MGM Contender barrels.

[Hickok]

Any comments and reviews on MGM Contender/G2 barrels.

Specifically I am wanting a .44 magnum, 14" for shooting cast boolits.

After receiving and returning a T/C super 14 in .44 magnum I slightly wary of T/C.

Recoil in a .44 mag barrel is not a problem as I shoot .35 Remington and a 8mm JDJ in 14 inch barrels.

Any accuracy reports on factory T/C .44 magnum in 14" would be welcome. If some of you have good results with your .44 barrels, I may try a Factory barrel again.

[tdoyka]

i don't have any contender barrel but i do have encore barrels. all are MGM and they are 20 vartarg, 22-250ai, 6.5 creedmoor, and the 444 marlin. all of them shoot to 1/2" at 100 yards with the favorites being the 20 vt and the 22-250ai(.1 and .2" at 100yards,depends on how good i shoot)

http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/eve/forums

people here will answer any question you may have.

[bosterr]

MGM is the only barrel I will now buy. The last TC made barrel I got rid of was a 10 inch 357 to finance a new one by MGM. No more dealing with TC's extra long throat. All my MGM's are tack drivers. My 357 and 44 barrels are dedicated cast shooters.

[Shooter6br]

Have a Contender (1978) with a 44 Mag 14" Hunter barrel. Bought the whole gun for $149.00 due to "Bubba" trying to reblue the barrel(cold blue) Shoots great with 250g Keith and Unique 8 g(target load)I added an Ultra Dot to it

[leadman]

I think if one is interested in obtaining the best accuracy from a Contender MGM would be the way to go. I have some very good shooting factory barrels but have had some that were marginal also. tried the Bergara barrels and had to return both due to the welds on the breech block stretching. Even before this happened the accuracy was not there.

[41cal]

126722
Hickok, I have a few factory contender barrels as well as mgm,and bullberry.
The pic shown was shot with a factory 12"hunter barrel with brake in 35 rem at 100 yards before and aft scope adj with hornady 180gr ssp bullet.
I also have a factory 14" 44 mag and it shoots excellent with hornady 300gr xtp's. These barrels were both purchased in the early 90's.
There are definitely factory barrels out there that will shoot,but in my opinion,since s&w bought out t/c,the price of the factory barrels are as much or more than some custom barrels (mgm).
As for me, I will only by a factory barrel used and only if the price is right,otherwise order a custom barrel in the finnish and length that you want. (My custom barrels shoot very well, but not any better than my 2 factory barrels)

[Hickok]

Thanks fellows. After researching and thinking about it, I just ordered a 14" .44 magnum barrel from MGM. They have very good prices and their reputation for accurate barrels seems solid.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Thanks fellows. After researching and thinking about it, I just ordered a 14" .44 magnum barrel from MGM. They have very good prices and their reputation for accurate barrels seems solid.
Curious as to what is a good price on the 14" MGM 44 barrel? I am looking to get one also. I misplaced or lost my 30 year old TC 14" barrel 44 mag with a 2X Leupol scope. It shot real well but had to clean the lead out after about 30 or 40 rounds or it would lose it's accuracy.

[leadman]

45-70, probably about what you paid for the whole gun and scope 30 years ago! Depending on extras IIRC can start about $350 and go up. They do have some deals on in stock barrels sometimes.

[Hickok]

45/70, the basic barrel is $250 up to 13 inches, after that add $50 for a 14" or a 15". I ordered a 14" in 44 magnum, blued, standard polished finished for a total of $300. Shipping is $20.

What I found during a search was new factory T/C Super 14 barrels in blued for $258 to $279. The MGM seems like a real bargain for a custom barrel in my opinion, so I went with one from them. https://matchgrademachine.com/home.php?keep_https=yes


41cal, thanks for pictures. I have had older T/C barrels that were excellent also, the .35 Rem. being a favorite of mine. Had a Super 14 in 7x30 Waters that was tack driver. Ground Hogs at 300 yards with a 120 Sierra were no problem rested off the front rack of a 4 wheeler with sand bag and short stool!

[45-70 Chevroner]

Thanks Hickok. I just called them and they quoted a 13 7/8" for $250. plus $20. shipping. I'm going to go for the 13 and 7/8" for the $250. standard blue.

[Hammerhead]

I had an MGM 7" .357 Contender/G2 barrel made. Very high quality.

[No_1]

I have a few MGM barrels and like the rest who have already spoken the quality is above and beyond.

[FLHTC]

MGM is the old Virgin Valley. Same equipment and many of the same people. They were the best in the 90's.

[waco]

MGM is the only barrel I will now buy. The last TC made barrel I got rid of was a 10 inch 357 to finance a new one by MGM. No more dealing with TC's extra long throat. All my MGM's are tack drivers. My 357 and 44 barrels are dedicated cast shooters.

I have the exact OPPOSITE problem with a T/C 10" 30-30 barrel. No throat at all! I will spend the money and get something other than TC in the future.
Waco

[M-Tecs]

Only have one MGM barrel. It is outstanding.