Altamont grips...

[raylan007]

There will always be something new to try.

There are many advantages to Altamont Grips and to compare them to "A high grade plywood" is just incorrect with all due respect. Besides being affordable they are considered to be beautiful by most folks so why rain on their parade. I am not a very TECH oriented guy but even I can see these grips are the best of "technology meets a natural resource" and the end result is fantastic IMHO. The advantages are many, uniform color, durability, no checking or warping and always in my experience a great fit. The only thing I might change is the finish as I would prefer a flat satin finish that more resembles an oil finish. I should note I am not locked into Altamont as I enjoy many others my favorite being Ahrends, but also like Herretts, and have even most recently tried my first pair of Thai stocks that are worth giving a try. A closed mind just limits ones opportunity to enjoy something different.

 

[Echo40]

Well said.

By the way, if a more matte satin finish is what you desire, then it will actually happen over time if you actually carry them on your person, (I know from experience with the grips on my PPK/S) or otherwise you can do it yourself by taking something mildly abrasive like a toothbrush to them and just working with them until the desired effect is reached.

The glossy finish is only on the surface of the outside of the the grips and will wear down over time to the point that it's no longer quite so shiny. In addition, for some reason they seem to lighten/brighten up a bit as well. Both pairs of grips I own are their "Super Rosewood" grips which were disappointingly dark when I first received them, but over time have brightened up to look much nicer. I'm not sure if it's due to whatever glossy finish they're using having a slight tint to them or if it was exposure to sunlight, but whatever the reason, they just get better-looking with age so long as they don't spend all of their time confined to a safe.

 

[Birdgun]

I have Altamont grips on three of my S&W revolvers.
- The 15-4 has faux pearl magna grips because it's my wife's revolver and she wanted it to look pretty.
- The 36 has S&W J Round Boot Santos Rosewood, which is solid wood.
- The 34-1 has Square Fingergroove Super Walnut Checkered Fleur-de-Lis, which is laminated wood.

I think they all look nice and improved my shot groups over the factory grips.

S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special with Altamont boot grip in Santos Rosewood (solid wood).

S&W Model 34-1 "Kit Gun" in .22 LR with Altamont finger grove grip in walnut (laminated wood)

Thanks for looking.

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[raylan007]

Well said.

By the way, if a more matte satin finish is what you desire, then it will actually happen over time if you actually carry them on your person, (I know from experience with the grips on my PPK/S) or otherwise you can do it yourself by taking something mildly abrasive like a toothbrush to them and just working with them until the desired effect is reached.

The glossy finish is only on the surface of the outside of the the grips and will wear down over time to the point that it's no longer quite so shiny. In addition, for some reason they seem to lighten/brighten up a bit as well. Both pairs of grips I own are their "Super Rosewood" grips which were disappointingly dark when I first received them, but over time have brightened up to look much nicer. I'm not sure if it's due to whatever glossy finish they're using having a slight tint to them or if it was exposure to sunlight, but whatever the reason, they just get better-looking with age so long as they don't spend all of their time confined to a safe.

Thanks for the advice, I will be giving that a try. I might also ask if their stocks can be ordered unfinished. As much as I like their grips the high gloss has always troubled me a little. I like the results you achieved on both revolvers, very nice.

 

[zipty6]

I emailed Altamont in February, hoping to order unfinished grips. I like non-checkered every now and then but theirs felt too slippery. This is the response that I received:

I'm sorry, we don't currently offer any unfinished grips.

If you are finding them slick, you may want to try one of the textured options.

All we do to finish the wood grips is use a white buffing compound and light oil. This finish can be removed with a bit of sandpaper if you would prefer to refinish them in a different way.

 

[raylan007]

I have Altamont grips on three of my S&W revolvers.
- The 15-4 has faux pearl magna grips because it's my wife's revolver and she wanted it to look pretty.
- The 36 has S&W J Round Boot Santos Rosewood, which is solid wood.
- The 34-1 has Square Fingergroove Super Walnut Checkered Fleur-de-Lis, which is laminated wood.

I think they all look nice and improved my shot groups over the factory grips.

S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special with Altamont boot grip in Santos Rosewood (solid wood).

S&W Model 34-1 "Kit Gun" in .22 LR with Altamont finger grove grip in walnut (laminated wood)

Thanks for looking.

