Grip Sleeve Alternatives

[mr surveyor]

For those that like "Do It Yourself" projects, here's a few alternatives for grip sleeves four your pistols. There have been a few mentions of the homebrewed bicycle tube grip sleeves in the dedicated pistol sub-forums recently, and I thought it may be helpful for those interested to see the experiences of others from several years ago.

So as not to risk violating the sensitivities of the board here by posting direct links to other gun forums, I will just give a couple of "Googlefu" keywords for searches that will take you directly to a couple of websites that are rich in "DIY" information on the subject:

Poor Man's Grip Sleeve

Poor Man's Handall Jr


Some of the above search results (dating back to '03-'04) will still have graphics available, some are long gone.

Hope this helps a few folks.


surv:)

[Vinikahr]

Poor Man’s Grip Sleeve


1. Buy a bicycle inner tube about 27" tube (1 1/8" x 1 1/4" x 1 3/8"). 2. Print out the template and cut a 3" section of inner tube to work with. (The tall back edge should be 2 1/4" tall. If your printout doesn't match this, measure your printout. Then divide 2.25 by your measurement. Print again, but in the printer preferences, change "print 100% to normal" to "print [your dividend]% to normal. On my printer it's 82%.)


http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/68.jpg 3. Use tape to mark your cutting lines if desired.

http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/69.jpg 4. Cut off excess rubber from tube. The inside of the tube is covered with a white powder. Clean off the white powder.

http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/70.jpg 5. Fold the bottom of the tube inward about 3/8".

http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/71.jpg 6. Stretch the folded end of the tube over the bottom of the grip.

http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/73.jpg
http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/74.jpg 7. Pull the top edge of the tube up over the grip, and fit into place.

http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/75.jpg 8. Presto! Your new Rubber Grip Sleeve!


http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/77.jpg

[Vinikahr]

http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a7/79.jpg

[mr surveyor]

If you will follow all the links I referred to, you will find a lot of information on building up the backstrap (for those with long fingers/big hands) and a ton of other useful hints on the construction of custom made grip sleeves. Some of the participants in those "discussions" were also very instrumental in other DIY modifications for the products of another gun maker.

surv

edit to add: the "template" was designed for a KT pistol... not exactly the same as you may need for a Kahr

[Bawanna]

Here's my version of the old inner tube trick. I'm still experimenting but I think I'm close to an acceptable result. I did a grip reduction, front and rear and rounded off the squared trigger guard which isn't relevant to this thread accept that I ground off the original texture, checkering whatever you want to call it. I just used a foam brush and hand applied bed liner. I think a person could leave the original stuff intact and just apply this stuff to cover it. The first two types I tried I didn't like, they provided texture but dried shiney and still slippery. This stuff (not sure I'm allowed to name brands but I will if anyone ask) had tiny little bits of rubber mixed into the stuff. It looks rougher than a cob but even dry it actually feels squeezable. (I'm sure Zena's gonna have input on that word). The spots that look like wear are where I took my dremel and knocked off high spots to make it not quite so rough. It's not nearly as cheap as a inner tube and perhaps more risky in that it would take time and effort to remove. The first two I tried came off easy but this stuff is tougher. It can be bought on line in smaller quantities but I bought a quart at NAPA for like 30 bucks. Could probably do 1000 or more guns with a quart. I got lots of ideas for the rest of it. Definitely gives a great gripping surface and in my own biased opinion looks better than a nice gun with an innertube wrapped around the handle. Although I've done that many many times over the years with good success. Gotta make it work.