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  #1  
Old 05-28-2023, 01:00 AM
Nalapombu Nalapombu is offline
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Default Best Way to Roughen Up Tyler T-Grip Surfaces…and Wood Grips???

Hey all.

Here’s another issue I’d like help with. I have the standard factory grips on my m65 in 3-inch. I also added the aluminum Tyler T-Grip adapters to them to improve the feel and handling. I like this setup and would likely stay with it rather than switch to Pachmayr or other rubber grips for carry use.

The issue I am needing help with is that the surfaces on the Tyler T-grip are slick. The bigger areas on the wood grip panels are also not very reassuring when grabbing your pistol in a very high stress situation. That’s the best way I can put it.

I’d like to find a way to keep this grip setup with the factory wood grips and the T-grips. I don’t know how to make the surfaces more “tacky” or rough to enable a more secure purchase. Do you have any ideas or suggestions I can try? What would you do to remedy this?

Thank you for your help.
Larry
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Old 05-28-2023, 02:00 AM
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Old 05-28-2023, 05:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nalapombu View Post
Hey all.

Here’s another issue I’d like help with. I have the standard factory grips on my m65 in 3-inch. I also added the aluminum Tyler T-Grip adapters to them to improve the feel and handling. I like this setup and would likely stay with it rather than switch to Pachmayr or other rubber grips for carry use.

The issue I am needing help with is that the surfaces on the Tyler T-grip are slick. The bigger areas on the wood grip panels are also not very reassuring when grabbing your pistol in a very high stress situation. That’s the best way I can put it.

I’d like to find a way to keep this grip setup with the factory wood grips and the T-grips. I don’t know how to make the surfaces more “tacky” or rough to enable a more secure purchase. Do you have any ideas or suggestions I can try? What would you do to remedy this?

Thank you for your help.
Larry
Sandpaper of a proper grit should get the job done on an aluminum T grip. I'd go in only in the long direction keeping the "scratch marks" uniformly oriented. You could start with lets say 100 grit and stop there if you're happy with that. If not, simply increase the grit number to lessen the roughness. The higher the grit, the smoother the sandpaper.

A wire wheel mounted on a grinder motor would work also - if you happen to have one.

Personally, I'd not touch the original wooden grips, but that's just me. I've found that the factory checkering in the grips themselves suffice. That said, if you truly want something more aggressive, you can get a checkering tool and deepen the checkering by following and chasing the lines.

Last edited by chief38; 05-28-2023 at 05:40 AM.
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Old 05-28-2023, 05:48 AM
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Are you saying in case of a high stress situation?

I would not sandpaper anything. I would change to combat grips or rubber. Probably rubber. They do have an application.
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:02 AM
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I'd be reluctant to modify factory stocks or a T-Grip.

It wasn't uncommon back in the day for people to put a few fat rubber bands around the grip, but it does look a little tacky (pun intended). I don't know that anyone makes rubber grip sleeves to accommodate Magna's and a T-Grip, but you might try a section of bicycle inner tube. They might just give you an old tube for free at a local bike shop.
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by s&wchad View Post
I'd be reluctant to modify factory stocks or a T-Grip.

It wasn't uncommon back in the day for people to put a few fat rubber bands around the grip, but it does look a little tacky (pun intended). I don't know that anyone makes rubber grip sleeves to accommodate Magna's and a T-Grip, but you might try a section of bicycle inner tube. They might just give you an old tube for free at a local bike shop.
While I wouldn't purposely scratch up a Tyler T Grip either, if it were to be done it could still be brought back to "factory" (if desired) with use of fine grit sandpaper and some Flitz polish. I have done this with some purchased for a few bucks at gun shows - works great every time.
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:59 AM
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Original stocks, magnas? I personally prefer magnas or service paired with a grip adapter. When I wore a badge, that was what I used, and continue to use until now. I never found them to be slick or too smooth. But, you do so how do we fix that?

If you are not married to the Tyler, purchase a BK adapter. Easier to acquire, and less money if you do not like the results. To roughen the grip adapter, I would suggest sand blasting or similar. It should not require much roughness to significantly change the feel. You might be able to stipple the surface of the finger grooves and accomplish the same thing.

The stock, are the smooth or checkered? If smooth, swap them for a checkered pair. If checkered, perhaps they need to have the points freshened?

Friction tape, skateboard tape, etc., are other options.

Good luck and let us know what works for you.

