New G2 for me!

[upnorthbacon]

I've been looking at a million different handgun hunting options in the last week.  I narrowed it down to an encore in .243 or contender in 30-30.  I don't plan on taking anything larger than a MI whitetail and it will likely be used for coyotes and targets more than anything.  I was really debating which one to pick, the G2 was stainless synthetic and the .243 blued/wood.  I was able to talk the salesperson down on the G2 and got it for cheaper than the encore, I paid $560 for it, not sure if that's a good deal or not?  Either way I'm really happy, I figured the G2 in 30-30 would be a great deer pistol for me and I'm looking forward to getting a 410/45 barrel for fun as well.  I mounted my Bushnell trophy red dot on it, next year I'm hoping to scope it.  I was pleasantly surpised to find the barrel plugs in the extra mounting holes near the rear sight fit the front sight holes as well.  I put a weaver base on where the rear sight was and removed the front sight and put in the plugs, now it looks really clean with the red dot and no rifle sights.  I have a couple quick questions, is it ok to dry fire it with the firing pin selector in the middle position?  It looks like the pointed end of the selector will hit the frame and possibly damage it?  Also is it bad to dry fire it on with either of the firing pins selected?  Do you find any aftermarket grips handle recoil better than the stock synthetic grip?  Lastly I purchased some leverevolution rounds to sight in with, anyone shot any game with these yet to see what kind of effect they have?  I'll try and get some pics posted of it too!

[DEACONLLB]

In using a number of grips both factory and after market I have found that the Packmayr grips at least for me handle the recoil much better than any of the wood grips. I use them on all of my heavy kickers and they make it easier for me any way. With the factory grips I could not handle the recoil on my 44 mag and 357 mag. I ordered a set of High Plains and also have a set of old Georga jim but only use them on the lighter cal. 560.00 seems to be about the going price for G2 in stainless. I paid 495.00 out the door for mine but it is blue not stainless and is in 44 mag. with 12 inch bbl barrel and that is this gun shop ever day price. You will like the G2 and with lots of contender barrels around it is a good choice, keep in mind that contender butt and forend grips will not interchange with G2.The G2 has that little bump out and that is the problem when you try and us the contender forend and the grip angle is different on contender. I never like to dry fire any thing as you can brake a firing pin sometimes.  You can buy dry fire caps in different cal or you can use a fired case if you wont to dry fire. That is my TSW others will be able to give you more info.
This is a great forum for info.
Deaconllb

[Lone Star]

Congratulations on your new G2!  You will learn to love it.  I too prefer Pachmayr grips, the 'Grippers' fit my hand best and help to control consistent finger placement, critical for small groups on hard kickers. 

Don't dry fire with the safety in the middle position, it will batter the frame.  I'm not certain about the G2, but the Contender allows you to cock the hammer to a partial cock position, then the trigger will work but the hammer won't fall.  This is far better than pulling the hammer to full cock and pulling the trigger.  Snap Caps are probably an even better idea.


.

[SD Handgunner]

Congrats on your new G2 Contender. I too am sure you are going to learn to love it.

As for the .30-30 Winchester Chambering, I think it should provide what you are after considering the range you are talking about. If you handload you can shoot better bullets in the .30-30 Contender and even extend your range some.

As per the Grips, I personally really like the size, shape and feel of the Rubber Finger Groove Grips T/C puts on the SST G2 Contenders. But then I always liked the old Herrett Finger Groove, Thumbrest Grips on the original Contender too for that matter.

Good luck with your new G2 Contender and keep us informed on it's use.

Larry

[upnorthbacon]

Thanks, your right for now I should be fine with factory ammo.  I'm sure I'll get some dies for 30-30 and mess around next summer.  Thanks for the answers, I plan on getting some snap caps I was more curious if someone accidently dry fired it whether it would damage it.  I'm going shooting this weekend, I'll try and post a range report and get some pics up.

[upnorthbacon]

Got to shoot it this weekend using some leverevolutions I had (Thanks Blpenn!).  I have to say it kicked a lot harder than I thought it would!  I'd have to say it kicks more than my old encore 7mm-08 but I realize the leverevolutions are 160 grain and pretty hot.  Anyway accuracy was great with my red dot out to 100 yards.  I should have no problem taking a deer out to 100 yards although next year I'm going to try and get a 2x scope.  It's kind of hard shooting 100 yards with the red dot, a little magnification would have been nice.  Anyway I'm very happy I chose the G2 although I think it kicks a little harder because it's lighter, it will be much nicer to carry around!