6 Types of Grip Enhancements for Safety, Control, and Accuracy

Handgun grips play a major role in how safely, comfortably, and accurately you can shoot. A secure, consistent grip can help with recoil control, reduce the chance of the gun slipping in your hand, and support more repeatable sight alignment.

There are several ways to enhance the grip on popular pistols like Glock, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, CZ, and others. In this guide, we’ll walk through six common types of grip enhancements—and put a special focus on decal grips, including how Showgun Decal Grips provide a full-coverage, customizable option for many handgun models.

1. Factory Grips

Most modern handguns ship with an integrated grip texture built into the frame or grip panels. On striker-fired polymer pistols, the texture is molded directly into the frame. On some metal-framed or 1911-style guns, you may have removable grip panels.

• Pros:
  • Designed by the manufacturer to work in a wide range of conditions.
  • Simple, durable, and proven in the field.
  • No extra parts to install, shift, or peel.
• Cons:
  • “One-size-fits-most” approach may be too slick or too aggressive for a particular shooter.
  • Limited customization for texture and aesthetics unless you change grips or modify the frame.

Many shooters start with factory grips and eventually look for handgun grip upgrades—like sleeves, decal grips, or wraps—once they understand what their hands and shooting style need.

2. Grip Sleeves and Rubber “Ergonomic” Add-Ons

Grip sleeves and similar add-ons are usually made from rubber or silicone and slide over the factory grip. Some include finger grooves, palm swells, or added texture meant to improve comfort and control.

• Pros:
  • Softer, more cushioned feel that some shooters prefer.
  • Extra traction compared to smoother factory frames.
  • Often inexpensive and easy to install or remove.
• Cons:
  • If not properly sized or installed, sleeves can twist or shift during recoil, which may reduce consistency and control.
  • Can trap moisture, dust, or debris between the sleeve and frame if not periodically removed and cleaned.
  • May add bulk, which can affect concealment or how the gun fits your hand.

For shooters who want to keep the gun’s profile slim, or who dislike the feeling of added bulk, low-profile decal grips and wraps can be an attractive alternative.

3. Beavertail Grips / Beavertail Backstraps

Beavertail-style grips or backstraps extend rearward at the top of the grip, forming a “tail” that protects the web of the hand from the slide and frame.

• Primary Benefit:
  • Helps reduce or prevent slide bite—when the slide or rear of the frame contacts the web of your hand during recoil.
• Control & Comfort:
  • Often allows you to run a higher grip on the handgun, which can help with recoil management.
  • Especially useful for shooters with larger hands or those who naturally grip high on the pistol.

Beavertail enhancements can work well alongside decal grips, which improve traction across the frame without changing the basic shape of the grip.

4. Grip Extension Options (Magwells, Baseplates, etc.)

Grip extension options focus on the lower end of the grip and magazine well area. These include flared magwells and extended magazine baseplates.

• Magwells:
  • Flared or funnel-shaped attachments at the magazine well opening.
  • Make reloads more consistent and forgiving, especially under time pressure or stress.
  • Popular with competition shooters and those training heavily on speed reloads.
• Baseplate / Pinky Extensions:
  • Extended magazine baseplates that add space for the pinky on compact or subcompact pistols.
  • Can improve comfort and control for many shooters and sometimes increase capacity.

These options primarily help with reload speed and grip length. For overall surface traction along the frame, many shooters layer in decal grips to add texture where the hands actually contact the gun.

5. Decal Grips: The Versatile Grip Enhancement

Decal grips are adhesive-backed, pre-cut overlays made from textured materials such as rubberized compounds or more aggressive, sandpaper-like textures. They are designed to apply directly to the existing grip area of the firearm.

• Key Advantages of Decal Grips:
  • Improved Traction: Adds texture where your hands need it most, helping maintain a consistent, secure grip in wet, sweaty, or gloved conditions.
  • Non-Permanent: Can usually be removed later without altering the original frame or grip panels.
  • Custom Fit: Pre-cut for specific handgun models so they follow the contours of the frame.
  • Easy Installation: Typically a straightforward DIY install with basic surface prep.

Many basic decal grip kits cover just the primary grip surfaces: front strap, back strap, and sides. That can be a big improvement over factory texture. For shooters who want more coverage, more consistency, and the option to customize the look, full-coverage decal wraps go a step further.