Kevin
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Old 05-28-2023, 09:38 AM
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You might want to try a BK grip adapter, which are molded resin. You can make the "texture" with a soldering iron very easily. They are also much less expensive than the Tyler and often fit better. Check out the classifieds on this forum, BK is a contributing member.
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Old 05-28-2023, 10:04 AM
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I use Talon Gun Grip material (rubber texture) on my polymer frame guns and I keep it in the strips and sheets to use on phone cases and etc. The Talon Gun Grip material will adhere well on just about anything. Like several have said before me, I wouldn’t scuff a Tyler-T or factory grips, period.
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Old 05-28-2023, 10:18 AM
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If you really want to modify those grips and Tyler T, just stipple them. I use a metal punch which I've modified to a pyramid shape. Put the part to be stippled in a secure fixture. Hold the punch with one hand and use a light hammer. Keep the punch above the part and tap it with the hammer so that the punch keeps coming back up after each strike. It will be sort of a sewing machine action. You can also do the backstrap on the revolver. Having said all of that, I'd go with Hogue rubber grips!
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Old 05-28-2023, 11:30 AM
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I would not alter the original magna stocks and the Tyler T grip. Try out GT-5000 Grip Tape (guntape.com), cut to fit and apply to backstrap and Tyler grip. Tape stands up very well, fairly cheap, reversable and provides a good grip. For rubber grips Larry might want to consider Uncle Mikes boot grips, very close in size to the K frame magna stocks with a Tyler T grip.
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Old 05-28-2023, 04:28 PM
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Buy a small sheet of talon brand grip tape. Use a hairdryer. Mold it to the T Grip and then trim accordingly. I had talons grip on my duty Glock for years they hold up.
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Old 05-28-2023, 05:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s&wchad View Post
I'd be reluctant to modify factory stocks or a T-Grip.

It wasn't uncommon back in the day for people to put a few fat rubber bands around the grip, but it does look a little tacky (pun intended)..
One of my first J-frames carried as a backup was so "modded". T-grip with about 3 bands of the type found on broccolli stalks in the produce section. They are very wide, and hold quite tightly.
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Old 05-28-2023, 06:27 PM
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I would use glass bead blasting,,
Start with low pressure, so low nothing happens, then raise the air pressure until the desired surface is created.

Maybe even blasting with walnut hulls, corn cob, or other non destructive materials may result in
"just the right surface"!!
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Old 05-29-2023, 08:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VictorLouis View Post
One of my first J-frames carried as a backup was so "modded". T-grip with about 3 bands of the type found on broccolli stalks in the produce section. They are very wide, and hold quite tightly.
Rubber bands deteriorate over time and like everything else, when you really need them, they will fail. I would instead go with the appropriate size bicycle inner tube and stretch it over both the grip and grip adapter. Inner tubes seem to last forever. I've done this a few times and it works.
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Old 05-31-2023, 06:03 PM
Nalapombu Nalapombu is offline
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I think I’ll just try other grips until I find what feels best to me.

I was mainly thinking of strategic use of skateboard tape or maybe something else that would “stick” to the surface to improve purchase. I don’t think I could’ve went thru with doing anything to the T-grips that would damage them, especially when I read comments from others on how hard they are to get.
The factory stocks are damaged. It is a police trade in that came with the factory grips and a set of boot styled rubber grips from a maker I’ve never heard of.

It looks like the previous owner when putting the wooden grips back on just kept on with the screwdriver. You can see the side on 1 side where the wood just gave way and started caving in. They can’t be repaired, I don’t think. They’ll stay in place and have the exact same feel they’re supposed to have but I have to watch when re-installing them that I don’t tighten them more than needed and cause more damage. I’m gonna get a new set of factory grips and find a set that feels right to my hand.

I appreciate you all taking time to help me.
Have a great week all.

Larry
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Old 05-31-2023, 10:28 PM
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Maybe a 2” strip of skateboard tape around the grip? Not pretty, but it’s grippy
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Old 06-03-2023, 09:35 PM
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Put skate board tape on the T and on the wood stocks.
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Old 06-03-2023, 10:10 PM
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If you really like the Magna / Tyler T combo, and are serious about doing it right - I would buy a pair of smooth Altamont walnut colored laminated service grips. I would stipple the entire outer grip surface. I would then stipple the face of the Tyler T grip - its a grip adaptor, a tool, not a collectors item.

Now you have a serious use handgun that has been customized to your hand for not a lot of $$. That's what I might do, anyway.

Larry
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Old 06-04-2023, 08:33 AM
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Gun tape is more expensive than the skateboard tape I use. Remarkably, it seems like the very same thing At any rate, I'd throw some grip tape on there and call it good. Just be mindful of where you put it, it could foul with cover garments and slow presentation.
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