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Offline ebonitekid767

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is this good?
« on: September 08, 2011, 02:17:05 AM »
local shop has a used contender with stainless frame, blued/ported 45-70 14" barrel and rubber grips. asking 489 but said there is room to improve....... This will be my first large caliber handgun, should I buy it and trade the barrel for a different caliber? or should I be ok with the 45-70?
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Offline Junior1942

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2011, 03:40:48 AM »
I suggest shooting one before you buy one.  Your wrist might not like the recoil....
 
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2011, 10:19:45 AM »
The asking price is at the top even if in great condition.    If a stainless EO frame it's a keeper that comes at a price (depending on condition), with about $300 top price for one in mint condition.   A G2 stainless I have no idea as I don't pay any attention to them new or used.   Either way the barrel probably isn't worth enough to make up the difference in today's economy.   If the grips are Pachy's they would add some to the value though over TC grips.
 
Starting out with a handcannon TC is probably not your best choice, especially since you have not shot any of the heavy hitters on any other handgun platform.   While not real bad to many of us it still is a handful for the newbie.   The break helps but is very loud.   You'd probably be better off to start with a tamer cartridge because starting with a 45-70 will most likely cause you to develop bad techniques that will be harder to correct later.   IE, shooting a TC with precision is all about technique, and if learned right the handgun will shoot as good as a rifle.   Best way to learn good technique is to shoot it a lot and often... easiest on you and your pocket book with a rimfire barrel even if you reload.
 
If you can get the package at a good enough price, you can always trade or sell the barrel for one better to learn the TC on in a cartridge that will still fit into some of your shooting niches.
 
IMO - HTH - YMMV
 
 
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Offline contenderfan

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2011, 01:06:37 PM »
Quote from: Ladobe on September 08, 2011, 10:19:45 AM
Starting out with a handcannon TC is probably not your best choice, especially since you have not shot any of the heavy hitters on any other handgun platform.   While not real bad to many of us it still is a handful for the newbie.   The break helps but is very loud.   You'd probably be better off to start with a tamer cartridge because starting with a 45-70 will most likely cause you to develop bad techniques that will be harder to correct later.   IE, shooting a TC with precision is all about technique, and if learned right the handgun will shoot as good as a rifle.   Best way to learn good technique is to shoot it a lot and often... easiest on you and your pocket book with a rimfire barrel even if you reload.
 
If you can get the package at a good enough price, you can always trade or sell the barrel for one better to learn the TC on in a cartridge that will still fit into some of your shooting niches.
 
IMO - HTH - YMMV


 Very good advice and I agree 100%, good luck with your decision.
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Offline Elwood

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2011, 01:20:50 PM »
If I were you, I would pass on this.
To much money and kick.
Elwood
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Offline Curtis

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2011, 02:26:56 PM »
Low ball 'em and see what they say.  At a shop that I frequent, I ended up buying an older Contender in 44 mag for $250 that was marked $450.  I think it was just because they wanted to move it and make room in the case for something more popular.

Curtis

P.S.  If this works for you I would agree with others that you should work up to the 45-70.  With a Contender and available barrels, this is never a problem.
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Contender in 17 Rem, 22lr, 22k Hornet, 223 Rem, 256 WM, 6TCU, 7TCU, 7-30, 30 Herrett, 300 Whisper, 30-30 AI, 357 mag, 357 Herrett, 375 JDJ, 44 mag, 45/410..... so far.

Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2011, 03:31:15 PM »
IF you can get them down on the price, and IF you reload your own ammunition, I can put you on to a few recipes for that 45-70 barrel that won't give you a religious experience every time you pull the trigger.

A 300 grain cast bullet over a starting load of Trail Boss powder will not be at all bad.

If your only option is factory ammo, then I would walk away from that package, and keep looking for something else.

Counter offer them $350, and see if they bite. You can always sell the barrel here for $150 and use that money towards something else.

If you're going to get serious about this Contender bug, you will really want to start handloading.
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Offline Hellbent

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2011, 04:36:31 PM »
Slim, I noticed you didn't mention the real fun 45-70 loads. You Trail Boss? Do you even own any Trail Boss? ;D
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Offline Austin from NC

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2011, 06:53:19 PM »
If you can get what you feel comfortable paying go for it but I would either trade for a new barrel or buy one. I started out with an encore in 308 and it had me flinching so bad I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. I have since worked my way back up to it and love it but it still makes a 44 mag feel like a 22. Good luck and start low and work your way up.

       Austin
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Offline Slowpoke Slim

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2011, 07:17:16 PM »
Quote from: Hellbent on September 08, 2011, 04:36:31 PM
Slim, I noticed you didn't mention the real fun 45-70 loads. You Trail Boss? Do you even own any Trail Boss? ;D

Uh, I think so...

I think I tried some for some light cowboy loads for Mrs Slowpoke...

Probably still some laying around here somewhere.

I don't want to start his head spinning around with tales of the Holy Black.

Well, not yet anyway...

Small steps...
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Offline sr sawyer

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2011, 06:19:46 PM »
The  45-70 with most factory ammo can make you flinch with a rifle.  If you have no experience with more than heavy recoiling pistols you will not enjoy the 45-70. 
 
I have shot heavy recoiling pistols and the 45-70 is not one I like.  IMO this is a rifle round.
You can always load them on the light side, but then you are getting into the 44 mag range.
 
Ken 
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Offline Dezynco

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2011, 03:22:55 AM »
If you can get a good deal on the package, buy it!  I'd offer $300 and see what happens.  Put the 45-70 barrel away for now, or sell it and buy something that is a little easier to manage!
 
I shoot an 8" custom built 45-70 on my G2 Contender.  The recoil is OFF THE SCALE!  But since I've had years of practice with Contenders, I can still manage a very decent group with it at 100 yards.  Even then I'll flinch occaisionally.  The recoil is fierce, and the big fireball comming out the end of the barrel is breathtaking!  It's also a good idea to wear full safety protection because there is usually a good bit of unburned powder flying around.
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Offline cheapshooter

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2011, 08:13:00 PM »
I bought mine a few months ago. G2 stainless. Super 14 35 Remington ported barrel with open sights. Supposedly it was originally blued, but given a finish that matches the stainless frame. 14" "match" 22 LR barrel, blued with a Burris 1.5-4 scope and mount. Boyt case" $250.00 from a local gun shop.
And it shoots great!
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Offline ebonitekid767

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #13 on: September 11, 2011, 10:27:56 AM »
Thanks guys, i found a .222 contender for a better price i think i am going to get. I figure i can use it next spring/summer for woodchucks to get some handgun hunting experience.
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Offline spinafish

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2011, 10:57:42 AM »
sounds like a good choice..
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Offline Austin from NC

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #15 on: September 12, 2011, 12:20:51 PM »
Now that's more like it.

       Austin
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Offline ebonitekid767

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Re: is this good?
« Reply #16 on: September 12, 2011, 12:23:30 PM »
its s 12" with sights. guy wants 349......I think thats fair
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