Altamont Grips, Original Designs , comparisons ?

[Biggfoot44]

I'm not sure which is proper sub-forum to discuss aftermarket grips , so I placed here , guessing these could be " enhancement " .

Looking thru the Altamont website , they now have several lines of grips that don't correspond to any historical S&W grips , and from the pictures and brief descriptions , I'm not really getting a sense of them , either generally , or compared to each other .

Context & criteria -
For K frame RB
I have Gorilla size hands
Not necessarily contrading the above , will be used to carry , but I'm comfortable with carrying full sized guns , not bothered unless they're both huge And sharp edges .

Wood .( Or wood-ish)
Not ugly


Specifically , can anyone offer observations about KU , Altai, or Bateleur ? Either strictly on their own , or in comparison to factory , or well known aftermarket grips ?

 

[Telecaster]

I have the same question for round butt K-frames and average size hands. I'd like some grips that are smooth enough not to snag, but grippy enough that they don't slip in recoil, and that conceal well.

 

[Bhemry]

Well, I just came across this thread, and since it seems to be getting very little response, I thought I'd chime in. For context, I'm 5' 8", but have extra large hands, with normal-size finger length for a guy my size. I sometime have trouble fitting into extra large gloves even.

My input is going to be based on a round-butt J frame, 'cause that's what I have experience with. Specifically a 3" model 60. Whether or not any of it translates to a K frame, I don't know.

When I bought my gun, I bought it to be a field-packing, open carry, all purpose gun. It came with a very curved, rock-hard, rubber grip, and all the recoil hit me right in the center of my palm. I wanted to dress the gun up a little and have a more comfortable grip.

I was ordering one of the "Combat" grips (long enough to allow all your fingers on it) in "Super Rosewood" with the "Crockbac Stipple" texture. While I was at it, I also ordered an "Altai" with those same options based on seeing a picture on someone else's gun somewhere that impressed me. (Didn't think I'd end up liking it.)

After getting them both, I immediately installed the "Combat" grip, thought it was gorgeous, but it had the same awkward feel as the factory hard rubber grip.

Gave the "Altai" a shot, and immediately loved the feel of it! In fact, I now have one on my 3" 63 as well.

Both grips are, ".. smooth enough not to snag, but grippy enough that they don't slip in recoil.. ", like you asked about, but the "Altai" is a little straighter, more like a 1911 grip and distributes the recoil better and just points more naturally to me. Both grips felt like they filled my hand, without being overwhelming for a smaller hand. In fact, my 5' 4" sister shot it with the Altais and immediately loved it too.

 

[Bhemry]

And as a follow up, here's a picture of the "Combat" and "Altai" on the 3" model 60.