There are many reasons to use grip tape on firearms, especially pistols. In this brief post, I’ll talk about three reasons to add grip tape to your favorite firearm. I’ll also describe the three most common types of grip tape, and the pros and cons of each, along with some custom materials available.
The primary reason most people consider grip tape is to add purchase to the firearm. Most firearms out thee these days have polymer frames, which can feel slippery, especially when shooting with sweaty hands, or during inclement weather. Shooting while wearing gloves can be another factor that can make handling the firearm less than ideal. While some people choose to melt texture onto the polymer frame using a soldering gun, or even pay others to do the job, it can often diminish the value of the firearm, and yield less than attractive results. The stippling process ca also make the firearm very uncomfortable to carry concealed, and the most obvious issue is it really cannot be undone. Adding grip tape can improve the feel of the firearm, without any permanent changes. This is great for people who are concerned about resale value, like the ability to change things from time to time, or even law enforcement and security personnel who are not permitted to make any permanent alterations to the issued firearm they carry on-duty. Grip tape also stays in place, unlike slip-on grip sleeves that often rotate on the firearm, especially when temperatures are high.
Another reason some folks choose to apply grip tape is to make the firearm more comfortable to carry concealed. Most people have heard of certain models described as feeling like “cheese graters” against their skin, or know someone who doesn’t like to spend much time on the range with their firearm because it hurts their hand while firing. Adding grip tape can easily make the firearm more comfortable, making shooting sessions more enjoyable, and daily carry more comfortable.
The third reason many people add grip tape is to customize the appearance of their firearm. One can add a custom grip tape for a small fraction of the cost of applying custom finishes, and with the low cost of grip tapes, it’s easy to change the look whenever the mood strikes. Adding custom grip also serves the purpose of enhancing the feel, which is something that applied finishes does not do.
Moving on to the most common types of grip tape, the three most common types are embossed rubber, granulated rubber, and mineral grit. Nearly all “rubber” grips out there are actually a synthetic material, overwhelmingly a plasticized vinyl, with an embossed surface providing texture. These grips offer improved feel, while being the most comfortable choice to carry concealed. They are also the most form fitting option of the three, since the material can be heated with a hair dryer to form it like a skin to the surface of the firearm. Rubber grip tape overlays can usually be found in black and gray, but some other colors may be available.
The second material I’ll describe is granulated rubber. Granulated rubber is great because it provides a more aggressive feel than embossed rubber, while not being abrasive, so there’s no risk of damage to clothing or car seats. Embossed rubber grip tape is also comfortable enough for most people to wear against skin, making them a great choice for concealed carry. The drawback of granulated rubber grip tapes is it will eventually shed the granulated rubber particles from the surface, reducing the quality of the feel. In my personal experience, I’ve found these types of grips will hold up a year or two while carrying concealed every day. It’s kind of a “your mileage may vary” type of thing, depending on usage, carry method, and environmental considerations. As far as I’ve found, granulated rubber grip tapes are only available in black, but some may notice small specks of other colors mixed into the black surface.
The last of the common grip tape materials I’ll mention is mineral grit. It’s often compared to sandpaper, or skateboard tape, although most mineral grit grip tapes are made using mineral grit bonded to a very thin polymer base layer, rather than a paper base typical of sandpaper and other gritty tapes. Mineral grit grip tape provides the most aggressive feel of any of the three I’m describing. I generally recommend this type to folks who use their firearms for competition or target shooting only, since the grit will quickly damage clothing, ad can damage car seats and seatbelts, along with furniture surfaces. Mineral grit grip tape is available in many colors, with black and gray being offered most commonly.
Before wrapping up this post, I’ll also mention some custom materials used to make grip tape. One of my favorites is cork. It is an excellent material for shooting with wet hands, and has centuries-old history of being used on fishing poles, where wet conditions are expected. It’s also comfortable to wear against skin, and comes in countless colors and prints. There are many other custom options out there, including custom printed rubberized textiles, and materials embossed with knurled patterns, or even textures like snake skin scales. Custom printing is also something that’s available for grip tapes. There really is no end to the possibilities these days.
I hope this post was useful. I’ve been in the grip-making business for over twenty years, and have handled hundreds of firearms wearing them. I’ve also designed grips and been involved in sourcing materials used to make them for decades. I’m always on the hunt for something new to use, and constantly looking for ways to improve upon the options available. I’d love to hear suggestions, or work on bringing a new project to reality. I really appreciate your visit to this post. I wish you a safe and enjoyable range day, and happy carrying.
-Don Myers