Author Topic: Hunting with Contender (Read 1381 times)

jwjohnson · « **on:** April 13, 2008, 03:50:00 AM »

How are you guys packing your contender pistol for hunting?? I'm setting up a 12" contender rynite grips and a scope to hunt whitetails in Idaho. Is there a holster that is comfortable to haul this thing around in the woods? I've seen some sling setups. What components would I need to setup a sling on my contender? I'm guessing I'd have to do some drilling on the forend/grip to make it work. Thanks for any info.

JEFF

hotrod0872 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2008, 04:14:24 AM »

look at the quitehide holsters i think its a thread on here about them!

Pacecar · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2008, 05:28:05 AM »

http://www.opticsplanet.net/14-and-16-in-thompson-center-super-conte.html

handi243 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2008, 08:57:31 AM »

I have a uncle mikes that works good but what i really like is studs in the grip and forearm and a 1" wide strap then i put my coat on over it when i'm going to my stand or area i'm hunting.

GameHauler · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2008, 09:22:47 AM »

http://www.quiethide.com/

Here is the link to Guiethide.
I will be ordering one when I get my scope and grips.
Give Dave a call, great Guy to work with.

Also go to page 2 in this forum and look at the
Open end holster thread.

Mike

Ladobe · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2008, 11:11:07 AM »

Tried them all (literally) over the past 40 years hunting with Contenders, including commercial and custom made belt, shoulder and bandoleer holsters. Nothing works better than a sling IMO.

Blunderbus · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2008, 01:21:05 PM »

I'm with Ladobe. I recently got a Pachmayr grip/forend set for my Encore. It comes with swivel studs. I always balked at the idea of using a sling on a handgun. Now I wonder why it took me so long to come around.

A scoped Encore or Contender is very bulky for a handgun. But compared to just about any rifle (even an old style Contender Carbine), a TC pistol is extremely light and compact and can be carried very comfortably and efficiently with a sling. No squeaky leather or noisy cordura or snaps to fool with, either. And you don't have to get all trussed-up (or un-trussed) whenever you need to take off or add a layer of clothing.

You lose some of the added protection from dings and weather that a full coverage holster might provide. But who in the heck keeps a hunting rifle in a scabbard all the time while they're moving through the woods?

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2008, 12:32:31 AM »

Nudder vote for the sling. Only way to fly for me.

markc · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2008, 08:39:26 AM »

For traveling into/out of hunting area on Rhino, or climbing in or out of stand, I have been using a quiethide leather holster for a few years now. I had to make a number of modifications to the holster. As seen on the web site, the first time I knelt down, the contender slid right out and onto the ground. The leather thong holding it in, was not placed in the right location and the way the shoulder straps are attached to the holster itself, causes the contender to ride horizontally, rather than vertically. There also wasn't much that could be done to adjust how high or low the holster rode. I removed the straps, reattached them so the pistol rides more upright and removed the thongs holder, and used a heavier leather thong to hold the pistol in while traveling. I also attached a belt buckle to the straps so I can easily adjust how much slack I need, depending on the amount of clothing I am wearing.

rpharder · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2008, 12:37:22 PM »

Check out the Bandito Shoulder rig from Pistol Packaging- www.pistolpackaging.com

old coach · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:33:02 PM »

I use the bandito shoulder rig for hunting. I have 2 holsters for the belt. One for the 14" Contender and the other fits a S&W 629 with a dot site or a Ruger MKII with a scope. I have used this setup for about 10yrs and it has functioned well.

Coach

onesonek · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2008, 02:32:50 AM »

Quote from: Ladobe on April 13, 2008, 11:11:07 AM

Tried them all (literally) over the past 40 years hunting with Contenders, including commercial and custom made belt, shoulder and bandoleer holsters. Nothing works better than a sling IMO.

You haven't tried mine yet Ladobe

Just razzin,,,,personally slings don't give me the totally handsfree I want, seems like when I tried them, I always had to have a hand on the gun to keep it in where I wanted it. Then too, while most my pistol setups are heavier than factory, I just don't trust 6lbs. hanging on those to tiny screws with 5-6 threads, as I have had recoil using carbine forend split dovetail blocks on my .243 AI barrel and come off unexpectedly.
And I wasn't impressed with what the market had to offer in the way of holsters too. Which is why I started making them.

Dave

onesonek · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2008, 02:55:14 AM »

Quote from: markc on April 14, 2008, 08:39:26 AM

For traveling into/out of hunting area on Rhino, or climbing in or out of stand, I have been using a quiethide leather holster for a few years now. I had to make a number of modifications to the holster. As seen on the web site, the first time I knelt down, the contender slid right out and onto the ground. The leather thong holding it in, was not placed in the right location and the way the shoulder straps are attached to the holster itself, causes the contender to ride horizontally, rather than vertically. There also wasn't much that could be done to adjust how high or low the holster rode. I removed the straps, reattached them so the pistol rides more upright and removed the thongs holder, and used a heavier leather thong to hold the pistol in while traveling. I also attached a belt buckle to the straps so I can easily adjust how much slack I need, depending on the amount of clothing I am wearing.

Mark, you had one of the first before much they got much field use. My original thoughts on the overall design was lacking I have to admit. (that or I plain screwed up) Shortly after I incorporated some modifications correcting the issues you stated. I thought I contacted everybody for making these modifications needed. Somehow I missed you, for that I'm sorry and for all your extra efforts in making it work the way you wanted. I would certainly be willing to make this right by you in some way!!! Please call me 605-759-2163!!!!

