Older frames

[onausable]

I have a chance to pickup a 1975 vintage frame with 10 inch 44 mag vent rib barrel (choke missing) for $325. Is there anything I need to pay particular attention to on these older frames? Is this a fair price? The gun is complete with original grip and forend.

[Keith L]

A few years ago I bought a similar vintage frame with a 14 inch .222 barrel and a cheezy red dot on it for the same price.  My only concern with your deal is that the barrel may not be ideal for shooting standard .44 rounds, having been intended for hot shots.  But chances are it won't be long until you want more barrels anyway, so...

[DEACONLLB]

In my area the contenders bring anywhere from 300.00 to 500.00 depending on condition and what they have with them and this is at the gun shows. all the ones I have 5 in all came from gun shows, near new and prices ranged from 300.00 with packmar grips to 400.00 from an estate in original box with an extra barrel. this will give you some idea of price range. The only problem with the older contenders is that they open a little harder and you have to open them every time to cock the hammer. If you load and then cock the hammer and then lower the hammer you have to open it again in order to cock it. I like the older ones because they have the engraving on the side of frame where the newer g2 does not but it all comes down to personal choice. Thompson will convert the older ones to easy open for around 55.00 do not know if this also fixes the cocking problem.  just my 2 cents worth.
Deaconllb

[onausable]

It was my impression the 44 mag barrel w/choke was meant to be shot with standard 44 mag rounds without the choke inserted or hot shot rounds with the choke inserted. The barrel is fully rifled. As far as the easy open feature is concerned, I have broken the action and it works quite nicely. Of course that might change with a different barrel. The hammer cocking situation is not a problem. I like the engraving on the older frames as well.

[Keith L]

They may work better than the 45/410 barrels.  In them the jump to the rifling is long so you will loose accuracy.  I never had one of the 44 barrels, so it may work just fine.