Skateboard tape works miracles

[Michigunner]

Because of a hand injury, or arthritis, my R9S inflicts severe disabling pain on my shooting hand.

One of the Super members here sent me some tape, which I put on the front and back of the handle.  It has a coarse surface somewhat like sandpaper.

The result was astonishing.  The recoil was completely under control.  There was not the slightest hint of pain.

If you have any discomfort with the R9S, I urge you to use the tape.   It makes the pistol a joy to shoot.  You will be very pleased with the result.

Today I tried Ranger 147gr, Magsafe 60gr, Federal 124gr, and WWB USA 115gr.  All worked perfectly.

My new favorite is Magsafe 60gr Defender, which seemed especially mild.

Bill

[sslater]

I went back and looked at the package of skateboard tape I shared with Michigunner.  

It's called PERMASTIK SAFETY TREADS.  Part #CZ91417. Sold at K-Mart & made in China (where else) for an outfit called RCR International http://www.rcrint.com in Quebec, Canada.  

Today at Home Depot I saw a roll of safety tread tape made by 3M.  The stuff was extermely rough though - like 30 grit sandpaper!  The RCR PERMASTIK tape is like 80 grit...

Steve

[Michigunner]

Steve,

Thank you for sharing!

For what it's worth, users would expect that black tape would be most appropriate.

Meanwhile, mine is white.  Just enough black comes through from the handle, that it takes on a silver look which makes it look about identical to the slide.

You could even imagine that the effect was on purpose.

Black or white, no matter.  It makes a big, big improvement to the R9S.

Bill

[tracker]

FYI, that rough grit on skatetape can be softened with
medium or rough grit sandpaper.

[tracker]

I bought a foot of that 3M safety thread tape at Ace
that was reported to be rough. I put it on front and
back straps and absolutely love it--not too rough but
as I mentioned before can be smoothed easily with
sandpaper.

[Michigunner]

tracker,

It makes all the difference in the world.  Previously the most practice rounds I had were 6, and then was forced to stop because recoil was out of control.

The tape keeps the R9S safely in place, with no discomfort at all.

It turned the R9 into a real work horse for me.

[Erich]

I keep thinking about doing this (and about putting tape on the sides of the stocks), but I worry about making the little gem look too ugly. I'm sure it would help control, though.

[tracker]

Erich,

If properly trimmed and fitted to the front and backstraps
there is no ugly. Mine is black and looks like it belongs
on the little beauty.

[Erich]

Thanks for the info. Perhaps I'll give it a whirl . . .  

[Brenden]

This pup of ours is a tool..

Albeit a wonderful piece of work..

I would not hesitate to make it more "usefull"..

I have not had the need as yet to do this,but I would it in a heartbeat if it made the pup easier to operate..

Besides-it is in the pocket most of the time!!

Brenden

[tracker]

Brenden,
I missed your point about being in the pocket most of
the time----the ultimate utility of the R-9s is out of the
pocket and anything that enhances its usefulness as a
defensive weapon should be a good thing.

[Erich]

I think he means, "Looks be damned, it's in my pocket anyway!" Sort of in response to my earlier comment.

Of course, putting friction tape on the gripframe may hinder getting it out of the pocket.

[tracker]

I haven't noticed any hindrance in my initial attempts
to draw with the tape but that is a subjective thing.

[Erich]

That makes sense - especially if you take a good grip on the R9 before drawing (your hand would cover the tape).

So, sslater, in which department at Kmart will I find this? I have some stuff I got at Home Depot (adhesive grippy strips meant for installing on steps), but it's not as flexible as I'd like.

[Erich]

Sslater, I just looked at your link, and I have something substantially similar. I'd like it if I could find the tape instead of the relatively inflexible pre-cut strips that I have. I'll just have to keep an eye out.