Frequently Asked Questions

We currently only ship within the United States.

Orders are processed and shipped in the order they are received and based on the availability of grips requested. Due to high demand and the amount of custom modifications often requested, we cannot keep every variation of a grip in stock. If it is not able to ship within a week, you will receive an email notice giving you an updated shipping timeframe. You will also receive an email update when the grip(s) you ordered are shipped along with tracking information.

1. Make sure the handgun is unloaded! Check any action, barrel, chamber, or cylinders to be certain they are empty and the gun is safe to work on.
2. Prepare the frame. Remove existing grips and clean the frame.
3. Check the hardware. Gently, pull apart any grips that are two panels pinned together. If new screws were sent with the grip, use them. Otherwise, use the original screws.
4. Install the grips. Use your hands to slowly press the new grips straight onto the frame. The grips should lay flush with the frame and the locator pins should slide easily over the pinhole. Do not use the grip screw to force the grips onto the grip frame pin. If the grips do not easily go over the grip frame pin, open up the edge of the pinhole with a knife and try again. Once the grip sits flush with the frame, tighten the grip screw until snug. It is important not to overtighten the grips! Now make sure there is no interference with the operation of the handgun. Do not load or fire the weapon until the new grips are snugly screwed into place and gun operation remains uninhibited.

While fitting problems are unlikely, all frames have some variation! You will especially see this on stainless/nickel frames, Colt Single Action, and Walther PPK/S.

Each Colt Single Action grip must be fitted to the specific individual gun. We make the Single Action grip in 2nd and 3rd generation sizes; these are slightly oversized to the frames. With each Single Action grip, we send a sheet detailing the fitting procedures.

The Walther PPK/S requires minor fitting of the inside tabs to the machined opening in the frame. File the tabs with fine grit sandpaper until the grip sits flush on the frame then snug the grip down with the grip screw. We also provide detailed fitting instructions with the Walther PPK/S grips.

If you have any difficulties fitting the new grips to your gun, please call 1-800-626-5774 between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM (Central) Monday through Friday for technical support.

The materials available will depend on the gun you are outfitting. Most will be available in our super woods - Super Rosewood, Super Walnut, or Silverblack. These three are dyed birch laminates. We have experimented with many premium and synthetic materials and found these to be both durable and beautiful. We also offer bonded ivory, imitation stag, aged ivory, white pearl, pink pearl, and in some cases rubber, plastic, and premium woods.

While we do not make any specifically left handed handgun grips, most can be made ambidextrous. Please call to special order a left handed rifle stock.

We do offer ambi and magwell cuts for the 1911. Please call to place your order or email us immediately after ordering online and we will add them on before shipping out.

To order a Smith & Wesson grip from us, you will need to know whether your gun is a J, K/L, or N frame AND whether it has a round or square butt. The information below is to help you determine what you have.

Smith & Wesson guns fall into three main frame categories:
J - .38 Special and 9 mm. This is the smallest frame.
K/L - .38 Special and .357 Magnum. This is the medium frame revolver. K & L Frames are interchangeable when it comes to grips.
N - .41 and .44 Magnum. This is the large frame revolver.

Within those three categories, your frame may be either square or round.
Note: You will notice that some models may have been made in both a square and a round butt. If this is the case, then you will need to visually decide if your frame is round or square. See example below:

Smith & Wesson Frames	Model Numbers
J Frame Round Butt	242, 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 317, 331, 332, 337, 340, 340 PD, 342, 350 PD, 351 C, 351 PD, 360, 386, 40, 42, 43 C, 442, 60, 60 LS, 63, 631, 632, 637, 637 CT, 638, 638 CT, 642, 642 CT, 642 LS, 940
J Frame Square Butt	34 (post 1960), 35 (post 1960)
J Frame Round AND Square Butt	34 (pre 1960), 35 (pre 1960), 36, 37, 38, 49, 51, 640, 649, 650, 651
K/L/X Frame Round Butt	10 (post 1994), 66 (pre 1995), 686 Plus, 686 SSR, Governor
K/L/X Frame Square Butt	10 (pre 1994), 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17 Plus, 18, 48, 67, 617 Plus, 648
K/L/X Frame Round AND Square Butt	12, 13, 19, 547, 581, 586, 64, 65, 66 (post 1995), 617, 681, 686
N Frame Round Butt	22, 29, 325, 325 PD, 327, 327 PD, 329, 329 PD, 329 XL Hunter, 627, Magna Classic
N Frame Square Butt	20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 57, 58, 624, 657
N Frame Round AND Square Butt	25, 520, 610, 625, 629
22A/Quantum
Model 41
Model 59
Not Currently Available from Altamont	44, M-61, 645, 460, 500

If your Smith & Wesson model is a round butt, but you prefer the square look, consider one of our conversion grips! They are available in K/L and N frame sizes.

