Author Topic: Hotshot Barrels: Anybody Shooting 'Em??? (Read 551 times)

X-man · « **on:** July 30, 2003, 05:02:53 PM »

Hey Guys,

I'm relatively new to the Contender world, but have been bitten by the bug. Bought my first Contender a few months back. It was an unfired early model with 8" "hotshot" barrel in .44 Magnum. Got custom full flap holster and two boxes of hotshot capsules with it for $350 CDN. Pistol had belonged to an avid collector who had passed away. I figure I got a pretty sweet deal.

Took it to the range (unscrewed the capsule breaker) and was amazed by the accuracy of this beast! Firing off-hand in modified Weaver stance, put five rounds inside an inch at 25 yards! Did this all day, with open sigts! If I only knew what I had been missing!

I've heard comments that the Hotshot bbls are supposed to be less accurate. Given my experience, I have NO complaints in that department, but would be interested to hear from other users.

My club has recently started up Silhouette matches and I want to compete, but need a longer barrel. Was interested in 14" heavy bbl in .44 Mag to start, and possibly a .223 for later. Question: A friend checked my S/N for me and told me that my pistol was made sometime in 1972. From my own research I understand that some barrels, etc... won't fit this frame. How can I tell what manufacturers/barrels will/won't fit? Anyone run into this problem? Any help greatly appreciated. X-man...

RonF · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2003, 02:02:49 AM »

If your frame has the first style trigger guard where the bow parallels the bottom of the frame for most of its length and does not have the overtravel adjustment screw in the back of the trigger guard, then I believe you will have to use barrels with a flat bottom lug. This will eliminate lots of barrels, certainly all the Super 14 ones. I have some frames like this and I have wondered if I could just grind off the step in the lug, but I haven't been brave enough to do it yet! If there is a trigger overtravel adjustment, then I believe all barrels will fit, though you may need to change the locking lugs - a simple procedure.

RonF

boneguru · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2003, 08:04:54 PM »

you can have your frames updated, if memory serves the only bbls that absolutely cause problems are the AA armour alloy DON'T mix and match with those. but I think you are describing the easy open frame design, and they can do that modification, Raymond

X-man · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2003, 04:09:10 PM »

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replies. Meant to get back to you sooner, but its a job to find the time these days, between salmon fishing, trap, and range visits, plus casting and reloading.

I checked out my Contender. It does have the over-travel adjustment screw at the rear of the trigger/lever guard. So, does that mean it will accept any T/C barrel?