Got a CRAZY deal on TC pistol and extras

[5Redman8]

My buddy went to a pawn shop just sniffing around for deals.  Asked about some contender stuff and bought an SSK 375JDJ at a reasonable price but the guy behind the counter asked if he was interested in more.

He pulls out a small tool box with a Contender frame in bits and pieces with wilson sights a 10" 30-30Win and a 14" 35Rem pistol grip and forend....asking price......$130...yes that is correct...$130.

Why am I posting this, well he already has 2 frames and a 35Rem so I am the proud owner of a TContender pistol in 35 Rem.  We split the cost...his idea.  I spent 4 hours putting it back together with only Encore experience.  Made a spring for one of the parts and  got it all together perfect the next day.  Had a spring missing, one screw, and two ball bearings in the hammer.  Took it to my local smith and we got it going perfect.

Gotta love good deals,    :lol:
Kyle

[crawfish]

About ten years ago I went to an estate sale. I went looking for fishing stuff. Well I got a bunch of nice fishing finds but I also got an orphan. On the same table as the fishing gear there was a coffee can with what I thought was a Contender barrel sticking out. So I looked in the can and it is full of parts and a very old frame. Got everything can and fishing stuff for 25 bucks. The can contained a complete Contender with an 8-inch .44RemMag octagon barrel in very “used” condition. I took it to a local smith and had him put a black matt Teflon finish on it. That filled in most of the rust pits and it really looks good. It is my first pick deer gun. I have the frame matched with a BullBerry 14-inch .41RemMag all the time. That is the only frame I don’t swap out. I gave the .44RemMag barrel to someone on one of these forums I think on AR maybe HA. Don’t you just love those finds.

[5Redman8]

Crawfish,  I think I have been beaten....$25 bucks is a heck of a deal!!!!!

Kyle

[ftw]

I ran into a friend of mine who is famous for the deals on everything he runs into. He bought a Contender,new in the box from the original owner who had only fired 10 rounds through it. It was in 30-30 and he gave the guy $125.

I never get any deals that good.

[Del]

A couple years back I go to this garage sale and there are a lot of little misc. gunsmithing tools like stock checkering tools, special lil' files, stones, gun stocks, a barrel from some single shot rifle (don't know what action type, but it wasn't contender or encore) etc.  

Well in the bottom of a box I find a stripped stainless contender frame, so I non-chalantly pick it up and keep looking.  In another box I find a clear plastic box w/the frame parts (they all appeared to be there but was unsure).  So I tell the guy that since I don't know if all the parts are there and IF I had to send it off for parts and service it could cost a fair amount of money - so I'll give you $20. for it.  He said sure!  :grin:

I got home and began putting it all together, all the parts were there, and it worked just fine!  Plus when I looked up the serial #, it was made in the first 6 months that T/C made stainless frames!!

I just love garage sales, you just never know what you'll find for next to nothing!  :wink:

Del

[Flash]

Not to create a contest here but over 10 years ago, I went into a local gun shop that had an old broken Contender in 7mm TCU with dies and brass. The hammer had a broken main spring and the springs and ball bearings were gone from the old safety. He wanted $175 but I got him down to $150. He told me that T/C should repair it before he turned it over to me and that he'll split the cost with me. Well, as luck would have it, T/C sent me a brand new gun, barrel and everything. The original barrel had pitts pretty bad in some spots. Anyway, a new Contender and barrel for $150.

[lonegle57]

how about a contender in 357 max with an aimpoint 2000 on top for 150 bucks? still have the frame, the rest traded away for bigger and better stuff.

[Uncle Howie]

How about THESE deals:

-Harlequin Romance novels by the sackful for $.25
-used baby clothes, $.25 and up, no charge for the stains
-used bedpan, in the "Free" box  

Well, you get the idea. I'M JEALOUS!!! I never find the good stuff...

All the garage sales around here have is crap that should have been thrown out years ago... I used to enjoy garage sales/flea markets etc., but I've about lost my appetite for them- lots of miles between good deals.

Fourtunately, I live w/in an hour of a Cabela's retail store. I have had a little luck over there with an item or two in the "Bargain Cave." Still, no $25 Contenders...

Congrats to all of the above posters on their great deals!  

[Bullseye]

Well I need to jump in here.  My last 3 deals came from stores believe it or not.

Last summer I bought a like new Contender frame with a 10" 41 Mag, 10" 45/410, 16" 45/410, 10" 223 and a 16" custom shop 45-70 with a 4 ring T'SOB , mount for $550.  Sold eveything but the frame and 41 mag and got my $550 back plus.  The store had taken it on trade that day.

A few weeks ago a store that was going out of business had a new Encore Hunter Pack for $490.  I was going to buy a scope anyway, sold the barrel which was a 35 Rem (rare and brought a good price), grip and forearm.  After doing the math and figuring I was going to pay $200 for the scope anyway, I got a new frame for $30.

Last week the same store had their Encore barrels marked down to $71.  Bought all three they had.  I priced them so someone would get a deal and I made a little money.

And lastly, I just had a Benelli Montefeltro follow me home from the same store tonight.  The going price on them is $900.  I bought the last one they had for $575.

Hope I do not find any more deals, I am running out of money!

[billjoe]

I recently bought a newer stainless frame, 2 30-30 barrels (one never fired), with burris stainless 2.5-7 scope and rings, and case for $500.  Sold the new barrel for a nice deal to the buyer and the scope to another.  Now have $175 in a stainless frame and barrel.  I added a scope back to it that I already had.   It takes a lot of luck to find these kinds of deals.
bj