Well, I messed up. Ordered a set of Altamont

[M2MikeGolf]

The checkering probably couldn't be lower; the grip begins to be beveled just below the bottom of the checkering. So actually, the checkering begins about where it's normal, the original grips aren't beveled, but end at the flat of the butt. I'd say the checkering is cut just right; the checkering would have little or no use on the bevel.

The advantage of the bevel is that it reduces the size of the butt while still maintaining a good amount of grip area. I found that it makes a good compromise between round butt concealability and square butt grip size.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I thought that these looked good on my 25-5.

 

[Zadok]

Disappointed TOO

Ordered my very first set of wood stocks for my beloved S&W 686 Plus 3" Barrel. Because of the overall look and ability to get the S&W medallions added, I chose to order Altamonts. I trusted that the quality would meet my expectations. I was wrong. Just to clarify, I'm not being overly picky either. Not only were BOTH medallions slanted to one side or the other, instead of straight up and down, there was also one side of the grip top extension (the part the goes up toward the hammer) that was WAY thinner than the other. VERY noticeable. Even my wife commented about it, and she usually wouldnt even notice.

Not sure what the plan is now. This 686 is a range gun, home defense gun, and "sometimes" concealed carry gun. I take extremely good care of my firearms, and was really looking forward to having some really nice quality stocks on this gun.

Disappointed in Altamont to say the least.

BTW...ordered Altamont Round Boot Checkered Silver Black with Medallion Grips.

 

[scwv67]

This makes me reconsider ordering a set of Altamonts for both my 442 and newly acquired Mod. 64 as I was going to do tomorrow.

 

[TAROMAN]

My Altamont Experience - The Good and the Not so Good

A while back, I ordered Altamonts for my 625. They look great and fit perfect. Checkering is deep and sharp:

Liked them so much that I ordered a set for a 21-4.
These fit fine, but the checkering was slick, just shallow scratches, with the checkered area shaped oddly.
The "diamond" was grossly oversized, too:

This was fitting as that gun was a real dog and was soon traded off.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Well, I for one find Altamont the best place for aftermarket and OEM factory replacement grips on the www. For those who are unaware, not only is Altamont the supplier of grips to S&W and Colt, but for other handgun manufacturers as well. Also, there are several other online purveyors of grips who sell either the identical grips offered on the Altamont web site, and at a $20-$30 increase in price, or have Altamont manufacture specific styles unique to each web company. www.hangungrips.com resells Altamont grips at a much higher sale price. www.kellyarms.com also re-sells Altamont grips, and at a higher price as well.

OP, you are the rarity when it comes to customer satisfaction insofar as with your Altamont experience, and hopefully you will find alternative grip manufacturers that can meet your standards.

 

[steamloco76]

I have more Hogue and Ahrends but have no issues with several sets of Altamont grips on S&W and Ruger handguns.

Altamont Target Super Walnut w/ Medallions S&W K/L frame;

Ahrends Retro Target Coco Bolo S&W K/L frame;

Hogue Goncalo Alves S&W K/L frame;

 

[notsofast]

Put a set of Altamonts on my 29 and they fit my hand perfectly after trying many others that didn't have the right feel. The grips fit the gun perfect enough

 

[jaaeatax]

I bought some rosewood conversion round to square and they leave a gap on the bottom of the grip. In other words they don'e fit. I emailed Altamont and they told me maybe if I want a better fit, I should just order the round grip instead. I specifically asked them in an email if they will convert an L frame round butt to a square butt and they said yes. I waited three weeks and when they came they had that gap. They told me I could return them but I have to pay shipping.

This is a bad company, my recommendation is DO NOT USE THEM, ALTAMONT is a BAD COMPANY. I'll end up paying 18 dollars in shipping for no grips after I return them. What a company and poor customer service.

 

[ohiojerry]

If you buy something at a brick and mortar store and have to return it, do you expect the store to reimburse you for the gas you used?

Not sure why you complain about having to pay return shipping. Online shopping has many conveniences. Having to pay return shipping if you don't like something is a minor inconvenience.

 

[bikesrususa]

Altamont Review

her's a new voice on this old thread. recently ordered a checkered pair for a revolver. they were actually a little tight at the dowel hole. they look tremendous. you would think they would be perfect from the factory but with most anything "custom" items seem to need fitment and attention. i didn't mind. i would recommend. shipping was extremely fast.

 

[HarrishMasher]

grips and they were defective. Sent them back and ordered some from Smith and Wesson (the classic dymonwood for my Model 66-2) and they don't fit flush on the frame. I called to complain and guess what? It turns out Altamont makes their grips. So two sets of defective Altamont grips and two shipping costs down the toilet. Thanks Altamont.

Not only are they made by Altamont, S&W charges 2x as much on their website then if you order directly from Altamont.

Sorry you are having problems with Altamont grips. I literally have purchaed over 20 pairs of Altamont grips from Altamont, ten of which have been purchased in the last few months. Many of my S&W revolvers currently wear them. I have never had a single issue with any of the Altamont grips I own. In fact I just got a beautiful pair for XMas from my wife.

Altamont has top notch customer service. Call them and they will take excellent care of you and get you a pair of grips that works for your gun. Many on here own Altamonts, and many of the current S&Ws come with them standard from the factory. Complaints are far and few between on this forum.

