used Contender price and a couple more questions

[Timberking]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to get into Handgun hunting. (I've got some handguns but never really hunted with em)Anyway,I'm looking at a Contender at a local gunshop. It's a .44 mag 10" bbl with a scope and also comes with a case,a 10" .22 long rifle bbl open sights,a .22 wmr open sights,an extra wood forearm and rubber forearm/grip.   They want $799.00

Is this a decent asking price?

How do you tell if it's a G1 or G2 frame? And does it really matter all that much?

I'd like to,in the future,add a .45/410 bbl and a .223 10" so figured I'd ask some questions now. So please help a newbie handgun hunter out

[Keith L]

Barrels tend to sell for around $150-$175.  Scopes could add from 0 for a cheapie to $250 or so for a real good one.  Bare frames sell for $225-$300, and wood can be all over the map.  If you can give more info we can get a little closer.  Pictures help.

A G2 has the raised bosses on the side of the frame like an Encore has.  Original Contenders are flat sided, most of them with rolled engraved pictures on the side.  An easy open frame has the pivot for the barrel release/trigger guard right over the trigger.  I have and like all Contender varieties.  Some have preferences, and I am sure you will hear about them.  To me this set would make up a great start on a hunting system.  I would try to get the price down a little.

Good luck and let us know what you do.

[Hopalong7]

      I agree with Keith, the price seems a little high, but would depend largely on the quality of the scope.  I generally find that the price on a frame/frames and barrels complete with scopes/sights and furniture adds up to the individual price of frame and barrels only, which would make the set in question a little high.  I also agree that this sounds like a good "starter rig"....44 and 22 are usually considered must haves and although I once considered them useless, I've come to appreciate my 22mag quite a lot.  I'm very much an ol'style frame fan, but have absolutely no problem with starting out with a G-2( did Walt actually say that! ).  Good Luck with whatever you do.
Walt

[Timberking]

I don't remember what scope was attatched  to the .44 mag. So we'll just call it a "cheap" one.  I'll head over that way tomorrow evening if I have time and check it out again. It must be an older style Contender because instead of the lever on top to select from center fire/rim fire it has a button on the right hand side of the hammer. We'll see what happens on the price and the barganing department Thanks for the info guy's.

[alan in ga]

I would recommend NOT getting the 44 mag barrel IF it's the lighter octagon barrel. They are unpleasant to shoot because of recoil. The 10" bull barrels are better because of the increased weight and much preferred IMO.

[Timberking]

Well heres a pic of the gun and BBL's  The .44 mag is the bull barrel and the .22 and .22 mag are the octagon ones. I looked up the serial number off of the website located on the link here in this forum and it was made it 1969 serial number is 109353  I traded in a different gun that never gets used and "talked em down" a bit on price and even got them to throw in a scope mount. So the whole shindig Frame,3 barrels,new scope mount and hard case cost me $130.00

[asquires2]

You have been bittin by the bug and there is no cure! Enjoy your new found friends and let s know how they work out for you.

[alan in ga]

Nice! That 44 barrel is a perfect barrel. 10" of 'no cylinder gap' that will give about all the 44 case can deliver. I've owned and hunted with 4 revolvers [Rugers] in 44 mag and the blast out to the sides of the cylinder gap is annoying especially if your resting the pistol near the side of a tree! Bark and dust get blown all over and back at you. The Contender barrels put it all 'out front' which is what I like about a Contender pistol for hunting. I hunted with a 14" barrel in 35 Rem. It was a one holer at 100 yards with a good rest and the Leupold on it, but a bit 'gangly' to tote around. The 10" barrels in regular pistol cartridges are just right!

[Richard P]

T K,  As Alan says, the 44 with full loads will clean your sinus cavities. You can always load it down to ''nicely manageable''.  I wouldnt have much use for the 22mag barrel. I'd replace it with a 22 Hornet 10''. (If you dont reload, the mag may be useful.)  The 22lr deserves one of the scopes. You usually shoot small bullets at small targets------that you'd like to see.  The 44 needs a 2x.  The trigger: Your trigger has an adjustment that can be seen inside the frame. With a bit of coaching you can get a very good and safe release.  Extras: ask t/c for a hammer spring, they may give you one. Get a small piece of brass or steel rod and make a ''slave pin'' that is the dia of your pin that holds the hammer spring. Make it just long enough to fit inside the hammer to hold the spring. When you need to replace that spring you will be glad you have it. Maybe they will give you a set of firing pins as well. Ask.  Tell them it is your first t/c product.  rp

[Timberking]

Thanks guy's,
The .44 has a 2.5X on  it,it's not a Leupold but ya gotta start somewhere I have a single six in a .22 mag but i really like the Contender so I think I'm gonna keep it and use it fer squirrels and such. I'd like to pick up a 10" .223 for predator hunting. I carried a XP-100 in .221 fireball this winter and had several opportunities to kill a coyote BUT I couldn't get the stars to align and ended up missing one and no shot ops on the others.

I'm looking forward to getting into just using a handgun for hunting,put's a little more excitement and fun back into the hunt

[olevern2]

Was in a shop yesterday that had a contender in 44 mag 10inch bull barrel for $325.00.
now that's a good price.

[BassinElwood]

I love the 44 mag...in full loads.  I shoot a 12 inch barrel and with PM grips I can run 20 - 100 rounds through it with no discomfort.  Killed one deer and it waxed it's butt.  I just put together a 17 HMR (yes...I have the bug) and it will be a great bushytail and target gun.  Just shoot!!!
Elwood