Newby with a pawn shop find - please help.

[John E Davies]

Hi: I am new here, though I have browsed Graybeard very intermittently for a few years. I owned a Contender pistol around 1982 - it had a 10 inch .22LR barrel and a Leupold 4x scope. I traded it off by mistake and 30 years later I have finally gotten around to getting another. 

I want to end up with a .223 carbine with an aftermarket laminated stock and either a factory 21 to 23 inch barrel or an aftermarket unit. But I wanted to start from a pistol so I can switch back and forth later on.

I stumbled across this old model Contender at my favorite pawn shop and brought it home for $350 plus tax.

Blue frame S/N 3374xx, with a Super 16 45 LC/ .410 blue barrel with rail, silver bead and rear v notch. Barrel measures 16.25 inches. The hammer has the R/ C pin selector on top.

The frame looks almost brand new, with only slight wear marks on the sides and none on the pivot pin. The innards were a little dusty and gummy, so I did a preliminary cleaning and I think that is the original factory lube. Everything inside looks perfect! No rust, just dust bunnies. Trigger pull is 4 lbs 4 oz, so I don't think anybody has messed with the adjustments. The hammer has never seen an extension. There are some very minor marks on the frame from where someone dry fired the gun ;(

The barrel has a couple of nicks at the muzzle end, but the choke looks fine, though I have no wrench for it. I cleaned the barrel and it appears to have been put away dirty, but it isn't copper fouled. I oiled the choke threads really well, so I hope I can remove it easily when I acquire the tool. Chamber and rifling look most excellent.

The wood grip and forearm are a little dinged here and there, but very serviceable. The grip is smooth and has the rubber recoil pad in back.

Can anyone date this frame for me?

How was the price ($350 plus tax)?

Is this an Easy Open frame?

I plan to sell the barrel; what ballpark price should I be asking, and should I use the Classifieds here? (Are first timers allowed to place an ad?) Is this a popular barrel and length?

Where can I get a new or used choke wrench for a decent price? I don't care if it is TC or aftermarket.

I downloaded the factory Owners Manual from Steve's Pages. Where can I get complete disassembly instructions and a guide to trigger tuning?

The manual calls for dry lube only. I don't really like that idea - can I get some recommended lubes? I prefer penetrating/ creeping oils. I don't overlube, but I don't like to run a gun dry, and I clean often..

I will take some pictures when the light is good and post them here. Thanks for any and all assistance.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

[Ranger99]

i can't answer too many of your questions,
but i'll share my two cents on what i have.


i use three lubes for my firearms:
eezox
ford motor co teflon grease
kopper's all weather weapons lube


eezox is for protecting surfaces, oiling
the "oily" places, etc.
the teflon grease is for where something
more substantial is needed. it's similar
in texture to lubriplate. in fact, it looks
like blue lubriplate.
the kopper's i use for auto pistol slide rails
and break-action long gun pivot pins. it's
fairly thick, like automotive wheel bearing grease.
just a thin film of this is used.


i forgot, choke tube lube. use it for percussion gun
nipples, and of course choke tubes.


as far as price, seems pricey , but if it's in great shape,
what's a few bucks? i've beat myself up enough over
the years over something i wish i had bought and
ran into the "you snooze-you lose" wall .


ought to be a gazillion choke wrenches at your local
gun shows to be had. samey-same for accessories.


good luck with it

[Czech_too]

Hi John,
First off, welcome aboard the train of Contender addiction.  You start with one barrel but can always find a reasonable excuse for another.
I'm of the opinion that you got a good deal considering that frames usually sell for $200+, extra for the furniture, and barrels start at $150 depending on chambering and length. 
Some of the info. you're looking for is located in the Stickys, such as the date of mfg.  As to whether it's an 'easy open', I'm not sure.  Depends on where the pivot point of the trigger guard is.
I would offer the barrel for sale on GB first.  There's a large group of us who frequent these boards, lots of interest/potential buyers.  As to price, I'm thinking $200 minimum.  If I'm off-base, I'm sure I'll be corrected.  Check Ed's Contenders and see what he's selling them for.
http://www.edstc.com/
I can't say as I've seen actual disassembly instructions, schematics, yes.
I don't spray any kind of lubricant on the frame innards, just wipe a oil impregnated piece of sheepskin over everything.
Brian
 

[Swampman]

Break-Free CLP is all the lube you'll ever need.

[sr sawyer]

You got a good buy.  The barrel that came with reciever could be considered a rifle barrel if it is over 16" with the choke removed and should be if it has an internal choke.  If internal the choke can be removed with a heavy flat blade screwdriver that fits the notch and if external just an open end wrench is all that you need.
 
You can switch barrels from pistol to rifle as long as you do not put a rifle stock and pistol barrel combo together at the same time.  There is a mountian of discussion about this on GBO.
 
Ken

[Czech_too]

Regarding disassembly and such, I had forgotten about this Radocy outfit.  I can't say as to how good the instructions are, but...  I usually see someone selling their stuff at the shows.  Sorta look before you buy type of thing.
http://www.takedownguides.com/takedown-guide-detail.phtml?pc=VEND

[Hopalong7]

    John, Welcome back to Contenders and GBO as well.  Your frame is an early 1989 model which puts it among my all time favorite Contenders.  These frames were/are considered by many to be the best TC ever produced.  The S-16 barrel in .45/.410 is fairly hard to find, as all S-16 are becoming somewhat scarce.  I have a S-16 like yours and it's my favorite length for .410 use( I also have 10" and 14").  I use mine for tree rat and bunny huntin'.  I use it strictly as a .410 and never remove the coke(except for cleaning & lubing).  I see very few S-16 barrels for sale and would think they would fetch a little better price than the more common 10" and 14" barrels.  All in all, I think you made an excellent purchase.  Good Shootin'.
Walt

[John E Davies]

Thanks for the comments.

I stripped the frame all the way down yesterday and did not see any problems. It all went back together and still works as it should. It did appear to have excellent workmanship, except the sear surfaces were pretty rough and rather ugly under a 10x hand lens.

I have done a little careful work on the sear and trigger spring contact area with a ceramic stone and will play with the spring to get it to around 2.5 to 3 pounds. It sure is easy to work on (the sear and trigger group).

I sold my barrel on eBay for Buy It Now $235 (it had only been listed for a few hours, so maybe I priced it too low). I don't care - the buyer is in Alaska and will use it far more than I ever would. That makes my cost for the frame, grip and forearm $115. I would say that is pretty darn OK.

I am on the lookout for a used .223 carbine barrel (non-TC, 21 0r 23 inch) and maybe a 10 inch .22LR barrel. If the .223 doesn't turn up in a few weeks I may have to order a new one. Plus I need to order a stock.

I know that He Who Shall Not Be Named (in Colorado) has lots of Contender products and tech info. Can someone please PM me with a summary of why everybody feels so negatively about this guy? I gather that he behaved very badly here. Should I not do business with him for that reason?

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

[Keith L]

Try Ed's TC (sponsor for this group) for your barrel and accessories.  As for the unnamed one, he and Bill had bad dealings years ago so he is not welcome here.  I have never dealt with him, and have heard mixed reviews about his work.  I tend to support those who support this board such as Ed and SSk.  You decide what you want to do.

[tigerbight]

Hey John Thanks for the Barrel. As I read the post and saw where you were from was thinking you were the one that sold me the barrel. It will be put to good use my wife and I both have T/C.  Now we both have 410 to hunt our favorite Ptarmigan, and other small critters. I have a barrel from he we do not speak of very high quality workmanship tight close specs.
    Take care and thanks again for the 45/410 I was shocked when I saw the S-16 come up last night, Bill