MGM Contender barrel.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Well I got the new 44 Mag barrel from MGM on Friday. It is a beautiful piece of work. The bore has a mirror finish, it is with out a doubt the smoothest and shiniest bore that I have ever seen. I just hope it shoots as good as it looks. According to the instructions on cleaning and care, it also says that they guarantee 1" groups at a hundred yards with it. I really don't think I am capable of that with my aging eyes and other problems but I think it will do well enough to suit me. I ordered a Williams peep sight and a fiber optic front sight from Williams and then sent them to MGM and they mounted them for free. So far I really like the sights but the bench will be the telling factor. The Williams sights were $95.00, I've got a total of $365 in this barrel. I may eventually have to put a scope on it, but I just wanted to try the peep sights first.

[John Allen]

I have a couple of MGM barrels myself. They have been great. I have a 22 hornet MGM that is just an incredible shooter.

[azchisum]

What barrel length did you settle on.. I am thinking of a 44 mag for mine...

[Hickok]

45/70, I just received my barrel. BUT the shell extractor is wrong! I swear it is a extractor for a rim the size of a 45 Colt. I tried both Remington and Winchester cases, and some will drop into the barrel right over the shell extractor. I had the same thing with a factory T/C barrel and sent it back.

I can put in a fired .44 case from one of my revolvers that is just slightly snug and it will not extract.

I will have to call MGM tomorrow and let them know.

45/70, would you see if yours will extract properly?

[Hickok]

Here is what I have;131055131056131057131060 The extractor barely touches the rim of a .44 case, I can push the extractor all the way in, and then push it all the way out, nothing. I put the barrel on the frame, reassemble the forearm, put a cartridge in the chamber, close, open the action, no extraction, the extractor slips over either a Winchester or Remington case.

If you look close, you can see the extractor has a diameter cut into it that would better fit a 45 Colt case. Like I said, I will try to call MGM tomorrow and explain the situation.

[tdoyka]

mine is an encore and they do have some mighty sweet barrels! all of mine are sub 1" groups. you are going to enjoy it!!!

[wonderwolf]

I'm looking at a Stainless .357 mag barrel from them soon. 10" or 12" I'm thinking I need to call them and see if they can drill the barrel I'm wanting for front and rear sights as I use irons. Might even go .357 Max but I'm not sure how much accuracy I would loose when using .38 wadcutters.

[wallenba]

45/70, I just received my barrel. BUT the shell extractor is wrong! I swear it is a extractor for a rim the size of a 45 Colt. I tried both Remington and Winchester cases, and some will drop into the barrel right over the shell extractor. I had the same thing with a factory T/C barrel and sent it back.

I can put in a fired .44 case from one of my revolvers that is just slightly snug and it will not extract.

I will have to call MGM tomorrow and let them know.


45/70, would you see if yours will extract properly?

I've only had one problem ever with MGM. They responded very quickly and solved it first time. I had a problem with latches. Very friendly lady (Missy, I think) handled it right away .

[Hickok]

I telephoned and the lady was very nice. She said they were in the process of moving. I sent pictures, but she said their computers are not working correctly.

She told me they would get me a new extractor in the mail as soon as they could!

[45-70 Chevroner]

I hope it comes soon, that's a bummer.

[Hickok]

I hope it comes soon, that's a bummer.Thanks 45/70!

What are the odds of getting two .44 barrels with the wrong extractor? The previous one was a factory T/C barrel. I still can't believe it.

[Rick Hodges]

Hickok, perhaps it is time to buy a lotto ticket or two...unfortunately, I fear your luck wouldn't help there either.

How hard can it be to run a case in there to check it before it leaves the shop?

[Alan in GA]

I had an 18" MGM .357 Maximum bull barrel, stainless steel. Shot with my G2 frame and walnut rifle stock it shot extremely well!
The only problem I had was that after having an MGM barrel, the factory barrels seemed like a waste of time! OK, honestly, the factory T/C barrels did not shoot well for me. Maybe it was just me as most folks do well with factory T/C barrels.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Thanks 45/70!

What are the odds of getting two .44 barrels with the wrong extractor? The previous one was a factory T/C barrel. I still can't believe it.
Bad luck is kind of like the tide it will turn.��

[45-70 Chevroner]

Hickok! I was inspecting your pictures again and I don't think that extractor would even work with a 45
colt. The 45 colt rim is .002 smaller than the 44 mag. Rim. Just an observation.

[Hickok]

Hickok! I was inspecting your pictures again and I don't think that extractor would even work with a 45
colt. The 45 colt rim is .002 smaller than the 44 mag. Rim. Just an observation.45/70, thanks for that assessment, it is reassuring to have some one else back me up. I wanted to post the pictures so no one would think I was making it up. Yes, now that you mention it, the extractor might fit a 45/70. As soon as I took the barrel out of packaging, I knew it was the wrong extractor, just by looking at it.

[Hickok]

Here is my 8mm JDJ barrel and extractor, the round is based on a .444 Marlin case. Notice the extractor exactly matches the rim size of the cartridge as it is cut into the chamber.131284131285

[Hickok]

Thought you all might like to see an 8mm JDJ. Here is the 8mm beside a .44 Magnum. 131288131289

[jeff223]

theres a big difference between a SSK barrel and a MGM Contender barrel.The SSK barrels do cost alittle more but there are worth the extra $$$$ spent and I found that out first hand a few years ago

[Hickok]

theres a big difference between a SSK barrel and a MGM Contender barrel.The SSK barrels do cost alittle more but there are worth the extra $$$$ spent and I found that out first hand a few years agoYes Jeff, my SSK barrel is perfect. It shoots 1" to 1 1/2" groups @ 100 yards. It chronographs a 150 gr Speer bullet @ 2540 fps. and a Sierra 170 gr bullet @ 2400 fps. I have killed boar with it, no problem.

I am optimistic that MGM will send the right extractor.

The Extractor for my 8mm JDJ would work for a .44 magnum, as I use a 444 Marlin case to make the round, and the 44 mag and 444 have same rim diameter, but that is not a good solution.

[jeff223]

Im sure they will send you the right extractor.
My problem was with the locking lugs with one barrel i bought from mgm not locking up good on the frame and the other barrel locked up but the barrel would shuck on the frame.I monkeyed with the barrels all summer long until i had enough and got a full refund.I then bought an SSK barrel and that one was perfect.

good luck

[wlc]

I have no doubt that MGM will treat you right. I had a problem with my locking lugs on a 357 MAX barrel. Gave them a call, the guy that actually made my barrel gave me some stuff to try (it was a fitment problem with my frame) in order to get me shooting quicker. When that didn't work they sent me another set on their dime. That fixed it and I have enjoyed that barrel.

[Hickok]

Well, I just had to try it. I took the extractor out of my SSK barrel, (444 Marlin case, blown out to 8mm JDJ, same rim size as .44 mag) and installed it in the MGM .44 mag barrel and it fit and works perfect!

The MGM extractor has "44 mag" stamped on it, but it is apparently just cut wrong. Anyway, I can now get to shooting this barrel!

[nhmikel]

The only mgm I have is a new .223 15" ...cant wait to try it out