Photos by Jeff Jones
October 05, 2020
By Jim Angell
Firearms and accessory companies have gone to great lengths to develop products that allow shooters to adjust the fit and feel of firearms. But from time to time, there comes a need for a little extra help to get things just right. One of the companies we have turned to for small modifications that make a big difference in our shooting is Talon Grips.
Talon Grips have been making wraparound adhesive grips for handguns and rifles since 2009. While their first grips for Glock 21s used stiff, aggressive skateboard tape, the company offers three levels of pliable texture material – Rubber, Granulated and Pro.
Granulated is their most aggressive texture and recommended for open-holster carry only. Rubber is nonabrasive and is the most comfortable for concealed carry. The Pro level is their latest creation comprised of ground-up rubber and less-aggressive grit. An all-weather grip material, Pro can be used for concealed-carry use, but I’m liking it more for use on competition guns, home-defense ARs and AR pistols.
What’s nice about going with a custom wrap is you can try new textures before deciding on replacing a gun’s current grip or handguard. Call it a test drive, but don’t be surprised if you end up liking the ride.
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It happened to me after I added a Pro-textured Colt Style Pistol Grip wrap to one of my ARs. Not only did the wrap fit the existing pistol grip like a glove without wrinkling or creasing, but its sticky adhesive didn’t slip even after extensive range testing. It’s nonslip design felt so good, I quickly found myself thinking where else could I use this grip material.
Luckily, I had ordered a 5-inch by 7-inch sheet of the Pro along with the grip. Upon cutting into the material, I soon appreciated Talon Grips’ proprietary cutting technology they use on the intricate custom wraps. The texture takes a little patience and a steady hand to get through. You’ll find a pair of heavy scissors and a hobby knife will quickly become your best friends.
The custom-cut grip template fit like a glove around the Colt-style pistol grip, and application only took a few minutes. Before applying the sticky material to the firearm, make sure to thoroughly clean the intended application area with alcohol wipes. You’ll swear a “dry spot” you just wiped off has no gun oil on it, but you’ll be wrong when nothing sticks to the spot. (Says a lot about the gun oils we use today.) So take the time to clean the area well. Once dry, stick away.
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Besides the pistol grip, I applied the Pro material to the stock’s adjustment lever and to several points around the handguard. I have a tendency to carry my ARs right at the junction of where the handguard meets the receiver. Applying strips of the Pro grip material at this point made for a more secure grasp with and without gloves. I also put strips along the lower portion of the handguard to improve the engagement with shooting bags and gloves.
Easy on the hands, yet providing a sure grip, the Pro material is like a perfect bowl of porridge — it’s not too aggressive and not too soft. It’s just right. The company says it will last up to three years and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I’m well past the trial period with no problems. So could three years be doable? We’ll see.
Available in black or moss (Talon Grips’ version of flat dark earth) colors, the made-in-America custom-cut grips range in price from $19 to $25. A 5-inch by 10-inch do-it-yourself sheet sells for $10 to $12.50. Price is contingent on color and texture chosen.
Talon Grips Colt Style Pistol Grip Texture : ProMaterials : Composite rubberColor : BlackApplication : Self-adhesiveCost : $25Manufacturer : Talon Grips, talongungrips.com To read more articles like this, click here to purchase a print or digital copy of Book of the AR-15 #3.
