Altamont Grips at Chanute AFB

[alfsauve]

The former Chanute AFB was one of the largest and probably greatest training facilities ever. White Hall was the second largest military building only exceeded by the Pentagon itself. As one of veterans of Chanute I was sorry to see the base closed n 1993.

However I am so pleased to find out that Altamont is keeping at least one of the old buildings alive with their facility at 116 Neal Dr. Makes me want to equip all my guns with Altamont grips.

 

[WestKentucky]

Not only are they keeping it alive, they are doing good work out of it. I’m due for my next set of Altamont grips soon, if they ever restock the grips made for baby Taurus wheelguns.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

They need to find some rosewood somewhere on that AFB. Rosewood grips for the new Cobra have been showing "Temporarily Unavailable" for a good while.

 

[gotboostvr]

They need to find some rosewood somewhere on that AFB. Rosewood grips for the new Cobra have been showing "Temporarily Unavailable" for a good while.

If they did that, I'd prefer they use them "as is" instead of making them into laminate.

Altamont makes some great, durable, good looking stocks that just happen to not be very expensive.

I've had more than a couple sets.

 

[Armored farmer]

The former Chanute AFB was one of the largest and probably greatest training facilities ever. White Hall was the second largest military building only exceeded by the Pentagon itself. As one of veterans of Chanute I was sorry to see the base closed n 1993.

However I am so pleased to find out that Altamont is keeping at least one of the old buildings alive with their facility at 116 Neal Dr. Makes me want to equip all my guns with Altamont grips.

You can visit Chanute at the "Half Century of Progress" farm show held there.
I have visited many times, but i didnt know Altamont was there too.

 

[MidRoad]

That's a cool bit of info. I'm fond of their grips. Very comfortable and the sets I have picked up have good fittment.

 

[alfsauve]

You can visit Chanute at the "Half Century of Progress" farm show held there.

Chanute was the third oldest base at its time of closure. The city of Rantoul, IL was economically devastated by the closure. It took over the base and turned it into an industrial park. So the "base" is just part of the city now and anyone can drive around anytime. White Hall was demolished, sadly. Walter Arnold, a photographer-historian, did sneak in and do a photo documentary. 100s of thousands of Airman plied these hallways learning their specialties over the years.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/haunting-photos-of-an-abandoned-air-force-base

But to keep this on topic of handguns please feel free to post pictures of Altamont grips. And remember they now form a small connection with millions of us veterans. Here's one of mine.

 

[robhof]

Chanute was the third oldest base at its time of closure. The city of Rantoul, IL was economically devastated by the closure. It took over the base and turned it into an industrial park. So the "base" is just part of the city now and anyone can drive around anytime. White Hall was demolished, sadly. Walter Arnold, a photographer-historian, did sneak in and do a photo documentary. 100s of thousands of Airman plied these hallways learning their specialties over the years.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/haunting-photos-of-an-abandoned-air-force-base

But to keep this on topic of handguns please feel free to post pictures of Altamont grips. And remember they now form a small connection with millions of us veterans. Here's one of mine.

View attachment 806299

My father did his Aircraft mechanic tech schooling at Chanute, I was born in St Louis Mo. because they had no OB capability anywhere closer at the time.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

I was there last fall and did not see or notice them on base.

It was just so different and broken down looking.
Civilians living everywhere and playing golf on base.
I was looking at each one as if they were Zombies.

It looks like there is a "Brown Site" on base where the rifle / gun range was over on the back side away from the flight line & maintenance buildings. Or the Zombies are back there and the Civilians are part of clandestine operation to hide the zombie outbreak evidence...

 

[If1HitU]

That's a cool bit of info. I'm fond of their grips. Very comfortable and the sets I have picked up have good fittment.
View attachment 806297

Nice grips.

 

[MidRoad]

Nice grips.

Thanks!

 

[OARNGESI]

Here’s mine silver black Spanish diamond grips.

 

[Hondo 60]

I've got Altamonts on my 1911 & 3 Ruger wheelies.

 

[ilgac]

My Dad was stationed at Chanute AFB from 1962-1966. He was a weather officer and taught weather forecasting at the Air Weather School there. I belonged to the Chanute Junior Rifle Club and used to shoot 50’ .22 Indoor Match. We lived on White Drive in the Officer’s Capehart housing area. I see on google earth that they renamed all of the streets. I think White was changed to Marco... anyway, we used to sneak into and play in many of the aircraft on static display; the B36 being my favorite. Until the hatches were riveted shut.

To get back on topic; I am glad to hear that some of the buildings are being used. It’s a shame to see the base abandoned like that.

 

[DPris]

Sad to hear Chanute's dead.
I was never stationed there, but I recall the name.
Two of the three bases I was permanent party are now closed.

Oh......Altamont. Grips. Guns. Yeah.
Denis

 

[MidRoad]

Here's the altomonts i put on my gp100

 

[CajunBass]

I think Altamont maked the grips for Smith and Wesson's new guns like my 19-9. If they're not Altamont, please feel free to ignore this.





I do have a set of Altamont N-frame "Cokes" but they're not on a gun yet. The gun, a 629, is still on layaway, so no pictures yet.

I've also owned a couple sets of their faux Ivory grips. Good work, good price.

 

[BobWright]

Does Altamont make solid wood grips now? I tried to order some walnut grips with an oil finish some time ago and they refused, saying they were dedicated to the making the laminated hardwood grips only. Both Lett and CaryC no longer make grips and I've been searching for a source of real wood grips for Rugers.

Bob Wright

 

[MidRoad]

Does Altamont make solid wood grips now? I tried to order some walnut grips with an oil finish some time ago and they refused, saying they were dedicated to the making the laminated hardwood grips only. Both Lett and CaryC no longer make grips and I've been searching for a source of real wood grips for Rugers.

Bob Wright

I'm pretty sure mine are walnut.

I got a set of bearpaws grips on order. Google bearpaws grips for some pictures. He sells on eBay under gooseman179. But he has a website as well. All the pics I've seen are beautiful. He offered a unique profile too. I will post pics when I receive mine.

 

[JTQ]

Does Altamont make solid wood grips now?

They show walnut on their website (at least for S&W revolvers)

https://www.altamontco.com

 

[JTQ]

I was never stationed at Chanute AFB, and I don't have any Altamont grips, but seeing as they are repurposing an old AFB, it does make me want to order some now.

 

[BobWright]

They show walnut on their website (at least for S&W revolvers)

https://www.altamontco.com

The last I heard was that their "super walnut" or "super rosewood" was laminated birch dyed to the color, then impregnated with acrylic. So far as I've been able to determine, they do not use the actual species of wood. And no oil finish is available.

Bob Wright

 

[ROD KLOMP]

I like my Altamonts, super rosewood boot cut..they are great for concealed carry..

 

[alfsauve]

One last history fact, besides that yours truly was there 4/68 for 9 months, Chanute was used for part of the training of the Tuskegee Airman.