I have two Contender frames. The 1976 year model has no hammer safety. The second (1979) has the sliding pin safety. I plan to sale one of the two. Triggers are about the same. Which model do most guys prefer? ThanksAttachment 79747
I have two Contender frames. The 1976 year model has no hammer safety. The second (1979) has the sliding pin safety. I plan to sale one of the two. Triggers are about the same. Which model do most guys prefer? ThanksAttachment 79747
I have all three generations but I prefer the original than next is the third generation however the differences a so slight it makes no difference to me for use. The originals are reportedly worth more. See post eight http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...nd-older-model
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Having owned then all, the only one I don't care for is the G2.
I really wish I hadn't sold the early .30-30 Contender Carbine I once had.
.
Now I lay me down to sleep
A gun beside me is what I keep
If I awake, and you're inside
The coroner's van is your next ride
Mine is the third model, with the rotating selector on the hammer. One day I asked my friend who owns the gun shop what he would give me in trade. He said "Tom, you shouldn't sell your Contender." Years later now, I'm glad I didn't. I offer you the same advice.
Take care, Tom
Is that the Millett red dot on your top tender? I just ordered one on mine, and it was dead on right out of the box. A nice surprise and seems to be a real good sight for the price.
I prefer the frame that has the firing pin selector, Rimfire, Safe (None), and Center fire. The last frame before the G2. By the way, I am very disappointed that S&W/TCA will not be continuing any pre G2 line and have significantly scaled back the Contender and Pro-Hunter lines.
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Mark
Glendale, AZ
NRA Life Member
ASRPA Life Member
Thompson Center Contender Pistol Barrels in:
.22LR - .22 Hornet - .22 K-Hornet- .223 Rem - .270 REN - 7MM TCU - 7-30 Waters - .30-30 Win - .30 Herrett - .32-20 Win - .357 Magnum - .357 Herrett - .35 Rem - .375 Winchester - .44 Magnum - .444 Marlin - .45-70 Govt
Thompson Center Contender Pistol Barrels Wanting:
.17 Mach - .22 Jet - .256 Win Mag - 6MM TCU - .30 Carbine
All three first generation frames now have the selector on top of the hammer. When I lost one of the detent balls on the frame which had the selector on the face of the hammer I just changed it out for convenience. At that time I wasn't thinking about collectability.
I'm probably hijackin' the thread, but a sliding pin safety? I once saw one that had a sliding bar in the hammer.
It's not really an answer to the OP question, but any G1 frame over the G2
https://wbrpc.org/
genealogy, another area of interest
feedback - http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...9613-czech_too
Ditto. Every word. Absolutely.
I'm done with moaning about S&W's slow killing of TC. I just consider the Contender to be an out-of-production classic requiring used market purchases. I think anyone waiting for a new rebirth of the old Contender is wasting time with fantasy. BTW, I've written Smith off totally. They no longer make anything I'll buy, so it's the used market there for me. I don't have enough time left to hope S&W/TC will return to an earlier time. Just won't happen. And GM won't reproduce the '53 Corvette either.
Anonym, Thats a nice box and foam. What kind is it and where did you get it. Kind of looks like a Doscosil I have, I'm looking for a nice smaller hard case for my Ruger 10/22.
I like the easy open frame best. I have had all three ( never owned a G-2). Of the two mentioned in the first post I like the pre 76 . i have one with a 22 Hornet barrel that will stay here until i get to old to shoot. It does not have the easy open frame but it is just too accurate to let go .
Iowa Fox,
That's actually a takedown shotgun box my wife got for me from good ole Wally World made by Plano (Gun Guard version Found HERE). It's lockable and has a purge valve to be used for airlines if needed. The little blocks pull out of the middle section for whatever you want to put in it, or leave them in there for a two-tier set-up. Got mine to fit the 'tender with a 16-inch mounted with enough room for my second 16-inch and a full 23-inch, all scoped. Great little box! Not sure if a 10-22 would fit length-wise in it, but they do make a rifle version.
This is probably what you're looking for: http://www.planomolding.com/product....ID=118&PID=875
Sorry, end hijack...
Thanks Anonym
I had 4 of the third generation frames and sold all of them and made the switch to the G2's. I have worked the triggers over and used the BELLM springs and have better triggers than any of the Contenders.
I shoot 444 Marlin out of the Contender and just like having the added strength the G2's have.
Just my 2 cents.
Ken
Ken TN
NRA Handgun Instructor and Endowment Member
IHMSA, SASS, NRA Field Pistol
The sides of the G2 are much thicker than the original. Does it make it stronger, I would think so. I'm sure T/C aka Smith and Wesson would not want to endorse higher pressure due to the barrel limitations. The Encore allowed them to go to a larger barrel diameter to increase overall pressures. It was a well known fact that you could stretch a Contender frame with the higher pressure rounds.
I do not Hot Rod any 444 round, usually go well below max or stay at a starting level. The accuracy with the 444 is amazing with most any load I feed it.
I like the G2, just me but it is nice not the have to break the action open to re-cock the hammer.
Ken
Ken TN
NRA Handgun Instructor and Endowment Member
IHMSA, SASS, NRA Field Pistol
Have the G1 in 221 Fireball. Would like to get a 30-30 barrel. That ought to give it some pop. 30-30 boolits would probly be cheaper.
I have 2 easy open blue frames Like them both. I seem to enjoy collecting barrels for them. Have a 22 match, 221 fireball, 25-20, a 30-30 converted to a 308 Bellm, 375jdj, 45-70 and 2 410 barrels one 16 and one 21" all are carbine 21"to 23"
I had an olllllddddddd Hard open Contender and it started to auto eject. Sent it to TC and they sent me a brand new G2. I like the trigger on the old Contender better and the grip geometry is better too.
You can miss fast & you can miss a lot, but only hits count.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |