Old Style Frame or New G2 Style and Caliber choices.

[centershot]

Looking to get into the Contender game but the more I look the more I questions I have. I would like a varmint barrel, preferably a .22 Hornet mainly because of noise issues with high pressure varmint rounds. And I would like a 200 yard Mule Deer barrel, preferably a 30 Herritt. I think I want barrels in 10" variety to keep them portable. The calibers I'm wanting lend themselves to 10" barrels and they are just classic proven calibers which is a plus. As to frames, is there any differences or is one just newer and easier to manufacture. Is the old frame good enough - or are there updates that make the new one that much better. Am I way off course here or just overthinking. Thanks for the input to a TC newbe.

[Hopalong7]

     As far as frames go(new G-2 vs. old style Contender), you will find a variety of opinions in every direction.  I personally have and prefer the Contender(easy open version) to the newer G-2.  But then I'll also admit that, #1 - I've never had a G-2 for a good comparison although I've handled and worked on several, and #2 - I do see some advantages to the G-2.  Of course there are advantages to the older style too, especially when you used them for years.
     Your caliber choices would be hard to beat in 10" tubes....throw in a 22lr and you're good to go!
Walt 
CAUTION: These things DO get addictive!

[DEACONLLB]

The only real difference is in the not having to open to cock hammer and you really only have to open the older style just enough to re cock dont have to open all the way. The G2 is no stronger than older style. the old style is a classier look in my opinion. all the barrels interchange except for the muzzleloader barrel and that is because of the pin on bottom of barrel. The stocks do not interchange but forend will with a little sanding. stocks and grips are easier to find than for the G2. Might as well get ready to spend money as you cant have just one

Deaconllb

[shot1]

The 30 H will marginally work on mule deer at 200 yards but if you want to move up to a 14" barrel the 30-30AI is really a good round for deer size game. The 125 Nos BT will go at least 2600 fps I get 2670 fps out of mine. It hammers deer.

[centershot]

At what point is the barrel so long and the gun so 'unhandy' to carry that you may as well carry a rifle? 10"-12"-14"? Or if you have a big holster it really does not matter? My post is not meant to be derogatory, but a legit question to my way of thinking/hunting. My style of hunting is typically spot and stalk with a 3-5 mile walk and a couple thousand feet of elevation gain/loss. Hence carrying a pistol that is 3 1/2# instead of a rifle that is 9#. And it would just sounds like a hoot to hunt with a pistol. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Hopalong7]

      Deac hit on all the differences except the biggest one to me, and that is the trigger itself.  There are darn few pistols or rifles, including the G-2, that have as crisp and as adjustable a trigger as the original Contender.  Now I have seen a couple of G-2's with a good trigger, but not as good as any of my Contenders.  I did my own trigger job on my only Encore and it is the best trigger of any(no I'm not good...I was just lucky)Encores that I've tried, but it still isn't even in the same class with my Contender triggers.  The Encore and G-2 mechanisms are extremely similiar BTW.
Walt

[southernutah]

If you are going to buy new barrels and forearms I would go the G2. the Contender has had a few issues with new barrels and the same the other way. Fixable yes just a pain. The G2 and contender forearms are not the same

[Grumulkin]

The Black Wildebeest was taken at a range of about 35 yards with a T/C Contender 10 inch barrel chambered in 357 Herrett.

I prefer the old style frames for the Contender mainly because the trigger is so nice.  I also like 10 inch Contender barrels since they do make a handy package.

The 200 yard mule deer shots may be a bit problematic.  With a 10 inch barrel, velocity is not going to be as high as out of a longer barrel so with most Contender cartridges you will have quite a bit of bullet drop at 200 yards.  You also need an accurate handgun that you're quite proficient with for 200 yards shots.  These problems aren't insurmountable though.  The 30 Herrett should provide the accuracy and oomph to get the job done.

As for the 22 Hornet; is it really that much quieter than a 222 or 223?  I don't know having never shot one.  I don't think the 204 Ruger, the 223 or the 222 are excessively loud and they can also double as deer rounds.

[Ladobe]

Opinions to your questions will vary, and almost all of them will have merrit.   That's what makes the Contender platform so great, its versatility.  Anyway, here's mine based on using Contenders for just about every type of shooting/hunting for a few years.    

The Contender frames DO NOT need to be opened to recock them.   Those that think they do just haven't figured out the amount to squeeze the trigger guard to recock instead of open the action.    Like trigger control, it takes practice until it becomes second nature.

As Walt said, the Contender has by far the best trigger of the TC handguns, and can be made even better easily.   Translates to better accuracy for most shooters.

With longer barrels, sooner or later you will most likely put a scope on them.   While bandoleer, hip and cross draw holsters are offered for the longer barrels, sling carry is much easier and faster to bring to battery from and adds the advantage of giving you a supported hold.   With a good system like Glenn's they are comfortable to hike/climb with.   For 10" barrels a cross draw holster is hard to beat for carry whether the barrel is scoped or not.

