Altamont Grips -

[BillBond]

Most of my Altamont grips fit good out of the box.
But I have had some J frame grips that I had to return twice before they got it right.
They have 2 or 3 customer service people that will answer the phone.
I can't remember their names now, but one was very helpful and was was absolutely worthless.

 

[gwpercle]

Unless you send the gun to the grip maker to be fitted ... there is no way a "perfect" fit can be guaranteed ... it's just impossible !
I have learned to perfectly fit grips to frames with a little epoxy stock bedding compound or brown colored epoxy putty .
It's not hard and solves all the things you are complaining about .
Gary

 

[UncleEd]

Unless you send the gun to the grip maker to be fitted ... there is no way a "perfect" fit can be guaranteed ... it's just impossible !
I have learned to perfectly fit grips to frames with a little epoxy stock bedding compound or brown colored epoxy putty .
It's not hard and solves all the things you are complaining about .
Gary

This. It's been what I've preaching in this thread
regarding "sizing." So many posters don't seem
to realize their individuals guns can vary from
the "spec norm" of a particular era.

 

[Ranger514]

I have a set of Altamont grips for my 66 snubby and another for my 686+. The fit is great for both.

 

[Toddlars1]

I have about a half dozen Altamonts on various Jframes that fit tight

 

[reddogs]

I have several altamont grips they all fit tight and look good.Once when ordering i asked about extra pins and grip screws and they sent me assortment for free.Happy with altamont's but sometimes only culina's will do.

 

[noro]

Never had a problem with Altamont. While we all
realise that Culina is the best, Altamont makes a
an attractive alternstive, if you're concerned about price.

Altamont is the official wood grip supplier to S&W. I've always found them to be quite helpful
in accommodating customers. Their customer
service is great whether its advice or problems.
Doug is the premier customer service/sales guy.
Call and ask to speak to him.

 

[UncleEd]

I had a notice from Altamont
that it was out of the model I
odered. Asked if I wished to
wait. I said no. Refund on
CC came immediately.

 

[pasound]

I have Altamonts for three of my five j's. A variety of styles and wood, and all fit tight and feel good. Medallions, however, were a problem. I ordered two sets with medallions, and they came with the medallions off center left-right, and had to be returned. They were replaced quickly, and are fine now.

 

[wproct]

I had a notice from Altamont
that it was out of the model I
odered. Asked if I wished to
wait. I said no. Refund on
CC came immediately.

I had a similar experience. When I ordered Altamont grips for my Smith & Wesson Victory I got an email back telling me that the particular grips that I ordered had laser engraving and stippling and were made to order only and said that it would be a 4-6 week lead time and said that if I chose not to wait that they would refund my money. I told them I was fine with the wait and I had them in my hands in just a little over 4 weeks. In my opinion they are a class act company and strive to make the customer happy.

 

[scruffy]

i posted these photos in another thread I started about ill fitting grips on an new 327. I contacted both Altamont and S&W about the issue. Altamont replied first advising try S&W then they would see what the could do.
S&W advised they are ordering me a new set of grips. I don't think this will help and I tried the grips on a 21-4 round butt N frame and the fit correctly. The problem seems that the top of t he 327 frame is a bit shorter than other N frame round butts. The first photo is 327 2nd is the 21-4.

EXACTLY the reason I took them off my 3" 686+ 3-5-7 series. Those points dug into the web of my hand in a way that made shooting .357 magnums a literal pain. I've seen this a many Altamonts. For whatever reason they don't follow the contour of the backstrap. As for looseness, never had an issue with the locating pins in their proper holes.

 

[Gunhacker]

You can use the screw as a button to push the opposite grip out.
Just back it out enough so that the head is above the grip panel, and use it to push the other side free.

Gotta be careful when doing that, as there is the risk of pushing the threaded escutcheon out of the opposite grip, if the grip is on really tight on the frame, and the escutcheon fit in the grip is not so tight.

I've done it, and then needed to glue the threaded escutcheon back into the grip because it would no longer stay in place, as it is a friction fit.

A better way is to remove the grip screw and then use a long punch or screw inserted in the grip screw hole to push on the underside of the opposite grip panel.

Basically the same principle, except you're pushing on the solid grip, instead of the escutcheon in the direction that pushes it out of the grip.