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The Idea for GunSkins was Started from a Hunting Experience Gone Wrong

The Idea for GunSkins was Started from a Hunting Experience Gone Wrong - GunSkins
The Idea for GunSkins was Started from a Hunting Experience Gone Wrong - GunSkins

Going into business was never something that was on the forefront of my mind. I just love hunting and I love shopping around for the right gear and apparel that makes shooting in the woods the best experience possible. However, it was a result of a poor experience that led me to ask the question: why isn't there a solution for my particular problem? To be more specific, why isn't there an quick and inexpensive way for match my rifle to the rest of my camouflage gear?

The Story

I carefully nestled into the rough combination of sage and timber, located at the base of a rocky bluff. Sunrise had yet to come up on this particular January morning, my first hunt of the year. I was ready, my call and decoy were located just where I wanted them. As soon as the sunlight was peeking through and providing more light, I briefly saw the blur which was a coyote dashing through the sage not 600 yards away. My decoy was working as it was luring him closer and closer. This was going to be an easy one, I thought to myself.

Boy was I wrong. About 400 yards out he suddenly stops and looks at my direction. Did he see me? I didn't have time to answer that. I aimed my AR-15 in his direction, but it was too late. He was gone. Where did I go wrong? I was decked in camouflage from head to toe, concealed to the environment and in perfect position. Then the painful answer was obvious when I inspected my weapon. My AR-15 Rifle featured a stainless barrel and scope, which is great for durability but the sunlight must have hit it just right and given my position away.

Rifle Skin (A-TACS IX)

Rifle Skin (A-TACS IX)

The Origin of the Concept

Then it hit me. How could I apply a camouflage finish to my scope that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg? Not only that, but I also needed something that was durable, able to withstand the day to day abuse that I put my guns through. I looked at existing options, such as hydro graphics, Cerakote, and vinyl wrap kits. Vinyl was the most economical solution, but using it to wrap a gun was still new territory. So I started experimenting and researching, which inevitably led from one thing to another.

By partnering with reliable production partners and officially licensed camouflage brands, I created GunSkins as the solution for my problem. The material I use is extremely flexible, a heat stretch not heat shrink. It's ideal for small curves, edges, and recessed corners. Vinyl was commonly used to wrap cars and trucks, but I made it work for a new application: guns and gear. I developed precut kits from the ground up, focusing on popular firearms such as AR-15s, AK-47s, pistols and more. It was important for me to offer something that was easy to install and would last a long time.

GunSkins has humble beginnings. Like Amazon.com, we too started in our garage. We are a small business in a small town, and we think this helps make each and every customer feel like their order was personal and appreciated. We are always open for suggestions and take pride in our customer service. Since our launch in 2013, we have grown out of our garage and now mass produce our kits on a large scale and ship worldwide. What hasn't changed, however, is the fact that every GunSkins kit is still proudly made in the USA.

AR-15 Rifle Skin (Kryptek Highlander)

AR-15 Rifle Skin (Kryptek Highlander)

The Solution

Vinyl wraps may be less expensive than some of the other gun finishes out there, but that does not mean our product is cheap. We use only the highest quality vinyl for our kits, providing you with durability, color guarantee, and 100% waterproof. Another advantage is that GunSkins are non-permanent, unlike some of the other options. The vinyl can be removed to allow for a different pattern to fit the season. I believe in our product so much, I decided to offer a lifetime warranty for every kit.

The vinyl protects the surface of your gun, but the camouflage pattern protects you in the field. It was important for us to offer only the best and most popular names in camouflage, such as A-TACS, Kryptek, Realtree, and more. That way, you can match the GunSkins wrap to apparel and gear of the same pattern. That would have changed the outcome of my coyote hunt, for sure.

Shotgun Skin

Shotgun Skin (Prym1 Multi-Purpose)

Many other gun finishes require sending your gun away or waiting hours or days for the finished product to be usable. That didn't sit well with me. I designed GunSkins with the end user in mind, as a simple DIY project that can be accomplished in just a few hours. I'm not just saying that to pitch a sale. My personal gun safe is filled with firearms and magazines all wrapped in GunSkins. This is something I use in my personal life year round.

GunSkins has taken me to places I never thought I would ever go. Our recent booth at SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas has encouraged me and my work. All of the reception has been positive and I still love it just as much as our customers! I am proof that this works. My subsequent hunting trips have not been as disappointing as it was that early January morning. That was the last one that got away as a result of hunting with an unwrapped gun.

