Decided to do some stippling to add texture to two of my polymer pistols... Sig Pro SP2022 9mm and Kahr PM9 9mm.
Process used; using various bits on a $15 wood burner, patiently (it will be rewarded) dimpled the surface of the area intended to add texture. If desired, go over finished grip with sand paper.
Practiced on the empty abandoned Sig case, then moved onto my Ka-Bar TDI knife...
Before:
After:
Magazines extensions for the Sig SP2022 and Kahr PM9...
Before:
After:
In between:
Kahr PM9...
Before:
After:
In between (Top complete, bottom still stock) w/ completed magazine:
Added some texture to the back:
Sig Pro SP2022 9mm...
Before:
After:
I had intended on just getting tape, but figured if I screw up the stippling royally to the point of no return (doubtful), I'd get Decal Grips. I feel like the stippling provides a much deeper, grip-able (?) texture than any tape I've seen... and when the final product is sanded down, it's not rough at all.
Overall, I'm very happy with the ending results... I feel like I have a much better purchase on the Sig Pro, and the Kahr feels a bit better than the stock texture. The Ka-Bar was intended for practice but it turned out very well, IMO. Total process took about and hour and a half to do three magazine extensions, two pistols and one knife. My only regret is using the chisel tip on the bottom of the Sig's trigger guard, and not the dot like in the rear beavertail area that I made.
And as a general disclaimer.... I have no intentions of selling either of these pistols, so I don't care about the "I'd never do that, it hurts resale value" comments (which may or may not be true). I've seen prices as high as $120 for a full grip stippling job from some gunsmiths, so obviously the market is there for the right buyers. 90% of why I did this was for functionality and to make the pistol perform better in hot/cold/wet conditions where sweat, water or fatigue could hurt performance.... though 10% of me says that it turned out pretty well, compared to other rushed stippling jobs I've seen. These are my "go-to-war guns", not safe queens or ones that I intend to sell.
Process used; using various bits on a $15 wood burner, patiently (it will be rewarded) dimpled the surface of the area intended to add texture. If desired, go over finished grip with sand paper.
Practiced on the empty abandoned Sig case, then moved onto my Ka-Bar TDI knife...
Before:
After:
Magazines extensions for the Sig SP2022 and Kahr PM9...
Before:
After:
In between:
Kahr PM9...
Before:
After:
In between (Top complete, bottom still stock) w/ completed magazine:
Added some texture to the back:
Sig Pro SP2022 9mm...
Before:
After:
I had intended on just getting tape, but figured if I screw up the stippling royally to the point of no return (doubtful), I'd get Decal Grips. I feel like the stippling provides a much deeper, grip-able (?) texture than any tape I've seen... and when the final product is sanded down, it's not rough at all.
Overall, I'm very happy with the ending results... I feel like I have a much better purchase on the Sig Pro, and the Kahr feels a bit better than the stock texture. The Ka-Bar was intended for practice but it turned out very well, IMO. Total process took about and hour and a half to do three magazine extensions, two pistols and one knife. My only regret is using the chisel tip on the bottom of the Sig's trigger guard, and not the dot like in the rear beavertail area that I made.
And as a general disclaimer.... I have no intentions of selling either of these pistols, so I don't care about the "I'd never do that, it hurts resale value" comments (which may or may not be true). I've seen prices as high as $120 for a full grip stippling job from some gunsmiths, so obviously the market is there for the right buyers. 90% of why I did this was for functionality and to make the pistol perform better in hot/cold/wet conditions where sweat, water or fatigue could hurt performance.... though 10% of me says that it turned out pretty well, compared to other rushed stippling jobs I've seen. These are my "go-to-war guns", not safe queens or ones that I intend to sell.