grips and they were defective. Sent them back and ordered some from Smith and Wesson (the classic dymonwood for my Model 66-2) and they don't fit flush on the frame. I called to complain and guess what? It turns out Altamont makes their grips. So two sets of defective Altamont grips and two shipping costs down the toilet. Thanks Altamont.
Wow... I was getting ready to order a set of target grips for my Model 19. That's a major bummer... I too looked at the Altamont grips but passed after reading some bad reviews as to fit.
I wonder if S&W is using these grips on their classic revolvers?? Anyone know?? I can't imagine they are selling a $1,000 gun with poor fitting grips!!
I have a pair of their RB's on my 624, and I think they fit pretty good. I can fit maybe a .010" feeler gauge between the top of the panel and the frame, which is not bad. I can make it tighter by some precision sanding of the inside of the panel to make it perfect if I want to.
Fro the price, I think they'er damn good. The checkering is nice on them and they fit my hand pretty good.
I am sorry for the bad fit. I hate it when I spend $ and time for something that doesn't work out.
That said...I have the Altamont Checkered RB to SQ Conversions with the medallions. They fit great. Look even better..
I actually sold the gun Saturday... without these grips..Now I need a new gun for them
I am sorry for the bad fit. I hate it when I spend $ and time for something that doesn't work out.
That said...I have the Altamont Checkered RB to SQ Conversions with the medallions. They fit great. Look even better..
I actually sold the gun Saturday... without these grips..Now I need a new gun for them
I bought a pair for my 442 from S&W that also have the visible gap at the top. Doesn't really bother me much, doesn't effect the feel. For the price paid I think they are of good quality.
In hindsight would I have paid the little extra for Ahrends or Spegals?? yes...but I'm content for now with these.
Well all is not as it appears...I picked this up for $250 and put $100 onto it. I didn't like the action so instead of investing more in a gun that had freckling on the frame that I couldn't get past. So I sold it at a gun show for $650. Pocketed $300 and there you go:$
Darn, I was about to put in an order for Altamonts. I was originally going to go with Ahrends, but Altamonts look better since I also have the option for the medallion and checkering. Was going to get either the Rosewood or Silverblack for my 627 5"
I like the Altamonts, but the Ahrend's are the best fitting (to my hand) of any grip I have ever had on revolver. YMMV.
Mike,
From you picture, it looks like the checkering on the Altamont grip panel is too high.
It is really a shame Altamont is having such quality problems. I really like their grip designs.
I expect to have to do minor fitting to a pair of wood revolver grips. The fact is that there have been very minor variations in Smith & Wesson frames throughout the years. But to mess up on the checkering is just poor.
As you can see, there is plenty of daylight on the right side above the backstrap.
You know, rebelrouseri, I think you should get a fealer gage and figure out the size of that gap. Then send that grip panel back to Altamont and tell them to fix it.
If it's their fault-whoever it is-they pay ALL of the freight.
They have a different look but are really well built, cheaper than the Altamonts, and much better customer service. Altamont made me pay the freight to get their defective grips back to them and I still haven't received a refund from S&W.
Where are you finding the Ahrends cheaper than Altamonts? Overall, I'm seeing them more expensive. Gripseller on ebay has them for $60, which I wouldn't mind paying for.. but they don't have N Frame sized Target grips without finger groove in any wood colorings I like. Also, I know its just superficial.. but I really wish Ahrends offered their grips with S&W medallion. I think the combination of subdued smooth grips with the medallion is extremely attractive.
I can get Ahrend grips from Brownells for around $40.. thats about the only place I can find them cheaper than I can get Altamonts (around $40-$50), but they don't even specify what wood I'd be getting.
PS, really nice coloring on the grips. What color/wood is that?
Those are Ahrends Cocobolo grips from Top Gun Supply
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorenut
Where are you finding the Ahrends cheaper than Altamonts? Overall, I'm seeing them more expensive. Gripseller on ebay has them for $60, which I wouldn't mind paying for.. but they don't have N Frame sized Target grips without finger groove in any wood colorings I like. Also, I know its just superficial.. but I really wish Ahrends offered their grips with S&W medallion. I think the combination of subdued smooth grips with the medallion is extremely attractive.
I can get Ahrend grips from Brownells for around $40.. thats about the only place I can find them cheaper than I can get Altamonts (around $40-$50), but they don't even specify what wood I'd be getting.
PS, really nice coloring on the grips. What color/wood is that?
My Altamonts that were defective were maple (the only wood they had) w/ S&W Medallions for $70. Ahrends are expensive but they are quality grips and actually cheaper w/out the medallions.
Unfortunately gripseller on ebay just told me how hard it is for her keep a consistent inventory on certain woods for Ahrends since they sell almost immediately and it's been over 2 months since she's been able to get some of the other woods. Glad she's doing good business though.
From you picture, it looks like the checkering on the Altamont grip panel is too high.
It is really a shame Altamont is having such quality problems. I really like their grip designs.
I expect to have to do minor fitting to a pair of wood revolver grips. The fact is that there have been very minor variations in Smith & Wesson frames throughout the years. But to mess up on the checkering is just poor.
You may as well invest in Spegels.
I don't really have a problem with the checkering, and actually am happy with it. When you say too "high", what do you mean that in relation to? Here's the same 547 with original stock grips:
And now the Altamonts ordered from S&W:
The S&W purchased Altamonts are slimmer dimensionally than the orignial OEM grips and so the checkering is a bit different too, but I don't see any quality issues and in fact, prefer them to the originals, or they wouldn't be on that revolver. I would recommend them, at least for service magna grip replacements for K-Frame SBs.