God bless,
Birdgun

That's some serious pride of ownership, beautiful!

 

[Dcompton]

Well I took her to the range Saturday. I really like the Altamont grips. I am glad to be able to support a local business.

 

[Edmo]

I’m a fan of Altamont grips...

I do find I need to knock off a sharp edge here and there, however I enjoy tinkering. Generally I use 150-200 grit sandpaper followed by 0000 steel wool. On the “wood” grips I follow up with Ballistol!

Edmo

 

[Old Corp]

Not a ruffled feather did I intend.
I actually own some Pergo, sorry I meant Altamont grips.��
Got a pair of their boot grips on a M49. Have tried some on other various revolvers, later switching to S&W Targets.
The design does offer a cost savings, and I appreciate that.

In my mind, it's just another change that I don't care much for. Kinda like making a hole in the side of a revolver, or seeing LGS racks and handgun shelves full of poly-plastic.
Are there valid reasons for all this? Sure there are.
I'll just keep on enjoying stuff from before all this got so commonplace.
End of curmudgeonly driveling.....

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I suppose I will be the fly in the punchbowl. Altamonts are what I would call "gunshop counter" grips - they look good and sell guns. Which is appropriate since the founder made and sold jewelry.

Function is another matter entirely. The design of these things is wrong on so may levels, especially in heavy recoiling firearms, regardless of calibre. Most are way too thin at the top of the tang. Recoil comes straight into the web between your thumb and trigger finger, instead of being spread out, if the top of the grip was wider. S&W puts these things on their Classic line of N frame magnums. I suppose they think no one will be shooting them.

Their "boot grips" have an abrupt square-ish edge on the bottom, which sends shock waves into your 4th and 5th fingers depending on how much grip you can obtain on them. Try them on an airweight J frame.

Ahrends Grips, although out of business, understood grip design. By offering a wider grip near the top, and a rounded bottom on the boot grip, they were attractive and functional. The site is still up so you can see what I am referring to.

For all the high-tech machinery Altamont employs, the Service and Magna grips do not fit as well as the older hardwood grips used on S&W revolvers. There are numerous abrupt edges, oddly-rounded front straps, and a very strange fit of the upper rear tang. This is especially odd since the "new" S&W frames are supposed to be even more precise in dimensions than ever.

All this would be more palatable if they were easily modified. They're not. The stocks, due to their manufacturing process, are as hard as woodpecker lips, and any significant modification requires a power tool such as a dremel. The results of this type of work vary, depending on your woodworking skill. Traditional solid hardwood they are not. Also, advisable to wear a filter mask when working on them as the resins are toxic.

While on the subject... I'd have more respect for Altamont if they were not so squirrelly about how their grips are made. The product is "engineered wood", yet you can search long and hard on their website and not read a peep about it. Why the big secret?

I readily admit that their engineered wood is pleasant to look at, and more durable than solid hardwood. The designs leave much to be desired from a shooting standpoint.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Altamont makes some nice stuff. That said, I'm disappointed in them lately Their inventory has gone to heck and twice, they have taken my order for items that are showing as in stock, only to receive an email to say that it will take weeks to complete my order.

 

[hkcavalier]

I didn't have much luck with their faux ivory or laminate grips.

But their olivewood "Fauxpers" are nice.

 

[Bald1]

Is it just me or are there others that can just pick up a gun and shoot it and not have much to say about grip fit and comfort? I shoot a 629 with old school service stocks. I’m plenty accurate with them. Many dead white tails will testify to this. I admit I buy stocks almost solely on looks. The fit is what it is. I have many K frames with T grips because of the look not because of the fit. I have a couple sets of Altamont. I like them just fine. And their prices are hard to beat in outlet store.

 

[Hair Trigger]

........Function is another matter entirely. The design of these things is wrong on so may levels, especially in heavy recoiling firearms, regardless of calibre. Most are way too thin at the top of the tang. Recoil comes straight into the web between your thumb and trigger finger, instead of being spread out, if the top of the grip was wider. S&W puts these things on their Classic line of N frame magnums. I suppose they think no one will be shooting them.

They fit my hands just fine. S&W magnas are a bit too small for me, the targets are a bit too large. Altamont seems to be the "Goldilocks" grip, just right. I have no trouble with pinching or focused recoil. Any off-the-shelf grip will fit some hands but not others, so YMMV. I have some on several heavy-recoiling guns, and they feel at least as good as the factory grips, mainly because they fit my hands better.

