On buying a contender... what to look for...

[rdlange]

Know nothing about contenders.  Would like to get one.  For now, 357 mag/maxi and/or 22 hornet/K hornet as I have rifles same caliber.  Will scope it.

What do I look for when checking an used one?  How do I 'test' it out without shooting to know I'm getting a good one?  Stuff like that please.  I'm left handed.

Be Well...

[DEACONLLB]

Two things to look for, one is a easy open frame, the pivit pin for the trigger guard will be just above the trigger not way forward and two try to find one with the firing pin selector on the top of hammer not in the center of hammer face where you need a screw driver to rotate the pin, also look for wear markes where the barrel pivits and forend rubs the frame no blueing in this area would indicate a lot of use but not a real bad thing.
 
Deaconllb

[Dezynco]

I figgure that if it wasn't run over by a truck, and it looks OK and the price is right, you can't go wrong.  Even if you have a problem, it can be repaired.  They're relatively simple to work on, just look for one that is in good shape, whether a G2 or any "old style" Contender.
 
Some folks say that the really old ones have the best trigger, the Easy Open is the cat's meow, and others say the G2 is the way to go.  Some folks like me have a nice collection them all!

[David D.]

I figgure that if it wasn't run over by a truck, and it looks OK and the price is right, you can't go wrong.  Even if you have a problem, it can be repaired.  They're relatively simple to work on, just look for one that is in good shape, whether a G2 or any "old style" Contender.
 
Some folks say that the really old ones have the best trigger, the Easy Open is the cat's meow, and others say the G2 is the way to go.  Some folks like me have a nice collection them all!

I have to agree to the above statement. If it looks good on the outside its probably good on the inside! If the price is right I'll consider any Contender regardless, G2, easy open, flat side, non easy open, it just dosen't matter to me.

[fatercat]

a smith & wesson

[marked trail]

I shoot left handed, and its never been a problem with a contender.  The only concern is to stay away from the early right hand thumb style herret grips for the original frames, which are quite common on the used market.
 
I have both a 10" 357 mag and a 'super 14' 357 max barrel.  The mag gets used more than the max, but that is just because I have a 2x leupy on it.  My advice is to shop early for a 22 lr rimfire setup as your favorite centerfire rig (you will end up with cf and rf both), and practice, practice, AND practice some more.