We only tape the parts of the rifle that need to be taped for added strength. We've seen many people tape the entire rifle and that is perfectly acceptable to do (especially if you want to change the color of the rifle using tape).
@Nerdy Art - Yes all color guards use these same types of rifles. Some competitors have tried to copy our design buy they can not copy the quality. Elite Rifles are used by may of the world's top drum corps (including 2014 DCI Champion Blue Devils) and winter guards (including 2014 WGI Champion Onyx). The Elite 3 is our 36" rifle and the Elite 4 is our 39" rifle. To find an authorized retailer who sells the Elite Rifles simply do a Google search for Elite Rifles. I also believe some of our retailers are selling them on Amazon as well.
Sophia Dilmore You can order a pre-taped OR un-taped rifle (either 36" or 39") and they come with bolts that are attached. However, if you are looking for a "plain stock" rifle with no bolt and no strap you can order that as well. Just be sure to notify your authorized DSI retailer when ordering exactly how you want your rifle and we'll make it happen for you. Happy holidays!
your supposed to be slow and careful to make sure their isn any bubbles, like when i taped my riffle it had to be smooth and no air bubbles for best catching and throwing quality..
My dad said that he couldn't find any anywhere. He bought some regular electrical tape, white duct tape and this tape you use for tennis rackets and baseball bats. So far we've only taped the head and butt we just used the white duct tape for that.. xD
@Nerdy Art - DSI offers pre-taped and un-taped rifles for sale. The prices shown on the dshowcase.com website are for un-taped rifles and you can get any rifle pre-taped for about $10 more. Check with your authorized DSI retailer for exact pricing as they set their own prices when selling to customers. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
i use untaped rifles ALOT. i used to use Cloth tape to cussion the blows when tossing but then i got into Sabres n started using gloves. know everthing i use from chains to firegiants to sabres are untaped.
Dear DSI I have had my rifle for a while and I love it; however I destroyed the pads on my rifle a long time ago so the butt and nose or a little wrecked I just bought new pads; however they do not perfectly fit because of how the wood is damaged The rifle still works and by no means is it broken, but how should I put on the new pads?
Do all colorguards use the same type of rifle? I've seen this style which is more straight and boxy, and I've also seen more rounded ones. I think my guard uses this type, but I'm not sure where to buy one.
If you purchased an un-taped rifle and looking to tape it yourself, simply unscrew the bolt and strap then follow the instructions in the video. After you tape the rifle simply screw the bolt and strap back in place (be sure not to over tighten the screws or you may strip the holes in the wood).
The Elite Rifles do not need weights as they are all approximately 2.2 lbs. to 2.6 lbs. (depending on rifle length). Every rifle is perfectly balanced during the manufacturing process and there is no place to add weights to the rifle. This TH-cam video shows the rifle taping process if you choose to tape the rifle yourself or you can purchase a pre-taped rifle so it's ready to spin right out of the package.
Our recommendation would be to start with the Elite 3 (36") rifle as it is the smallest and the easiest to handle getting started. Also, you will either want to purchase the pre-taped rifle to protect it from breaking or you may consider purchasing an Elite Pro which is the plastic version of our wooden rifles. Hope this helps....
The rifle bolt should never be GLUED onto the rifle (DSI does not glue any part of the rifle). If it is screwed into the rifle then you can unscrew the bolt from the rifle and then follow the steps in the video.
If you are using the Elite Pro Rifle (plastic rifle) you do not need to tape it as it will not break. However, some people still apply the vinyl tape to the rifle to give it the same feel as using a taped wooden rifle. You do not need to use the strapping tape on the Elite Pro as the strapping tape is designed to protect the wood from breaking.
honest i hope someone repleys to me but DOES PUTTING TAB ON YOUR SABRES AND RIFLES REALLY MATTER. i used to always put cloth tab around mine, but 2 years ago i started to preform with gloves so i bought new rifles and flags and such untapped ever since, so does tapping it do any thing?........ besides to form a central theme around the main theme
Do all the rifles come pre taped? I was on a website who sells Elite Rifles but I didnt see any options for taped or not taped. Does that come after you add it to your cart and check out or do all of them come pre taped?