This is where Showgun Decal Grips come in.

6. Showgun Decal Grips: Full-Coverage Handgun Decal Grips

Showgun Decal Grips take the idea of decal grips and expand it into a more comprehensive, full-coverage solution. Instead of just applying small grip panels, Showgun kits are designed to wrap a large portion of the handgun’s frame with a textured, visually distinctive overlay.

• Full-Coverage Design
  • Engineered as full-coverage handgun decal grips, not just small grip patches.
  • Many patterns provide nearly complete coverage around the frame for a more uniform, consistent feel.
  • Designed for popular models—so users searching for things like “Glock 19 decal grips” or “SIG P365 decal grips” can find a wrap tailored to their specific handgun.
• Texture & Control
  • Uses a slightly tacky, rubberized, textured surface to help improve traction.
  • Designed to support a more secure purchase on the pistol during recoil and sustained strings of fire.
  • For many shooters, this can aid in recoil management, reduce slipping, and support more consistent shot placement—especially once combined with solid fundamentals and training.
• Customization & Aesthetics
  • Over 30 pre-made designs, including options like Grim Reaper, “We the People”, and other unique patterns.
  • Ability to customize with your own artwork or logo, turning your handgun into something highly personal while still fully functional.
  • Lets you upgrade grip performance and appearance at the same time.
• Non-Permanent & Replaceable
  • Installed as a peel-and-stick wrap over a clean surface.
  • Can typically be removed later if you want to change designs, replace a worn wrap, or revert to the factory frame.

For shooters who want the benefits of better traction, fuller coverage, and a personalized look—without permanent frame work like stippling—Showgun Decal Grips offer a practical middle ground.

Ready to upgrade your handgun grip?

• Shop all Showgun Decal Grips

  • Browse Glock Decal Grips
  • Browse SIG Sauer Decal Grips
  • Browse Smith & Wesson Decal Grips

Choosing the Right Grip Enhancement for Your Handgun

The “best” grip enhancement depends on your hand size, how you use the gun (range, competition, duty, carry), and how much you’re willing to modify the pistol.

• If you want to keep the gun completely factory, the stock grip might be enough.
• If you prefer added padding, sleeves or rubber add-ons may feel better in your hand, with the tradeoff of possible shifting or added bulk.
• If you want better traction and control without permanent modifications, decal grips are a strong option.
• For shooters who also value coverage and aesthetics, Showgun Decal Grips provide a full-coverage, customizable solution that’s both functional and removable.

Whichever route you choose, safe gun handling, proper training, and regular practice will have the biggest impact on your performance. Grip enhancements are there to support those fundamentals—not replace them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Decal Grips

1. What are handgun decal grips?

Decal grips are adhesive-backed, textured overlays that stick to your handgun’s frame or grip panels. They’re designed to increase traction and control, and often add some aesthetic customization, without permanently altering the firearm.

2. How do Showgun Decal Grips differ from standard pistol grip tape?

Standard pistol grip tape or basic decal kits usually cover only small sections of the grip. Showgun Decal Grips are designed as full-coverage handgun wraps, covering much more of the frame with a consistent rubberized texture. They also offer a wide range of designs and the ability to upload custom artwork, combining function and style in one product.

3. Are decal grips easy to install on my Glock, SIG, or other handgun?

Most decal grips are intended for DIY installation. Proper surface prep (cleaning oils and residue) and careful alignment are important. Showgun provides model-specific kits and instructions to help you get a clean, secure fit on common handguns like Glock, SIG Sauer, and others.

4. Can I remove decal grips without damaging my firearm?

High-quality decal grips, including Showgun Decal Grips, are designed to be removable. When properly installed and later removed with care, most users do not experience damage to the underlying finish. As with any adhesive product, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take your time when removing.

5. Do decal grips improve shooting accuracy?

Decal grips themselves don’t guarantee accuracy, but they can support it. By helping you maintain a more secure, consistent grip—especially when your hands are sweaty or during longer sessions—they can make it easier to manage recoil and return the sights to target. Actual accuracy still depends heavily on fundamentals like trigger control, sight alignment, and regular practice.