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:
Here's the obligatory "before" shot: