Glock Grip Stippling

[East_TN_Patriot]

Well, I have a Gen 2 Glock 22 that I purchased used. It was a police trade-in and the frame was darn near worn smooth. I can't stand the rubber slip-on grips and recently saw a fellow who had done a stippling job on the frame of his Glock. I looked at the Internet, watched some vids on YouTube, bought a woodburning tool, and here is the result. I went for the minimal look and just hit the areas around the main grip frame. It took me about an hour to do it with a $15 burning tool from Lowes and a sanding block to clean it up a bit.

If anyone is thinking about doing this on their Glock, it's really not that hard to do. My advice is to practice a bit on a piece of hard plastic first to get a feel for it and see what the different tips will do. I practiced on a scrap piece of Kydex, but I saw a video on the web of a guy that used the inside of a plastic gun case. Plan out your stipple job, get in a comfortable spot with plenty of light, get the burning tool good and hot, and go to work. I chose to use the broad round tip to give it a lizard scale look. The work is pretty forgiving because if you make a mistake, you can generally go back over it and touch it up. It turned out pretty well (IMHO) and made a world of difference in the feel of the grip. Definitely the better option for me than spending a bunch of cash on a new plastic grip frame. Here are some pics:

Before:

After:

[hipower]

Nice looking job you've done there.

[Erik88]

Wow Rob! Very nice!

[TN-popo]

I had a friend do an "all-over" stipple job on my Glock. I like it, but on my next one, I'm going to do (or have done) exactly what you did.

Good job.

[East_TN_Patriot]

Thanks folks. I must admit I prefer the pristine look of a new grip frame, but function is definitely more important than looks. In this case, the original finish was so worn that it was slick and hard to grip. The difference is tremendous and I think I got the general effect I was looking for. I have seen several pistols on the web that looked like they had been attacked by a meat grinder, and although I am sure the grip is good, I don't like the look at all and for me all of that stippling isn't needed.

I must also admit that there was a split second right before the wood-burning tool hit the frame that I almost stopped for fear of screwing it up. Then I decided the heck with it and go for it. Worst case scenario is that it looks like crap and it would still give it a better gripping surface. Absolute worst case scenario is that I'd have to go ahead and plunk down $250 for a new stripped receiver. I might add a couple of other small spots around the trigger guard using a pointed tool, but I'm not sure I need it.

[graycrait]

Looks very grippy. The beauty of plastic framed guns, especially Glocks, is that you can really modify the grip to suit most anyone if you don't mind taking a 400.00 gun and turning it into a 200.00 gun.

[Garufa]

I'm really not a fan of stippling but what you have done looks both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I like it!

[Glock30]

I'm not usually a fan of stippling, but I can appreciate the work you've done. Very nice!

[UncleJak]

That looks cool. I can't believe it only took you an hour! It looks all pro!

[East_TN_Patriot]

Looks very grippy. The beauty of plastic framed guns, especially Glocks, is that you can really modify the grip to suit most anyone if you don't mind taking a 400.00 gun and turning it into a 200.00 gun.

Well, considering I only paid a little more than $200 for it, I wasn't too concerned with the resale value. I get your point, though. I simply couldn't do that to a new Glock. The slide finish is pretty much shot, the grip was worn smooth, the night sights are dead, and the original mags look like someone drug them behind a truck down a gravel road. It functions flawlessly, though. I can always invest in a new grip frame if I need to. This option was far better for me than dropping $225 on one right now for sure.

[ruebixx]

Looks good! It appears aggressive but also seems to fit.

[homiebiggs]

Does look good

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[Grand Torino]

Nice work  :up: I'm sure you've made an improvement and it looks great.

[GlockSpock]

So I just got through doing mine, what do you think?

Edited August 26, 2015 by CZ9MM

[GlockSpock]

Ok, so seriously though, I guess I am one of the odd guys out but I really just prefer to keep my Gen 3's or Gen 4's stock without stippling.

Edit: but you did do a quality job.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited August 26, 2015 by CZ9MM

[Spots]

Holy thread resurrection batman. This one is 4 yrs old

Sent from the backwoods

[Jonsaiga]

Not sure about the depreciation of the value I guess it depends on the quality of the work and what someone is willing to pay. The one pictured below I sold for $650 with one spare mag, Lone Wolf Distrubters extended barrel, extended slide stop an Vickers mag release. If you are going to do your own stipple job be sure to use a light hand, only enough heat to just melt and not burn the polymer and a whole lot of patience. If you are getting stipple work done ask to see some of the work. Check for excessive heat, warping, overall consistency and depth.





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[runco]

Geeze, didn't realize the age of some of these posts.  I went through liking a few.  Not a fan of strippling, but do appreciate the courage and skill.  For me, the rubber grippy thing and Talon grips are the way to go. 

[East_TN_Patriot]

Geeze, didn't realize the age of some of these posts.  I went through liking a few.  Not a fan of strippling, but do appreciate the courage and skill.  For me, the rubber grippy thing and Talon grips are the way to go.

I agree with you there. I put some Talon grips on my Walther PPS and it made the grip feel totally different (in a good way).

[Camaro_nut2001]

WOW, Nice work!!! If anything it helped the appearance and really doubt you hurt the value if you're happy with it.