Contender/ G2

[scratcherky]

I have the itch for a contender or G2 and am interested in the 7-30 Waters caliber. I would like to know the preferences/ differences between the contender and G2. As of now I do not know enough about either to make a decision and hope some of you will share your thoughts/ opinions. I do like the cougar on the side of the contender but this in itself would not make me choose one over the other.
Thanks,
Don

[DEACONLLB]

I have both and also the 7-30 waters barrel.
First the G2 is an easy open frame and has the firing pin selector on the hammer and you do not have to open it to set the trigger if you cock it and then let the hammer down. If you do that on the older contender then you have to open it to get it to cock. The stocks will not interchange as the butt grip is at a different angle.
I make all of the gun shows in my area and I find that a good older contender with the later easy open frame will bring about what a new g2 will cost. I also think the older contender looks better with the cat and feels a little lighter but have not compaired weight. I have contenders from around 69 all the way up to the G2's. Knowing what I know now all i would buy is the later easy open frame's or G2.
You can tell the easy open frame by the placement of the pivit pin. If it is over the trigger it is easy open but you will need to remove the forend to make sure that it is not a factory conversion job and an older frame. If there is a pin over the trigger and an empty hole under the barrel pin it has been factory converted and an older frame, of course nothing wrong with that. One other thing on the older contenders you have to pull hammer back and use a small screw driver to change from rim fire to center fire.

Hope this is of some help
Deaconllb

[Hopalong7]

   I much prefer the old traditional style Contender over the G-2(that's really a very silly, biased statement because I've never owned a G-2) because that's what I've used for the last 35 years.  If I was starting out fresh from the get-go today, I think I would go with the G-2.  Might have to do some trigger jobs but that's not as big a deal as it would seem.  If you're also into Encores, the G-2 is much more like it than the older Contender.
   Now, I hope I haven't confused you as much as I have myself.  Walt

[HAMMERHEAD]

I prefer the G2 over the original for several reasons.

The G2 seems to handle recoil better. I like a full three or four pound trigger. I shoot a lot in cold weather and I can feel the G2's trigger much better with gloves or cold hands. I like being able to re-cock the gun anytime.

The G2 is a very simple gun inside, even I can fix it.

[Yosemite Sam]

Having just bought my first Contender I'm not much of an expert, but I have owned a lot of other firearms over the years.  One thing to consider is parts availability.  With just a cursory look around it seems G2 parts are much more available than older Contender parts.  If you like to tinker this might be a a consideration.

-- Sam

[Keith L]

You don't need lots of parts to keep Contenders working.  There isn't all that much to them, and so far factory support has generally been good.

Having said that, I have a mix of original and G2 frames, and if push came to shove I would have to say I prefer the G2s.  They open easy, and I have never had a bad trigger.  I take mine apart and clean them from  new including deburring parts and polishing mating surfaces, but have never had to do a trigger job.  Mine are in the 2 pound class and crisp.  The preference is there, but not by much because I like my originals as well.

[Ladobe]

First the G2 is an easy open frame and has the firing pin selector on the hammer and you do not have to open it to set the trigger if you cock it and then let the hammer down. If you do that on the older contender then you have to open it to get it to cock.

Contender frames from serial number 195,000 on are also easy open, so that's approximatly 275K of them out there (plus older frames can be converted to EO).    Thosed same 270K have the last version selector hammer (not counting the earlier versions on older Contender frames or the G2's).    The open to reset the trigger thing is one of the most commonly misquoted comments out there about the orginial EO Contenders.    They DO NOT have to be opened to reset the trigger.

Add the much better trigger on the old frames and my obviouse choice is the EO Contender frames instead of the G2.   Why I have 20 of them and no G2's I suppose.   

YMMV

[Steve P]

I cannot comment on the G2 except what I have heard from others.  There are both good and bad things, NONE of which would stop me from purchasing one if the price were right. 

I have 20+ years experience with the older frame Contenders and I really enjoy shooting and working on them.  I have had a few problems, but VERY FEW, although they always seem to occur when I am shooting competition.  TC has been very kind and supplied me with spare springs and replacement parts in case of failures.  You cannot beat thier customer service.

My 7-30 W barrel is very accurate.  I have shot it at silhouette targets at 400+ yards and have not been disappointed at accuracy or knockdown power. 

The 7mm cartridge is versatile in that you can shoot 120 grain bullets at varmints, or load up 150+ grain bullets for bigger game.  My most memorable shot was on a doe hunt.  Dropped one like a rock at 275 paces.  I used to referee soccer and I was pretty good at pacing in one yard steps. 

G2 or Contender with 7-30 W barrel would be a nice gun to have.
Excellent choice.

Steve

[DEACONLLB]

Question to Ladobe how do you reset trigger if you let it down and do not fire it? I know you can start to open it a little and then it will set trigger. I think all of us would like to know, Help us out here.
Deaconllb

PS hope you are feeling better.