first contender

[Scibaer]

I'm not new to GBO, usually frequent the NEF forums, but i just got my first contender. i have always wanted one and finally got my hands on one, so i thought i'd  spout off a bit. its got the cougar on the sides with a slide bolt safety on the hammer. wood grip and fore end with a 8 inch barrel that it partly octogon and a round part on the end thats threaded with ports, 2 per side. its 44 mag.. i got it used, but its in great shape. i paid $250.
 i'll post a pic when i can..
glenn

[frankkj]

Looks like you done good!
Now, 6-8 barrels from now, you'll know if the contender is right for you.
I sure enjoy mine. All of um.

Frank

[Dezynco]

Congrats!  Welcome to the world of Contenderitis!  What you'll soon find is that if you are patient, you'll be able to shoot with your Contender better that than you can with most rifles (at least I can anyway!)  They're just lots of fun, and you'll need more different barrels soon!

[jmlv]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Contenders! A word of advice, when you go to shoot that beast start with some 44 specials also you might want to invest in a set of pachmayr grips to tame the recoil of the 44 mag in that light barrel. When holding the gun only one hand on the grip. If you try to force a second hand behind the trigger guard you WILL hurt yourself. You can place the second hand on the forarm or support the gripping hand but keep the second hand from behind that sharp trigger guard. (this goes for whatever grips you use on the gun). The Contender is a light gun heavy calibers will kick. some will kick straight back and be easily manageable others will come up and to the side and will hurt if you are not careful. You can't always go my power as to whats going to hurt (at least in my experience) I find the 41 & 44 magnums in full loads HURT as does the (for Me anyway) unmanageable 45/70 barrel. Yet the 30-30 & 223 are easy for me to shoot. Since I shoot for fun I won't shoot barrels that hurt. Just a personal thing with me. Enjoy your new its the greatest( with my first new acessory barrel for my contender pistol, I spent the day on the range and shot up a full brick of 22lrs. Yes my first 2 barrels were the 357 mag and a 22 LR.)
jmlv

[Tommyt]

Congrats on the new addition
You have IMHO just bought the Rolls-Royce
this frame may have you putting all others away.
 Its just Beautiful and the Function & Capability's still excites me
  I too agree with jmlv the 44 is one I don't care for, But yours has a Brake so Its different than what I have shot Please don't let this discourage you just my personal choice
   I use mine for fun and field here's a Joy of mine ...at the range there is nothing better than right before Hunting season when the range fills with all the once a Year gun Hunters Sighting in that Real big gun and being some what clueless
 The most amusing ones are the Big Mag Guys with a Box of the heaviest loads available
They stand up and whack their shoulders like they are invincible they Quickly tame to sitting and sand bags, before long Frustration and Humility start in , then there buddy says Look at him ??
I've been watching him!!!   He's shooting a Pistol!! I can see his target !! he hit it every time !!!
He's shooting a big bullet too By then I can't help myself and get up, I offer help and even a chance to shoot the Magic Pistol "the one that's hits the target every time" .Ok so I am strange but its amusing
Enjoy your new toy they are Great IMHO
Tom

[hunterspistol]

  Good going! You're really going to love the TC. Nothing like a big pistol in your hand to shoot!


  Tommyt has it right, too. Magic Pistol. Amusing.

[yorketransport]

It sounds like you got a great deal. Like everyone said, make room for more barrels. They are addictive.

I'll also agree with the comments on the 44mag. I don't know what it is, but it can be really unpleasant with full power loads. I've owned 44mag, 45-70, and 375 JDJ barrels, all unbraked, and the 44 was right up there with the other big guns as far as recoil.

