What Altamont Grip color would you recommend for a new 686 stainless ?
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Green Frog
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JMHO, but I think black sets off the soft silvery look of a stainless gun... if I still had a 686, I'm certain that by now I would have added a set of the ebony grips available reasonably from Thailand via e-Bay. There were some combat style grips available a couple of years ago that I really like and currently are on my Model 66 turned 327 FM and on my Model 60-4. That's what I would do instead of going with any of the Altamonts, even though I have a set of Altamont Roper clones (Walnut) on my Model 16-3 recreation.
Froggie
Froggie
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Nemo288
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+1 on Ebony.
For those who don't know, not all ebony is pure black.
I had Craig Spegel make a set of his boot grips from ebony
and specified the patterned version.
I think it goes nicely with the stainless.
Ebony is also very hard and a little heavy.
Should last a long time.
For those who don't know, not all ebony is pure black.
I had Craig Spegel make a set of his boot grips from ebony
and specified the patterned version.
I think it goes nicely with the stainless.
Ebony is also very hard and a little heavy.
Should last a long time.
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Bumpus13
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My vote would be Ahrends in Cordia.
I have a set on my new production 586.
The gun came stock with Altamont
target stocks but I didn't much care for them
Must. Acquire.
I got them from this guy, he stocks several types of Ahrends grips.
Fast shipping, would buy again from him.
D&J GUN REPAIR GRIPS | eBay Stores
Fast shipping, would buy again from him.
D&J GUN REPAIR GRIPS | eBay Stores
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muddocktor
Member
These are on an N frame, but with Pete showing off his black and white Ebony stocks I figured I would show you what Italian Olive wood looks on a stainless steel gun. These are on my 629-3 Classic and are round to square target conversions made by John Culina.
And last, a dirty pic at the range. This gun looks good and shoots good too.
And last, a dirty pic at the range. This gun looks good and shoots good too.
Old Corp
Member
I'd like to see Altamont or some other company produce a true, honest-to-goodness, experts can't tell'em apart copies of S&W Combats and Targets.
Not referring to 'sorta good for the money', nor laminated examples.
Yeah, I know there are some small custom makers turning out truly stellar examples.....guess I'm referring to a mass-production example.
Not referring to 'sorta good for the money', nor laminated examples.
Yeah, I know there are some small custom makers turning out truly stellar examples.....guess I'm referring to a mass-production example.
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muddocktor
Member
The problem with that is that the big companies like Altamont can't take the time to choose the wood when making commercial quantities of grips, so you end up with grips that look very ordinary. Look at their "Coke" grips for example. I've heard they feel good in hand, but to me they look so ordinary, with wood choice limited to American Walnut only, and plain looking Walnut at that. I would much rather spend the extra bucks from a smaller maker of stocks and eat the extra cost, plus the wait to get them finished because I know someone like John Culina picks some fine looking wood and his fit and finish is impeccable. For mass produced stocks, I find that Ahrends makes some nice offerings with some finely figured woods, but again if you order directly from him you will have a few months wait minimum.
I presently have John finishing out 2 different sets of N frame stocks to choose between them for my new-to-me 29-2, but I might end up buying both sets from him. One is Cocobolo and the other set is Lignum Vitae.
These are on an N frame, but with Pete showing off his black and white Ebony stocks I figured I would show you what Italian Olive wood looks on a stainless steel gun. These are on my 629-3 Classic and are round to square target conversions made by John Culina.
And last, a dirty pic at the range. This gun looks good and shoots good too.
I got the black and white ebony, because i saw them on another gun. The olive wood on the 15-2 below, are because I saw them on your 629. Yes I bought them in advance of getting a M66. How sick is that, get the grips before the gun?
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Green Frog
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Muddoktor, I think what Old Corp is suggesting is that mass producing grips that have the proper, original shape and profile of the grips could be done about as easily as the shape and profile they do make... it might require a little thicker blank and a few extra seconds of sanding time when shaping, but S&W mass produced them, so I would think that Altamont, with modern machinery, could easily do the same. I was somewhat disappointed when I got my attractive looking Altamont Roper clones that look great from the side, but feel thin and "flat" when actually held... they are definitely worth their minimal price, but could be so much better with so little adjustment. OTOH, the Thai-made FGSC grips I have gotten have enough wood to give them the proper heft so I really think Altamont could economically accomplish the same.
