Newer Factory S&W Grips

[runscott]

I recently picked up a pair of S&W packaged grips. When did S&W stop making these, or can you still get them?

These were both purchased for my 686 plus, so I needed the round bottom. Figured I would buy both and then decide which I liked better. I was surprised that the Cocobolas looked and felt best.

One set is marked 'Rio Grande' - best I can tell they are Zebrawood. The other set is marked 'Rosewood', but they are Cocobola - technically it's still Rosewood, but they are normally marked as Cocobola.

 

[s&wchad]

Those were made long after S&W produced their own stocks. I’m not sure who made them, but they remind me of stocks by Badger.

 

[Old_Cop]

My guess is that they were made by Altamont for S&W. In 1998 I purchased a green RB pair for a model 60 which my daughter adopted when she left for grad school in 2000.

 

[ImDrRich]

They are definitely out of the Altamont catalog. I know, because I bought the exact pair on the left - and it didn't fit well.

 

[SmithNut]

S&W has been in and out of the grip business in the past. The last time I remember it was the S&W ACE company. Not sure if they still have that under their umbrella.....

Here's a couple shots of their literature..

 

[lscocoa]

I believe S&W Ace grips were only made around 1994-95 . The colors are stated on the back of the package. Not sure what kind of wood they used to make the laminate.

 

[runscott]

Thanks guys. They do remind me of a pair of Altamont combats that I had on this gun a few years ago.

I'm lucky I suppose, in that both pair fit my 686 perfectly.

I believe S&W Ace grips were only made around 1994-95 . The colors are stated on the back of the package. Not sure what kind of wood they used to make the laminate.

Neither of these are laminates. It's interesting that the photo has them listed as 'colors', rather than as types of wood. I used to work on pool cues, so I've been around a lot of different types of woods, and the variety of types used are very similar to what you find in gun grips. It makes sense, as both require wood that is fairly hard and durable.

The feedback is much appreciated.

 

[rbmac52]

Those grips are laminates, not solid wood!

Read the product profile in post #5 for the definitive answer from the maker themselves.

 

[runscott]

Sorry, of course you are correct.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Those grips are laminates, not solid wood!

Read the product profile in post #5 for the definitive answer from the maker themselves.

..............X2.......

 

[runscott]

..............X2.......

and then of course, you are correct as well - congrats.