[GameHauler]

IF YOU HURRY
you can have it amputated now before there will be to much trauma.
I know tomorrow is Sunday but you may still want to hit the ER.
Have fun and never look back

Mike

[DEACONLLB]

Welcome to the tender world. Like has been said 44mag will hurt you with full loads 44 special with your set up will help out. I put a set of packmer grips on mine and now handle the 44mag loads an is almost a comfort to shot.The first time I shot mine with wood grips and 44 mag loads I thought it was going to come back and beat me up but as I said the rubber grips did the trick. good shooting with your new gun.
Deaconllb

[Scibaer]

From what i've read, i have a type 1 frame. it does have part that turns so a rimfire caliber barrel can be used. you turn with with a screwdriver at the hammer face. i think its a 1979 ( if i read the chart right, my serial no. is 1166** ) i dunno if the year matters that much. i have Herret grips but with the cheveron checkering fore end, dark wood.  i know all about collecting, i found GBO initially because of my handi-gun addiction and went from there, now i'm moving up to the TC's. from what i've been reading my barrel is a star ( special order ) .44 mag. thats ported and has threads on the end for some type of choke, but i dont have the choke.  i appreciate the advice about the recoil and lower loads t start with. im plan on going slow and working thru things carefully. i do need to figure out how to hold this gun correctly, and not tear up my fingers. i'll use jmlv's post as a reference to shoot my first few rounds and see whats what.
thanks for all the help and encouragement..
glenn

[Dezynco]

Yep, the wooden grips are MUCH lighter than the "black rubber" type, which causes the shooter to feel a lot more of the recoil.  What I do is use the black rubber grips to target shoot and plink, but install the wooden grips for hunting purposes.  It's much easier to pack around that way.  Also, I don't notice the recoil as much when shooting at a critter, especially when I'm wearing gloves.

Like GameHauler said, if you hurry, you can have it removed before it becomes permanently attached.  If you wait too long, it might turn into 2 or 3, with several spare parts to go along!

[Dezynco]

About that finger getting in the way....
Assuming you are right handed, point your left index finger at the target (if you're a lefty, point the right index finger at the target).  That will keep it from getting "skint" behind the trigger guard.

I prefer to hand onto my Contender's grip with both hands.  I don't like to hold the forearm with my "non-shooting" hand.  It's hard to hang onto that rascal if it kick hard if you only have one hand on the grip.

[Scibaer]

ok, i did some online looking around, those black rubber grips are ug-ly ! they wont see my gun uless i cant do with out 'em.
 but i did see a few barrels i'd be interested in,lol ... i cant wait to get some range time in this week.. i'm itching like a teen with a learners permit ! 

[MnMike]

Welcome:

I did the opposite. Started with Contenders and tried Handi rifles.

The Contenders are far more accurate. My best Handi barrel (.204) shoots about 3/4" at a 100 yds. My best Contender (.223) shoots 3/8" at 100 yds. My worst Contender shoots about the same as my best Handi. Don't get me wrong, the Handis are fun and new barrels are cheap, and the scopes are easier to use.

mike

[Scibaer]

ok first let me say, i have not had the chance to shoot my new to me contender.
now, i have read that the recoil is stout in more then one post up to and including statements in this thread.
i have a taurus, model 44, in 44mag, 4 inch ported barrel and i shoot stout loads in it without any real issues,
240 to 300 grain hp's.. 18 to 21 grains of IMR 4227 or the like.. stout
now let me ask, will the contender recoil be more or less the same using the same ammo, more or less recoil ?
why or why not ?

[Dezynco]

i have a taurus, model 44, in 44mag, 4 inch ported barrel and i shoot stout loads in it without any real issues,
240 to 300 grain hp's.. 18 to 21 grains of IMR 4227 or the like.. stout
now let me ask, will the contender recoil be more or less the same using the same ammo, more or less recoil ?
why or why not ?

[/size][/size]

I think you'll be OK!  To me, the Contender with wooden grips tends to come straight back, while most "wheelguns" tend to roll up in the hand.  I would say that my Contender  is much more comfortable than most of the revolvers that I've shot.  Just my opinion, what do you all think?

[Keith L]

I like the Pachmayer Decelerator grips for the harder hitting rounds.  For me they take much of the bite out of the recoil and make it easy to hang onto the gun.  If you use their forearm also it is a little heavier, and that can help as well.

[Scibaer]

well the bug has bit ... i picked up another barrel, a .30-30 win. in a 10" bull.  i added a bushnell scope with leupold rings and mount
i just need a forend that fits right, i think i may have  a G2 barrel, the stud is closer to the receiver then my other barrel is.
 but im glad to read that the recoil may not be an issue.. sounds like  a heavier forend may be the way to go