My New Altamont Grips

Back in February I ordered a set of Roper grips from Altamont. They took about 6 weeks to arrive. I installed them on my S&W model 19-4. They looked and felt great. I wasn’t happy about the fact that upon ejecting empty cases the cases closest to the frame hit the left grip and wedged themselves there as they were being ejected. So, I learned not push so far on the ejector rod.

I emailed Altamont, they don’t seem to answer phones any more…perhaps it’s due to CoVid (joking…every darn business seems to blame CoVid for all their inadequacies these days) I asked about modifying the grips to perhaps accommodate a speed loader and was told they could relieve the grip panel but not to the point I would be able to use speedloaders.

I opted to install that set of grip panels on my model 17-3.
Here it is with those walnut Ropers.


I really like those grips and after trying other grips I decided to go ahead and order a set of Olive Wood Ropers with instructions to relieve the left grip panel for ease of loading and ejecting cases. I also ordered a set of Walnut Service Panels for my model 10-7 C&E revolver. I ordered them at the start of June. I did not receive them until mid-August. Altamont needs to either get their stuff together or communicate better with their customers when they have delays or issues.

Anyway, I am happy with the new grips. The left panel on the olive wood grips is relieved as requested. I installed them, took some photos then headed to the range. All three of these revolvers feel better in my hands and they look great.

Here’s the 19-4


Here are a couple of my model 10. I must say my model 10 looks really nice.

Thank you all for the kind words.

Old Dog said:

Some of the purists (those who only favor the older pre-lock, pre-MIM S&W revolvers) seem to believe that these revolvers are only pure when they sport the original stocks (bonus points if numbered to the gun) with which they were sold.

I'm a believer that these guns can be improved with some aftermarket stocks.

Yours are a prime example. They all look great!

(Disclaimer: I have been known to purchase Altamont grips for S&W revolvers in the past, so no doubt, my credibility is in question)

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Well, I try to be nice to the purists. They can be special.
I really tried to like the factory grips. I even tried to like other grips, like Pachmayr “Gripper” grips that lots of folks like. They just don’t do it for me.
I am glad I found grips that fit my hands and help me shoot well. I have tried so many different grips and combinations over time. It’s hard to spend good money only to find something just doesn’t work. After a while one gets what I call “gun parts shy”. Kind of like a hunting dog being “gun shy” only this affliction comes about by spending money time and time again only to find no satisfaction.

It’s really too bad there isn’t a service where you could rent a variety of grips to see how they look and feel on a gun before selecting and buying what works for you. It’s kind of like aftermarket motorcycle handlebars. What looks great and works for some may not work for you. Often it’s just the slightest difference in geometry that makes all the difference.

A good example would be my model 10. When I bought it from Cabela’s Gun Library it was a Hong Kong C&E gun. The bluing & metal was in great shape. It had some ugly stock Service Panels. I think some Hong Kong C&E officer swapped grip panels before mine was sent back.
I tried:
Service panels
Service panels with BK grip adapter (Tee grip)
Pachmayr Grippers
Pachmayr Presentation
Factory Target grip
Wide imitation Stag grips (EBay)
Hogue Monogrip
2 sets of cheap Asian grips from EBay

Towards the end I just decided to put the Service Panels back on and just live with it. I didn’t want to throw more money at what might be a lost cause.
When I decided to order the Ropers for my model 19 I figured “What the heck!” I’ll get a new set of service panels from Altamont and dress up my gun.
It turns out the slight dimension difference and the better checkering made all the difference in the world. The revolver feels good in the hand and my accuracy improved with it. I am very happy with the results.

Oh, and I do still have the factory grips on my 327 Night Guard and my 442. So I got that going for me.
If anyone’s blood pressure just became elevated by that flippant statement you should see a doctor…

steven58 said:

I love my olive wood Altamont Ropers!

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@steven58 I have a question; when you ordered your Olive Wood grips didyou think they would be a very light color like the gun on the Altamont site? My grips do look great but I thought they might be lighter like the photo on their website.

Photo from Altamont:

https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips/smith-and-wesson/k-square/

Don’t get me wrong. I like them very much, but I was hoping for a lighter color.