Finally got a Flatside Contender Frame

[tred1956]

Please read story of tree cut 62 years ago in my lower post in this thread.

Finally acquired a flatside Frame. (THANKS historicfirearms) It is a Matte TCA 1999 Limited Edition (Not sure but was told only 38 were made). If you are sure how many were made Please let me know. Barrel is OTT 16 inch step barrel in 20 VT. Forend by Tony G and grip by Dave D from a Black Walnut tree cut by my Dad (he cut it when I was 12 & I am now 64). Wears a BullBerry mount with Burris Signature Rings. Leupold fine crosshair VX-III 8.5-25x50mm. At almost 10 pounds it just sits rock solid in my Fuzz rest and makes me look like a Marksman LOL
Safe shooting
Doug
https://i.postimg.cc/7hpm3Wd8/Flat-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/FkVymDhD)
https://i.postimg.cc/6q999MYK/Flat-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[j p sixguns welldone]

wow that is nice. i like the flatside don't see them often.

[tred1956]

Thank you sir. I have been shooting Contenders since 1978. Actively looking for a flatside for over a decade. May be the best looking & shooting Contender I have ever owned. Probably owned over 100 frames and close to 1000 barrels, but this is the closest I have come to perfection (For Me anyway)
Safe shooting
Doug

PS
Grandson said he would handle the paperwork to amend my will, to make sure His name was by this one. Told me He would handle everything. LOL

[stubshaft]

Great looking rig. I had a couple of Mike's barrels when I was heavy into Sillywett, VERY accurate!

[vhntr1]

Fantatic




Congrats very nice ,i have killed a fare amount of ohio deer with a contender ,a true classic.

[MT Gianni]

Beautiful rig. What caliber is the barrel?

[tred1956]

It is a 20 VarTarg. I never shoot alone, everytime I shoot it My Dad is watching from Above. Probably Mom also, as the Walnut blank I used was originally cut to make a Mantel for Her fireplace. Unfortunately Daddy never got around to it. It was 4 inches thick by 16 inches wide by 96 inches long. I believe Dave made me 7 sets total out of it. The Kids and Grandkids (Who shoot) got a set to enjoy. All the wood wasn't perfect but it sure Feels PERFECT to Me.
Thanks
Doug

[tred1956]

Here you go. It will do better than the Old Man can LOL
Safe shooting
Doug

15 Shot group 90 yards
https://i.postimg.cc/Nfzp3Ds4/20200905-150531.jpg (https://postimg.cc/F70ycjJd)
https://i.postimg.cc/ydTkRLpC/20200905-155642.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bDsyc9jm)

[tred1956]

20 VarTarg about 3400 but not my fastest Contender in 20 Caliber. Contender pictured below is 20 Tactical and RUNS 4100 to 4200 out of a 22 inch full bull OTT. It Also Wears a BullBerry mount with Burris Signature Rings. Leupold fine crosshair VX-III 8.5-25x50mm. Has a Georgia Jim Target forend and ambi grip. At almost 8 pounds it ALSO just sits rock solid in my Fuzz rest and makes me look like a Marksman LOL First picture is of 20 TAC & 20 VT for comparison
Safe shooting
Doug
https://i.postimg.cc/k4RTYM4N/16699306572698594758471919635804.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HcH0Vgbj)
https://i.postimg.cc/nrs05FhY/16699306316432836123733466257763.jpg (https://postimg.cc/LgptgMfn)
https://i.postimg.cc/3J4cfBy5/16699305947423051991889825264325.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Mvw5v1bd)

[45_Colt]

I'm at a loss for words to state how happy/glad this makes me. That is one heck (now two) of a pistol. I have one TCA Contender frame with a few barrels. And they shoot great, surprises the rifle shooters at the range.

I needed to look up what a 20VT cartridge was. Glad I did, it made the whole pistol come together. What a beautiful shooter.

Oh, almost forgot, HAVE FUN and enjoy it!!

45_Colt

[marshall623]

That thing is sharp

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[tred1956]

PLEASE READ the Tree 62 years later

I just decided to share this today but here is another Wonderful Fact about the Walnut Tree cut 62 years ago. My oldest Grandson Hunter (Also a Contender Shooter) has a DOUBLE Connection to this tree. He also got a set of grips from the Tree. PaPa Smitty is My Dad and Hunters Paternal Great Grandad. PaPa Jerry is Hunters Maternal Grandad. Now comes the DOUBLE Connection. PaPa Smitty & PaPa Jerry were very good friends in High School and YES they were both present when the Tree was cut and hauled to the sawmill. What are the ODDS???? So in addition to grip sets Hunter also has a Black Walnut Table (made by PaPa Jerry) that is His also.

I am sure 62 years ago when the Black Walnut tree Fell PaPa Smitty & PaPa Jerry never dreamed it would bring sooo many Smiles and Tears of joy to Their Kids, Grandkids & Great Grandkids decades Later
We Miss Them BOTH soo much!!! But we Smile knowing when we shoot They are with us

Safe Shooting and Always Remember what is truly important
Doug

[tward]

Great contender,even better story! Thanks for posting! Good shooting and happy holidays. Tim

[cabezaverde]

I have a stainless flat side. Are those collectible?

[tred1956]

I don't consider any of them collectable but all flatsides are sought after. I shoot mine. Some do Collect them though. Just not me LOL
Safe shooting
Doug

[Rapier]

You can spend a lot of money building a custom rifle and not have it shoot as well as a production 10" Contender.