When we add the strap to the rifle we start by adding the screw closest to the butt end of the rifle and the screw is inserted about 2 inches from the end. Then, the strap is pulled tight and the other screw (closest to the tip) is inserted. It doesn't have to be exact but it is approximately 11 inches from the tip of the rifle. Hope this helps....
+Amilcar De León - Most guard members will completely tape their rifle for added durability and strength even though it is not necessary to tape the entire rifle. You should use the strapping tape first and then the vinyl tape (as shown in the video).
+Amilcar De León - You should use both strapping tape and vinyl (electrical) tape on the rifle. The strapping tape has thread interwoven in the tape for added strength and is more important than the vinyl tape so you should not skip this step. Ideally you should use both but if you were only using one then I would recommend only using the strapping tape.
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We only tape the parts of the rifle that need to be taped for added strength. We've seen many people tape the entire rifle and that is perfectly acceptable to do (especially if you want to change the color of the rifle using tape).
In order to prevent the rifle from breaking it is HIGHLY recommended that you use strapping tape under the vinyl / electrical tape.
@Nerdy Art - Yes all color guards use these same types of rifles. Some competitors have tried to copy our design buy they can not copy the quality. Elite Rifles are used by may of the world's top drum corps (including 2014 DCI Champion Blue Devils) and winter guards (including 2014 WGI Champion Onyx). The Elite 3 is our 36" rifle and the Elite 4 is our 39" rifle.
To find an authorized retailer who sells the Elite Rifles simply do a Google search for Elite Rifles. I also believe some of our retailers are selling them on Amazon as well.
its so clean and spottless :) i love using my 36 inch Elite Rifle, except the paint is all scratched :(
Sophia Dilmore You can order a pre-taped OR un-taped rifle (either 36" or 39") and they come with bolts that are attached. However, if you are looking for a "plain stock" rifle with no bolt and no strap you can order that as well. Just be sure to notify your authorized DSI retailer when ordering exactly how you want your rifle and we'll make it happen for you. Happy holidays!
your supposed to be slow and careful to make sure their isn any bubbles, like when i taped my riffle it had to be smooth and no air bubbles for best catching and throwing quality..
Yes .... electrical tape and vinyl tape are the same thing.
Do you work at DSI??? That's really cool. I would love to tape rifles all day
The Elite Rifle is just over 1.25 inches thick.
My dad said that he couldn't find any anywhere. He bought some regular electrical tape, white duct tape and this tape you use for tennis rackets and baseball bats. So far we've only taped the head and butt we just used the white duct tape for that..
xD
@Nerdy Art - DSI offers pre-taped and un-taped rifles for sale. The prices shown on the dshowcase.com website are for un-taped rifles and you can get any rifle pre-taped for about $10 more. Check with your authorized DSI retailer for exact pricing as they set their own prices when selling to customers. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
i use untaped rifles ALOT. i used to use Cloth tape to cussion the blows when tossing but then i got into Sabres n started using gloves. know everthing i use from chains to firegiants to sabres are untaped.
Dear DSI
I have had my rifle for a while and I love it; however I destroyed the pads on my rifle a long time ago so the butt and nose or a little wrecked
I just bought new pads; however they do not perfectly fit because of how the wood is damaged
The rifle still works and by no means is it broken, but how should I put on the new pads?
Do all colorguards use the same type of rifle? I've seen this style which is more straight and boxy, and I've also seen more rounded ones. I think my guard uses this type, but I'm not sure where to buy one.
do you have to use strapping tape in the begining? can you just use eletrical tape for the whole thing?
What if the bolt and strap are already on because that's how you got it?
If you purchased an un-taped rifle and looking to tape it yourself, simply unscrew the bolt and strap then follow the instructions in the video. After you tape the rifle simply screw the bolt and strap back in place (be sure not to over tighten the screws or you may strip the holes in the wood).
where should the rifle be the heaviest and where should it be the lightest so that i know if I need to buy weights?
