Best choice in Contender frames? Newer vs older frames? What to look for?

[schuetzen]

I'm familiar with Encore but I have never owned a Contender.  I've been interested in the Contenders since the 1990's but I was most interested in the .308 Win at the time so I kept putting off buying one until the Encore came out.  I'm still thinking about Contenders, but I hear about compatible issues with some barrels, forends and the different Contender frames.  I've also heard about the trigger pull on some Contenders are better than others.  From what I understand there are a couple of different earlier frames identified by the rim-fire/center-fire selector on the early generation Contenders and the newer G2 Contenders.  I find the older flat side Contenders more aesthetically pleasing and was less interested when the G2's came out.  I am mostly interested in pistol calibers and up to 16" barrels such as the "Super 16" barrels.  What are opinions about the better frame to look for and what are the identifying features?

[Ladobe]

Personal choice will drive replies I'm sure as it drives mine.   
 
My choice is an easy one - the easy open Contender frames made from 1981-1999, approximately starting with serial 195,000 for the blue, or any of the Contender stainless frames made from 1993-1999.   The Armor Alloy frames/barrels never tickled my toes, so I didn't keep mine long.   The easy open Contenders have great triggers, and can be taken to 6 ounces or less safely.    Jim Henry (Barstow, CA) is THE Contender smith, and will completely tune a frame and trigger to target quality for a very small cost (last one he did for me was $20).    Contrary to the selling points some folks will tell you about G2's, the G2 IS NOT any stronger than the Contender, and the Contender CAN BE re-cocked without opening the action.   Of the 45ish Contender frames I've owned since 1968, about 80% of them were easy open.   I've owned zero G2's, a choice I made after handling the prototype under the table at the 2000 SHOT Show that never changed.   
 
As for barrels, every frame is unto it own.   Some will readily accept any vintage Contender barrel made from 1967 on - some will with a little stoning of the barrel bolt - some will require changing the barrel bolt.   TC will still supply the parts no charge as far as I know, and they only take you a minute to change out with simple tools.
 
With upwards of 250 cartridge choices for the Contender (including the wildcats), it will do anything you'd ever need for target or hunting, but with 1  pound less weight than an Encore.
 
HTH-YMMV
 
 
 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I agree with Larry on the easy open frame Contender. I have 2 early frames and 1 easy open frame. The easy open frame will have the firing selector on the hammer spur, and the release pivot pin is directly above the trigger blade. The early frame has the firing selector under the spur, turned with a screw driver (for the original early frames anyway), and the release pivot pin is in the front of the trigger guard. TC for some time now would alter your early frame for you, turning it into an "easy open frame" effectively. I don't know if they will continue to do this with being bought out and moved to S&W. A modified early frame will still have the hole in the front pivot pin location, but will have the pivot pin above the trigger blade. TC would also change out your hammer if you sent in your early frame and paid the fee.

So you may find an early frame serial number with all the features of the later "easy open" frame out there.

I use my easy open frame for a carbine, as the only rimfire barrels I have are carbine barrels (I have both rimfire and centerfire carbine bbl), and I use my 2 early frames for handgun frames. If I had my choice, I'd swap out both of my early frames for easy open frames. They do make a difference on opening (hence the name), but since I'm the only one shooting them now (daughter isn't using one anymore), it's not that big a deal for me. I have large hands and can manage the early frames well enough.

Larry,

Good to see you around 'ol buddy.

[Ladobe]

Seems like last I remember TC was charging about $55 for the easy open conversion, and didn't change any extra to update the hammer.
FWIW
 
 
Chris,
Still kicking, thanks, doing pretty well even.   Hope all is well with you and yours.
L.

[Curtis]

All four of my blued Contender frames are of around '79 vintage, non easy open and so far have accepted both solid locking bolt and split locking bolt barrels.  I have around 19 barrels and three or four of them are solid locking bolt.  In 25 years of shooting and collecting with these frames, all barrels have locked up properly without stoning the lugs.  I check the serial number before buying a frame and plan on sticking with this vintage. YMMV
Curtis