"Skateboard" tape

S

Skorzeny

New member
Since I have relatively small paws, getting a good purchase on a handgun is a necessity for me to fire it with less recoil and more control.

I've heard of folks using what is referred to as "skateboard" tape. I tried using "friction" tape from a hardware store and it was NOT satisfactory (the surface was wearing off, sending little bits into the action).

Is "skateboard" tape better? Where can one find such a tape, by the way?

Skorzeny

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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
FWIW, skateboard tape (at least all of it that I have seen) is paper backed. This means that moisture and oils will destroy the backing fairly quickly. I don't think skateboard tape is suitable for use on guns. I'm sure that others will disagree though. :)

What you need is a good "bonded" plastic backed textured tape. Unfortunately I haven't found any that I really liked. Maybe someone else has?

I'd suggest getting the grip area of your gun stippled if you really want it texture for added grip. Stippled metal or polymer won't be destroyed by celaning solvents and moisture/oils like tape will. Just my .02...



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Georgia TFL'ers get together:
May 20, 2000-From 3pm to 6pm
http://www.wolfcreek-gun.com
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R6...aka...Chris
 
I use 3M stairstep stuff. It comes in a couple different grit sizes. Here in Colorado it's at Ace Hardware stores. It comes in rolls about a foot wide and you just cut off what you need. A couple bucks gets you a lifetime supply.
 
I've been using skateboard tape for a
couple of years on a variety on hand-
guns, rifles and shotguns.
What I use is plastic not paper backed.
To date, the grit had not worn off at
all on any gun.

I just went through a two (long) day
handgun course and followed up with an
IDPA shoot....No problems. For me,
grip tape or skateboard tape is a great
answer to getting a grip.

I guess there must be different brands of
it available because what I use is not
what you have described..

I bought mine at a home improvement center.
Cut a couple feet off a large roll, so I
have no idea of the brand.

Incidently, you might want to try "grip
tape" designed for ball bats, golf clubs,
and tennis racquets. It is designed for
hard use and is plastic backed.. Check
your local sporting goods outlet. I'll
bet that's your answer.


[This message has been edited by Sport (edited May 19, 2000).]
 
I`ve been using "skateboard tape" that came in a 1'x3' sheet. It`s black and feels like 120grit sandpaper. I love this stuff! I haven`t had any problems at all with it peeling up or being effected by sweat or oil so far. I put a strip of it on the front and backstraps but none on the sides. For the $5 it cost it`s worth trying out. I bought it at a local sporting goods store,I`d think almost any one would have it. The earlier post got me thinking about water and tape so I just stuck a square of it to the inside of a plasitc cup and filled it with water,I`ll post results later on tonight. :) Marcus
 
I found some marine anti-skid tape at a marina last year. It has a rubberized stippled surface and the adhesive is extremely strong. I've used it on knife handles and on guns. If you have a gun with screw on grips, and you only need tape on either the front or back strap, it's a good idea to not remove the backing, but tighten the grips over the tape securely. This ensures no future cleanup and the grips will hold the tape securely if screwed tightly.

There are also very thin checkered pieces, I think of aluminum, that are made for 1911 front straps, that are held in place by the grips.

Be careful of sandpaper types of grip tape, it will eventaully come off and polish things you don't want polished, like finishes and internals.
 
Skorzeny, I bought 3M stair tape at my local hardware store. I bought the black tape for my blued guns and the silver tape for my stainless guns. It cost about .50 cents a foot. I have not had it peel off at all on any of my guns and the grit does not wear off at all. The silver stuff is a little more rubbery than the black. It works great and looks O.K. too. If you can't find any near you, drop my your address and the color you need and I will send you a piece of mine.

Frank
 
The test results are in. After 3 hours submerged in water the "tape" was still stuck to the inside of the cup. After peeling it off the back surface was no longer very sticky,but it stayed firmy in place until I peeled it off. The grit is still tough and I was unable to get any to rub off even scrubbing it hard with my thumb. I was still unable to rip it or stretch it by hand. The backing appears to be a very thin gray plastic of some kind and was apparently unaffected by the bath. Marcus
 
I'll second the 3M stuff. All my glocks wear it. I usually have to replace it about once a year. It really helps getting a secure grip. Later, byerly.
 
I have been using skateboard tape on several of my guns for past 2 or 3 years with complete satisfaction. I got 1'x 3' piece from stateboard/rollerblade shop for $5 and it has 100 grit feel. Back side looks and feels like some kind of cloth and will usually last through 5 or 6 cleaning. I usually use one of the regular bore cleaner and tooth brush to scrub the gun and then use carb cleaner for final rinse and this tape does not come off. I'll admit that 30 lpi checkering looks better but for the same price I can buy enough skateboard tapes for life time and have enough money left to load about 3,000 rounds.
 
I but my skateboard tape from an actual skateboard shop in the mall. It's the only thing I've ever gone into a place like that for. Real skateboard tape for real skateboards will last a good long time. Another plus is that the skater dudes always want to know what I want with 1 or 2 foot squares of the stuff (I have it on a lot of guns) and I tell 'em! Get the real stuff--it's the cheapest, and lasts just fine and will not "flake off." I know what you used, and that's not it.
Taco, checkering may look more elegant, but a nicely shaped piece of "S" tape looks much more business like.
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Frontsight!
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"Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper

[This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited May 20, 2000).]
 
The latest issue of American Handgunner has a little blurb on using skateboard tape. In short, it is a good way to get cheap checkering, but is also non-permanent in case you don't like it.
 
I don't know about skateboard tape, but sports grip tape isn't a good option if you want something that won;t losee it's grit. I used alot of the stuff on hockey sticks for a few years and usually ended up replacing it once every two weeks. I was playing every day during that time period. It was useful to build up and cussion the grip however. It tended to peel of and curl at the ends after a while too. However, skateboard tape wouldn't be repeatadly wrapped, to it's less likely to do that.

PK
 
I have heard of using that tape on pistol grips.
Never tried it myself. Just don’t use super glue!
I’m still typing with one hand.
 
I'll throw in my vote for Pachmayr's Pac-Skin. It provides a tacky, non-abrasive, rubberized surface using neoprene.

I'm using it on my Para-Ordnance P-13.

SA Scott
 
Oh, I almost forgot. You have to completely degrease the area where you are putting the tape or it will NOT stick. Simple Green will do a good job.

Frank
 
Pardon me, but...

gtagrip1.gif


http://www.brookstactical.com/

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Reality ALWAYS takes precedence.
 
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