Rubber Talon Grips for Shield & Installation

[tennisguy]

I was 1st time buyer from them and they answered all of my questions and even offered to help when I thought I screwed up my new grip but that hasn't been needed.

Anyone out there wanting to try their grips--DO IT! After seeing their customer service I am even more of an advocate of their grips. Supporting a useful product and great customer service.

 

[Desert Dog]

"Unfortunately, when the grip is routinely exposed to that kind of heat it will probably loosen the adhesive, and once it is exposed it will not stick. You can certainly try some glue on the rubber to rubber overlap, but my guess is when you start shooting it, it will probably come loose. Our Granulate grips are much more durable to heat exposure, but I am not sure how long it will last in that kind of exposure on a daily basis. If you would like to try the Granulate, I can send you a 1/2 off coupon, but if you CC this shield, the Granulate will probably cause discomfort.

Let me know what we can do to help you out.

Sincerely,

Mike"

Good honest reply to a problem with the grips and an offer to help! I'm satisfied with the good customer service.

Even Talon grips have application limits. Extreme heat is a problem for Kydex holsters too. Raven Concealment specifically warns you about leaving one of their Kydex holsters in hot car, as it may deform the holster.

You may want to give some serious consideration to having the Shield stippled. The process is basically some variation of taking a hot soldering iron tip and touching it to the plastic. The more skilled can create different (intentional) patterns of a desired degree of roughness. Strippling can be done on just the front and rear strap areas for more concealed carry comfort. The downside (or upside - depending on perspective) is that this is a permanent mod and you have to be okay with the unique look this creates.

 

[Tim_Ballz]

I used the talon grips for one trip to the range. It was real hot and I put about 100 rounds through my Shield. My sweaty hands pretty much destroyed the rubber grips. I picked up a soldering iron on the way home and spent the rest of the night stippling it.

 

[OpsMgr]

Nice job on your grips there Tim_Ballz.

 

[Desert Dog]

I used the talon grips for one trip to the range. It was real hot and I put about 100 rounds through my Shield. My sweaty hands pretty much destroyed the rubber grips. I picked up a soldering iron on the way home and spent the rest of the night stippling it. View attachment 84168

Not doubting your experience, but can you help me understand what your mean by "destroyed". Did the adhesive simply not hold, or did the rubber material itself fall apart or fail?

Nice job on the stippling. Were I to stipple, I would likely follow the same pattern. Would you have done anything differently?

 

[Bierliebhaber]

nice work Tim. Labor of love, right there!

 

[whiskyrik]

re:Talon grips

I have thought about the Talons for my CC Glock 26, but have read that they will "eat up" a Crossbreed horsehide supertuck...any one heard of this issue?

 

[Desert Dog]

I have thought about the Talons for my CC Glock 26, but have read that they will "eat up" a Crossbreed horsehide supertuck...any one heard of this issue?

They have to be referring to the sandpaper (granulate) grips and not the rubber ones. I can't imagine the rubber ones chewing up horsehide.

 

[Tim_Ballz]

I should have been more specific, after the one time use there was almost no "stickiness" left to the rubber grips. It was real hot that day and I do sweat alot. I expected them to work better but for $10 what do you expect?

If I was to stipple that gun again I might have gone w a slightly less scratchy stipple on the side that rubs against my back but all in all I'm very happy w the way my first stipple job came out!!

 

[Desert Dog]

I should have been more specific, after the one time use there was almost no "stickiness" left to the rubber grips. It was real hot that day and I do sweat alot. I expected them to work better but for $10 what do you expect?

If I was to stipple that gun again I might have gone w a slightly less scratchy stipple on the side that rubs against my back but all in all I'm very happy w the way my first stipple job came out!!

Thanks for clarifying. You did an amazing job, considering this was your first try at it. Not sure I'm brave enough to start on my own gun first. I would proabably practice on a similar plastic material first, so that I was sure that I had the hang of it. More likely, I would just send it to someone that does this a lot and can give me options on how rough the stippling would be.

 

[Desert Dog]

Just crusing the classifieds here and noticed someone is selling stippled backstraps for M&Ps. I'm not shilling for the guy, but thought some here might find the examples of different stippling patterns available of interest.

See: http://smith-wessonforum.com/accessories-misc-sale-trade/242322-fs-stippled-m-p-grips-more.html

 

[Tim_Ballz]

Thanks for clarifying. You did an amazing job, considering this was your first try at it. Not sure I'm brave enough to start on my own gun first. I would proabably practice on a similar plastic material first, so that I was sure that I had the hang of it. More likely, I would just send it to someone that does this a lot and can give me options on how rough the stippling would be.

Thanks I practiced on a large blackstrap for my FS. (I use the med or small) its really easy to do. Just go real slow and lightly tap the grip w the soldering iron. You can always make the grip coarser but you can make it smoother. JUST GO REAL SLOW. I have no artistic talent at all. If I can do then most people should have no problem

 

[team sidewinder]

First off I am not saying there is anything wrong with the Talon rubber grips for my shield and for the price they are well worth it.

After having mine on a month I found the 8rnd mag Talon grip came off pretty early in the game and a week later the lower grip portion of the gun grip didn't want to stick all that well anymore. It is no wonder the Talon grip won't stick as it has an huge amount of rubbing pressure on them when you wear you shield IWB where the grip of the gun is rubbed by your skin when you sit and the covering layer of clothing you are wearing. I finally just left the rubber grip off the mag because it didn't seem to help much anyway but did look good and ran a peice of the rubber rescue tape ( the kind that seals onto itself ) and wrapped it around the bottom of the grip over the top of the Talon rubber grip. Works well although it doesn't look all that great but this is a CC pistol anyway where only the BG will see it when needed and I am sure he isn't going to say " That gun you have on me doesn't look good with that tape on the grip ". I do think the Talon rubber grips might stay on longer/better if you carry your pistol OWB. I would definitly buy again as they improve the grip so much and are only $14 anyway.

 

[Desert Dog]

^^^
My experience is much different. I've been carrying my Shield IWB against bare skin and see zero signs that the tape is lifting anywhere. I was very careful to prep the grip surfaces well before applying the Talon grips. You might consider taking the grips off and cleaning the grip surfaces really well with alcohol and reapplying the Talon grips again. Worth a shot, IMO.

 

[team sidewinder]

I did prep the shield grip area and the overlap area well with alcohol. I may just buy a new set when/if these ever start to come off again. It may have just been a heat/sweat issue where the overlap meets because they are sticking great everywhere else. I may also trim off the overlap area on the backstrap to see if they still stick as I don't think I really need the backstrap covered anyway. Thanks

 

[gnystrom]

I got my rubberized version and installed they today. I pre-trimmed the back strap tabs by leaving the backer on and "dry wrapping" the gun grip and taking an even amount off each side. Just mark a little at a time with a sharpie and cut often. Mine look like they are part of the gun. I think it is worth reminding people not to try to stretch the wrap when applying it. This looks like a great product. Thanks to all that endorse this product.

 

[pyro]

I had the rubber grips for a few months on my Kahr CM9, but one corner started lifting. When that happened, there was no way to re stick it, so it had to come off. In spite of that I will probably get another grip as they are cheap and work very well. For the Shield I still have the Hogue grip and I love it. The little extra thickness of the palm swell makes a big difference. I am definitely am not brave enough to hit the shield with a soldering iron.

 

[hdatontodo]

I hurriedly put mine on yesterday with the scissors and no overlap method. If I do it again, I'll use an xacto knife like a prior poster.

I removed the paper backing from the center and stuck it to the front of the grips before working on the back.

I shot 100 rounds today in 65 degree weather with no issues.