1911 or a Glock.

[TheFrontRange]

Well, I'm just starting my own "field-testing" of some skateboard tape thanks to a starter supply from 9x19...looks and feels pretty good so far!

[C. H. Luke]

The stuff Home Depot sells as "Ladder Tape" is by 3M:

"3M™ Safety-Walk™ Medium Duty Resilient Tread"

It's the same material as "Decal Grip" but slightly thicker &
coarser. Thick enough that edging may be skivved. It's a whopping .69
cents per foot for 1" wide. They have 2" & 4" also.
Works superbly and lasts indefinately.

[boing]

Quartus-

It's probably this thingy (http://www.wilsoncombat.com/store.cgi?&shop=city&cart=39284414x32100&session=3e72b0f37d646ebe&L=eng&P=100S) from Wilson Combat.

[Sisco]

Man! I just put in an order with Wilson Combat, wish I had seen that before I did!

[Tman]

While using skateboard tape, could the grit from the tape ever come off and muck up your pistol? Just wondering.

Boing: thanks for posting the front strap thingy. I'm thinking about getting a 9 mm 1911 and really don't want to pay $150 bucks to have it handcheckered.