Finally found the virtues of Griptape

[hartzpad]

After reading just a few posts about people using skateboard grip tape on their competitive pistols, I decided to try it.  Bought 1 foot of it for around $2.  I installed it on both the front and backstraps of my CZ SP-01, CZ RAMI, and Tanfoglio Witness MATCH 10mm.  It really allows one to take advantage of the near perfect stock CZ rubber grips but adds a more positive grip on both the frontstrap and backstrap.  It took some time to cut to fit and apply perfectly but I love the feel.   I left the griptape off of the deep groove for the web of the hand under the beavertail of each pistol and I'm glad I did.  

Anyone else use griptape? Who needs Hogue or other cheap rubber finger groove grips that are too grippy and stick to clothing when grip tape is low profile, has perfect grip and is about 50 times cheaper?

[Stuart]

Grip tape good...

make sure the surface is good and clean of grease and oil..it will last a really long time...even after a good dunk in solvents..

[kinsco276]

I have used 3M non skid tape from Home Depot for about 10 years. When everyone was still using the pre cut shapes for STI guns, the stuff would come off easily if it got wet with solvent. I was in a pinch on a Sat night before a match and was at Home Depot when I found it and tried it. It sticks better than anything else Ive ever tried, even when it gets wet.

I have skateboard tape on EVERYTHING I own, it actually feels weird if I dont have it.

Kevin

[angus hobdell]

meeeee toooooooooHome Depot Tread tape in the painting and decorating section.
Only sold by the roll now I belive.

[CZinFLA]

Yep, I like grip tape too.  Here is the grip tape on my two new TWINS!

Thanks Angus!!

[kinsco276]

Couple of nice looking pieces there !!

[Stuart]

The 3M stuff is really good and aggressive too..

Tom..nice pair..
when you switch over to the BladeTech..the tape on the side for your weakhand thumb may or may not work..depending on how your holster fits...might also break loose some grit that will either get into your gun or at minimum scratch it up...

also on  your FO sights..which one are  you using?? the 1mm or the 1.5mm
curious on what you thought..I ended going back to a serrated black front sight..

[CZinFLA]

The sights are .120 at the post and .050 at the fiber so I guess that makes the 1mm.  They are whatever Angus puts on them.  I don't have too much of an issue as these are like the Dawson and Brazos sights where the fiber dot is actually quite small as oppose to the ones where the dot is a big melted blob.  I use the dot more to find the post quicker that to actually use it as a sight, so I could understand why you would go back to a regular post front sight.  That would not be a far fetched idea for me either.

As for the Blade-Tech... I have a box full of them and a safe full of guns with worn finishes!  Thank God USPSA got their heads straight and allow us to re-finish our production guns any way we want.  I never could figure out how hard chroming my LDA gave me some type of advantage.

I appreciate the heads up on the grip tape thing.  I have always had it there on mu various 1911's.  Maybe I will be able to wean myself off of it some day (soon?).

[Stuart]

yeah..understand about the worn gun..have had several 1911s with no blueing left..

my SP01  is getting pretty worn...a couple of guys just got their Minked up guns and they are nice and pretty and black compared to mine..but I sure do love it..

[alzo]

I use Dunk-Kit to clean my guns. Would skateboard or similar tape hold up to being dunked in solvent/oil like that, or would it be forever curling up at the edges and coming loose ?

[elsolo75]

It would probubly loosen up. If I use spray on cleaners it loosens, but it is cheap and easy to replace, that $5 piece of skateboard tape willl last 5+ years.

Here's the tip for fast and easy grip tape install:

Remove grips
Cut it so it's the right height for the frontstrap.
Wipe down the frontstrap with rubbing alcohol.
Apply it to the frontstrap and press it down good.
Use a sharp X-acto to trim it under thr grips using the edge of the frame as a guide.(only the side of the blade touches the frame, not the sharp point)
install grips and pat yourself on the back.

[alzo]

I just don't know if I'd want to replace the tape after each range outing (I clean after each trip to the range).  Maybe I'll try it sometime.  It's a cheap enough experiment.  Thanks for the reply.

[Phast12]

I've found that even though you dont have to replace the tape that often that making a template for my guns keeps me from having to get sharp objects near them to often. Paranoia is my Friend!