My new 586, And The Altamont Grips

Repeater · Oct 29, 2024

Moderators, If this post violates policies, please delete and let me know the reason. This post is meant to be a caveat.

It was a birthday present and a companion for my Model 27. My new 586 sure is purty, but the stocks were a bit uncomfortable, so I ordered a set of smooth stocks from Altamont. It's obvious that S&W is now using Altamont as a stock supplier, so I figured that the new ones would be a perfect fit for my new 586.

Nope...the distance between the "medallion washer" cut and the frame locating pin was not correct. Simply...the stocks didn't fit. The big issue was...I fully expected it after seeing the factory stocks when I removed them. One side fit, the other looked like it had been attacked by a beaver! (see photos)

I got them to fit But I'm currently in a wheelchair and can't get to my workbench in the basement so I had to use a Leatherman tool and a jacknife to get the grips to fit.

I let Altamont know about my fit issue and they're response was "Use a Dremel tool"

I realize that a lot of gun parts need fitting, but isn't CNC Machining supposed to eliminate issues like this?

The last photo shows my 27 with Altamont grips that are completely different than my 586...the checkering surface is much smoother than the 586 and the fit is perfect

NY-1 · Oct 29, 2024

I can't stand Altamont grips. The laminate looks more like plastic than wood for the most part, they're way too thin and sharp edged for comfortable shooting, and fit and finish are hit or miss.

I'd much rather pay the premium for Culina Grips, Herrett Stocks, Eagle Grips, Vitoonmakers (on eBay), etc.

tatume · Oct 29, 2024

My experience with Altamont is limited to the Walter Roper line of revolver grips. I like them because they fit me; my scores are better with them than with other grips. I own many sets of Altamont/Roper stocks and I'm pleased with all of them.

shawn mccarver · Oct 29, 2024

I always say if you cannot afford Herrett's, then go with Hogue. That is pathetic.

Repeater · Oct 29, 2024

tatume said:
My experience with Altamont is limited to the Walter Roper line of revolver grips. I like them because they fit me; my scores are better with them than with other grips. I own many sets of Altamont/Roper stocks and I'm pleased with all of them.

Here are some of my older Altamont grips...all of which fit perfectly with no modifications at all.

mikerjf · Oct 29, 2024

If they can’t deliver stocks to fit that common of a gun, then buy elsewhere!

Mike SC Hunter · Oct 29, 2024

NY-1 said:
I can't stand Altamont grips. The laminate looks more like plastic than wood for the most part, they're way too thin and sharp edged for comfortable shooting, and fit and finish are hit or miss.

I'd much rather pay the premium for Culina Grips, Herrett Stocks, Eagle Grips, Vitoonmakers (on eBay), etc.

AMEN BROTHER.........Way to thin in the shoulders and 3/4 in too long on the bottom.....Had a Smith that came with "em". They immediately got gone and replaced.

wproct · Oct 29, 2024

I think I would have returned them, I'm sure Altamont would have refunded for you. I've only ordered from Altamont once, a set for my Smith & Wesson Victory, and they fit perfectly. I'm a big fan of Hogue, I have probably six different sets that I have ordered from them and all fit perfectly.

Repeater · Oct 30, 2024

wproct said:
I think I would have returned them, I'm sure Altamont would have refunded for you. I've only ordered from Altamont once, a set for my Smith & Wesson Victory, and they fit perfectly. I'm a big fan of Hogue, I have probably six different sets that I have ordered from them and all fit perfectly.

I tried returning them. They're response was "Fit them with a Dremel Tool". I'm currently in a wheelchair and have no access to my basement workshop.
Did I mention that I'm done with Altamont?

Baxter6551 · Oct 30, 2024

I haven’t found a set of Altamont grips that I really like. I don’t like their checkering patterns. I’ve sold a couple of pair found in used grip bins. Only pair I kept was a pair of smooth J frame boot grips. However, I do like the locator pins.

white cloud · Oct 30, 2024

I have found Altamont grip fit to be hit or miss. The Texas Grips I tried were even worse. I don't know if you like the appearance of VZ grips but with four sets of their grips, the fit has been superb.

stansdds · Oct 30, 2024

I'm another fan of Herrett's stocks.

wproct · Oct 30, 2024

Repeater said:
I tried returning them. They're response was "Fit them with a Dremel Tool". I'm currently in a wheelchair and have no access to my basement workshop.
Did I mention that I'm done with Altamont?

Sorry, I didn't realize that you had attempted to return them. I wouldn't expect to have to take a dremel to a set of grips to do final fitting either.

Repeater · Oct 30, 2024

wproct said:
Sorry, I didn't realize that you had attempted to return them. I wouldn't expect to have to take a dremel to a set of grips to do final fitting either.

Don't apologize! Those grips just aren't worth it!
Of the four other sets of Altamonts that I have, three came with previously owned guns. Notice that none of them are on guns!
I bought the ones shown as Bateleur Super Rosewood to use on my Model 17. I finally got a Tyler T-Grip to use with the original Magnas and that suits me much better.

Model 15-4ever · Oct 30, 2024

The jewelry company strikes again!

Culina · Oct 30, 2024

What you see on the back of that grip is not the result of CNC machining. My guess is someone tried the dremel method to get them to fit, screwed them and sent them back. They weren't thrown away, instead they were resold.

Repeater · Oct 30, 2024

Culina said:
What you see on the back of that grip is not the result of CNC machining. My guess is someone tried the dremel method to get them to fit, screwed them and sent them back. They weren't thrown away, instead they were resold.

Those were the grips from S&W on a brand new pistol!

tatume · Oct 31, 2024

Yesterday I got a new 4" Model 617. A few minutes ago I put a new set of Altamont Roper stocks on it. They were so tight I began to wonder if they were going on, but then they snapped into place with authority. There are no gaps; they fit perfectly.

Once I lost the locator pins from a set of panels. I robbed the pins from another set so I could continue, and wrote to Altamont asking to purchase replacements. They sent me a little bag of pins, gratis.

People who are unhappy with Altamont should speak up, but so few satisfied customers say anything that I feel I should share my experience as well. I hope I'm not called "pitiful" again because I've had good results with the company.

Dave686 · Nov 5, 2024

Is S&W using Altamont grips on factory guns? I didn’t know that. I’ve never bought any, but with the limited grips on the S&W site, and Ahrends being out of business, I assumed they were the “go to” place. Herrett's appears to be targeted at 1911’s and customs. Who else is making quality wood revolver grips?

Repeater · Nov 5, 2024

tatume said:
Yesterday I got a new 4" Model 617. A few minutes ago I put a new set of Altamont Roper stocks on it. They were so tight I began to wonder if they were going on, but then they snapped into place with authority. There are no gaps; they fit perfectly.

Once I lost the locator pins from a set of panels. I robbed the pins from another set so I could continue, and wrote to Altamont asking to purchase replacements. They sent me a little bag of pins, gratis.

People who are unhappy with Altamont should speak up, but so few satisfied customers say anything that I feel I should share my experience as well. I hope I'm not called "pitiful" again because I've had good results with the company.

Please note that the Ropers in my photo are labeled as fitting correctly. They were on used guns that I purchased and have replaced with S&W older style grips. Altamont's response to me in this case have resulted in the loss of a customer.

Oops...just noticed that I didn't post that photo: Here are four sets that came on used guns that I have since replaced with "old" S&W grips. These Altamonts showed no signs of being modified at all in order to fit.

My new 586, And The Altamont Grips

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Attachments

Similar threads