Author Topic: Age of contender owners (Read 13078 times)

poncaguy · « **Reply #120 on:** July 06, 2012, 09:13:10 AM »

.............71.....

gypsyman · « **Reply #121 on:** July 11, 2012, 07:43:02 PM »

I won my first Contender barrel/frame combo in about 1988 or '89, at our gun club monthly raffle.I was 33 or 34. Sold the barrel,10'' 44mag. and kept the frame. Bought a 14'' 7Int-R for sillouette shooting. Didn't shoot worth a hoot, got a 14'' in 44mag, didn't like the recoil, ended up with a 10'' 22Hornet barrel. Second frame has a .223 carbine barrel on it. My G2 has a 6mmAI Bullberry on it. I'm going to start looking for a 12''.44 barrel for the G2 for deer hunting pretty soon. gypsyman

Tommyt · « **Reply #122 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:19:40 AM »

33 or 34 first one
Now 58 and still Love the Contender

UtahRob · « **Reply #123 on:** July 25, 2012, 07:08:44 PM »

i bought a contender in 1975-76 . never shot it much and sold it . back then i was more into archery . Can't shoot bows any more and have been more into guns the last 7 years . got bored shooting rifles and just put together a a encore with a 12'' 223 by MGM , also just got into reloading this week , bought a lee press , dies , scale . will be getting the rest of the loading stuff next month , I am now 55 .

whetrock · « **Reply #124 on:** July 26, 2012, 06:23:00 AM »

I'm 17 and shoot a Contender. I acquired it through inheritance and have enjoyed it a great deal so far. I'm already lusting after various barrels but at the moment al I own is an older factory super 14 30-30 Win barrel. I'm not going to lie I've found this cartridge to be a bit hard to load for. Also as strange as it sounds I would like to acquire some barrels chambered for some of my favorite pistol cartridges such as the 41 magnum and 45 LC I've already got some experience with these cartridges and am willing to bet even I could make them shoot.

rosewood · « **Reply #125 on:** July 27, 2012, 01:29:36 AM »

37. Been a gun nut since I turned 21. Just was introduced to the TC concept in late 2010 and bought my 1st encore pistol in December 2010. Got the Contender in Dec 2011 and G2 frame a few weeks back. I have 6 encore barrels and 2 contender barrels. Looking for a few other calibers when the funds are available. Love to reload and see what I can make them do. I am hooked for life. So far I have killed a deer with the Encore in BP rifle. 1 pig with the .270 encore pistol. I hope to take a deer with the 7-30 waters pistol this fall.

Encore
.44 mag 12"
.270 win 15"
.223 rem 15"
.460 S&W 15"
.50 BP 26"
.308 26"

Contender/G2
.35 rem 14"
7-30 waters 14"

KJR · « **Reply #126 on:** August 09, 2012, 09:40:50 AM »

Started shooting a contender when I was 21yo, traded a Ruger 22 single six for an Easy Open Super 16 pistol in 30-30 win, “good trade”. Now at 46yo I have a 22 lr. mgm match, 44 mag, 357 max, 223, 30-30 and a 6.5 pound King Kong Killer 45-70. I have noticed over that years shooting a TC that it is a lot like riding a Honda

or dating a fat chick

… Its lots of fun but Everybody Points and Stares

!!!

My son is 17 and he hunts vermin with my TC's often.

streak · « **Reply #127 on:** August 09, 2012, 10:16:08 AM »

Have had an interest in guns since I was a mere pup!
Got my first contender in the very, very early 1980`s. Then they started to multiplying like rabbits!!
Started off with a .35 Rem 14" which was stolen on either Delta or American Airlines, hope the low life that stole it enjoyed it!!

Then got me a large collection of frames and barrels.,357 Maxi 10", .22 10" target, .44Mag 10", .375 Win 12",44-40 14", .45 Colt 10", .38 Spec 8", 30-30 14",
.41 Rem 14", (2) .45 Colt/ 410 10", .35 Rem 22", .357 Mag 161/4".
Then of course I got into the Encore disease! But that is another topic for another day!!
At the present I am 71 and counting!.

unclebill · « **Reply #128 on:** September 15, 2012, 02:29:34 AM »

i will be 50 in march
and am going through the 3 day waiting period for my 1st contender.
i think that i didnt have the patience for a single shot as a young man.
my first pistol was a 1911 .45 acp
then i got an AK47
i liked the lead spraying aspect of them.
now i am a target shooter and love my .22 rifles

Sprint · « **Reply #129 on:** September 16, 2012, 03:02:40 AM »

Current age is 78.

Just stumbled onto this thread and thought I would chime in.

I bought my first Contender in the late 1960's but do not remember the exact year. All these years and I am still deer hunting with a Contender, presently in 300 Whisper. My first deer caliber was a 30 Herrett and my son still uses that caliber.

