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Author Topic: Well a Contender it will be  (Read 1055 times)

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Offline handirifle

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Well a Contender it will be
« on: December 28, 2006, 06:15:51 PM »
Went to the gun shop yesterday, and looked over the offerings.  Wanted to compare the Encore vs the Contender.  I was pretty sure I wanted the Contender, but I was tempted by the power AVAILABILITY of the Encore.

Mother nature answered for me.  I have fairly small hands and the Encore frame pushes the trigger about 1/4 - 3/8" too far for a comfortable purchase by my trigger finger.  Would require a less than optimum grip to reach it.  Especially when I thinking of firing a higher power caliber in the Encore, I'd most likely end up wearing the pistol somewhere, like my forehead!

Due to CA law I have to buy a complete gun, not just frame.  I have enough pennies for the frame, but will have to wait till the bank is big enough for the whole shebang!  About $600 out the door, and that's with a used barrel ($355 for new frame and $180 for the barrel).  That counts Ahnolds part and the DROS fee, $25. 

I HATE WAITING!!!!!!!
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Offline jw4570

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2006, 01:21:52 PM »
What Caliber??????  Length????

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Offline SD Handgunner

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2006, 06:46:33 PM »
I too have never felt comfortable with the Grip on the Encore, but much preferred the Contender. I started shooting Contender Handguns in 1982, and they just felt comfortable to me. Well I just recently purchased a new Stainless-Steel G2 Contender Frame with T/C's new Rubber Grip and Forend. Well I didn't think it was possible but I like the feel of this new G2 Contender even better than the older Contenders. The slightly increased grip angle just seems to hold more naturally when shooting from the bench for me. An added bonus is that the new G2 Contender seems to require less effort to pull back on the trigger guard spur to break the action open. I like this new G2 Contender Frame so well I think there is going to be another one in my future real soon.

Larry
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2006, 05:37:15 AM »
Quote from: jw4570 on December 29, 2006, 01:21:52 PM
What Caliber??????  Length????



Unknown at this point.  The receiver choice was hard enough.  The dealer currently has a used 357max for 180 but it may or may not be there when I have the cash.  If I have to buy a new barrel it will push it back a few more weeks.
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Offline Elwood

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2006, 06:24:21 AM »
Dont you feel safe knowing that the state of California is protecting you and yours from those awfull criminals who buy contender frames without barrels?   ;)
Elwood
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Offline Dusty Miller

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2006, 07:15:41 AM »
Yep, they're a bad bunch for sure.  It has become the "criminal's weapon of choice", or so I'm told :D
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Offline spinafish

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2006, 02:09:42 PM »
If you had two you could make a very expensive bolo... :'(
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2006, 05:06:36 PM »
Quote from: Elwood on December 30, 2006, 06:24:21 AM
Dont you feel safe knowing that the state of California is protecting you and yours from those awfull criminals who buy contender frames without barrels?   ;)
Elwood

PLEASE don't go there....It's bad enough having to admit it. ???

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but the wording of the exemption.  Yes, they WERE restricted before, because they had to suffer the dreaded DROP TEST, where EACH and EVERY caliber configuration had to be submitted seperately and tested, at a cost of over $5000 EACH.  I can really understand TC's unwillingness to attempt that.  There was a bill signed last year that exempted single shot pistols with a barrel length of 4" or more.  That wording is why it has to have a barrel.  That and the DROS wording HAS to have a caliber designation.  It's all really stupid, but at least they excempted the TC, finally.
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Offline jw4570

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2006, 05:27:12 PM »
Handirifle,

can you buy the barrel seperately, and take it to the shop and have him transfer the whole gun, or must it come from T/C with the barrel (but seems not since you said he offered a used barrel with a frame)? 

What about changing barrels afterward, no problem?

You might can get a used pistol barrel for $150 or so online.

JW
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2007, 03:17:42 PM »
Yes I could do that, but he has used barrels there for about $150 also and that is what I'll do when the funds are high enough.  It's still about $600 out the door after paying tax and the $25 DROS fee.  Still about $200 short.

The dealer made me a better offer, but I won't detail it here.  It's legal and all, but it's sort of a loophole and I don't want the morons in Sacramento to close it, yet.
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Offline Lawful Larry

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2007, 02:49:29 AM »
Good luck pal.  I know you will love your G2 Contender as I do.  I have a few barrels and love to shoot mine every chance I get.  This one is my favorite:



This one is my .375 JDJ and a hand connon it is for sure.  Nothing on the north american land mass that I can't take down. 

Have fun!!!
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2007, 08:14:47 AM »
Larry
That look nice!  What scope is that?  Must be tuff to stand up to that recoil, huh.
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Offline jw4570

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2007, 01:23:00 PM »
Larry,

Nice grips, and I'm not a huge fan of laminate (for the looks) but those look nice!

I have a 375 Win Barrel and not quite a JDJ, but as you say, a hoot to shoot (ok, I paraphrased it)!

Did you fire the JDJ barrel on an orginal frame?  I was wondering if you noticed any recoil difference.

Jason
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Offline Lawful Larry

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2007, 01:31:35 PM »
Handirifle,
The scope is a burris ballistiplex, posiloc variable.  The posioc is great for the extra recoil.  I have had no problems with the scope shifting or jarring loose, or loosing zero.  Nothing fancy on the rings.  I got the Weaver 4x4's and they work very well. 

Recoil is very stiff, but managable.

jw4570.
The grips are from Georgia Jims.  He makes a very nice set of grips.  He was the first to make new grips for the G2 model.  The barrel was only shot on the new G2, so I have no idea if there is a difference in the two.  :)
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2007, 05:21:43 PM »
Do the Pachmayer grips help much for the heavy recoilers?

BTW, I just bought a 357 Max barrel today, hope to get the receiver in a few weeks.  That 375 Win barrel would go nice with my Win 94 BB in the same caliber ;D
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Offline jw4570

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Re: Well a Contender it will be
« Reply #15 on: January 05, 2007, 12:46:40 AM »
Handirifle,

I've purchased used barrels from $100 to over $200.  So what's a good deal is subjective.   The $100 ones I got shoot just fine, but they had significant finish wear, a rust spot here or there, frame rub marks, etc.  Also, you are in CA I believe, and typically it's a high cost state to live in I believe, so that will affect prices.  Certain calibers are pricey too, as not many were made. 

If it shoots well, I say you did just fine.  Could you have done better?  Probably, but the really great deals aren't that often.  Good caliber, can shoot 357 Mags for practice, though to minimize leading (if you are shooting lead), I would make up some 357 mag level loads in 357 max cases. 

The 375 Win isn't that bad, it's a 14" Bull with a Scope.  I think there were a good number of 375 14" pistol barrels made, as I haven't seen the prices get too crazy on them.  My used 21" tapered 375 carbine barrel I had to pay a pretty good sum for, though, no deals on those.  I like the caliber despite it's being pushed to the backburner due to the 375 JDJ which is all the rage now in the Contender it seems.  I'm sticking with my 375 Win. 

Keep an eye out, you may just find a 375 Win Barrel for sale on Ebay or here. 
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