K frame grips

[wiscoaster]

Question regarding Altamont Ropers.
When ejecting rounds do your cases impact the grip panel?

My experience with them is they do clear the grip panel only if the cylinder is in exactly the correct position, which is a bit of a PITA, so I usually end up ejecting twice: five cases the first push, rotate the cylinder just a bit, then second push to eject the sixth. I use this technique because I keep the brass by ejecting the cases into a little box. And I haven't noted any scratching of the grip panel. I think (though I don't recall having tried it) that you could eject all six on one push if the gun is held vertically and you push hard all the way through to its stop. One or maybe two cases will contact the grip panel, but I don't know if they scrape it hard enough to scratch it, or how much lateral force is exerted on the ejector rod. But if you have to eject and reload fast, I think it could be done that way without slowing you down.

 

[Pat Riot]

My experience with them is they do clear the grip panel only if the cylinder is in exactly the correct position, which is a bit of a PITA, so I usually end up ejecting twice: five cases the first push, rotate the cylinder just a bit, then second push to eject the sixth.

Thank you. That’s kind of what I figured.
I sent Altamont an email about this with that photo. I will let you know what they say.
I was shooting my model 19 with .357 magnums and .38 Specials. Both cartridge cases hit the grip panel before they can fall away.

 

[Pat Riot]

My experience with them is they do clear the grip panel only if the cylinder is in exactly the correct position, which is a bit of a PITA, so I usually end up ejecting twice: five cases the first push, rotate the cylinder just a bit, then second push to eject the sixth. I use this technique because I keep the brass by ejecting the cases into a little box. And I haven't noted any scratching of the grip panel. I think (though I don't recall having tried it) that you could eject all six on one push if the gun is held vertically and you push hard all the way through to its stop. One or maybe two cases will contact the grip panel, but I don't know if they scrape it hard enough to scratch it, or how much lateral force is exerted on the ejector rod. But if you have to eject and reload fast, I think it could be done that way without slowing you down.

I got my response from Altamont. It said:
"Hello,
Sorry to hear that!
We hand sand and finish all of our grips, so thickness can vary slightly from grip to grip. Along with the many different caliber guns, this can occasionally happen.
If you would like to sand the grips yourself, you are welcome to do so. They are finished with a spray on polyurethane, if you want to match it.
You are welcome to use the return form to send the grip back to us and we can issue a refund or try to make the adjustments for you, upon return. You can find a copy of the form on our FAQ page HERE."

I did respond thanking them and informing them that I would correct the issue myself.
"Thank you for responding. Is there a specific brand of Polyurethane that I should use? For example there is Varathane, Minwax Helmsman or Minwax Quick Drying. Will it affect the existing polyurethane?
I will fix them myself.
By the way, I really like these grips."

If they recommend a polyurethane I will post it.
I do not wish to send them back and have the grips gone for a period of weeks. It took a few weeks to get them.

 

[wiscoaster]

Hey, Pat, unless you strip, sand, restain and refinish the entire grip panel, getting it to look "perfect" is going to be a bitch of a job. If this isn't something you've done before, you might want to reconsider the return option.

You know, the funny thing is, when I looked at your photos, the first thing to pop into my mind was "hmmm ... those grips don't look like they've got as much contour as mine ... " - but then, you know how photos can fool the eye.

 

[Pat Riot]

Hey, Pat, unless you strip, sand, restain and refinish the entire grip panel, getting it to look "perfect" is going to be a bitch of a job. If this isn't something you've done before, you might want to reconsider the return option.

You know, the funny thing is, when I looked at your photos, the first thing to pop into my mind was "hmmm ... those grips don't look like they've got as much contour as mine ... " - but then, you know how photos can fool the eye.

Good point. I used to refinish furniture in my Dad’s business in high school. I will have to decide what I want to do.