The checkering probably couldn't be lower; the grip begins to be beveled just below the bottom of the checkering. So actually, the checkering begins about where it's normal, the original grips aren't beveled, but end at the flat of the butt. I'd say the checkering is cut just right; the checkering would have little or no use on the bevel.
The advantage of the bevel is that it reduces the size of the butt while still maintaining a good amount of grip area. I found that it makes a good compromise between round butt concealability and square butt grip size.
Ordered my very first set of wood stocks for my beloved S&W 686 Plus 3" Barrel. Because of the overall look and ability to get the S&W medallions added, I chose to order Altamonts. I trusted that the quality would meet my expectations. I was wrong. Just to clarify, I'm not being overly picky either. Not only were BOTH medallions slanted to one side or the other, instead of straight up and down, there was also one side of the grip top extension (the part the goes up toward the hammer) that was WAY thinner than the other. VERY noticeable. Even my wife commented about it, and she usually wouldnt even notice.
Not sure what the plan is now. This 686 is a range gun, home defense gun, and "sometimes" concealed carry gun. I take extremely good care of my firearms, and was really looking forward to having some really nice quality stocks on this gun.
Disappointed in Altamont to say the least.
BTW...ordered Altamont Round Boot Checkered Silver Black with Medallion Grips.
My Altamont Experience - The Good and the Not so Good
A while back, I ordered Altamonts for my 625. They look great and fit perfect. Checkering is deep and sharp:
Liked them so much that I ordered a set for a 21-4.
These fit fine, but the checkering was slick, just shallow scratches, with the checkered area shaped oddly.
The "diamond" was grossly oversized, too:
This was fitting as that gun was a real dog and was soon traded off.
__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95
Last edited by TAROMAN; 01-21-2013 at 07:16 PM.
Reason: spelling
Well, I for one find Altamont the best place for aftermarket and OEM factory replacement grips on the www. For those who are unaware, not only is Altamont the supplier of grips to S&W and Colt, but for other handgun manufacturers as well. Also, there are several other online purveyors of grips who sell either the identical grips offered on the Altamont web site, and at a $20-$30 increase in price, or have Altamont manufacture specific styles unique to each web company. www.hangungrips.com resells Altamont grips at a much higher sale price. www.kellyarms.com also re-sells Altamont grips, and at a higher price as well.
OP, you are the rarity when it comes to customer satisfaction insofar as with your Altamont experience, and hopefully you will find alternative grip manufacturers that can meet your standards.
Put a set of Altamonts on my 29 and they fit my hand perfectly after trying many others that didn't have the right feel. The grips fit the gun perfect enough
I bought some rosewood conversion round to square and they leave a gap on the bottom of the grip. In other words they don'e fit. I emailed Altamont and they told me maybe if I want a better fit, I should just order the round grip instead. I specifically asked them in an email if they will convert an L frame round butt to a square butt and they said yes. I waited three weeks and when they came they had that gap. They told me I could return them but I have to pay shipping.
This is a bad company, my recommendation is DO NOT USE THEM, ALTAMONT is a BAD COMPANY. I'll end up paying 18 dollars in shipping for no grips after I return them. What a company and poor customer service.
If you buy something at a brick and mortar store and have to return it, do you expect the store to reimburse you for the gas you used?
Not sure why you complain about having to pay return shipping. Online shopping has many conveniences. Having to pay return shipping if you don't like something is a minor inconvenience.
her's a new voice on this old thread. recently ordered a checkered pair for a revolver. they were actually a little tight at the dowel hole. they look tremendous. you would think they would be perfect from the factory but with most anything "custom" items seem to need fitment and attention. i didn't mind. i would recommend. shipping was extremely fast.
grips and they were defective. Sent them back and ordered some from Smith and Wesson (the classic dymonwood for my Model 66-2) and they don't fit flush on the frame. I called to complain and guess what? It turns out Altamont makes their grips. So two sets of defective Altamont grips and two shipping costs down the toilet. Thanks Altamont.
Not only are they made by Altamont, S&W charges 2x as much on their website then if you order directly from Altamont.
Sorry you are having problems with Altamont grips. I literally have purchaed over 20 pairs of Altamont grips from Altamont, ten of which have been purchased in the last few months. Many of my S&W revolvers currently wear them. I have never had a single issue with any of the Altamont grips I own. In fact I just got a beautiful pair for XMas from my wife.
Altamont has top notch customer service. Call them and they will take excellent care of you and get you a pair of grips that works for your gun. Many on here own Altamonts, and many of the current S&Ws come with them standard from the factory. Complaints are far and few between on this forum.
They told me I could return them but I have to pay shipping. I'll end up paying 18 dollars in shipping for no grips after I return them.
Are you saying it'll cost you $9 to ship one pair of grips back to Altamont? That's just wrong. If you want, you can ship them via USPS Priority Mail with a tracking number and $50 worth of free insurance in a small flat rate box for less than six bucks. And the box is free.
Necrothread. Just chiming in to add my experience with Altamont. I have purchased 3 pairs from them and have been very pleased with both product and service. In fact, I just placed an order for another pair - N frame round-square checkered targets for my 625-3. I'm hoping to use this gun a bit in IDPA this year and despise the original Pachmayr's...
I received a set of Altamont grips for my 340PD just a few days back from the their factory. My experience with them was fantastic. The grips are as good or better than I expected, but their customer service was over the top good.
Interesting how things do change. See post 11. I recently bought a set of K frame RB stocks for my 66-3 FCOMP. Guess what? The same problem the original OP had I had too! About .015" gap on left side at the top. (what I call High Horn area) I called and they said it was normal...If I wanted to return them I could at my expense and they would reimburse me. But their grips are made on CNCs so all are the same. I was happy with Altamont in 2012. Now there are too many places to get custom quality stocks from. Altamont is not one.
Well, I messed up. Ordered a set of Altamont
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