For years I've heard of people using a section of a bicycle inner tube as a grip sleeve. Out of boredom last night I tried it on my Shield. Gotta say that it rivals any grip I've ever felt yet adds ZERO width to the grip.

Has anyone else tried this? One question I have is why is it that some people boil the section of tube before putting it on their gun? Another question would be does anyone know of any tricks for doing this that would make the tube easier to apply, assures that it stays put, any particular type of tube to use, etc?




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You went $4 over budget! Go to your local bike repair shop and ask if they have any tubes with holes in them (from bikes they have repaired). They are usually happy to give them away.

They were closed, only walmart is open when I get off duty. I tend to be impulsive as well. Lol


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Boiling it (basically, heating it in hot water...don't boil it too long) softens it and makes it easier to get on the frame without tearing it. However, this is more often needed with a stiffer grip sleeve (like a Hogue Handall) than you would need with an inner tube.

You can also use a wooden tongue depressor or Popsicle stick (clean it first) as a tool to help put it on. For obvious reasons, don't use a knife.

Many people use a drop of dish soap in a small amount of water, applied to the inside, to make it slide on easier. Then let it air dry or dry it with a hair dryer. You can use a dab of silicone to help hold it in place.

I've put several grip sleeves on, Pachmarys and Hogues, and I've never done anything but work them on. It does take some patience, which I usually don't have, but it can be done.

Thanks a lot! I've already got a few friends who want me to make and put them on their handguns(guess they are too lazy and know I enjoy screwing around with stuff like this). The Popsicle stick will be a tremendous help!


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A tried and true system that long predated the Hogue and Uncle Mike's grip sleeves for sure. A good reminder though that it is a low or no cost option. I have even seen people stretch larger tubes over the hand guards of an AR15.

Not to mention that you have a good reason to eat Popsicles!

I use a product by Tourna called Gauze Grip Tape [SKU# GT-BK] [UPC# 078914003110]. This product used to be normally stocked by Sports Authority. I can only find it on Amazon now. Although not as good as the Tourna Gauze Grip Tape, Rawlings Bat Tape can be purchased at Academy for about $3 a roll.

On my AR15s with 13" long metal handguards, I usually create a grip surface at the end on the handguard with: a) 2 layers of DEI 1" header wrap, b) 1 layer of self sealing silicon tape and c) 2 layers of gauze grip tape.

Motorcycle hand grips can be installed using hair spray, which acts as a lubricant when wet and a light adhesive when dry. Seems like it would work just as well for a grip sleeve.

The question I have for you, 45doubletap is where in the world did you come up with $4 to spend freely?? You must be single, lol.

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Former USN, Retired US Army

And if he's single, he just might have to spring another $4 for a can of hair spray!

The reasoning behind boiling the rubber tube in hot water is because materials develop a "memory" to its existing unstressed form. Once this memory is set, the material will seek to return to this form. Springs and elastic polymers (like rubber bands), for example, take advantage of this property. Materials typically have a particular temperature at which this "memory" is released and the material can be reformed. In the case of the rubber inner tube, this process resets the rubber material's "memory" and allows the rubber to form somewhat to the handgrips contours after installation.