I just couldn't leave the 696 alone...

[Gewehr98]

That Uncle Mike's Boot Grip worked ok, I guess, but didn't offer much in the way of style or warmth for the stainless S&W Model 696. The recoil of my 240gr Keith handloads wasn't too bad, especially when compared to the lightweight 296 and 396 guns, so off to the Melbourne gun show - where a new set of striking walnut Altamont Grips, from Thomasboro, IL, found their way on the gun. Not too gaudy, but the gun feels GOOD in the hand, and I doubt the exposed backstrap will pummel my hand too much, considering how well the whole package fits my meathooks. Too bad the darned digicam can't capture the transitions in grain pattern as the light angle shifts...


Here's the obligatory "before" shot:

 

[Gewehr98]

And here's the "after" shot.

Left side first:

 

[Gewehr98]

Hard to believe it's walnut!

From the right side, showing the marbling of the grain:

 

[Gewehr98]

It would appear that the spousal unit approves.

So off to the show again tomorrow, to purchase a set for her K-Frame wheelgun. Silly me!

Anybody else have experience with Altamont Grips? First I had heard of them, and I knew of Hogue, Pachmayr, Herrett, Randall Fung, Ajax, Eagle, Badger, and a couple others. Guess I was living in a vacuum for a while...

 

[Dave T]

Anybody else have experience with Altamont Grips?

No experience and never heard of them. Wouldn't know where to find them if I wanted to. Given that you went to all the trouble to post these pictures, you might provide more information about the grip maker...full name, web site, address, etc.

 

[Gewehr98]

Dave, that's why I was asking about others' experiences.

Altamont Grips has no website. And I hadn't seen them at this particular gunshow before Saturday. Maybe they finally chose to enter the Central Florida market?

My sales receipt says:

Altamont Design and Manufacturing
Thomasboro, IL