As my search for new grips for my 627 PC revolver continues.. I noticed Altamont has some fake ivory grips available. They seem decently priced and possibly more durable than wood.

Anyone have experience with them? Would definitely be a something different rather than just going wood. How do they compare to wood in absorbing recoil? Are they really slick?

Thanks in advance.

I have bonded ivory grips on two m-27-2,s.
The grips work for me.I am a shooter, not a collector.
The grips are not really slick--mine are checkered.
The grips take checkering very well.
Recoil is subjective--I have no problem with control--I shoot alot.
I hope this helps.
The best to you.

Sounds good. I'm also more of a shooter than collector. While I like wood, I always felt they were more prone to damage vs other materials.

I have a set on my M19-3, 2 1/2 inch. I like the look with a BK grip adapter. My fit fine, look good. You will never think that they are REAL ivory, but they are what they are. I am pleased with them.

Yea, they might not match the look of real ivory, but I hear the older they get, the more they look like real ivory. More importantly to me though, I'm reading up that the process makes them far more durable than real ivory.

I've got a couple of pair and like them. Here's a set on an old model 28. As said,they ain't real ivory,so don't expect them to look like it.



f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I have 'em and really like 'em

Might even buy a set for another gun

I like them on my 27.

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

Hah, I knew I could count you guys to provide some great eye-candy.

How do you guys feel these compare to wood in durability and recoil absorbing?

I have a set on my 27-8 3 1/2 and they fit fine look good.As far as slick I have had no trouble with recoil. Now they are'nt real so I don't have to worry about them. I would post a pic but have'nt taken one with them on yet.

Thanks Rusty

I just got a set of Altamont Ivory Composite grips for my Ruger Vaquero. They are a perfect fit and look great!

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Steve

I have a pair of K Frame Magna Style bonded ivory from Altamont. I paid extra for the S&W medallions. They are very nicely made and finished, and appear to be CNC machined on the insides. They are gradually aging to a nice cream color, probably from wiping them with Break Free when wiping down the gun as it is a safe queen. They do look good, and the addition of a grip adapter will help with a gun with as much recoil as a .357.

Gorenut, I did not post a pic earlier, but here is my M19-3 with the bonded ivory stocks. Like I said, I think they look good.

I'm getting the large target sized grips for my 627 PC, so no grip adapter for me. Finger grooves never fit me anywho, which is why I'm in the market for another pair of grips. I'm still undecided whether I wanna go with a pair of wood grips from Altamont or the bonded ivory. Whenever I do see white grips on stainless guns though.. it does look like its trying to make an impression/statement.

Wow.. that is very nice. That's the one thing I'm concerned about though.. not sure if they'd look as nice on a stainless N-Frame without the grip adapter. I think the grip adapter really balances out everything nicely. Above all else though.. if bonded ivory is at least more durable than wood.. then I might go for them since I'm a sucker for practicality meshed with good looks.

Gone down hill lately. Be prepared for defective grips and them making you pay shipping to get your money back. Ahrends is the way to go.

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Altamont grips suck.

I have bought a number of grips from Altamont, for both my revolvers and 1911s, over the course of a couple of years, even recently...and I couldn't ask for better service.

Once I ordered a set of grips for one of my 1911s that had an ambi safety...I mistakenly ordered a set that wasn't cut for it. When I got the grips I decided I would try to make the cut myself...it turned out OK, but still bugged me. I contacted Altamont to see if they would sell me just the RH grip cut for an ambi safety...they asked me why, and when I told them, they said they would send me a new set. I again explained it was my fault, both in ordering and in trying to cut the grip...and they just asked for my address to send me a new set, no charge.

That to me is good customer service...and I have always been pleased with their quality.

In case anyone is interested.. I got a response back from Altamont about bonded ivory. They mentioned even though it is durable, their woods are still more durable. So I guess I'll just go with some of their wood grips. I imagine it probably has more to do with bonded ivory is more prone to chipping while wood will just dent and scratch.

I saw a BSS Lew Horton 629-1 at a show this weekend with Altamont bonded ivory stocks. The left grip was cracked from shooting it, the dealer said, but that Altamont would replace it. Don't know why he didn't have that done if he's trying to sell a $1000 + gun...

Yea, makes no sense. Seems lazy or negligent on the seller's behalf. I've heard of personal experiences though where Altamont even replaced grips that were messed up from a user doing his own personal modifications.. so I don't doubt they'd replace the grips.

Just don't overtighten, even a little, or you will bust out the escutcheon for sure.

They're very durable and the price is right. Since Altamont is one of the OEM authorized grip makers for S&W, you can have medallions added for $10.

I had a set on a 1960's vintage 6" M28, but I didn't like them on that gun. I figured they would look better on the "Classic" M58 nickel I really want

Grips on my 28-2 are also from Altamont company, purchased on Ebay.They are a little bit thinner than wood magna grips, but it's not so big problem for me, they're more comfortable on shooting full loads because checkering less sharp than on wood ones...
My S&W 28-2

I ordered a set of the black/silver for my 627 PC last week from Altamont. If I'm correct the wood is some sort of fabricated system and is more durable than regular wood grips. My 627 PC came from the factory with a set of round butt, finger groove (looks like walnut) and a set of rubber round to square conversion. Both sets are in the Altamont web site so I guess they made them. Liked the feel of the conversion in my hand, but don't like rubber. Liked the feel of the wood, but the round butt leaves my hand a little too loose on the bottom. Good luck with whichever grips you get. I've only heard good things about Altamont, and their prices are very fair.

I just sent back a pair of checkered grips with a chunk missing from the diamond center. Any sort of QC would have caught this before shipping.

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Sure you did

I've had a lot of bonded ivory grips on both S&W revolvers and Ruger Single actions and never had a problem with any of them...and the Rugers get shot a lot...

On a blue 57...



Same grips on a nickel 58...



..a round butt set on a 657 3"...






Ruger Flat Top .41 Magnum....







TruIvory on a USFA .22/.22 Mag. Flat Top Target...



Grips came off of a USFA SAA...







The TruIvory are a little more money but they actually "look" like ivory up close as they have the grain that bonded does not. If you want tough ivory grips get Micarta or Corian.....they will not break...

Bob