Ahrends Grips, although out of business, understood grip design. By offering a wider grip near the top, and a rounded bottom on the boot grip, they were attractive and functional. The site is still up so you can see what I am referring to.

They had a nice product, but it makes you wonder why they went out of business?

For all the high-tech machinery Altamont employs, the Service and Magna grips do not fit as well as the older hardwood grips used on S&W revolvers.

I can't speak for the newer guns, but every set of Altamont stocks I have, fit perfectly on the revolver they were selected for. Mine are older revolvers from the 60's and 70's. I also have a couple of 1911's wearing Altamont grips.

All this would be more palatable if they were easily modified. They're not. The stocks, due to their manufacturing process, are as hard as woodpecker lips, and any significant modification requires a power tool such as a dremel. The results of this type of work vary, depending on your woodworking skill. Traditional solid hardwood they are not. Also, advisable to wear a filter mask when working on them as the resins are toxic.

Why modify them, if you already know they don't fit you or your guns well? Cough up a couple of hundred for some custom made grips. I don't know the specific material they use, but they appear to be laminated wood, dyed to whatever type they're supposed to be (rosewood, ebony, walnut, etc) and pressure infused with a phenolic resin; then they get laser engraved or checkered, and then polished. They ought to be durable as heck, and no wonder they'd be hard to grind or whittle on.

I readily admit that their engineered wood is pleasant to look at, and more durable than solid hardwood. The designs leave much to be desired from a shooting standpoint.

I think their grips look great, and they are my go-to for guns I plan to shoot. I can remove the factory stocks and store them, and not have to worry about wear and tear on the Altamont product. I think in order to damage them, you'd risk even worse damage to the gun.

 

[wproct]

I think Altamont is a very good company that for the money makes excellent grips. Having said that, the one pair of grips that I purchased from them didn't work out. I bought their top of the line grips for my Smith & Wesson Victory, and I chose the color Silverblack. The grips had an excellent fit in every way. The color however was so dark that the laser engraving and texture did not show up at all and I was very disappointed in the appearance of them. I should have ordered a different color. I am confident that if I had contacted them about my feelings they would have offered to exchange them for me. However, by this time I had found another manufacturer that made a set of grips that I felt would be a much better choice for me. I still have the Altamonts but haven't used them. I apologize for the poor picture, it is the only one I had, but you can get the idea.

 

[Trooper Joe]

I have purchased many sets of Altamont grips (“stocks” - really can not get used to that label). I have returned some and this has never been a problem.

I believe that Altamont is currently the OEM supplier of S&W grips. Not too long ago, I tried to buy a set of the standard grips they make for the S&W model 60-15. The advised that they do make these for S&W but could not sell a set directly to me.

I contacted S&W and they sold me a set. (This is what they look like on my 60-15. I bought the second set to use on another “J” frame.)



This set on my Beretta 81, .32 acp, is so beautiful I have seen grown men with tears in their eyes when I bring this to a gun show .



Trooper Joe

 

[Muss Muggins]

I’ve had good experience with Altamont, especially the bonded ivory. The fit is always spot on, and they wear well. My 13-3 3” has a real nice set at present.

Kinda like holsters, grip to hand fit and felt recoil are very individual experiences . . .

 

[Flintstone69]

I have medium sized hands and the Altamont grips that I’ve ordered and returned were all too thick in the palm swell. It’s too bad. Because for the money they are nice grips. The fit and finish is nice. It’s just my medium sized hands don’t fit. So my quest for wood grips that fit my hands continues for my new to me 686 performance center snubbie. Because the black rubber grips it came with are ugly.

 

[Bumpus13]

They had a nice product, but it makes you wonder why they went out of business?

If memory serves, Mr. Ahrends had to deal with some serious medical expenses from the health of his wife.

 

[Jon651]

Here's my 629 Classic with the first set of Altamont grips (Spanish diamond) that I installed. Unfortunately for me, the way the grips were designed my middle finger pushed up awkwardly against the bottom of the trigger guard and was uncomfortable to shoot. I replaced them with a set of Altamont round-butt grips that had a better shape for me so these have been sitting in my parts box for several years now.