Tactile Enhancement Upgrade for my Ultra Carry

[Poogsdad]

Hygiliac, one of our Senior Members, has been a proponent of the use of Skate Board Tape on the front strap of pistols that do not have checkering for better control while firing.

Many of you may be very happy with the smooth front strap on your pistols and have never given front strap checkering any thought. I likewise have always been quite satisfied with the smooth front strap on my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II and have never experienced any control issues with the weapon when shooting it.

However, I really like the 30 Lines per Inch checkering on the front strap and under side of the trigger guard on my Kimber Custom CDP II. I am not sure if the Custom CDP feels any more secure in my hand because of the checkering, but it does feel “Better” in my hand. This may also have to do with the different frame sizes of my 2 Kimbers, but there is no denying that the Custom CDP feels better in my hand, if only slightly so.

I considered sending my Ultra Carry back to the Kimber Custom Shop to have front strap checkering added. However, because I like my Ultra Carry the way it is and the cost and time without it for what was, essentially a cosmetic modification that did not fix anything that was broken, I decided against this.

My modest yet ruggedly handsome Ultra Carry, though already the envy of the civilized world, was quite envious of the extremely desirable skate board tape Hygiliac’s Kimbers have.

I promised it a trip to the Ace Hardware Custom Shop for selection and fitting of it's own custom skate board tape front strap upgrade.

I recently fulfilled my promise to my Ultra Carry and gave it a Custom Skate Board Tape Front Strap Upgrade from this point forward to be known as a "Custom Tactile Enhancement Upgrade".

No expense was spared in providing my Ultra Carry with the finest Skate Board Tape available ($1.60 for a 2” X 12” strip). The finest, most precise tooling available (scissors, a straight edge, and calibrated eyeballs) were used in the fitting and application of the skate board tape.

My Ultra Carry and I are very happy with the “Tactile Enhancement Upgrade”. The skateboard tape is much more aggressive and “Grippy” than the 30 LPI checkering on the Custom CDP and it definitely takes some getting used to. There is, however, an increased sense of stability and confidence when the weapon is properly indexed that cannot be ignored. The Ultra Carry has always felt secure in my hand; the Skate Board Tape simply makes it more so. The black skate board tape also contrasts very nicely, in my opinion, with the matte silver frame of the Stainless Ultra Carry.

Another positive attribute to using Skate Board Tape in the manner I have outlined above is that you can remove it at any time without leaving any indication that it was ever there. It will not mar the finish or leave a residue on the front strap. Depending on the type and quality of the underlying finish on the front strap of your weapon, YMMV regarding this, however.

The pictures below showcase the “Tactile Enhancement Upgrade” and provide a comparison to the 30 LPI checkering on the Custom CDP.















Thanks,

[AMS MIKE]

How Sexy!!! Great mod that looks good and is functional! very clean install

The dancing maniac Hygyliac gave you a great idea!

[sealbeach]

Nice work, and no guns were harmed in the modifications? Excellent!

[Poogsdad]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

How Sexy!!! Great mod that looks good and is functional! very clean install

The dancing maniac Hygyliac gave you a great idea!

Hygiliac does have his days.

Thanks,

[Mad Geek]

I Like That! It SINGS!

I've put the same type of "tactile enhancement" on the right side grip on my XD Sub Compact. It has the effect of changing the grips to something that my polymer frame doesn't have, a non-slip surface. Since it's only on the right side of the grip on a right side carry, it doesn't interfere with the holster OR rub my side raw. It only contacts the palm of my hand on extraction, very positively.

I was fortunate enough to be "gifted" enough "grip tape", by a nice young lady at our local skateboard shop, to do the same thing to probably 20 more handguns.

Great tip, and very nice looking pair. ...of pistols.

[Poogsdad]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

Nice work, and no guns were harmed in the modifications? Excellent!

Thank you.

My Ultra Carry seems to be quite happy with his/her/it's new look.

Thanks again,

[Poogsdad]

Originally Posted by Mad Geek

I Like That! It SINGS!

I've put the same type of "tactile enhancement" on the right side grip on my XD Sub Compact. It has the effect of changing the grips to something that my polymer frame doesn't have, a non-slip surface. Since it's only on the right side of the grip on a right side carry, it doesn't interfere with the holster OR rub my side raw. It only contacts the palm of my hand on extraction, very positively.

I was fortunate enough to be "gifted" enough "grip tape", by a nice young lady at our local skateboard shop, to do the same thing to probably 20 more handguns.

Great tip, and very nice looking pair. ...of pistols.

Thank you, Mad Geek.

Appreciate it.

[FiringLion]

The more postings I see here on the topic, the worse it gets:

I propose a new DSM - type phenomenon, applicable to those of us not suitably endowed:

Kimber envy.

[hygyliac]

Poodsdad, that modest yet ruggedly handsome stud, has taken a fine idea and advanced it that one extra step. The tape underneath the trigger guard is an excellent addition to the upgrade. I was fortunate enough to have found skateboard tape with the yellow warning stripe on it. Such an enhancement now graces my Pro-Carry. It is now clear that our modest, yet ruggedly handsome Ultras (much like their owners) are inded the envy of the civilized world. One clarification must be made, I did not conceive of the idea but immitated it. The idea as far as I know was first utilized by our boys in Operational Detachment Delta.

[hygyliac]

The Tactical Enhancement is not limited to my Kimbers

This is my Les Baer Stinger, how unattractive with its 30 LPI factory checkering.
The Springfield Champion by Tussey with its very attractive skate board tape with yellow stripe
Notice how the yellow stripe gives the Tussey pistol much more glamour . . . .
. . . . than the rather plain Les Baer Stinger, Eeeew!

[MadMex]

My Compact CDP and Compact Stainless have “stair tread” tape on top of the slide. It sits between the front of the rear site, behind the ejection port. It provides great friction for a single handed slide rack off the thigh.

[AuburnHunter]

Originally Posted by hygyliac

Poodsdad, that modest yet ruggedly handsome stud, has taken a fine idea and advanced it that one extra step. The tape underneath the trigger guard is an excellent addition to the upgrade. I was fortunate enough to have found skateboard tape with the yellow warning stripe on it. Such an enhancement now graces my Pro-Carry. It is now clear that our modest, yet ruggedly handsome Ultras (much like their owners) are inded the envy of the civilized world. One clarification must be made, I did not conceive of the idea but immitated it. The idea as far as I know was first utilized by our boys in Operational Detachment Delta.

Damn, got me thinking about giving it a try. Hmmm....

[cksh8me]

Skate board tape works quite well for what you are doing. Here's a couple of things you might try. Cut the tape longer and secure it with the grip panels. I don't have square corners on my tape. Round them it's much easier to snag a corner than a rounded edge.

Just a thought.

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by cksh8me

Skate board tape works quite well for what you are doing. Here's a couple of things you might try. Cut the tape longer and secure it with the grip panels.

This technique is used primarily with fine sand paper, the adhesive on the skateboard or stair tread paper going beneath the grips may catch the magazine.

[cksh8me]

I guess it could catch the magazine. If it does then you have done it wrong.