Before you bust out the soldering iron, check out the Tractiongrips available at Instantstipple.com. These embossed rubber adhesive grip overlays are a great way to improve the grip of your firearms (and other products) without permanent modifications. Affordably priced and easy to install, they are an effective upgrade for pistols and long arms, as well as magazines, knives, game controllers, and more. I’ve used them on various firearms for the last seven or more years, with no complaints. So I reached out to get some review samples for a couple of my CZ pistols. For my CZ P-10F, I got the standard embossed grip overlay, and for the CZ P-10C, I got the Black Micro Knurled rubber overlay.
A Quick Tractiongrips History Lesson
Back in 1999, the owner of Tractiongrips had some trouble with a slip-on style grip, and went searching for a solution. He found an adhesive, rubberized material that worked better than a plain sleeve. Naturally, other people noticed this, and he started making them for different firearms. After throwing a few on eBay, the orders started coming in. A lot of orders. Tractiongrips went from being a side gig to a full-time job.
Tractiongrips Patterns and Textures
This Tractiongrips product is granulated rubber tape with different textures, and an adhesive backing. They’re made in Athens, Georgia, using as many domestically sourced materials as possible. Currently available for a huge variety of firearms, this is a great way to add some grip texture, without permanent modifications. Not only is this a good-looking product that works well, it’s easy to apply at home. Prices vary, but most handgun grips are around $12, and were on sale for $9.60 at the time of writing. Custom ones like the Black Micro Knurled rubber are $15, on sale for $12.
In addition to the standard “stipple” style of grip, there are Dots, thin Dots, the Micro Knurled rubber, an Army Green synthetic rubber, Faux Carbon Fiber, and a Cube pattern. If snakeskin is more your taste, there are some interesting options there as well. Even cork grips are available. And they’re not just for handguns – you’ll find them for rifles, shotguns, knives, Tasers, and even game controller and pickleball paddles. Something for everyone.
Installation of the Instant Stipple Grip Material
For both of my pistols, the process was the same. The difference is that the material for my CZ P-10 F was a little thicker. And the texture was closer to actual stippling. Installing the Black Micro Knurled overlay on my CZ P-10 C was a little trickier. As the tape is thinner, it requires a bit more patience. Either way, both start with a clean gun. Use some warm water on a soft rag with a little dish soap to strip any oils off the firearm. And then dry thoroughly.
Once the surface is ready, it’s just a matter of peeling the backing off half the grip overlay, and carefully positioning it. Once you’ve wrapped it around and it all lines up, apply some pressure for good adhesion. Just make sure it’s positioned correctly first. When I was satisfied with the placement, I placed a thin rag over it, and used my thumb to press the overlay and its adhesive into the pistol’s grip. Give it a full 24 hours to really set and adhere, then you’re set. I think the results speak for themselves.
First up, the CZ P-10 F
This full-size 9mm is one of my favorite polymer pistols. Thanks to its size, it’s very easy to shoot well. My only complaint was the polymer grip. I’ve never been a fan of plain polymer, no matter how great the grip texture was. Adding the Instant Stipple material gave it a better feel, even with sweaty hands. While this pistol doesn’t recoil that much, the new grips really help keep it on target. It looks great too. Should you apply this to your EDC, know that it won’t snag on clothes, and isn’t overly aggressive.
Next, the CZ P-10 C
As an occasional carry pistol, my needs for this one were slightly different. CZ pretty nailed the grip width on this one, but not the texture. So I wanted the thinnest option available. And while I was eyeing the Dots 2.0 thin material, the Black Micro Knurled overlay won out. It’s super thin, with a fine texture that suits me perfectly. Again, it provides traction without grabbing on clothing. Note that this is a custom product, so you need to specify the exact model you want the overlay for.
Tractiongrips in use
My big CZ usually gets shot outdoors, in Utah’s stinkin’ hot high desert heat. As mentioned the little extra traction comes in handy when things get slick. It’s not holstered, so I can’t speak to any wear, but I can provide some examples. Back in 2021, I did a holster review, and you can see the Tractiongrips on my Shield that have been on there since at least 2018. They’re probably more than seven years old now, and still look and work great. I’m expecting the thinner Black Micro Knurled material on my CZ P-10 C to hold up equally well.
Tractiongrips are cut very precisely, so there’s no interference with controls. That’s to be expected, but I really appreciate how close they fit around my magazine release on both pistols. I’ve used similar products that don’t take into account pins or removable backstraps, and that’s just sloppy work.
Conclusion
To stipple or not to stipple, that is the question for some. Personally, I am not a fan of stippling. So Tractiongrips are my go-to. The ones on my Shield were paid for out of my own pocket ages ago. When I had the chance to review some for my newer CZ pistols, I didn’t hesitate, as I’ve been a happy customer for so long. There’s a huge variety, they are easy to install, work well, and last a long time.
It’s great to see a product line that does what it promises, and at a fair price. The fact that buying this product supports American workers shouldn’t be overlooked either. If you’d like to get your own, head over to the new InstantStipple.com website.
As always, I’d like to thank Don at Tractiongrips for supplying his grip overlays for my testing and evaluation. He makes a great product, and deserves your support.