Contender question

[NSP64]

I was looking at some Contenders on GB, and saw one that had a squared off grip shaped more like a 1911 or Ruger MKII pistol style. Like an automatic instead of a revolver style.
Was this an early style or a custom job?
I would like to buy one in this style but can't seem to come up with anything?

I saw some that were like it but still round.
The bottom/plate or the grip was squared off also

[Artful]

Link/Pictures?

[marshall623]

I went to GB and looked that is some early factory Herrett style grips & fore arms. I think that was the one you were looking at with the 44 hot shot barrel. the next or the last page they had another one listed and showed it turned over with the T/C grip cap.

[NSP64]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=359325382
this one has a pic

[NSP64]

79360

[scb]

I believe that is the first grip Contenders came out with. A friend of mine had one, it was the first Contender I ever saw. it was in the early 70's. Firing that gun with a 44 mag of 30/30 barrel was brutally painful. Mine today is a later one which is the wooden grip with a rubber insert. The newer one is much much better. It would be interesting to know what the s/n is. That looks like a very early un - "engraved" (etched) one.

[Lonegun1894]

According to that auction, the SN is in the low 1600s, I want to say 1610. I think those grips would be great for the .22s as that auction lists, but I would hate to shoot that with my .44Mag barrel in place. Seems like it would be painful. Like the looks though.

[Forrest r]

Ya, those early grips weren't the greatest & the early tapered octagon bbl's looked good but the light weight didn't help much either. We put dents all over te hood of my brothers truck shooting 1 of those early contenders (44mag) back in the 70's when they 1st came out. Contenders are excellent firearms that are extremely versatile with so many different calibers, bbl lengths, stocks/grips, sights, scopes, etc to choose from.

My contender that I use to practice 50m free pistol with, it's a lot heavier than my free pistol & the extremely heavy 14oz trigger on the contender really helps in practicing a strait trigger squeeze. I only have pistol caliber bbl's anymore, 44mag/357/9mm/22lr match.
A custom grip on a contender.

79381

[marshall623]

That's a sweet looking gun , but it looks painful with a hard kicker mounted on it. Just my $.02 that would have to be a safe queen.

[Artful]

Nice pistol Forrest r

Those early "saw handle" grips were not bad with the original 38 spl or 22 LR barrels but anything heavier in recoil were a literal pain.

[Ed K]

79496

[NSP64]

Ed, I like the one that looks like a 1911 grip. How does it shoot?.

[Ed K]

It points and shoots very well. Good for 45ACP and 38s - just don't put that 375JDJ barrel on! :mrgreen:

[Shooter6br]

Have two 1976 (black grips) and "Classic" 1979 357 and 44 mag (with brake)79801

[EMC45]

I liked my old Contender frame and had a few different sets of furniture for it. It started to open up on me when firing though So I sent it back to Thompson. They replaced it with a new G2. All my furniture now doesn't work. I have a set of those thin 90 degree grips with the thumb shelf too. They are not the ones for shooting the .44 or the .35 Rem.!