I want to stipple the grip of my m&p 45 midsize. I’ve seen a few patterns that I like but, I am hesitant to preform the task myself. Can anyone coach me through this??? I’d rather do it myself than ship it and pay $100 for something I might be able to do on my own.
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it’s easier than you think…I did both my midsize .45 and my FS9, I started by practicing on a old thermold Ar mag, trying different patterns until I found something I liked. I did the backstraps first, reason being, they are easily replaced if you screw one up (Start with a backstrap you don’t use first) the backstraps are made from a softer material than the frame, so, don’t the the iron set in one place too long. In my experience, the thermold mag melts at about the same rate as the frame, So, if you have one of these to use, you can get a pretty good feel for it by using the mag. Take your time and think about where you want to stipple the pistol,Don’t get carried away, in my case I just did the front and backstraps as I felt that was plenty.
I believe there are also a few how to threads here on the forums. Like Ralph, I practiced before I actually stippled the backstrap. When you start, make sure you go slowly and take a break every so often so your hand doesn’t cramp up too bad.
Here is one to help get you started.
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=58674&highlight=stippling+backstraps
Here’s a thread I started a while ago showing the M&P9 I did.
Just food for thought. I stippled my M&P9 compact right when I got home. It was my CCW. Carrying it IWB, without an undershirt (it is super hot in Florida now). The stippling did hurt a couple times. Not too bad but was uncomfortable. I now carry a M&P45 compact and do not intend on stippling it, even though I need it to hold onto the gun. This will ensure I’ll carry her everyday.
The M&P Pic thread on here has TONS of photos of members doing this . Its good reference
You can do it yourself. I did it to mine, but I did a lot of picture searching before I jumped in. Figure out which style of stippling you like and practice on something else first before you do your M&P.
Thats very good advice. Get some panels and practice. Ive seen some pretty hideous stippling jobs
exactly - if you have PMAGS those make great guinea pigs, as said in the thread 13F3OL7 referenced
edit: OP, lemme know if you need stuff to practice with, I have a few AR grips that would make for good practice as well
Does anybody have any suggestions for another material to practice on? No PMAGS around here and I’d rather not practice on the back straps I’m not using. Thanks.
I’ll get made fun of for saying this but I tried it on anything I could find. A Wii remote was the funniest. The financee was not too happy when i tried to explain my way out of that one. But hey, it makes for safer gaming (for everyone else, I’m not much of a videogamer)…I don’t want controllers slipping out people’s hands :jester:
But grab anything you don’t care about that’s a hard plastic, might not be a perfect apples to apples comparison but you’ll get the feel for it, the size tip you want to use, etc.
Cool. Thanks!
Like others have already advised, practice on PMAGS or rail panels or an old A2 pistol grip first. Keep in mind that the backstraps burn very differently then the rest of the frame, so maybe practice on one of the backstraps you don’t use first just so you can get the hang of it. The frame will burn similarly to a PMAG, but I have never stippled anything else that burns like an M&P backstrap. Anyways, Here is mine. I used a $13 Hobby Lobby wood burner and 2 different tips, and only practiced for about an hour before taking it to the pistol. I started with just the front and backstraps, for this I used the round-nose tip and just went arund the outside and did circles until the straps were covered:
Then decided to fill in the sides and put forward index points on either side. For the sandpaper texture, I used the sharp-pointed tip and lightly burned into the surface over and over and over again (about 5,000 times lol), you don’t have to go deep. The completed job took about 2.5 hours, the sandpaper texture takes a while to do but is well worth the labor in my opinion.
Then my boss liked it and wanted me to do his 45 the same way.
The case the gun came. I practiced on that until I felt comfortable enough to start on my polymer pistols. Note: the pistol are going to be a firmer material that the gun case. The way it feels under the iron will be different, but if you choose to do that you’ll be able to see for yourself. Go slow.
I practiced on the back straps first to see how it would look. Just keep in mind that the back straps are softer than the actual frame.
Thanks guys!! I went out last night na bought a soldering pen. I started practicing on one of my gun cases/boxes. I did pretty good but it was’st any picoso. I really like the design that “bowie tactical” uses kn their M&P’s. I think that patter is sexy and just right as far as aggressiveness.
Wow, that’s some of the best, if not, the best, stippling job I’ve seen on an M&P. Great job!!!
Back straps are cheap and easily had (we sell them). So go ahead and practice on the one you are least likely to use.
C4
I recently stippled my M&P45 using a cheap $10 soldering iron. I used a Glock mag loader to practice on, and settled on using the sharp tip my iron came with. I started with the frontstrap and the underside of the triggerguard. I did the backstrap last, as the material is much softer and easier to goof up. Each part took about an hour.
Here are some crappy cell phone pics:
Grant, do you offer the backstraps with the stippling like that on your personal M&P?
I had the opportunity to shoot an instructor’s pistol with one installed, and I liked it. He stated he got his from you.