contender question

[picturerock]

What is the difference, if any at all, between a "type 1" and a "type 2" contender frame/barrel, and more specifically, will any barrel fit either kind of frame?  I ask because I have my eye on a used frame at a local shop here, but I don't want to buy one type and limit myself in barrel choices.  Enlighten me on this issue, please!

[scratcherky]

There really is no type 2 or type 1 designation. There is the original, an easy open and a G2 frame. No real need to worry about barrel since all except muzzle loader will fit on all frames, The G2 is easily identified as it looks like a smaller Encore frame. The pivot pin for the easy open frame is directly over the trigger but is close to the front of the frame on the original frames. You can not go wrong with either the G2 or easy open frames. I have the G2 which I like since I am also shooting an Encore.

[picturerock]

Thanks for the eduction, that is just exactly what I needed to know.  This forum is the best.

[dant]

hello, you are correct. there are type 1, 2,3 etc barrels. it generally refers to things such as sights, markinge , etc. You may find on older frames ( non easy open ) that newer barrels will not work without some modification. Sometimes a matter of the locking bolts, but more often than not an interference between the opening lever/trigger guard and bottom of the barrel lug. Newer barrels have a bit more material under the hinge pin hole than the oldest barrels ( not talking about the "step lug" here, up front on the lug under hinge pin hole.  If you get an easy open frame or a G2 you should have no problem. Unless it's a really good price I'd pass and get a easy open frame or G2.

[Curtis]

As far as fitment goes, there is supposed to be no difference.  However, earlier barrels with solid locking bolts rather than split locking bolts often will have lockup problems on newer Contender frames and possibly the G2 (I have no experience with the G2).  The following is how to identify older barrels and was copied from a reliable source.

Barrel designations
T-1 Octagon, One line address, flat base, set screw,
short site. 6 caliber's T/C Arms Rochester N.H. Caliber (There are variations
also)1967
Pre Type 2, but not Type 1 has the N.H. BUT the caliber is located at the
muzzle end
T-2 Octagon, 2 line address, flat base, set screw,
significant
identification is a period after the N.H. This type has the
largest caliber selection and dates 1967-1972
T-3 Octagon, 2 line address, flat base, set screw, now the period is only
after the H. NOT THE N 1973-1975 (bull barrels also found is this vintage)
T-4 Octagon, 2 line address, flat base, set screw is replaced with a roll pin to hold in locking lug. (bull barrels and 14" found in this vintage)
T-5 Octagon or bull the significant change is the flat base that now has a step on it..if you check any of you 14" barrels it will have this step..
Now with in each of the above there are variations that mainly address sites.Sites are another classification in there own right. For those of you shooters out there T-1 - T-4 typically have the solid locking lug, which generally require changing to use on the newer frames,easy open started at serial # 195,000 .
T-6 thru T-9 are current variation that describe hunter barrels, stainless, 16", 21" scope models and so on. Unofficially I have deemed the T-9 indicating the newest rear site as used on the Encore and post-fire Contenders.once we clearly sort through the 6 thru 8s this may change again. One thing for for sure as a collector of TC's..just when you think you have it figured out....something else jumps up and changes every thing.
Good shooting and collecting,
Ron

Hope this helps,
Curtis