T/C Contender

[Hickory]

I'm about to make a deal on a Contender serial #675XX.
Does anyone have any idea when it was manufactured?

[M-Tecs]

1976 http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t1/index.html

[Hickory]

Thanks, the action looks almost new and so do the barrels.

[Artful]

Which barrels are you getting with it?

[M-Tecs]

Also at 195,000 TC changed the location of the trigger guard pivot pin. This is known are the "easy open" version. The easy open version is considered more desirable but I would not pay more for one. I have 3 of the easy open frames and one of the pre-easy open. TC used to convert them but don't believe they still do. S&W was not good for TC.

Good info here on Contenders http://www.lasc.us/ArticlesBellm.htm

[Hickory]

Which barrels are you getting with it?
It has two barrels both are hex barrels the 10" is 222 Remingtom the 12" is 22 Hornet.
The Hornet is unfired and has the finish of a Colt Python.

[Ia.redneck]

I've noticed that too. Those older TC barrels had amazing bluing!
I bet that 222 will be a tack driver

[Hickory]

I've noticed that too. Those older TC barrels had amazing bluing!
I bet that 222 will be a tack driver
My interest is more in the Hornet, I've been wanting a garden gun for groundhogs.

[shoot-n-lead]

My interest is more in the Hornet, I've been wanting a garden gun for groundhogs.

You will love the Hornet...I certainly love mine.

[Guesser]

The Hornet is great but......the short barrel allows for tremendous muzzle blast out of the little cartridge; on the order of the 30 Carbine.

[shoot-n-lead]

The Hornet is great but......the short barrel allows for tremendous muzzle blast out of the little cartridge; on the order of the 30 Carbine.

Mine are nothing like a .30 Carbine round...nothing.

[Doc Highwall]

I have a early Contender and I brought it to Fox Ridge Outfitters which was T/C's custom shop to change the pivot point for the easy opening, well worth it. Before this conversion you sometimes had to bang the trigger guard with the heal of your palm to open it, or squeeze with all your might to open it to shoot the next shot.

The G2 Contender has the advantage that you can cock the hammer and let it down, and just re-cock the hammer to fire it. The Contender if you cock it and then let the hammer down, you have to break it open again and re-close the action in order to re-cock it.

[rking22]

You will like both barrels, especially the Hornet. I let mine get away in a trade to get my 256 barrell back. Back when I was a broke college kid! My frame is slightly older than yours and you get used to opening it. I have broken a hammer spring in the years I've had it, bought in early 1976! One thing , when you also use a rimfire barrel, it can be very easy to forget to rotate the striker back to Centerfire in the early morning. Cost me a nice buck many years ago :)
My hornet barrel was same era as yours and very accurate, not terriably loud either. I would like to find a 222Rem like that too.

[Hickory]

At one time I had a 222 Rem bull barrel for my contender. It was very accurate, groundhog less than 200 yards suddenly found that their luck ran out when I'd squeeze off a shot.
I'm gonna test both barrels this spring and if I like the Hornet better than the 222, then the 222 will have to find a new home. If the reverse is true then the Hornet gets the walking papers.
If I like them both, then I'll be doubly happy.
Stay tuned . . .

[John Allen]

Hickory don't do it!!!! Take a up a drug addiction it will be cheaper.

[flyingmonkey35]

Parts are impossible to find. As a FYI.

[rking22]

You can find most of what you might need here:
http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/item.php?pid=719&