Yes, handmade individually fitted grips with select wood, made by expert craftsmen will always be better and command both higher prices and more respect among aficionados, but there is definitely a good niche for quality, well thought out, mass produced grips with good but not super grade wood.
JMHO, and of course YMMV, but I would certainly be a customer if Altamont offered a line at about 25-50% more than their baseline and just made a slight upgrade. In fact, I even wrote to them asking whether they would make a set of Coke profile grips with Roper style checkering, but they don't depart from their standard set ups.
Froggie
Green Frog
Member
Heck Narragansett, that's not so strange. I've seen people buy a gun case then go looking for a good gun to go in it! Sounds to me like you're pretty close to normal.
Froggie
muddocktor
Member
Heck Narragansett, that's not so strange. I've seen people buy a gun case then go looking for a good gun to go in it! Sounds to me like you're pretty close to normal.
Froggie
Froggie, I just did exactly that!
I bought a presentation case to fit a 6 1/2" model 29, then went out and bought me a nickel 29-2 to put in it! 
Like I said previously, I haven't handled Altamont's Cokes, but have read here they feel good. But to me they are plain Jane looking and I for one am not going to spend $80-90 for something so plain looking. And I am not a big fan of checkered stocks in hard recoiling N frames such as my 44 Mag guns as it's rough on my older hands.While I don't know how well they compare to the original Cokes that S&W did back in the day, I know the Coke style targets that John Culina makes fit my hands very well. So I go with what I like and know. Why someone like Altamont doesn't take a set of original cokes and laser measure them and feed that into a CNC machine I don't know. To me, it sounds like a business opportunity for someone to exploit and sell some Coke reproductions.
75Vette
Member
I'm with Mudd, Altamont grips just don't have any character. Sorry guys but the laminate look is just...blah. Ahrends makes such a better product and for just a few bucks more. REAL wood and they fit tight. I've bought Altamont magnas in the past that I either had to sand down sharp edges or fill in gaps for the slop to fit the frame proper. I have a few sets of Ahrends, some in goncalo alves that get darker the more you handle them. Here's a pair on my 629-3 Scope Gun and 686-6.
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Bill In Texas
Member
I second this!
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Old Corp
Member
Muddoktor, I think what Old Corp is suggesting is that mass producing grips that have the proper, original shape and profile of the grips could be done about as easily as the shape and profile they do make... it might require a little thicker blank and a few extra seconds of sanding time when shaping, but S&W mass produced them, so I would think that Altamont, with modern machinery, could easily do the same. I was somewhat disappointed when I got my attractive looking Altamont Roper clones that look great from the side, but feel thin and "flat" when actually held... they are definitely worth their minimal price, but could be so much better with so little adjustment. OTOH, the Thai-made FGSC grips I have gotten have enough wood to give them the proper heft so I really think Altamont could economically accomplish the same. :confused
Yes, handmade individually fitted grips with select wood, made by expert craftsmen will always be better and command both higher prices and more respect among aficionados, but there is definitely a good niche for quality, well thought out, mass produced grips with good but not super grade wood.
JMHO, and of course YMMV, but I would certainly be a customer if Altamont offered a line at about 25-50% more than their baseline and just made a slight upgrade. In fact, I even wrote to them asking whether they would make a set of Coke profile grips with Roper style checkering, but they don't depart from their standard set ups.
Froggie
Froggie - thanks. You nailed the intent of my post.
Way back in the last century, S&W (or their assignees) certainly mass produced the grips so many of us still love - surely someone could pick that ball up and run with it.
244swoll
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Altamonts are very well made and fit great, and at a very affordable price. But they just don't quite "do it" for the S&W revolvers, especially those with 4" or longer barrels. I personally prefer the Super Walnut over the other finishes.
Ahrends are fantastic too, and are very affordable as well, but take away from the revolvers because they have no medallions (IMHO).
I'd rather spend more for some Culina's in French Walnut, Bubinga or Goncalo Alves; or find a pair of old S&W Goncalo Alves. Unfortunately either one of these will set you back $180 - $250, but the look, fit and feel will help ease your pain.
Ahrends are fantastic too, and are very affordable as well, but take away from the revolvers because they have no medallions (IMHO).
I'd rather spend more for some Culina's in French Walnut, Bubinga or Goncalo Alves; or find a pair of old S&W Goncalo Alves. Unfortunately either one of these will set you back $180 - $250, but the look, fit and feel will help ease your pain.
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