Dave

Ladobe · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2008, 08:36:32 AM »

Quote from: onesonek on April 15, 2008, 02:32:50 AM

You haven't tried mine yet Ladobe
Just razzin,,,,personally slings don't give me the totally handsfree I want, seems like when I tried them, I always had to have a hand on the gun to keep it in where I wanted it. Then too, while most my pistol setups are heavier than factory, I just don't trust 6lbs. hanging on those to tiny screws with 5-6 threads, as I have had recoil using carbine forend split dovetail blocks on my .243 AI barrel and come off unexpectedly.
And I wasn't impressed with what the market had to offer in the way of holsters too. Which is why I started making them.

Dave

No I haven't Dave, and I won't be trying one either pard. I know you know that I am not putting your holsters down by saying that. But with decades of experience in the field with big specialty pistols I've come up with what works very well for me, and that's not a holster of any design. If you're having to control a slung specialty pistol the design and fit of the setup is poor. Typical in this one size fits all world. My custom slings are plenty hands free. I've hiked all day climbing over the tallest/steepest mountains in thick cover and could almost forget I even have a pistol along with me. My sling attachments are also much heavier duty than you mentioned, so I have never had a failure and have zero fear of them ever failing in use. The key is design, and fit to the person using it. I designed and had made what I use for much the same reason you started making your own holsters - nobody offered slings that just plain worked well with large specialty pistols. Like with anything else, it just comes down to personal choice and I've made mine.

kennisondan · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2008, 02:39:01 PM »

Ladobe : I would appreciate a post of the slings and attachments with pictures...
JwJ : I have used the older uncle mike's stuff and did not like it..
the newer stuff as suggested has not been tested or used by me so I have no opinion on it...
this last season, I just put a parachute cord around the grip up near the top of the rubber grip... if it looked like rain or if I had a rough climb up a tree or into a stand, I slung it behind me or on the side under a large coat .. extra protection I tried a couple of times was furnished by an old cordura uncle mike's for the transport on the vehicle or in the pouring rain or during the climbs.. put it in the back pack afterwards.. usually did not use the uncle mikes holster as a gun case, just put the gun on under the top most coat... I slung it across one shoulder and had the gun exactly at hand on the right side .. it slides up to shooting position, and the smooth paracord is silent and slides into position easily... I loved it... and when I push out on the gun away from my body, it digs in and is quite steady... I tied a loop in the cord that I could use for lengthening it with larger clothing underneath.. without much trouble it can be adjusted... I am not sure what I would change it out to... I like the strong attachment and the simplicity... I would only like it to be a wider strap instead of a cord for when I am wearing really light summer clothing, cause if I let it hang a lot it could get uncomfortable.... I thought about a carabiner clip on my belt to keep it against me when I lean forward and did not have on a jacket... but did not use that yet...
Just my very humble and - free - simple solution... to see what I liked about lanyards/slings.. the solution for you may be a bit easier.. I would like to try one of the new generation of holsters... I wonder how easy it is to get it out with limited mobility compared to pulling it up from the strong side at hand level....
the only thing I do not like about hand level is it extends a good ways down toward the ground and I sometimes walk in water to get to my hunting area..
dk
dk

Ladobe · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2008, 11:43:22 AM »

kennisondan -

NCD - I never took any pictures of them and my shooting accessories are all packed away in storage.

L.

Steve P · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2008, 03:56:03 AM »

My last time out I forgot my holster. I have an upland vest that I wear to pack my radio, GPS, coat and stuff if I need to dress down. I put my contender in the game pouch. I tried several times and it came out slick. I carried it for three days and it was really comfortable. My vest is one of the heavier canvas ones and that worked good for me. I have not tried the sling, but that seems to be a viable option also. My holster is the Uncle Mikes for scoped. It works for me and I carry with gun across my chest for quick access. Whether grabbing gun in front or behind, speed was about the same.

Steve

Keith L · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2008, 05:54:42 AM »

Pistol hunting here in Wisconsin requires that the firearm be in plain sight. A sling or holster on the outside of clothing is necessary to prevent concealed carry. I can just see the glint in the warden's eyes if I tried to carry in a holster inside my coat, or in the gmepouch. I was going to get a CC permit just for that purpose when it looked like we may get it.

markc · « **Reply #18 on:** April 18, 2008, 07:22:18 AM »

Dave, no problem. I think the last time we spoke, we were going to get together after that season and discuss some modifications. I certainly don't have the ability to sew leather and such as you do, but I made some modifications that work really well. If possible I will take some pics and send them to you. I do prefer to use the holster you made me, than to carry it in any other method. It protects the pistol from bumps and bruises for sure...

ftw · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2008, 03:13:20 PM »

I think a lot of it depends on personal preference and how you hunt. My first contender had a 14" bbl and I carried it with a sling. However climbing trees and using a tree stand beat the heck out of the gun and scope.

I started carrying it to the stand (in the dark) in a T/C case. Once in the stand I used the sling. Walking out in the day light or still hunting, I stuffed the case into my fanny pack and carried with the sling.

I now use one of the Uncle Mike style Bandolier holsters. I basically use it for transportation and climbing into stands. Anytime I am actually hunting the T/C is in my hand.