 

[Watchdog]

They told me I could return them but I have to pay shipping. I'll end up paying 18 dollars in shipping for no grips after I return them.

Are you saying it'll cost you $9 to ship one pair of grips back to Altamont? That's just wrong. If you want, you can ship them via USPS Priority Mail with a tracking number and $50 worth of free insurance in a small flat rate box for less than six bucks. And the box is free.

 

[outflyin]

Altamont does make beautiful looking grips. The checkering is excellent and the S&W medallion adds a very nice touch.

I have a very fine-looking set of their grips in the closet somewhere because the fit and function doesn't match the looks.

And worst of all, Altamont just plain ignored my repeated attempts to contact them about it.

For that they earn my comments every time I see the subject come up. And it seems to keep coming up quite often.

 

[Snallygaster]

Necrothread. Just chiming in to add my experience with Altamont. I have purchased 3 pairs from them and have been very pleased with both product and service. In fact, I just placed an order for another pair - N frame round-square checkered targets for my 625-3. I'm hoping to use this gun a bit in IDPA this year and despise the original Pachmayr's...

 

[OLDSTER]

I've bought several sets of "classics" from Eagle for my N-frames. Couldn't be happier. I'll post a pic or two

 

[whitebassfisher]

I received a set of Altamont grips for my 340PD just a few days back from the their factory. My experience with them was fantastic. The grips are as good or better than I expected, but their customer service was over the top good.

 

[Lemonade52k]

no problems here, very delighted with the grips they sent me for my N frame 657

 

[Riccur]

Oh what a difference a few years makes.

 

[mbliss57]

Interesting how things do change. See post 11. I recently bought a set of K frame RB stocks for my 66-3 FCOMP. Guess what? The same problem the original OP had I had too! About .015" gap on left side at the top. (what I call High Horn area) I called and they said it was normal...If I wanted to return them I could at my expense and they would reimburse me. But their grips are made on CNCs so all are the same. I was happy with Altamont in 2012. Now there are too many places to get custom quality stocks from. Altamont is not one.

 

[wwbarker]

Altamont Grips

Have had nothing but good luck with Altamont grips and their customer service was excellent. Ordering a set of grips today. Don't expect any problems. will report back.

 

[Targets Guy]

Another thread brought back to life. Maybe Altamont has cleaned up their act over the last couple of years. The set I ordered for the Model 34 fit fine as did some magna's for the BSR.

 

[muddocktor]

Yeah, this thread was started 5 years ago, so Altamont very well could have cleaned up their act since then on revolver fit. Things can change quite a bit in 5 years.

 

[black1970]

Bought a set of round butt finger groove combats from the Smith and Wesson store this year with the logos. They had Arhends on the back.

 

[DumpStick]

I ordered 2 sets from Altamont earlier this year. 1 K-frame, 1 Bisley Ruger.
They batted 500, had to send the Ruger back. I filled out the form that came with the grips, spent $3 and sent them in. Anyone can make a mistake, it's how the mistake is handled that is important.

A week or so later, the replacement grips came, easy peasy.

Good looking grips, and they fit well. I'll order from them again.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

As I mentioned five years ago , ahrends has the superior fit. I had a really nice set from back then for my 547 that seemed to be slightly small all the way around for that square butt k frame from the early 80s. I have a 640 and these altamonts are (to me) the perfect grips for this model. For round butt k-frames I have never found a better set of grips than Kim Ahrends round butt finger groove tactical. I even put them on my model 69.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I have several sets of Altamonts in J, K/L and N frame in both round butt, round butt conversion and square butt designs. They fit well and look great. One has to remember that the old grip makers and even some today require the gun be sent to them for fitting. Ready mades out of the box are expected to fit the factory norm. This means the usual variations found in manufacturing might cause an issue now and then.

For the price and quality one gets from Altamont I'll continue to be a customer. And by the way, I have had to send back one set of their grips due to a hairline crack and I received a return label free of charge and a perfect set of replacements in return.

For those thinking of trying Altamonts I would say go for it. The price and quality is good and the grips are beautiful. Keep in mind, however, at that price point you're not buying a pair of Italian hand made and hand fitted shoes.

 

[ImDrRich]

Altamont

I've got 3 sets of their beautiful and well-fitting grips in Rosewood for 3 different S&W frames and each were perfect.

Call Altamont and have a talk with "customer relations." I have no doubt they'll act to make you happy.

 

[CH4]

Eagle grips, made in India are a different story. I've needed to router, file and sand every pair to fit.

That's a fact!! I acquired a few sets that came on guns, including a new 627 UDR. Eagle grips look great, but their fit is a joke. I contacted them at their booth at NRA. They told me they'd be happy to custom fit them to my gun if I send them the gun and grips. I replied: "The cost to ship a firearm exceeeds the original costs of the grips." He just shrugged his shoulders.

I've had a little better luck with Altamont, but I bought two sets of bonded ivory grips at the same NRA conference that required significant fitting.

 

[handlebar]

I have had bad luck with Altamonte grips. I bought a couple from the Philippines and they fit perfectly. Here are two from the Philippines and they look pretty good for $25 shipped.