DIY Grippy coatings for AICS/AX LA?

[Masked]

So, I recently purchased an AICS AX LA for a 300WM.

Love the stock -- Hating the plastic-y feel on my palm and cheek.

Victor does not make a proprietary for the AX LA and since I'm cerakote-ing the stock anyway, I figured that maybe there's something out there that could add some grip similar to what most of you guys have on your Manners/M40's etc.

I was think about plasti-dip? That sounded like the easiest but, not 100% on longevity...

Anyone have any experience w/this///suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[JaysonF]

My friend has taken a soldering iron to his M&P handguns. It's tedious and you have to concentrate, however it feels great and even with gloves would grip. Just really quick touches with it anywhere you want grip. It looks really professional too

 

[ajwcotton]

What about that spray on rubber under coating for cars

 

[Papa Zero Three]

Depending on how grippy and aggressive you want it to be, You can try the textured spray paints at Home Depot/lowes or even the small cans of bed liner they sell at places like autozone that brushes on.

 

[Short-bus]

If you're going to be cerakoting them then adhesion of spray on type materials won't be an issue. Cerakoting the skins requires some tedious prep because the plastic is a greasy type plastic, and you have to blast the heck out of it to give it a surface that paint and other materials will adhere to. One thing that you can do that's cheap is to get some Krylon stone texturing, or anything else they offer that throws out a textured like spray, and build up the areas that you want the texture, and then cerakote over the top. I've never seen anyone use marine tex to build up skins and create texture like folks do on fiberglass stocks, can't think of any reason not to. It would be a little more challenging because of seams, and the screw holes, but that's not a biggie to work around.

Branden

 

[huntinstud101]

What about that spray on rubber under coating for cars

I played with this on a synthetic stock with low grit rubber floor liner for a jeep. It turned out awesome and my buddy ended up buying it from me. We still hunt that rifle today

 

[Masked]

If you're going to be cerakoting them then adhesion of spray on type materials won't be an issue. Cerakoting the skins requires some tedious prep because the plastic is a greasy type plastic, and you have to blast the heck out of it to give it a surface that paint and other materials will adhere to. One thing that you can do that's cheap is to get some Krylon stone texturing, or anything else they offer that throws out a textured like spray, and build up the areas that you want the texture, and then cerakote over the top. I've never seen anyone use marine tex to build up skins and create texture like folks do on fiberglass stocks, can't think of any reason not to. It would be a little more challenging because of seams, and the screw holes, but that's not a biggie to work around.

Branden

Yeah, my painter and I had a very similar discussion, last night. -- Not 100% sure if I'm moving forward with the cerakote on the stock but, still want the grip grip-y.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

 

[pyplynr]

I'm thinking of stippling my AIAX grip with a wood burning tool. I've done a lot of pistols this way, but if I end up not liking it is there anywhere to buy just the pistol grip pieces instead of all new skins?

 

[Papa Zero Three]

I'm thinking of stippling my AIAX grip with a wood burning tool. I've done a lot of pistols this way, but if I end up not liking it is there anywhere to buy just the pistol grip pieces instead of all new skins?

Not sure that will work. The AI skins plastic is not very thick and I have the gut feeling that it would melt/deform/poke through before it would stipple like a glock or other polymer frame pistol. I am also going to say that if you run into problems you will have to buy an entire new set of AX skins even though the pistol grip is a piece of the entire set as I haven't seen pieces sold separately. The actual palm section of the pistol grip doesn't come with new skins, you have to use the one that comes with the chassis so if you mess that one up, I am guessing you'd have to call AI up and see if they would sell you a new one. Although that may be changing as I do recall AI said they will be coming out with a retrofit rear stock/pistol grip kit for the AICS and I assume the AX
will have some parts kits options as well but thats an assumption on my part.

 

[pyplynr]

That was my worry. And the reason I haven't done anything to them.

 

[enigmamdw]

Wrap the pistol grip with athletic tape. They have colored stuff now too so it'll still look good on the rifle, for those who care. It's not going to add excessive bulk to the grip, it's removable and easy to clean, and incredibly cheap. Used it on several rifles that were becoming slick with sweat during shoots. Downside, it's not technically permanent.

 

[E. Bryant]

Not sure that will work. The AI skins plastic is not very thick and I have the gut feeling that it would melt/deform/poke through before it would stipple like a glock or other polymer frame pistol.

I haven't done any stippling on AICS skins myself, but it appears that other Hide members have done so successfully:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...-rifles/44806-stippled-ai-skins-now-pics.html

There are also a variety of "grippy" rattle-can paints from Rustoleum, Krylon, and so forth. I have a few cans of clear stuff in the shop, but I've yet to try it. I do not think it'd stick to unprepped plastic for long.

A couple buddies of mine have used Plasti-dip on automotive wheels with success. It seems to hold up in that environment, so I think it'd survive just fine on a stock. It supposedly touches up pretty easily if it's damaged.

 

[seanengman]

Skate board tape is a little rough for me. Truck bed liner material works great. At my shop we were experimenting with a product called Soft Touch Clear we get from our local auto paint store, but it is a little slick when it's wet.

 

[cookietheswede]

I have this on my AR. Works well and removable. Only down side it will increase the size of your grip. No big deal if you have bigger hands like myself.

Rat Grips | 877-339-4747 | Carbine Grip System

 

[Wardy]

Sims Vibration Laboratory used to make some stuff called "Tenticle Bow Grip Wrap" or something like that...I bought some and wrapped the grip of my bow, it made it more gripy and nice.
May be good for what your looking to do....maybe not. Just a thought.

 

[CASDB]

Stock pack for the cheek weld and bicycle inner tube on the pistol grip.