Help ID'ing this laminated JM grip

[Jcon72]

Is anyone here familiar with these laminated grips? Before you answer, 1. these are not Altamonts which are typically found on the 625 JM edition, and 2. while these ARE Hogues, this is not the correct package for them. Sorry for the poor quality picture but that's the best that was sent to me by the owner.
I've Googled and searched but can't find anything on Hogues like these while there are plenty of pictures of 625's with the similarly-colored Altamont grips. It really has my curiosity piqued.

 

[murphydog]

I have only seen this color/style offered as OEM grips on the 625 JM, as you noted. Does it have any mark or stamping on the inside?

I cannot find an online image or reference to this type of stock being made by Hogue, but it would be easy enough to email them to ask.

 

[Jcon72]

I don't have it in my possession yet to be able to look, but it does use the screw/stirrup mounting method through the bottom of the butt so it would seem that it has to be Hogue. It should show up on my mailbox in a few days, so at that time I can give it a closer inspection and get better pics if necessary.

 

[PNY UP]

That grip also came on the 627-4 in 38 Super

 

[Jcon72]

That grip also came on the 627-4 in 38 Super

I assume you are talking about the Altamont and not the Hogue like the one in the picture?

 

[murphydog]

On an 8-9 year old Internet post there was a mention of "real" JM grips, and one mentioning Hogues, but not in which colors they came or if the two were the same. The Altamonts are two piece so the grip in the photo does appear to be a Hogue product.

 

[s&wchad]

I believe those red, red white and blue laminated Hogue Competition grips were supplied on the Performance Center 627-4 chambered in .38 Super. They may have been offered on other guns around the same time (early 2000’s).

I’m pretty sure S&W offered them on their website as an accessory, back when they sold grips directly. They now link to Altamont. They show up on ebay from time to time, where they bring around $60+/-

 

[PNY UP]

I assume you are talking about the Altamont and not the Hogue like the one in the picture?

Well now that you say that I cannot definitively claim altamont -v- Hogue. But they look identical to the ones on the 627-4.

 

[Jcon72]

Well now that you say that I cannot definitively claim altamont -v- Hogue. But they look identical to the ones on the 627-4.

At first glance they do indeed appear identical. The only noticeable difference when looking at an installed pair is the screw in the side that the Altamonts have. Otherwise the design is pretty much exactly the same.

 

[bananaman]

I do believe that the 625-8 Performance Center guns came with them. Bob

 

[Jcon72]

I do believe that the 625-8 Performance Center guns came with them. Bob

All of the pictures of 628-8's that I've seen have the Altamont, not Hogue.

 

[Messer]

My S&W 625 JM model came with Hogue JM grips like those but in a solid wood, not laminated.

 

[Jcon72]

My S&W 625 JM model came with Hogue JM grips like those but in a solid wood, not laminated.

Yes, and in fact Hogue still sells solid wood grips of this design. It's the Jerry Miculek grip.

 

[Benchrest1]

Bananaman is right. I have one, and it is a M625-8 PC.

 

[WealthySnail]

I think it depends on the series. There are several 625-8 PC series. My run of the mill -8 PCs all came in a grey PC plastic case, all had the 2 piece side screw Altamonts. I have a -8 PC in an Aluminum case that came with the solid 1 piece hogues in black and grey, and Ive had 2 5.25” 625-8 PC that both came with the solid one piece hogues in red white and blue. Also, both my 627-4s came with the solid hogue rainbows.

I bought a few sets from Cheaper Than Dirt when they still had an actual store. And also had a buddy order a beautiful all blue 1 piece set from the PC shop itself when Smith still sold them directly.

I think at the end of the day, everyone is correct. These things came from all over and on several different guns.

 

[Jcon72]

Thanks for the information, guys.
While this style certainly isn't something I'd go out of my way to buy, one of them is included in a package deal that a guy is selling me. It really had me wondering since Google search wasn't helping much.

 

[StakeOut]

These links may help
ARCHIVE: PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 625 | Smith & Wesson

ARCHIVE: Model 625 JM | Smith & Wesson