Altamont stocks

[shil]

Succumbing to temptation, I latched on to a set of Altamont target stocks for my 40-year-old Model 14 for what I judged to be a fair price.
They are smooth Santos Rosewood, very attractive, and well-fitting. I can't tell, though, if they are solid wood or a composite. I can't find a definitive answer. Does anyone know for sure if any Altamonts are solid wood? I've seen descriptions of the "super walnut", silverblack, and others as being of a laminate such as "Dymondwood".

[Lowa]

It depends on which one you got. The "super" woods are resin impregnated "dymondwood."

Some of them are straight up wood with a polyurethane coating. The woods look better, imo.

The santos rosewood is wood. Specifically, it is another name for pao ferro. A substitute for, but not actually "rosewood" which is named for its smell. The super rosewood is "dymondwood" laminate.

Went to their website for official statement and I quote,

"The materials available will depend on the gun you are outfitting. Most will be available in our super woods - Super Rosewood, Super Walnut, or Silverblack. These three are dyed birch laminates. We have experimented with many premium and synthetic materials and found these to be both durable and beautiful. We also offer bonded ivory, imitation stag, aged ivory, white pearl, pink pearl, and in some cases rubber, plastic, and premium woods."

[stanmerrell]

I bought this set of Silverback Combats last week. The two are solid wood.
https://ibb.co/5h6nmnN

[Ruger 1,3]

Pictures would help!

[ZGrand]

As others have said, it depends on which grips. These reproduction coke grips from Altamont are solid walnut.

[shil]

Thanks, Everyone. Now to figure out how to post a photo. My flip phone is not on friendly terms with this computer.

[Lowa]

Just go by whatever the manufacturer says. It's hard to tell by looks unless you know well what the wood grain would look like naturally.

For the "rosewood" is it red or brown? Their laminates are dyed red and their rosewood is like a light brown.

[rbmac52]

Originally Posted by stanmerrell

I bought this set of Silverback Combats last week. The two are solid wood.
https://ibb.co/5h6nmnN

In my opinion, all Altamont Silverblack grips are made of laminate, not solid wood.

[biblethumpincop]

I shaped and refinished the set on my Ruger flattop 44spl. The are Santos Rosewood. Not much figure, and the color is consistent and I didn't use any dye. The set on my 6" model 28 are also Altamont Santos Rosewood but they were seconds that I got for a few bucks plus shipping and I shaped them and finished them without dye as well. Both grips have a superglue finish.

The K frames have Altamont's superwood. I think they are both the super rosewood, if I remember correctly. The checkered K frames are very nice.

[oysterer]

Not an option on an older gun. they are too small, too thin and just dont look right, composite or walnut. Look for old targets, there are some seller on here.

[diecidecimi]

Originally Posted by oysterer

Not an option on an older gun. they are too small, too thin and just dont look right, composite or walnut. Look for old targets, there are some seller on here.

Absolutely true.

[mod57]

Originally Posted by biblethumpincop

I shaped and refinished the set on my Ruger flattop 44spl. The are Santos Rosewood. Not much figure, and the color is consistent and I didn't use any dye. The set on my 6" model 28 are also Altamont Santos Rosewood but they were seconds that I got for a few bucks plus shipping and I shaped them and finished them without dye as well. Both grips have a superglue finish.

The K frames have Altamont's superwood. I think they are both the super rosewood, if I remember correctly. The checkered K frames are very nice.

If I may, what is a "superglue" finish? I have never heard that before, but then again there are many things I have never heard of!

[Lowa]

Originally Posted by diecidecimi

Absolutely true.

I fully disagree. Between my S&W combat woods, Nils, football, and 2x4 grips, multiple of the Altamont designs are both very good looking and comfortable to shoot.

Different frame sizes, barrel lengths, and barrel profiles work differently with various grip shapes. They certainly handle recoil differently.

I find older grip styles to often be overly large and while they may spread recoil over a large area, they can do so very poorly.

Right grips for the right gun. Everybody thought the old woods were trash and went for Goodyears, but now they're as rare as hens teeth.

I have walnut altamonts on my 5" 27-2. Look and feel great. Roper style, which I have on two other guns. I happen to dislike my nils for rapid fire, but not these slim altamonts

[raljr1]

I have a couple pairs for guns that I bought wearing rubbers. I like them, especially for the price.

20190628_192447.jpg

[Imissedagain]

Originally Posted by mod57

If I may, what is a "superglue" finish? I have never heard that before, but then again there are many things I have never heard of!

This should help get you started and then search for it's use on gunstocks.

We polished some 1911 slabs, similar to the pic below from the incubative years, with Gougeon Bros epoxy to a nice finish just out of curiosity.
Don't remember if any were sold as Tru-Oil was the goto finish.
Tung Oil or most likely RenWax on the next run of stocks.

Super glues have improved over the years and we use them but not for laminations or finish, but I might try it on one or two of our new, with Chevrons made right, 1911 "10th Mountain Slopers".
That's Slopers not Ropers.

Gougeon/West System is a marine grade epoxy and has been our goto epoxy for gunstocks, kayaks, some string instruments and most marine electronics woodwork chores over the decades.


Pic circa 1980.

YouTube

[biblethumpincop]

Originally Posted by mod57

If I may, what is a "superglue" finish? I have never heard that before, but then again there are many things I have never heard of!

Using superglue fills in the pores and provides a hard finish, kind of like epoxy. I use a thin glue, not a gel. Rub it all over quickly and follow up with light sanding after it dries. 0000 steel wool to finish it.