Tyler-T Grip Adapter

Colt Official Police with Tyler T-Grip Adapter

As mentioned in an earlier article, I like the Tyler-T Grip Adapters.  I have them on a lot of my revolvers.  Properly installed they are very stable and reliable and they work well with my hands and factory grips/stocks.  Unfortunately there's some bad news out there in the world of Tyler Manufacturing.

As has been noted, Melvin Tyler (who developed the product) died about 10 years ago.  His son-in-law Brian took over management of the business and now he has passed.  The remaining family is attempting to keep things going.  They have not taken down the web site and continue to take orders and may be continuing to produce grip adapters.  However they seem to have no understanding of customer service and are devoting little to no effort in that regard.

What appears to be happening is that after the loss of Brian no announcement was made and orders continued to come in.  Family in attempting to keep the business going accepted those orders and cashed checks.  Apparently they lost their facility, likely due to the vagaries of probate and lease conditions, and had to move the production equipment.  Inexperience likely delayed that process.  Orders continued to come in and be accepted (and more checks cashed to fund the move).  Communications ground to a halt.  As production started or continued the new "staff" had to learn "how to" which resulted in yet lower production rates.  I know that the anodizing is done by another firm and they appear to work on their own schedule.  The upshot is that no customers are happy.  While they might be shipping product, nobody is reporting receipt of product and so nobody knows that product might be coming out of the company but EVERYBODY tells and repeats the horror stories of orders unfilled, calls un-returned, checks cashed months ago, etc.  The Oklahoma Attorney General's office has received a great many complaints but can't give any further information and denies any jurisdiction.  This is all very sad as this company's reputation is now trashed and for no reason.

However, as often happens, the Tyler-T Grip Adapter is seemingly more in demand as cultists adherents try to get their grip adapters before they are "all gone".  Prices have gone through the roof rising from the MSRP of about $30 to as much as $250 (perhaps more by now) on the internet auction sites.  Most people who are willing to sell are asking $60-100 for each adapter.  When the madness ends, and it will, I wonder, how will those folks who bought at those prices feel?  I know how I'd feel.  I suggest that you wait it out.  There are other options for compact grips/stocks that don't stick to clothing when carried concealed.  The likelihood is that the company is in fact going to produce and ship or another manufacturer will step in and take advantage of the market vacuum.

---

Now that there's an unfilled demand somebody has stepped up to fill it! BK Grips or you can e-mail him directly. He also has an ad up on The High Road.

---

Now we find that the 800-number is disconnected and the web-page(s) taken down. Very sad. For those looking at those currently in the market here's a chart...

#1 For ALL Smith & Wesson "J" frames; models: 30, 31, 34, 36, 37, 38, 47, 60, 63, 649, ect..., made after 1955. Chief, Kit Gun, Bodyguard, Centennial, hand Ejector, ect, also most Charter Arms, Rossi 38 Special, Taurus 85, R.G. Model 31. All guns must have standard factory panel grips, will not fit oversize or rubber grips.

#2 For Smith & Wesson "J" frame revolvers made before 1955. Chief, Terrier, etc. Also for EIG E9, INA, Tiger, Llama X111, some late model Charter Arms, with standard grips.

#3 For ALL Smith & Wesson "K" and "L" SQUARE BUTT frame revolvers; models: 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 48, 64, 65, 66, 67, 547, 581, 586, ect...,. Also fits Astra Cadix, Falcon Revolvers with standard size regular grips, will not fit oversize grips. SQUARE BUTT "K" & "L" FRAMES.

#3R For ALL Smith & Wesson "K" & "L" frame ROUND BUTT: models: 10, 12, 13, 19, 64, 65, 66, 547, 586, ect... and all "K" frame ROUND BUTT models with regular standard size grips, will not fit oversize grips.

#4 For ALL Smith & Wesson "N" frame; models: 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 57, 58, 629, ect... Patrolman, Outdoorsman, Target Military, 1918 Military, also Miroku, Aster 357, Llama Heavy Frame Revolvers all with standard size grips, will not fit oversize grips. Round or Square butt does not matter for N-Frame Revolvers.

COLT REVOLVERS

#5 For Colt "D" frame Round or Square Butt models. Agent, Cobra, Detective Special, Diamondback, Police Positive made after 1941, with standard size grips.

#6 For Colt "I" & "J" frame models. Python, Trooper, Official Police, Officers Model, Target, 357, MK III, New Service, 1918 Army, with standard size grips.

#7 For Colt, old model made before 1941, Police Positive, Police Positive Special, Detective Special, this model has a very narrow butt, narrow between trigger guard and butt stock, Grips are 1 1/2" at bottom width.

RUGER REVOLVERS

#8 For Ruger, Security Six, Speed Six, Police Service Six, Red Hawk Revolvers with standard factory grips.

---

As of 25 Jul 2011....

ATTENTION CUSTOMERS:

------------------------------------------------

Tyler Manufacturing has resumed production of the TYLER T-GRIPS and TRIGGER SHOES. After a lengthy family conflict I have been successful in taking over the ownership and management of Tyler Manufacturing. As of July 25, 2011 over 1000 shiny and flat black T-GRIPS have been manufactured and will be received by Tyler's customers within the next 7 to 10 days.

I would like to extend my sincerest sympathies for the practices of the previous owners/managers of Tyler. I have made it my priority as the new owner/operator to fill EVERY back order immediately. I will post weekly, my production list of all completed finishes and sizes of T-GRIPS AND TRIGGER SHOES. These updates will continue until appropriate office help can be hired to answer your questions. Address changes have been logged and applied and your letters have been read. Although I am not able to respond to every request, I hope this update and receipt of your orders will be a satisfactory response for now.

As of this date, I have produced over 200 back ordered TRIGGER SHOES. However, not all back orders of TRIGGER SHOES have been completed, most have been done in flat black. Bronze and Aluminum finish TRIGGER SHOES and T-GRIPS are the next items to be produced and mailed.

My business practices are far different than what many of you have previously experienced in dealings with Tyler Manufacturing this last year. I have taken a leave of absence from my law enforcement career to focus on the day to day operations of Tyler and will continue to do so to ensure the company's success.

My intent is to have inventory and orders shipped out as they are received instead of back orders or custom made items. This means that all trigger shoes will be manufactured in black once the back orders have been completed, and bronze items will be available for a limited run in both T-GRIPS AND TRIGGER SHOES.

Also, as soon as possible, Tyler will have a new web site.

I look forward to doing business with you.

Sincerely,

Bryan Matthews, Jr.