Hello All,

I took it upon myself to purchase a roll of grip tape from Lowe's this weekend and installed it on my grip.




I am happy with the results, but I have an M&P CORE and I want to do the same thing, but I'm not sure if I like my "custom" job or if the Talon or Traction grips would be better.

I am thinking about going with a custom color, like tan, coyote, or flat dark earth just to be different and I don't think that Talon or Traction accommodate those colors. I also added my own "extras" along the slide (left side) and on the trigger guard (right side) where my index finger and thumb rest that Traction and Talon do not include.

My only complaint about my "custom" job, right now, is when I holster the weapon, it's tight and I can hear and see where the grip tape is rubbing the holster...hard.

What's your opinion? Are any of you using custom, Talon, or Traction grips? Photos? Thoughts?

*subscribes to thread*

I'm very interested in what gets posted here. I'm picking up my Shield tomorrow and want to add some grip to it. Just from reading reviews online etc. I'm leaning towards the Traction rubber grips. This is going to be my CCW, so the regular gritty sand paper type grip tape is not going to work for me, I need a softer more rubbery surface.

I'm anxious to read opinions.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Also interested, I find the grip can get a bit...well not slippery, but I can start to feel it shifting during range sessions. Seems like Talon is the preferred method, but honestly imo it looks like ****. Not sure of any other option (without substantially thickening up the grip, that is), though?

Saw these too:



Looks gray to me, but the ad says they're black.

Haven't tried any of the commercially made grips, but a bicycle tube works wonders, very grippy and cheap!

I ordered the Talon tonight, and will give it a try. I see some are black, while some or more of a grey-ish color - if I read right the rubber version is truly black while the granulate is the more gray appearing one, so I went with rubber, which also seems to be the preferred choice for carry.

Of course I'm the kind of guy who can screw up putting on a band-aid, something about adhesive tapes/etc and me just don't get along lol, so hopefully I can install without too much drama...

After YouTube'n and web surfing... I decided to go with Traction Grips. Don is really nice and will answer any questions you have about his product. They cost $8.79 and I've thoroughly enjoyed them. They are not granulate, more of a rubber feel... But not tacky. They provide a real nice grip and they are a great improvement to the pistol.

http://www.tractiongrips.com/catalog/c33_p1.html










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SportScout

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Those traction grips look fantastic. I think I'll try those. Thanks for the awesome pics!

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Still carrying my S&W 642

I've used the Talon grip tape on a couple of my plastic guns.
( IMO, good product, does the job, not very expensive )

I used the rubber Talon grip tape the last time and I like it better than the sandpaper tape. Doesn't snag clothing, etc. as much..

The mag strip piece also prevents the grip extension on the extended mag from sliding around.


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SportScout

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Well that shows how well I researched, I never even saw these. And half the price too. Oh well Talon's are on the way. If they are tacky I may send them back and try these instead. How long have you had them on?

i love my traction grips on my shield

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Names Yezin M&P45 M&P Shield9

I think you will like the Talon. They are cut to give you a perfect fit over the entire grip, and they include an extra piece for the finger rest on the 8 round mag. IMHO the rubber is better for carry and holstering because the sandpaper is rough on the skin or can really scratch up the holster (depending on holster of course).

Two and half weeks... About two hundred rounds.


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SportScout

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Those Traction Grips look like an interesting alternative to the Talon product. My Talons came unglued along the backstrap where the two pieces of tape meetup. The Traction solution looks like it avoids joining along the backstrap and may prove a better solution. Worth a shot for the price.

Since I have some laying around, I thought I'd try some skateboard deck tape. It's thin, really grippy, and sticks like crazy. I can also put it exactly where I want it, and it's pretty easy to cut to shape. This is what I ended up w/ at first. I put 100 rds through it last night and am pretty happy w/ it so far.

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LE6920 M&P 15-22 M&P 9 10-22TD

How do you like that trigger?


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It's pretty nice...but I haven't fired a stock M&P in ages so it's hard to compare. Still a little long in the pull, but light. The one thing that I don't love is the reset, I can barely feel it. The reset on my 15-22 is impossible to miss, I can barely tell w/ the Apex. I bought it used and don't know exactly what was done to it, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Any idea if there's any way to get a little more positive feel to the reset?

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LE6920 M&P 15-22 M&P 9 10-22TD

I think there is a mod called a RAM? Something like that, I think it makes it just a little more "Glocky".


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Excellent work my friend. You have mastered the x-acto knife.


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SportScout

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My only wish is that Talon Grips make their rubberized grips in Flat dark earth!

