generation I contender

[okieshooter]

I have found locally a guy with a 1st generation contender with a scoped super 14 223 and a 45/410 barrel. Do not know what type of scope and he says choke is outside barrel instead of inside like newer ones. I have not seen the gun yet but knowing the owner would bet it is in great shape. He is asking $600 and I am wondering if this would be a good deal or not? Also difference in 1st and 2nd generation would be appreciated.

 Looking at another post this seems a little high but would like to know difference in 1st and 2nd generation.

[skb2706]

The first true generation one contender had no selector on the hammer, engraved perched cougar on both sides, not the clown faced one. Offer less

frame maybe worth $200

barrels $150 plus or minus each

scope isn't worth anything without knowing what it is.

[handi243]

IF thats a big if it is a true first model it may not have any engraving on it. If it is one buy it there were very few of these. Something like 100-150 made. What happened was if you got one of the first ones you could send it back to the company and they would engrave it. Most people did this i know a guy who has a 3 barrel set like this.

[Graybeard]

I suspect the Generation one comment really only means it's not a G2 not that it is one of the really early low serial number guns.

BUT if it is a really early low serial number frame I'd personally prefer not to have it as a shooter as they are more collector items.

Bottom line the price is too high and if you do not specifically want the .45/.410 barrel and not many folks do then it's about useless in the deal. $400 is a more appropriate price but with both barrels he might not be willing to go that low. The scope may or may not add to that depending on what it is.

[hunterspistol]

   Contenders with the trigger pivot forward in the forend were the first 195,000 and were more difficult to open. They were originally called Type 1 frames. TC came out with the easy-open frame with the pivot pin directly above the trigger, that's the Type 2. After that, G2. 

   So, aside from the G2, you can sort frames by the location of the pivot pin for the trigger assembly.

      They are 100% right, the whole set-up wouldn't be over $450.

[jmlv]

While I agree with the current values I have read so far(about $200-$250 fir the frame and aprox $200 or less per barrel) but I must correct one thing. On all Contenders the sleector is on the hammer just in dofferent places on the different hammers.

[skb2706]

Correct one more thing. The very first Contender had a solid hammer with no selector anywhere.

[Bill,SC]

The very first contenders DID have a selector.  On the back side of the hammer was a screw head, when turned it changed which firing pin was hit.

[RonF]

Before the screw head you refer to, there was a lock ring, and the only way to change which firing pin got hit was with a screwdriver applied to the face of the hammer.

RonF

[skb2706]

The very first contenders DID have a selector.  On the back side of the hammer was a screw head, when turned it changed which firing pin was hit.

There is a model prior to this one with no such screw.

[dant]

Early Contenders have a selector for rim or centerfire as stated above. The earliest models did have the selector on the face of the hammer which you had to use a screwdriver to select between rim and centerfire ( I guess it's possible that a very few were made without it but I've never seen one in all the years I've been collecting/shooting Contenders) , they also had a different style trigger guard than later "generations". I've been shooting/collecting these guns for over 30 years . I've had quite a few  "low" serial number guns below 10,000. Generally collectors look for serial numbers under 1,000 or for at the very least the different style trigger guard.  For a shooting gun, I'd pick a later easy open model. I've also found that some of the early frames are finicky about the barrel you put on them. Sometimes the lug ( NOT locking bolts )needs to be modified slightly to allow the gun to open. I also agree too much $.

[G2Driver]

Very interesting read. With all the different styles and variations in frames and barrels why hasn't some one written a book. It would be nice to see pictures of each version.

[skb2706]

While I perusing a gun show several years ago I picked up and examined a very old four digit Contender that had a solid hammer, set up to only to fire rimfires. Thru the years I have owned several of every type since but never have seen another one like that one.

[Hopalong7]

The Contender was introduced in 1967 as a switch barrel pistol available with 5 different barrels.  Two of the barrels were rimfire and three were centerfire.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt