Contender Sling

[RHM]

I have been handgun hunting with my Contender for about five years now, and am ready to come up with a better way of carrying my pistol.  I usually use 10" barrels with the longer forearm from a 14" Contender since I like the balance more.  I was looking at an Uncle Mike's bandolier holster, primarily for when I am using my 14" scoped barrels.  However, I think I would prefer a sling to a holster.  I've heard the Uncle Mike's sling kit has a tendency for the grip screw/sling attachment point to bend, though I doubt it happens very often.  Since my grip is already about as ugly as it can get from my bondo build-up, I was figuring on just drilling it and using epoxy to secure a regular wood-screw swivel attachment point.  I figure I will do the same at the front, as well, though I'm a little worried about breaking the longer forearm since it is only attached with the screw towards the rear.  Has anyone had any experience with this?  Any photos of your Contenders with slings or holsters would be appreciated.  I hope to place an order for the parts in the next couple days.  I am planning to use a JSI Mountain Climber sling, unless there is a less expensive alternative suggested.

[Bullseye]

I have never had a problem with the Uncle Mikes grip stud bending and I have been using them for years and it is what I would recommend.

For the forend I use the stud with a machine screw end.  I drill a hole through and then use a forstner (flat bottom drill) bit on the inside to make a counterbore deep enough for a nut and lockwasher (also use a forstner bit to make a flat spot for the swivel on the outside).  Put swivel on with a nut and lockwasher and tighten.  I have never had one come loose with this method, but I have had the swivels with a wood screw thread come out of the forend.

[stubshaft]

No problems for me either in both the Tender and Encore.  I too prefer slings, just never got the hang of that godawful cross chest holster.

[mlk3454]

I picked up a barrel a long the way that had a sling setup with it that works very well. It has a barrel clamp and a sling stud that is on the bottom grip plate (replaces the grip plate that is there). It works well and if you are not looking at a holster I would recommend going in this direction.

[southernutah]

If that is your pistol in the picture you can do a a direct replacement of the front forearm  screw with a long machine style sling stud. You may have to trim the screw if it bottoms out on the barrel. If your grip is wooden you can use the wood screw style stud or drill a hole in grip cap and use short machine stud.   I make the JSI slings if you have any questions  just ask.

[RHM]

I appreciate all the help.  I would much rather do a direct replacement of the forearm screw than have to drill the forearm.  Unfortunately, I away with work for another month and will only have a couple days to get my Contender together before I am supposed to leave on a hunting trip, so I have to make sure I only order the right components and get it right the first time.  

Would a wood screw drilled through the bottom of the grip be my best option for the rear mount?  I'm not sure what you mean with the difference of using a short machine screw in the grip; I assume that either type of screw I'm just drilling a hole and putting it in the same spot regardless of what type it is.  I'd rather not spend the $23 on the Uncle Mike's kit if I can avoid it.

Will one of these sets work for a direct replacement for the front?  
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=50074/pid=23981/sku/Blue_1__BAMS_Set

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=51439/sku/GTSW_08_1_1_4__Swivels_w_mach__scr_frt_stud_wood_scr_rr_stud

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=51432/sku/GTSW_07_1___Swivels_w_mach__screw_frt_stud_wood_scrw_rr_stud

[barber]

  I got mine from TC   ,works fine

[southernutah]

Look at this one,  http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0006010013  
the machine screw should fit the forearm front screw hole. You may need to add some small washers to keep it above the forearm. the screw stud will work on  a wood grip. They make a shorter screw stud Look here  http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=336953   problem out of stock.  Maybe can order here   http://www.outdoorconnection.com/products.cfm?page=details&cat=Swivel&sub_cat=Swivels%20-%20Swivel%20Bases&name=ToC%20Swivel%20Bases
They make a shorter machine screw stud that could be mounted on the grip cap as in pictures I posted earlier and then put back on the grip.I dont see it in one of the kits.  

[flipajig]

I bought a set of pacmyrs for my tender and they came wite sling studs.

[mbopp]

I've been using an Uncle Mikes nylon sling on mine. It's probably 25 years old by now. If you use a barrel band for the front swivel you'll probably have to use a dab of blue Loctite on it to keep it from moving. I've never bent the rear swivel / bolt. When I had Tony make me new grips he advised NOT to use a swivel / bolt when shooting it off the bench. It seems some customers were resting the swivel directly on the bench and bending the bolt (and splitting the grip) when they touched off a round.
OT - I'm using a barrel band on my slug gun. Hasn't moved since I put some Loctite on first then mounted the swivel.

[Hopalong7]

       No matter what kind of rest I'm using or position I'm in, I NEVER rest the butt of my Contender or any other pistol or revolver for that matter on anything.  My wrists are usually resting on something but not the butt of the gun...just the forend.  I've never bent a rear grip bolt/sling stud and I've been using them since the seventies.  I think I was one of the first ones here to use Southernutah's "Just sling It" and I've not considered anything else since.  It's just works...plain and simple.
Walt

[HHI-7420]

Uncle Mikes has a barrel band that mikes .806"(if I remember correctly). Fits a hunter barrel real well. If not quite tight enough you can file the area where it screws together to tighten it up some. The idea works with revolvers also. Mike your barrel where you want the band to be and call them.  Pat

[RHM]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Blackhawk swivels that come with the front machine screw and rear wood screw (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=50074/pid=23981/sku/Blue_1__BAMS_Set).  I don't want to use the front barrel band since I tend to swap around barrels quite a bit, and the machine screw would be more convenient if it fits the factory forearm attachment point (hopefully, the one I am selecting will).  I've heard that the Pachmayr G2 grip isn't a good idea with certain calibers, including the .444, but don't know myself.  Since I've already fitted the bondo grip, I might as well stay with it.  Is the JSI Mountain Climber Sling a 1" or 1.25"?  The only two websites I found it listed for sale on neglected to mention the size.  I figure between the sling, shooting stick bipod, and the 4X scope, I should be doing alright for pigs during daylight hours on my next hunt.  Eventually, I would like to replace the old Leupold M8 4X with a Simmons 2-7X or something similar, though.  I find the Leupold to be very dark and hard to see through; my favorite handgun scope is an old Burris 3X that came on a used Contender barrel of mine, it is the clearest handgun scope I have ever looked through.  When I get home in another month I'll get a picture of the whole setup, including the new .444 Marlin barrel I plan to use on the next hunt.