The Elite Rifles do not need weights as they are all approximately 2.2 lbs. to 2.6 lbs. (depending on rifle length). Every rifle is perfectly balanced during the manufacturing process and there is no place to add weights to the rifle. This TH-cam video shows the rifle taping process if you choose to tape the rifle yourself or you can purchase a pre-taped rifle so it's ready to spin right out of the package.
If I am beginner looking to buy a rifle what type should I buy
Our recommendation would be to start with the Elite 3 (36") rifle as it is the smallest and the easiest to handle getting started. Also, you will either want to purchase the pre-taped rifle to protect it from breaking or you may consider purchasing an Elite Pro which is the plastic version of our wooden rifles. Hope this helps....
What happens if the rifle bolt is already glued onto the rifle because of packaging?
The rifle bolt should never be GLUED onto the rifle (DSI does not glue any part of the rifle). If it is screwed into the rifle then you can unscrew the bolt from the rifle and then follow the steps in the video.
I have an unbreakable rifle that is not made of wood. Would the same tapping rules apply with it?
If you are using the Elite Pro Rifle (plastic rifle) you do not need to tape it as it will not break. However, some people still apply the vinyl tape to the rifle to give it the same feel as using a taped wooden rifle. You do not need to use the strapping tape on the Elite Pro as the strapping tape is designed to protect the wood from breaking.
dshowcase okay, thank you. The box that had my rifle in it did come with tape though
How thick is a color guard rifle I know the length I just want to know how thick they are?
honest i hope someone repleys to me but DOES PUTTING TAB ON YOUR SABRES AND RIFLES REALLY MATTER. i used to always put cloth tab around mine, but 2 years ago i started to preform with gloves so i bought new rifles and flags and such untapped ever since, so does tapping it do any thing?........ besides to form a central theme around the main theme
taping the guns helps prevent breaking. on sabres, it's more so it can be seen and better grip
It strengthens the rifle and saver so it doesn't get damaged easily. It's best to tape them.
Saber*
+Angel Craig sabre**
Do all the rifles come pre taped? I was on a website who sells Elite Rifles but I didnt see any options for taped or not taped. Does that come after you add it to your cart and check out or do all of them come pre taped?
No from what I've seen the rifles never come pre taped you have to tape them on your own once you get them
You also we most likely need to buy the tapes separately
if you order a strap for a after you have a 39" rifle, where do you screw in the hardware for it? like how far down from the butt/tip is regular?
When we add the strap to the rifle we start by adding the screw closest to the butt end of the rifle and the screw is inserted about 2 inches from the end. Then, the strap is pulled tight and the other screw (closest to the tip) is inserted. It doesn't have to be exact but it is approximately 11 inches from the tip of the rifle. Hope this helps....
So if I order the 36'/no pre-taping, is the bolt attached or separate?
Attached
do you seek strapping tape also?
+Anna Beth Campbell - yes we offer strapping tape and vinyl tape for
wooden rifles. You can purchase this from any authorized DSI retailer.
I seen some rifles that are taped completely! why they tape completely?
+Amilcar De León - Most guard members will completely tape their rifle for added durability and strength even though it is not necessary to tape the entire rifle. You should use the strapping tape first and then the vinyl tape (as shown in the video).
what happens if i don't tape the rifle with these tapes? what happens if i use electrical tape? can someone answer me please? thank you!
+Amilcar De León - You should use both strapping tape and vinyl (electrical) tape on the rifle. The strapping tape has thread interwoven in the tape for added strength and is more important than the vinyl tape so you should not skip this step. Ideally you should use both but if you were only using one then I would recommend only using the strapping tape.
+dshowcase thank you very very much!!
+dshowcase I have an "indestructible" as my guard calls it, and I used electric tape and it was totally fine
I tape the entire thing .. They just like left open spot on the rifle open . Like they're begging for it to get ruined . Smh .
I've found great handbook on woodprix website. Good solutions for everyone I think
Looks like the worst tape job I ever seen