Warren Center was a personal friend of mine and lived in my home town. First met Warren in the early 1950's and have fond memories of "helping" Warren in his basement when he was developing the Contender in the early 1960's. I had an invitation to go with Warren when he started with Ken Thompson but I declined the offer due to the fact I had just purchased a house.

We remained friends until sadly, his death.

Sprint

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #130 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:12:28 PM »

Interesting bit of history Sprint.

Gnarldtoad · « **Reply #131 on:** September 18, 2012, 03:48:47 PM »

I am 44 and I just purchased my Contender in the last 60 days. I have a SS 223 with a Vortex 2x scope and a 7-30 water with a Burris 4x scope on it. I am looking forward to deer hunting in Wisconsin this fall with the 7-30 in my hands. I also have a Encore platform in 50 cal Muzzleloader, 25-06 and 7mm Mag. I love all of them. I really enjoy the challenge of 1 shot 1 kill when hunting.

carlsflh · « **Reply #132 on:** October 11, 2012, 05:08:53 PM »

i'm 55 bought my first contender when i was about 28[somewhere around 1985] bought a 14" armor alloy contender in 44 mag it was my first big bore handgun very accurate out to 250 yards shot siloutte for 2years or so with it . i've had 3or4 contenders since the first one and that one was my favorite

dbshelton · « **Reply #133 on:** November 28, 2012, 04:19:20 PM »

I'm 55 and bought my first (and only) Contender in my early 20's. Bought a 14" 44Mag and a 10" 22LR barrel. Later, 357 Herrett, 30/30, and now have a 45-70 on the way. A Contender was kind of a novelty with most folks back then

TeamTurpin · « **Reply #134 on:** November 28, 2012, 05:02:16 PM »

I've admired Contenders for decades but have not "pulled the trigger" on a purchase until now. I'm 54. I've been a good boy this year and I deserve one.

tigerbight · « **Reply #135 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:36:24 PM »

I think I was 34 when I got my first. 49 now picking up carbine barrels. Still having fun, and now the kids are gone. Planning some hunts of a lifetime with the contender in the near future.

wheeldoc1 · « **Reply #136 on:** November 30, 2012, 09:51:24 PM »

I am 60 and just got my first Contenders. I purchased 2 frames and 3 barrels at a local range[indoor] that just opened near me. One frame is a late 1982 and the other is a late 1983. The barrels are a 357 rem. mag., a44 mag., and a 30-30 winchester super 14. One of the frames has some issues with opening wiether loaded or unloaded. I have wanted one of these since I worked part time in a gun shop when I was 25. I plan to retire in another year and a half and will get more barrels as I find them. Also plan to start reloading again as I used to realy enjoy it. As for other weapons I own several that are not single shot and have a CCW and carry 45ACP weapons and/or a Bond Snake Slayer 4 darrenger[ I own 2 frames for the Bond and have several barrels for them.

smousefam5 · « **Reply #137 on:** December 06, 2012, 06:16:34 PM »

Got my first Contender (10 inch bull .44) as an 8th grader back in the late '70's. A few years later added a 10 inch .357 Herrett, and then two 7TCU's (a super 14 and one of the original carbine kits) all of which I later sold and regretted.

I grew up reading Bob Milek in G&A and it was a natural for me to have a fascination to the single-shot handguns. Maybe we don't have a well-known gun scribe who champions them like he did. Of course, the gun mags of today don't seem to be interested in publishing the length and depth of articles he used to write.

John E Davies · « **Reply #138 on:** December 07, 2012, 03:40:02 PM »

I'm 59 and bought my first Contender about 1976. It was a 10 inch blue bull barrel .22LR and I added a Leupold 4x scope to try the new sport of rimfire metallic silhouette shooting. I was clueless about most everything to do with rimfires (I didn't even know how crucial it is to test different types of ammo) so I was a miserable failure at it. I just couldn't understand how those other guys were hitting those teeny targets.

I traded the gun in on a Colt Gold Cup in 1980, and have regretted it ever since.

I recently acquired a pristine early model easy open frame and some very nice walnut grips, and I am going to recreate that first pistol. I'm also shopping for a stock and forearm and a .223 bull barrel, so I can try some single shot target shooting at longer distances. I used to have a CZ 527 Varmint which was wickedly accurate but had no soul, and I still have the dies and components sitting on my shelf, including some .223 Lapua Match brass. It will be fun. I think Contenders are sexy.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

chewie146 · « **Reply #139 on:** December 11, 2012, 06:48:11 AM »

I first wanted a contender at age 9. I've always thought they were cool. I finally got one at age 28. It's a .357. I also don't have a single semi over .22 caliber anymore. I do it all with revolvers and single shot(s). It's not a legality or moral issue...I just like those type of guns better.

mpmax · « **Reply #140 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:44:18 AM »

