Seriously, What is Wrong With The Tyler T Grip Co?

[Grayfox]

I would love to see Tyler get their stuff together. I'd order in a heartbeat.
Bear in mind that this is a small family owned company that's still making T-grips the same way they did back in the 60s. Probably on the same machines. I bet there aren't but a couple of people working there these days.
Add in the family fussin', legal woes and money problems, I'm surprised they're still in business at all.
And while the folks on this forum are huge fans, bear in mind that the T-grip is a niche product with a very limited customer base.
They're running months and months behind on just mail orders. No way they could keep up with on-line ordering.
Its sad to say, but I'm afraid they're days are numbered.

BTW: I tried the copy cat product. Didn't care for it.

 

[Farmer17]

I remember driving by Melvin Tyler's building on Britton Road in OKC back in the 1990's and it was only a few miles from my house. Calling it a building was an overstatement, it was actually a tiny little shack that looked like it was about to fall down. I have owned a few of their grip adapters but I was never too crazy about their looks or how they attached using those tiny copper tabs that were sandwiched by the grips to hold them in place.

 

[Stephanie B]

If you are just looking for one for a shooter then you might like a BK grip adapter.

+1 there. You can buy it from his website and if he has the one you want in stock, he ships very quickly by Priority Mail.

 

[federali]

Economic Reality

I'm no expert on this topic but I suspect that the sudden swing to autoloaders from revolvers by police departments starting in the 80s must have been hell for manufacturers of revolver accessories such as T grips, duty holsters and speed loaders.

 

[labworm]

I have spoken to the new owner years ago, I think his name is Brian who is also a LEO.

After the fathers death (original owner) there was the usual family greed battle which took awhile to settle. This actually almost brought the business to a total halt and orders began to fall behind.

And then the business was hit hard by a tornado in Oklahoma, another halt to the operation.

There was a long waiting period to receive ordered items (6-8 months) but I did receive whatever I ordered.

Really don't know what is happening at the present time at Tyler Manufacturing.

 

[TenTea]

I was told by the current owner that the tornado wiped not only the shop, but his home too.
That was a couple years ago and he was lamenting the fact there were so many orders and no way to fill them.
What a mess.
I had a T-grip on order at that time and the wait was like 13 months!
I think I still owned the gun I had in mind for the grip.
Other times, the wait was a month or two.
I haven't ordered direct for some time now.

The last couple, I've bought used at gunshops or on eBay.

 

[venomballistics]

with a 3 month turn around, anyone in the market for this product could make one with a chunk of steel, grinder and hand file.
Option B might be to hand carve out a set of grips from the wood of your choice to the same effect.

 

[mc5aw]

The hassle of dealing with the current incarnation of Tyler is not worth anyone's time or money. Contact BK Grips and get a top notch functional grip without fear of getting rooked. If you must have a Tyler, expect to pay up online.

 

[Texas Star]

The few pics I've seen of BK adaptors look shorter than the Tylers.

Could we please see more BK pics and read some testimony from buyers?

What are BK's made from?

Is any patent on Tyler's expired?

 

[Ranger514]

I just received a black 3R that I ordered from brownbing. It came in an original, unopened Tyler's-T box. The quality and workmanship is much better than what the company is currently turning out. This older grip adapter actually fits my RB snubby 66, which is something the current company was unable to accomplish.

I sent two of the current models back to the company because neither one fit well. There were noticeable gaps next to the trigger guard, and rough, unfinished edges on both those grips. I sent the last one back with a letter advising them to either send me a decent grip that fit, or refund my money. That was about five months ago, and I haven't heard back. I'll likely never receive another from them, much less my money. If you want one that fits, check out what's being sold by some of our fellow forum members, and buy one of the earlier manufactured models.

 

[Waywatcher]

I sent off a check and order form (for one) in yesterday's mail.

I will be sure to update.

 

[JJEH]

Their website says:

TYLER MFG
PO BOX 492
NEWALLA, OK 74857

ATTENTION CUSTOMERS:

Currently, processing back orders. This process may take up to 30 days to complete and ship these orders. For status updates, call during hours listed above.

Sorry for the delay, we appreciate your patients.

This page was last updated, OCTOBER 20, 2014

Tyler Manufacturing and Distribution Company, Inc

 

[Waywatcher]

It didn't say Newalla a week ago. The most recent update to their website was yesterday; they must have moved. I'm sure their mail will be forwarded as normal.

 

[JJEH]

It didn't say Newalla a week ago. The most recent update to their website was yesterday; they must have moved. I'm sure their mail will be forwarded as normal.

You would think so, yes.

 

[sipowicz]

A shame they are so incompetent. They are one lucky company. How many companies do you know of that have such a demand for something that is basically an antique in the gun world, yet still so popular.

 

[straightshooter1]

I probably would not order from them and if I HAD to have one (I have all I need now ), I'd bite the bullet and pay the bandit on-line price at Ebay or wherever.

But, a serious question. I see a request for photos of the BK adapters.

I thought the guy who made them was a member here. I "think" I recall when he started making them and all the posts concerning them.

Is he no longer here? I can't recall his user name.

Bob

 

[sheepdawg]

I probably would not order from them and if I HAD to have one (I have all I need now ), I'd bite the bullet and pay the bandit on-line price at Ebay or wherever.

But, a serious question. I see a request for photos of the BK adapters.

I thought the guy who made them was a member here. I "think" I recall when he started making them and all the posts concerning them.

Is he no longer here? I can't recall his user name.

Bob

wrangler5.


http://www.bkgrips.com/

 

[chaparrito]

Somebody ought to send them (by mail, apparently) links to all these frustrated threads. Show them the sort of business they're losing.

 

[straightshooter1]

Thanks, sheepdawg.

Bob

 

[LostintheOzone]

I didn't know anything about the grip until I purchased a model 19 that had one on it. I really didn't care much for it and took it off. Looked a bit dated to me and would sell it if someone wanted it. It's a throw back from the past because better grips are available. About the only market is retro add on's that might appeal to some collector. I'm not there so it looks like 45 lp's to me.