Here is another option. I borrowed these pics from another forum, But I have these on my M&P in the rubber texture, just didn't have any pics ready.
X-Treme Grips for S&W M&P
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Here is a link to the cut to size rubber grip tape. Enough to do 3 or more guns. I have tried it works great. I bought this for my son's ps3 controllers, when I received it, I saw that it was the same as the talon and X-tream rubber grip tape.
Amazon.com : 6-Pack Grip Tape for Your Pistol * Use on handguns and rifles * Not gritty like sandpaper or skateboard tape. * Does not scuff clothing, holsters, furniture or car seats like those sandy tapes. * Makes chambering a round easier for arthritis sufferers or anyone with less strength in their hands. * Easy to cut and apply. Follows contours better than other tapes. * Improves wet and dry grip. * Improves accuracy at the range or in an emergency. * Quicker more positive acquisition from holster, waistband, glove box or purse. * Perfect match to Glock texturing. * Durable synthetic rubber. Use on grips and slides. * Removes cleanly with no sticky residue. : Gun Grips : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61AX-6OGeAL.@@AMEPARAM@@61AX-6OGeAL

After all the research, I ended up ordering the Talon rubber grips. They seem to provide the most quality product with ease of installation and overall durability.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

you will love them. I can't believe it took me so long to order up a set.

Can't go wrong with Talon grips , I have them on my 9c .
Or you can go custom and get some stippling done like the
45c on the right
image.jpg

Talons arrived today, nice that they include alcohol wipes as I seem to be out. Will attempt not to screw up putting them on later today I suspect

Clean the grip really good with the alchohol wipes , and if your using a hair dryer , go over 3 or 4 times. Good luck !

I have a set of Traction Grips on a Kel Tec PF9, (those little guns could use all the help they can get), they've been on the gun over a year, several range trips, lots of pocket carry, they are still on the gun, NOTHING has come loose.

Hair dryer? Hmm, guess i better read the instructions .

I have Talon grips on 2 Glocks and a Shield. If applied correctly, they will last a lifetime. Here are the rubber Talons on my Shield.

Hair dryer or heat gun activates the adhesive . So once you have the grips on, heat the grips, press firmly all over the grip, repeat

No hair drier, but I have a heat gun, I suspect that would work on the low setting... I'll prob install this evening if I get some free time.

I think I am just going to get the frame stippled. I know it costs more, but I'm not a fan of covering the "stock" lines of M&P grips. I like the "S" shape. It's totally a signature look for the M&P. I don't want to lose that.

Look at Damato's Custom Stiipling, he stippled my 45c . Did a great job !

He will have my frame on Monday.

Finally got around to installing, wasn't as hard as I expected. I had to do a minor trim (1/16") on one of the uppermost rear strap tab as it overlapped just a tiny bit, but other than that it wasn't hard at all. Went over it a few times with heat gun on low... results are pretty nice imo.

Talons in any flavor! I've used them on Glocks and XDs, both the rubber and granulate. I much prefer the granulate. Some dislike the granulate because it is very, very grippy and tends to snag and wear on covering clothes. Simple fix, take some fine sandpaper and lightly sand the grip surface. Takes off the sharp edges, yet retains the positive grip.

Good Luck and good shooting.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I'm very pleased with Traction Grips on my Shield. There was a noticeable difference in grip while shooting, the gun didn't feel like it was moving in my hand at all and actually helped my grouping a bit. Best purchase under $10 for my Shield by far.

I have Traction grips on a PM9 and Talon's on my Shield. Both work, neither have caused any issues, the Traction were considerably cheaper.

Check out galloway grips...cheap...get the rubberized version.

Whose are these? Link?

Never could get any traction grips to stay put when you run the gun hard. IMO a good stippling job with an undercut on the trigger guard is the only way to go.

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unrepentant M&P fanboy

Took my nightstand guns and carry guns out for a quick cleaning and decided to post a picture. They are all wearing the Talon rubber grips.

How many hands do you have? Nightstand gunS!

One on my side of the bed, one on my wife's side. The other two (glock 26 and shield) are in the carry rotation

I love the feel of the Talon rubber grips, but on all three applications (M&P Pro and Shield [x2]) the back right "panel" peels off after a serious range session. I ended up cutting this corner off, and am trying that for now (so far so good), but I'm disappointed. I followed the directions perfectly, and even did more than was required for the second application of the Shield (per Talon's redirection), but the same thing happened as on the first. I will try plane and simple skateboard tape from Home Depot next time.

This was my experience as well.

Although installed per instructions, the Talon grips on my M&P lasted about two range sessions.

The back area started to peel and I just got fed up and peeled the rest off. Which is a shame because I liked the texture.

Maybe it's a function of the firmness of one's grip (I grip pretty hard)?

Anyways, glad they work for some folks, they are a good option, just not for me.

I have rubberized talons on my shield and rubberized traction grips on my Ruger SR9c. There is no difference that I can tell or see in the 2 products other than the way they are cut out which makes me question why the Talons are twice the price. They have both been on the guns the same length of time and have held up equally well

I've had the Talon rubber grips on my Shield for about 6 months and carry it daily against bare skin on my hip. Adds a great feel to the Shield and has not peeled or worn.


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