53- Just got my first one. I've always bought conversion kits for 1911's and even Glocks, Contenders have a wider variety of options....at least that's what I'm telling myself.

zero · « **Reply #141 on:** February 07, 2013, 04:44:33 PM »

I don't have one yet... Would like a contender but every time i get a few dollars i can't seem to pull myself away from the 6 shooters

someday

squirrelslayer · « **Reply #142 on:** February 10, 2013, 11:23:21 PM »

I laid claim to my fathers contender long before I could open it! He used to load it for me and I'd try my best to do my part well. It was perfect because I was able to graduate to different barrels and I remember begging to shoot the .35 rem barrel and him telling me that when i could open, load, and fire it with 3 hot 357 rounds standing I could try the 35. Been hooked longer than I can remember and still am. I'm 27 now and have a contender with .30 herret .357 mag 45lc 35 rem .223 rem and 22lr barrels. Can't shoot it enough. Little better at opening it now though.

becker · « **Reply #143 on:** February 16, 2013, 10:09:00 AM »

Got my first one from my dad at the age of 14, a 10" octagon 45/410 with a factory t/c leather holster. It was my fishing gun for snakes and still is. At about 16 I got a stainless super 14 .223 barrel. Then in the few years (I'm 24 now and out of college with a big kid job) I have came into a 10" octagon .22 hornet, a second frame, super 14 .22 match, and 14" 'hunter' i guess in 45-70 w/ 1.5x scope.

mlk3454 · « **Reply #144 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:55:00 AM »

I found a decent deal on a used contender circa 1980 when I was 29. I have since sold 3 of the 4 barrels it came with and am very happy with its super 14 in 7/30 waters. If I didn't reload I would have gone with a more easily found round but reloading is part of the fun!

223Larry · « **Reply #145 on:** February 23, 2013, 11:32:15 PM »

I'm 57 My frist one was a new hard open frame.Had few others ,but there harder to come buy here in the west.Love them

rvn67n20 · « **Reply #146 on:** February 24, 2013, 06:10:34 AM »

62 here, with 3 frames and 8 barrels; 22 match, 22 k-hornet, MGM 223, MGM 7-30, 357 bull, MGM 357 Max, and have an MGM 327 Fed on the way. Have heard "my grandpa had one of those" more than once. Also guilty of enticing innocents into the cult

daniel2013 · « **Reply #147 on:** March 06, 2013, 02:21:29 PM »

I am 73 years old and I hunted all of my life and in my early 20's started reloading rifle shells and shotgun shells. Bought a Contender with a 30/30 barrel and soon added a 22, 14 inch SS and a 14 inch 45/410 barrel, I am going to say this had to be in the 80's. I do not remember shooting this particular pistol and it collected dust for a good many years. I think it was in the late 80's or early 90's I bought an Encore in a 7mm/08, soon added a 243, a 270, a 45/410 and a 308 barrel all 15 inches. This too collected more then its share of dust untill the last few years of my hunting of deer. Did harvest a couple of deer with the 7mm/08 and squirrel hunted with the 410. My wife became ill and I sold my hunting retreat and gave up hunting, as my time was occupied with being a full time care giver. My wife died and went home to be with the Lord over 5 years ago at the age of 64 and only a few days before her 65th birthday. She was buried on her birthday. All of my guns and bows began collecting dust as photography became more of a passion. With her passing and the loss of my hunting land my interest waned. Three years later I remarried a lady who had a 20 year old son who loved hunting and shooting. To try and build with him I started shooting again, teaching him how to reload, and joined the local pistol club. My interest started to rekindle on the TC's. My biological son made a place for me to shoot on his land as the heaver shells in the TC's could not be shot at the indoor range of the Pistol club. I gave my son the Contender and barrels that I had never fired and concentrated on my Encore. Picked up a few more barrels to the tune of 23 Encore barrels now in my collection. Along the way I picked up 3 more Contender frames, one being a G2, and now have 12 barrels for them. I also now have 2 regular Encore's and 2 Encore pro hunters SS. I don't know if I will ever hunt again but I really enjoy shooting these single shot pistols far better then my other guns, and I have a number of them as well.

slick45 · « **Reply #148 on:** March 19, 2013, 09:33:09 AM »

I recieved my contender from my wife the night before we married. It was my wedding gift from her. I was 25 then and I am 29 now. I'm not a big handgun kinda guy. I'm very much into rifles and shotguns. I am just as much of a gun nut as I am a hunter. I also hunted with my SRH.

Artful · « **Reply #149 on:** May 26, 2013, 06:07:29 PM »

I'm in my late 50's now bought my first one in early 1980's - the fever comes and goes - it turns into a safe queen for a bit then comes out to play - sometime with a new barrel/caliber - keeps me in trouble. I have just repurchased a 30-30 barrel - at one point I had the ackley improved 30-30 chamber on a rebarreled 30 herrett - this time I'll just stick with factory chambering.