contender easy open lever

[unclebill]

the earliest contenders have hard to open frame and great triggers
they can be converted to easy open but the trigger wont be the same
i took a crappy dime store flashlight and cut a slot in the switch end that then end of the lever fits in
then i mixed up some putty steel and filled that end
i coated the lever with vaseline and stuck it on there
it fits perfectly and is removable
and i can open it with one finger
this was all **** i had laying around the house
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/1_zps1618949d.jpg (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/billhedges/media/1_zps1618949d.jpg.html)

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/3_zpsa99a9a7a.jpg (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/billhedges/media/3_zpsa99a9a7a.jpg.html)

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/2_zps10c2bb24.jpg (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/billhedges/media/2_zps10c2bb24.jpg.html)

[unclebill]

i need one in a diameter like a mini mag flashlight i like how they have knurled handles and it would look almost professional.

[Tatume]

You're right about the first generation Contender triggers. Adjusting the over-travel screw correctly makes a big difference in how well the gun shoots. However, I've never understood the complaint about opening difficulty. Mine works just fine as is.

[unclebill]

You're right about the first generation Contender triggers. Adjusting the over-travel screw correctly makes a big difference in how well the gun shoots. However, I've never understood the complaint about opening difficulty. Mine works just fine as is.
with the original octagonal bbl it is a cinch
with my new bbls it takes two hands to open them
sometimes i have been known to slam it on the edge of the bench to open it
obviously i DONT like doing that
my wife hates the gun because it is so hard to open

[Artful]

Something weird 'cuz my first gen contender isn't "easy" open but opens just fine.
Your new barrels sound like they need some fitting or something.

But I will give you your due - that's a good and cleaver solution to the problem your currently having. :bigsmyl2:

[unclebill]

Something weird 'cuz my first gen contender isn't "easy" open but opens just fine.
Your new barrels sound like they need some fitting or something.

But I will give you your due - that's a good and cleaver solution to the problem your currently having. :bigsmyl2:
i have done some fitting,adjusting and they are much easier to open
but still pretty stiff
with my new thingamajig maybe my wife to learn to like this gun?

[FLHTC]

with the original octagonal bbl it is a cinch
with my new bbls it takes two hands to open them
sometimes i have been known to slam it on the edge of the bench to open it
obviously i DONT like doing that
my wife hates the gun because it is so hard to open

your locking lugs need to be better fitted. All my barrels open easily with all my frames, because i hand fitted the locking lugs. Remove the lugs from an octagon barrel and those from a round barrel and compare them. They are quite different but must have a similar profile to work in all the frames. It's an easy fix, without destroying flashlights.

[unclebill]

your locking lugs need to be better fitted. All my barrels open easily with all my frames, because i hand fitted the locking lugs. Remove the lugs from an octagon barrel and those from a round barrel and compare them. They are quite different but must have a similar profile to work in all the frames. It's an easy fix, without destroying flashlights.
already did that
thanks though
that *** broken flashlight had no other use

[unclebill]

i put my old and new lugs side by side and honed them with a 2000 grit sanding block until they looked as identical as i could make it.
the new springs are stiffer than the 40 year old ones. (not surprising)
i can open them with one hand but after 30 or so shots my hands are pooped
my wife cannot open it with one hand
that is why i made the cheater
the more fun /easy to use i can make this wonderfully accurate gun
the better i like it.

[FLHTC]

Well that is about all you'll be able to do. I can understand how your wife could have problems. The easy open mod was offered for a good reason but it's not really necessary.

[unclebill]

my wife popped it open with one finger

[Artful]

did she smile and say thank you :bigsmyl2:

[unclebill]

did she smile and say thank you :bigsmyl2:
yepper
she loves pulling the trigger on the octagonal .357mag bbl.
the first time she fired it she said
we need TWO of these!
o how i love her so.

[unclebill]

WOOT!
i have a factory contender 45-70 bbl with brake in the works.

[unclebill]

i figure i better shoot these monsters before i get too old or my arthritis gets bad enough that i cant.
besides
serious handcannons make me feel like a tough guy.
and before any of you smarty-aleks start saying i am compensating for something.
i AM
i am compensating for my lack of ridiculous caliber handcannons..... https://www.gunandgame.com/styles/default/xenforo/clear.png

[Artful]

careful with the 45-70 on contender - you can stretch the frame - and when I was trying heavy loads and hanging onto the forearm I broke the screws holding it on :sad:

[unclebill]

careful with the 45-70 on contender - you can stretch the frame - and when I was trying heavy loads and hanging onto the forearm I broke the screws holding it on :sad:

i am not going to fire full power loads in it.
i will make some powderpuff loads.