93 comments

  • GunSkins: May 28, 2021
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    To do that, Kyle, would require purchasing two sets of Magwell Skins. It is not possible to print a custom magwell with different artwork on each side.

  • Kyle: May 28, 2021
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    Is it possible to order 2 different stickers for each side of my AR lower?

  • GunSkins: May 09, 2021
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    Unfornately, we do not carry the Rebel Flag any more and we have nothing left even in old stock. Sorry.

  • R: May 07, 2021
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    I know it is “politically incorrect” but by chance, do you have some sort of super secret way to order Confederate Flag gun skins?

  • Keith Griner: May 05, 2021
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    Impressed!

    Kudos to you for carving out a niche for yourselves…Great product, great execution, great designs…really well done!

  • Brian Phillips: February 26, 2021
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    The GunSkins team is AWESOME! I can’t say enough good things about my experience with them. I installed one of my skins on my rifle and accidentally damaged the skin due to my own negligence putting the gun in my vise block. It was completely my fault. I was getting ready to place another order for additional skins and thought I would ask if I could get a partial kit to fix my goof up. They were very responsive and took care of me like I was part of their family. Customer service these days is rarely considered let alone average, but they went out of their way to help me out- far beyond my expectations!
    I am a GS customer for life and will recommend them any and every time I can.
    Thank you for a quality product backed up by superior customer service!

  • GunSkins: February 12, 2021
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    Yes Terry, you can clean the weapon after wrapping it like normal. We suggest using gun-specific cleaners while avoiding harsh chemicals such as acetone and chlorinated brake cleaner.

  • Terry: February 12, 2021
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    Are you still able to properly clean the pistol like normal without damaging the skin?
  • GunSkins: December 17, 2020
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    David, to remove the skin, use a little bit of heat and peel it off. It should come off clean but in the rare chance some residue remains, it’s very minor and can easily be wiped off using rubbing alcohol and a towel.

  • David Neuhof: December 16, 2020
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    is it possible to remove a gun skin, and how bad is the residue when skin is removed

  • jeffrey hall: November 29, 2020
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    A big shout out to the gunskins team. My skin was delivered to the wrong address. Way to go usps. I sent an email on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and gunskins was all over it. They were willing to make it right. Thankfully a honest neighbor a few houses down brought me the package. Thanks for being willing to handle my concern on a holiday weekend. You will be recommended to all my friends.

  • GunSkins: November 17, 2020
    Author's avatar image

    Kurt, while there is some overlap between the markets for gun owners and gamers, our emphasis is on the hunting and shooting community. We appreciate the suggestion, but likely won’t offer any Fallout 4 themed skins any time soon.

  • Kurt Osborn: November 16, 2020
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    Good day, I really like the skins! I was curious if you had plans to do different custom skins for AR’s. I would really like skin for one of my AR rifles that has a FallOut 4 theme to it. I am not a gamer, but I do enjoy that game and I’ve seen controllers with that skin, but it would be pretty cool if I could get a skin for my AR that was themed for the video game. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Kurt

  • GunSkins: November 13, 2020
    Author's avatar image

    Mark, for any tactical weapon that we don’t have a specific skin for (like the HI POINT 4595TS for example), we recommend using a large Gear Skin (8″ × 50″). This will give you plenty of material and the flexibility to customize for your weapon.

  • Mark Bolick: November 12, 2020
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    Do you have a skin for a HI POINT 4595TS

  • GunSkins: November 07, 2020
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    Lisa, we have several dealers in the Las Vegas area for you to inquire about same-day installation. Please take a look at our Dealer Map and find the one nearest you!

  • Lisa: November 06, 2020
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    Are you all available in the Vegas area for possible same days service for a gift (skin for a small handgun?

  • GunSkins: November 05, 2020
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    Aaron, we are currently working with Kuiu Camo about offering Valo to our lineup of patterns. I can’t give you an ETA at this time, but it’s definitely something we are excited about!

  • Aaron sanchez : November 04, 2020
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    When will kuiu valo pattern be available?

  • GunSkins: October 21, 2020
    Author's avatar image

    Unfortunately, Robert, we don’t have any plans on producing a kit specifically for compound bows. We’ve had plenty of success wrapping them with our Large Gear Skin, an uncut sheet measuring 8” x 50”. It’s easy enough to wrap the bow in sections and trimming the material to fit.

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