10" barrels... your 22 Hornet and 30 Herrett choices will work.   Not the ones I'd choose, but they'll work OK to your 200 yards.

14" barrels... a 7X30 Waters or 30-30 Win are better choices than the 30 Herrett in the longer barrels, and a 22 Hornet will do better in this barrel length as well, especially if the ranges get long.   They also balance well when scoped.   Also not the cartridges I'd choose, but then I was a wildcatter mostly from the early 80's and handgun hunter from a decade before that.

Whatever you finally settle on, you are about to travel down a long road that I started down almost 43 years ago.   It will have its steep hills, tight curves, slick spots and pot holes, but the rewards for taking the trip are endless no matter what type of shooting you do.    If at all striken by them they will most likely take you into new types of shooting and hunting, and all for a small toll on your wallet.   The TC fraternity is a very large one made up of people who are fast to help new folks along with their experience and knowledge, and there are a lot of them right here on GBO.   Over a lifetime of hunting, many years shooting competition and just plain plinking, more often than not I had a Contender in my hands.   Enjoy the journey... I sure did.

L.

 

[SD Handgunner]

You have received some excellent advise. I am not sure what I can add but will try. I started hunting with Contenders in 1982. I have used most of the cartridges mentioned and have used both 10" and 14" Barrels.

At one point I thought I just had to have a longer range chambering in a 10" Contender thinking it would be easier to shoot from less than perfect field shooting conditions. I quickly learned that that 4" of barrel length and weight did indeed make a difference. For me what the 4" of barrel length did was make the Super 14 Contenders hold much steadier for me. At about the same time I decided that no matter what the circumstances I would always be shooting from some sort of a rest be it a backpack, bipod, shooting sticks, a rock a tree etc.

I have never shot a .22 Hornet Contender regardless of barrel length so can not comment on it. However I have had a couple 10" .223 Contenders over the years and yes with most powders they are very loud. About the best combination I ever came up with for a 10" .223 Contender used IMR-4198 Powder pushing 40gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips.

I have shot a 10" .30 Herrett Contender. It was a wonderful shooting barrel and cartridge, quite accurate and very mild on the ears and in recoil. However I never did have the opportunity to shoot any game with it other than Jackrabbits so can not comment on it's performance on Deer sized critters.


As to the difference between the Contender and the G2 Conender. I too prefer the Contender as has been stated their triggers are second to none. Yes I have had both the Contender and G2 Contender but perfer the Contender.

Larry

[Dezynco]

I love the old Contenders, but own 2 G2's.  My old man had 3 old Contenders, but traded 2 of them for G2's, mainly because even the "easy open" frames are not nearly as easy to open as the G2 frames.

The trigger on the G2 can be modified to be every bit as light and crisp as the old Contender, usually by tweeking the sear spring or changing it for a couple of dollars.

Also, I think that the G2 frame is a bit beefier than the old Contender.  If you'll notice the notes on MGM's caliber choices, there are one or two that are recommended for the "G2 only".  For example, the 30-40 Krag and 444 Marlin.

Don't get me wrong, I'm wishing for an old Contender so that I can say I've got one.  However, I just prefer the G2 for all around use.

[I make oil]

I have G2's and like them.  I have owned old style Contenders but the features on the G2's have won me over.  My triggers are all very nice they are easy to open and I LOVE being able to un-cock my hammer then re-cock again without having to break the gun open. 

[Delkal]

My 10 inch Hornet barrel is MUCH quieter than my 14 inch 223.  And it has no recoil and doesn't have the softball sized orange flash  (you can decide if that is good or bad).  My daughters like to shoot the Hornet rested and can hit anything at 50 yards (with a scope).  Get an octagon barrel,  its very light and accurate enough.

I don't have a 30 Herret but for 200 yards I would recommend a 14 inch barrel,  you need the velocity increase.   My current favorite for distance is a 30-30 AI,  but my 7x30 is a close second.  Look up the actual specs for these rounds and compare them to the custom wildcats that cost twice the price,  (again you can decide if its worth it for you).

No matter what you decide you will end up with many more barrels.  Its OK!

[Hopalong7]

      .....and, if you think a 14" 223 is loud(and it is) check out a 14" 204Ruger...OH Mama!!!  As long as were talking Contender handguns, I wouldn't trade my hornets and bees(I have two of each) for any of the 221's, 222's, or 223's.  Not a knock on them at all, just prefer the Hornet and/or Bee.  The notoriously weak brass lasts surprizingly long once you learn how and with what to load in it and, they both are rimmed cases too.
      Now for the Herrett....If I had to shoot something @ 200 yards(that's an awful long shot for my old eyes...and hands) with a 10" barrel, hands down, my pick would be either a 30 or 357 Herrett.  The 30Herrett was designed for and exceled with 110gr bullets(the 125BT was not even close to being born yet).  The Milek/Herrett team decided that they needed a heavier bullet for big mulies and elk, so they went back to work and came up with the 357Herrett.  I still think that efficiently and effectively, it is about the most bang you can get out of a 10" Contender.  I think Speer still makes some good 110's for varmiting with the 30.
Walt