What grip tape do you use?

[birdshooter]

Those of you that put grip tape (or skate tape) on the front strap of your autos (1911, CZ 75, etc), what brand do you use and where do you buy it from? Just curious to see what you all like as I'm going to put some on a couple of guns and want something that will remove easily in the future if necessary.

 

[Ultravox]

I got a scrap for free from a local skateboard shop. I wanted to buy some and the sales person just gave me the end of a roll.

I got a piece about 6" square and it's enough to do about 48 1911 front straps.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Baseball bat/ hockey stick for me. Initially very tacky but eventually just grippy. I've also used vulcanizing electrical tape but it doesn't hold up as long as the athletic tape.

 

[Nushif]

Coming from an ex-Skater here I'd go to the skate shop and get myself the sheet for one deck, that's quite enough for a lot of grips. Also, these days they have a lot of nifty patterns.
Usually skate stores are pretty straightforward to find, but depending on where you're at ... they may be in with a surf shop or a hookah shop.
As for removing it well ... the problem with sticky stuff that stays is that well ... it stays. So as for removing it, that's a bit of a different story. 8) Maybe GooBeGone(sp?) ...

 

[Sapper771]

http://talongungrips.com/

I like these. Pre cut, durable, and easy to apply. They are a bit too "grippy" at first, but they wear down to a point where they are just right.

As far as autos with removable grip scales, I have used bicycle tire inter tube, which works decently if you just looking for a little bit of grip. I have also used regular skateboard tape, which works great. Nothing beats a good 25LPI front strap checkering though.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I use a nice big roll of 3M step tape that you buy from most local hardware stores. I can do many guns with how much there is on the roll.

http://www.kofflersales.com/product.asp?cid=23&pid=36&gclid=CPy12_XF2q0CFSwBQAods0w8kw

 

[AK103K]

I too use skateboard tape for things I still use it on. One sheet will last you a good long time, and costs about $5.

Ive also used 3M tread tape. Its a little coarser than the skateboard tape, but it works.

These days on my Glocks (and a couple of long guns), I skip the tape altogether, and now just stipple them. Much better. If had any handguns left with plastic grips Id do them too, but I sold them all off. You'd still have to use the tape on the front strap though.

 

[1SOW]

I use grip tape on my CZ75B front strap, backstrap and grips for comp.
I've tried skateboard and 3m tape in the 2 3/4"-ish roll and like it.
I prefer tape that causes "pain" and will not let your grip move.
The 3m tape works well and one roll has lasted maybe two years with a few more changes left on it.

It will wear down with use and need replacement. Lighter fluid (naptha) or acetone will remove the adhesive residue when you want to replace it.

Cutting any tape to fit compound curves requires a little practice--it doesn't stretch.

 

[Bobson]

I've heard great things about talon grips, primarily online... I would think deck tape for a skateboard would work really well, but might be too abrasive for those with soft/uncalloused hands.

I haven't a need for grip tape currently, but if I do in the future, deck tape will be the first thing I try. A strip on the front strap and one on the backstrap should be more than sufficient.

 

[167]

I used to use the big rolls of 3m tape. Worked pretty well. Now I just stipple.

 

[Zach S]

These days on my Glocks (and a couple of long guns), I skip the tape altogether, and now just stipple them. Much better.

Same here.

I used a soldering iron at first, but went over them again with the chisel tip of a woodburning pen.

 

[Notoast]

To me, skateboard deck tape feels the same as the material used in Talon's granulate grips. I got a 33"x9" sheet of deck tape at Dick's for $6.
I've found that using a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the tape after installing allows you to squeeze the tape into the grip's existing texture to help prevent peeling.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I use the 3M tape that comes in a roll 1" X 5 yards. I usually only use it on the front strap but on one of the old model Ruger P95s I put it on the back strap also. On an S&W 4506 that has the vertical grooves cut in the front strap I put the tape over those cuts and it has held solid. After I cut the strip of tape from the roll I cut the corners to a round shape and the tape has never come off.

Bill

 

[Stringfellow]

Most available skateboard tape seems to basically be all-weather sandpaper with an adhesive backing. I try to keep sandpaper away from my pistols--especially since I may have more than one pistol out at one time, increasing the likelihood of them scratching each other.

I got this stuff from Amazon. It is dirt cheap, and it thin enough to wrap around tight edges, yet still has some rubbery "give" to it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JF2FVO/ref=oh_o05_s00_i00_details

You may also want to try this from Pachmayr: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/426000/pachmayr-pac-skin-grip-tape-multi-use-5-x-20-strip-black It is a bit more expensive, but still pretty cheap. I have never tried it, and may not, considering how happy I am with the stuff I got from Amazon.

Good luck!

 

[Alberforth]

Useful leads--how thick is the Amazon stuff?

Anyone know how thick the Talon rubber grips are?

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've been really please with Tractiongrips on my PF9 and Glock 19.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afxdko6rhPg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Stringfellow]

how thick is the Amazon stuff?

The stuff sold on Amazon is actually pretty thin. In some situations I double or triple it up.

 

[royal barnes]

I have tried stair tred tape and skateboard tape and I don't care for the abrasive texture of either. I bought a three pack of precut rubber tape from VZ grips that is still grippy but not abrasive.