One of my uncles has a favorite saying which goes like this: “When you’re having fun, it’s hard to stop.” That’s how I sometimes feel when it comes to testing gear to review for our readers. There’s no shortage of hunting and shooting gear on the market, and folks need to know what’s good. Today we’re taking a look at the UtilaGrip gun holder which I first discovered about a month ago. UtilaGrip is a cool-looking device intended to grip your guns and hold them upright. Let’s look closer and see what more we can learn about it (stay tuned until the end for a special discount deal).
I got the “Arsenal Pack” which contains three UtilaGrip holders and one QuickRail into which each UtilaGrip can be slid and moved from side to side. I’ve included photos of the box, clearly marked Made in USA which is good, but you should ignore the website URL as printed on the box. It should say UtilaGrip.net not dot com. Each UtilaGrip weighs 3.95 ounces on my digital scale, and the entire “Arsenal Pack” kit of 3 UtilaGrips and one rail weighs 20.1 ounces, or 1.26 pounds (not including box/screws/anchors).
Digging into UtilaGrip
Inside the box I found the QuickRail with three UtilaGrips installed and a small ziploc bag containing two 1.25-inch countersunk Philips screws and two screw-in drywall anchors. My first impression of the UtilaGrip is that it’s well-made, a good design, really tough, and sturdy. The way they work together though leaves something to be desired.
The QuickRail is rugged and feels like it could survive a nuclear blast. It measures 16-1/2″ long, 2-3/8″ wide, and 1/2″ thick, and has three countersunk holes drilled with the widest pair 16″ apart (standard household wall stud spacing) and the third hole in the center.
Each UtilaGrip is worthy of respect and consists of a tough, but slightly flexible black plastic plate/claw with a rubbery piece wrapped around and attached to the hard core. The protective rubber wraps around the outside of the claw as well as forming the finger-lined grippy inside of the holder. There are two holes countersunk on the front side in each UtilaGrip. The wall plate or base portion measures 3.5″ wide by 2″ tall and the total depth of the UtilaGrip is 3-3/8 inches.
My first test of the UtilaGrip was to secure it to the edge of a work table. I could only use one screw because the holes are one inch apart vertically and the table top wasn’t thick enough to use both holes. This gun holder didn’t mind that though it held the pump shotgun just fine.
Next, it was time to try out the “Arsenal Pack” setup which I did on the edge of a cabinet in my office. I installed two screws to secure the rail to the wooden cabinet, slid in the UtilaGrips, and crammed in some guns. The gun holders gripped each of the various firearms just fine. I even tested it with a side-by-side double-barrel 12 Gauge shotgun (not pictured) and it held that scattergun without a problem. I just slipped the barrels into the holder sideways, then rotated the gun. The barrels were held securely and weren’t going anywhere, but the fit was not super tight and removing the gun was easy.
Remember what I said earlier about not liking the way my UtilaGrips work with the QuickRail? Well, now’s the time to talk about that. The holders I received slip into the rail easily (too easily), and they move freely from side to side. This means there’s a possibility of your gun falling over due to the holder sliding out the end of the rail. With my pump shotgun secured in one UtilaGrip in the middle of the rail, the gun could move from side to side, but the grip on the barrel prevented it from moving all the way out of the rail. When I moved the holder more towards the end of the rail; however, the entire UtilaGrip could slide right out of the rail if the gun was nudged sideways.
I’m told by the company that wider guns exert more pressure on the holders which in turn should cause the holders to grip the rail. So, a big fat gun might make the holders fit the rail more tightly, and after more discussion of my problem with the company owner, I was assured that they will be working to ensure a better (tighter) fit between rail and holder in the future. I love their attitude, as reflected in this statement:
“We are a new product and welcome your experience as a chance to improve. Thanks for your time and detailed explanation of the problems you experienced. Rest assured we will correct this.“
Nothing wrong with that, but if you do end up with loose-fitting holders in the QuickRail be sure to take some measures to secure the UtilaGrips so you don’t end up with a battered firearm. Some sort of end cap or even just a screw protruding a little should be enough to stop the holder from coming out.
Final Thoughts on UtilaGrip
I like the UtilaGrip and I am most definitely going to install one in the tiny corner by the door of my hunt camp where I like to lean my rifle or shotgun between hunts. This will help prevent the gun getting knocked over if I should bump it with one of my big ol’ clodhoppers. I think I’d also like one on the edge of the table where I do my gun cleaning so I can lean up a gun or barrel without worrying about it falling over. The Arsenal Pack would be handy at a range, or near a gun safe where you might want to lean up some firearms while you dig for the one in the back. I can even see a use for one of these in a blind or shooting house to keep your firearm secure while you wait for the game.
I feel I should mention that this product is NOT meant for supporting your long gun entirely. It’s simply meant to hold a rifle or shotgun upright with the gun’s butt resting on a solid surface. AllOutdoor readers can support this small American, two-person business by ordering UtilaGrip at their website. A single holder is $16.99 and the Arsenal Pack is $53.95, and AO readers can enter the code ALLOUTDOOR at checkout to receive 10% off their entire purchase. Orders for more than $25 ship free in the continental USA.
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