Author Topic: Contender grip and fore end types  (Read 1564 times)

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Offline eublepharis

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Contender grip and fore end types
« on: April 23, 2008, 11:06:43 AM »
The wealth of knowledge here has really ramped up my learning curve, yet I have more newbie questions.  Are there standard names for the different styles of TC Contender grips and fore ends?  For example, I've read "with herrett syle grips", etc.  It would be really helpful to know for buying/selling/trading of wood when there are no pics.  For starters, here are pics of three styles I acquired with my first Contender.  If anyone could give me the different common names for these, that would be great.  Also, if you have other styles of TC contender wood with pics and names that would be helpful too.  I understand there are many custom grips and fores as well, but I am interested in the common TC wood for starts.  In advance...Thanks for any help!


Offline RonF

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Re: Contender grip and fore end types
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2008, 04:08:45 AM »
I am not sure that there is any real "standard" nomenclature, but I'll tell you what I think I know.  Your first picture is of Herret style grips.  The second one is of second style grips.  They were designed to ameliorate the effects of recoil, which they did, but not to the extent of the Herret style grips.  These second style grips are good for those with smaller hands.  The last picture is of the last style Contender grips, with the rubber insert to further help with recoil.  The G2 grips I've seen are plain walnut without the insert. 

As far as I know, there are only five styles of factory Contender grips in walnut (there were composite ones), and you have pictured versions of the second and the last two.  The first style was a much "racier" type of grip that was pretty square in cross section, had a much more pronounced "horn" at the top rear, had a silver cap at the bottom, and was punishing in even moderate recoiling calibers.  The third style was sort of a hybrid of the second style and the Herret style.  It was longer and larger in cross section that the second style and had a pronounced thumb rest that tapered and swept down to the heel, thus leading to an asymmetrical cross section, but no finger grooves.

I hope I am recalling this correctly.  If not, someone feel free to correct me.

RonF

Offline Ladobe

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Re: Contender grip and fore end types
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2008, 10:22:24 AM »
As Ron suggested, common names can be deceiving and localized.   But he did good in trying to answer your question.

I haven't used factory wood for many years, started whittling my own and then buying custom well over 25 years ago.  Since I had very little interest in their wood I don't remember for sure just how many versions or variations there really has been, and there was more versions of forends than grips.   I got my first Contender in 1968/69 and have had a bunch of them since, so I probably have also had just about every version of factory wood they ever offered even though I didn't use it.  That said I'll toss a few ideas out here, but this old brain may not really remember what is right for sure.

I too refer to the top picture as being the Herrett style because they are what came on the limited edition Steve Herrett Commemorative Contenders.  But I am certain that they had at least 3 different black plastic end caps that came on the grip... an elongated & checkered 2 screw diamond and a stylized octagon 3 screw that did not cover the bottom of the grip, and a full size 2-screw oval cap that almost did.    Forends were offered in at least 3 versions too... one for octagon barrels with one screw, one for bull barrels with one screw and one for "Super" barrels with 2 screws.   Remember these sets the best because of all the factory wood offered this is the version I used the most (other than before I made my own or bought custom) and I bought several sets of them over the years.   

Second picture is one that had more than one version.  Differences I remember were in the checkering footprint, the grip caps and the forends.    Seems like some had black plastic caps with a raised "TC" on them, some the silver metal cap with a raised rim & cougar head and some had a silver metal cap with a raised rim, TC in a circle and an oblong plaque with a black anodized background.    Forends were either snap on or screw mounted, they also had checkering variations and with the screw mounted either with or without a ducktailed tip.   These forends may have been for more than one grip style too. 

Last picture with the rubber insert I sure want to call the Competitor grip, but I am not certain that's right.   I agree it was the last grip style offered for the Classic frame though.

I agree with Ron too that the first factory wood was very square.   I never had a problem with them on the factory octagon barrels being offered, but luckily at that time no boomer wildcat barrels had yet been devised for the Contender.  It was not a comfortable grip.

Note:   I don't remember where this fits into the sequence, but here is another grip they offered.   The end of the butt has a curved tear drop shaped profile, and so a metal cap with raised edge and cougar head that was also that shape.   Might have been other cap versions for it too?



I also remember other forend styles different than all of the above, but not what grip they went with for sure.   I recently sold off a bunch of both factory and custom Contender wood, so too late now for pictures.   I think all I have left in factory wood now is a Herrett grip with a matching 10" octagon barrel forend, and an early snap on forend (complete with ball screw) that is also for octagon barrels.   Oh well.... 

All just from memory, so most definitely all open for correction.   HTH

L.

Evolution at work. Over two million years ago the genus Homo had small cranial capacity and thick skin to protect them from their environment. One species has evolved into obese cranial fatheads with thin skin in comparison that whines about anything and everything as their shield against their environment. Meus

Offline RonF

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Re: Contender grip and fore end types
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2008, 10:44:32 AM »
I can't find anything wrong with what you said, Ladobe.  The Herret style came on guns other than the commemorative, too, and the grip you pictured is what I called third style.  On Super 14 barrels, it came with a sort of beavertail forearm.  You're also right about the grip with the rubber insert being the Competitor grip.

You know, between us we might have one decent memory!   ;D

RonF

Offline Ladobe

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Re: Contender grip and fore end types
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2008, 11:04:47 AM »
Ron,

On that descent memory thing you better only count on 25% from me.    ;)

Knew the "H" style was not just on the SHC guns - just said that as why that name seems to be used.

Third style on the one I pictured is OK with me...   didn't remember it going with the beavertail forend.

BTW, your second style was TC's #7500, and this third one was #7505.

The beavertail forend... but with a Herrett grip.



Larry

Evolution at work. Over two million years ago the genus Homo had small cranial capacity and thick skin to protect them from their environment. One species has evolved into obese cranial fatheads with thin skin in comparison that whines about anything and everything as their shield against their environment. Meus

Offline eublepharis

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Re: Contender grip and fore end types
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2008, 11:38:20 AM »
Before I posted this question I had done a bit of web searching for the answers and after finding very little, I suspected it may not be quite as cut and dried as I had hoped.  I appreciate the history lesson, your time, and the education...RonF, with "ameliorate" had me pulling out the dictionary for a definition, to make sure I understood it as I read it in context. :)

Offline Wolfen

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Re: Contender grip and fore end types
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2008, 12:00:50 PM »
Here are the 4 grips and one forearm I have acquired over the years.

I now use either Pachmayr or Home Brew.  The od looking thing is a "Two Hand" grip
I use when standing with my 357 Herret barrel.