The grips on this "J" frame, are; ALTAMONT, Combat grips. Although they are very nice looking, they are not made so that Safariland speed loaders can be used. They do not have sufficient relief to except speed loaders. So much for "Combat" grips. I tried to get some input from the company to fix my grips, but was blown off. I thought I would use a dremmel to sand the wood, to increase relief on the cylinder side, but I don't know how to finish the wood after I have sanded. Any suggestions?
Altamont grip problem
- Thread starter Sgt.Peck
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Yep! It's really easy. Just polish the area. I used 600 grit, followed by 1500 grit, and then buffed the area I sanded down with the felt wheel and red rouge that came with my Dremel tool.
Before you decide that I am a bright guy . . . I should hasten to add that Altamont suggested that process in an email response when I asked them about refinishing. Altamont recommended 400 grit sand paper, followed by buffing with "white rouge".
On the grips I modified to make my wife happy, you cannot tell anything was done to them. The results are that good.
Here's a link to the thread where I posted a picture of the results: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/339918-altamont-super-rosewood-nice.html
Edited to add: You will probably have better results if you do your initial reshaping to accommodate the speed loader by hand. The material is really easy to sand and you could easily gouge it shaping with a Dremel.
Before you decide that I am a bright guy . . . I should hasten to add that Altamont suggested that process in an email response when I asked them about refinishing. Altamont recommended 400 grit sand paper, followed by buffing with "white rouge".
On the grips I modified to make my wife happy, you cannot tell anything was done to them. The results are that good.
Here's a link to the thread where I posted a picture of the results: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/339918-altamont-super-rosewood-nice.html
Edited to add: You will probably have better results if you do your initial reshaping to accommodate the speed loader by hand. The material is really easy to sand and you could easily gouge it shaping with a Dremel.
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Thanks for quick posts and very good suggestion. It is apparent that Altamont is aware of the speed loader problem. It is unfathomable why they do not make the simple adjustment in production, thus causing fewer customers to be disenfranchised about their products.
We speed loader enthusiasts may be a tiny fraction of their potential market. Most people just carry a speed strip.
On the other hand, I have no complaints. My Jet-Loaders work just fine with my Altamont smooth boot grip and the smooth version of the grip you have. That's true both on my 642-1 and my wife's 638-3. Jet-Loaders rock!
The modification I made was NOT to accomodate the Jet-Loader. There was a sharp corner on the back of boot grip that annoyed my wife. It is nicely rounded and smooth now.
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Common sense would dictate that you produce a product that would accommodate those that use speed loaders. A customer should not have to "ask" for something that should be a given. Certainly not in 2014. Certainly not with a grip named, "Combat Grips"!
The fact is, not everyone uses speedloaders, grip manufacturers have no obligation to "accommodate" those that do, and not asking questions ofttimes ends with people spending their money on things they can't use and then blaming others for their incorrect assumptions.
Sorry, but I don't see the grip manufacturer as the villain here.
Have to agree with you, sir. Especially since the J-frame Altamont combat grips I have work very well with my speed loaders.
Oh, and Altamont seems pretty responsive. I got a set that was intended as a gift that had a blemish and they sent me a prepaid label for the return in the same box with the replacement grips. And, they were fast with the replacement!
I started carrying a revolver in 1984 as an LEO. I haven't used HKS loaders since the early 90's at the latest. The reason is that the shells rattle, rattle equals noise. The shells are not held firmly, which facilitates a quick reload. Plus with HKS, after you manage to line up the shells to the cylinder, you then have to turn a knob. With Safariland, you insert and push with "one" motion, easy peasy.
The Altamont, Combat Grips that I recently purchased are the first set of grips that I have bought in the last 25+ years that didn't work with Safariland speed loaders.
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We speed loader enthusiasts may be a tiny fraction of their potential market. Most people just carry a speed strip.
On the other hand, I have no complaints. My Jet-Loaders work just fine with my Altamont smooth boot grip and the smooth version of the grip you have. That's true both on my 642-1 and my wife's 638-3. Jet-Loaders rock!
The modification I made was NOT to accomodate the Jet-Loader. There was a sharp corner on the back of boot grip that annoyed my wife. It is nicely rounded and smooth now.
If a person carries a revolver for defense, they better have a speed loader handy. I also have a dump pouch but, as a last resort. I also have a pair of Altamont boot grips. They are smoothed and allow use of speed loaders. Which further causes me to question, why they can't do this for the Combat Grips? Honestly, why is this even a debate?
Kilibreaux
Member
One thing to add AFTER all the sanding is apply a coat of Birchwood Casey Tru Oil with a fingertip. Just a thin coat to seal the wood, reapply and buff as needed to match.
Don't Blame Altamont
Don't blame Altamont blame S&W. Grips with the S&W logo are custom order for S&W not like the grips that you order from Altamont and pay an extra $10.00 for the logo.
Don't blame Altamont blame S&W. Grips with the S&W logo are custom order for S&W not like the grips that you order from Altamont and pay an extra $10.00 for the logo.
Hey Jaymo, you get it. Speed loaders became common place in law enforcement by the mid-80's. The only folks that didn't adapt to them, were the ones who were already well entrenched with loop loaders, or dump pouches and too stubborn to change. Of course some agencies were to blame for this as well. Which is perplexing, since this is an "Officer Safety" issue.
Kilibreaux
Member
Just remembered something...have you considered having your cylinder cut to accept moon clips? Moon clips don't require the same clearances as do speed loaders, plus they come with the added benefit of ejecting all cases "en bloc" which eliminates the potential for any one case to become trapped under the ejector star.
No K, I already have quite a bit invested in this "J" frame. Probably a useful modification. But, a little sanding on a piece of wood, followed up with a polishing head on my dremmel shouldn't be too time consuming.
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