Ruger admittedly has confusing nomenclature and frame evolution. Especially, when it comes to their single action revolvers. For that reason, please consult the charts below to see if we make a grip that will fit your gun.

Coming soon to Altamont: Bearcat, Birdshead
Not currently available from Altamont: Old style Blackhawks (3 screw XR3 frame), LCP, LC9, LC9s, LC380, SR Series, P Series, SR22, LCR, Security Six, Speed Six

Ruger Single Action Revolvers

Ruger Frame Types	Models
XR3-RED (Blackhawk/Vaquero)	Vaquero, Blackhawk, Single Six, Super Single Six, Old Army, 4 5/8" barrel Super Blackhawk, 5 1/2" barrel Super Blackhawk, Hawkeye (some modification needed to fit wider trigger slot) This grip will NOT fit the Old style Ruger Blackhawk, 3 screw - XR3 frame
New XR3 (New Vaquero)	New Vaquero, 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk "Flattop" (2005), 50th Anniversary .44 "Flattop" (2006)
Super Blackhawk	Super Blackhawk, .357 Maximum, Super Blackhawk Hunter This grip will fit Super Blackhawks with a SQUARE trigger guard. Super Blackhawks with a ROUND trigger guard (with the exception of the Super Blackhawk Hunter) fit the XR3-RED in the section above
Bisley	Bisley, Bisley Vaquero, Super Blackhawk Bisley 44 Magnum

Ruger Double Action Revolvers

Ruger Frame Types	Models
GP-100	GP-100 Super Redhawk (You will need to locate a new locator pin for the Super Redhawk.)
SP-101	SP-101 The SP-101 inserts will fit the GP-100 Compact Rubber grip, but we do not sell the rubber grip
Redhawk

Ruger Centerfire & Rimfire Pistols

Ruger Frame Types	Models
Mark I	Some of our grips may fit the Mark I, but you would need to call Ruger with the serial number to see what type of frame you have.
Mark II
Mark III
22/45	22/45 The 22/45 grips will not fit target 22/45 Rimfire Pistol
SR1911	Full Size 1911

For most grips, buffing them lightly with a dry towel will do the trick. You can also use a light oil on the super woods and premium wood grips or rubbing alcohol on the pearl and bonded ivory grips. Be especially careful on scrimshaw. Never use harsh chemicals on any Altamont grips.

We do not currently make any grips for the Uberti, Rossi, Chiappa, Caspian, Kahr, Star, Double Stack Para Ordnance, CZ, or Italian Single Action. If you would like to be notified should we ever start to make these grips or if the gun in question is not listed here, please shoot us an email! We frequently manufacture new items.

We are proud to say our products are only made in the USA. Entirely designed, manufactured, and shipped out of Thomasboro, Illinois.

We accept all major credit cards for payment and process them through PayPal for your peace of mind.

Altamont Company orders ship Monday through Friday via USPS First Class or UPS Ground so that orders can be tracked and delivery confirmed. US Postal First Class Mail normally takes 1-4 business days while UPS Ground can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days. Both come with tracking information that you will receive once we have your order prepared to ship.

Altamont Company handles the entire creation and distribution of our products (our grips are made and shipped from our factory here in Illinois). Your payment information is used for the online transaction and then discarded.

It has always been important to Altamont Company that you are satisfied with your pistol grips, rifle stocks, and accessories. For this reason, we provide a generous return and exchange policy.

• Product broke during shipment or arrived with manufacturer defects? Contact us and we will send you a return shipping label and replace it for you.
• Product was ordered incorrectly, breaks shortly after arrival, or just simply is not what you are looking for? Mail it and the completed Return Form back to us within 90 days for exchange or refund.
• Product breaks or has problems throughout its lifetime? Mail it and the completed Return Form back to us at any time and we will repair or replace it for you.

We are confident in our product and want our customers to be happy!

NOTE: Engraved firearms are an exception to the above policy. We will accept returns on guns within 7 days of delivery, un-fired only. We will NOT repair or replace any part of the gun except the grip, or a functional defect directly caused by an Altamont manufacturing process.