I've never owned a Contender, but I came across a stainless one in .223 for $350 out to door, so I laid it away.

It looks like this one, except it has no iron sights and has a scope base installed. No scope.

Any fans here? I'm not sure what I'll do with it, but I have a stash of .223 and some ear plugs so I'll figure something out.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I have a similar gun with a Super 14 barrel with factory muzzle brake. I've equipped mine with an Aimpoint 2X/2MOA red dot so that eye relief isn't critical. I use it for AZ's handgun javelina hunts. It's "death ray" accurate, and always astonishes me when I can whack a distant target with a "handgun" --- I'll bet you'll have fun with yours, and who could have resisted at that price?

I bought this one I think in 1970. It came in a wood presentation case with the T/C logo. It was in 45/410. I have never seen another with a wood presentation case. The gun has a very low serial # and also has a pure silver butt plate that is made to be engraved. I later added the .256 winchester mag barrel and leopold M-8 scope. I havent played with it in many years. It`s still in as new shape. I probley should put it up for sale. Wouldnt know what to ask. Any idea`s?

Sig
I would say you did good....saw a similar Contender at gun show last weekend with .22 hornet barrel, seller wanted $500 for it and it was a little rough!

Awesome handgun! I have two stainless frames and 14" barrels in .223, 7-30 Waters, .17 HMR, .44 mag, and .22 Hornet. 10" barrels in .22lr match, and .357 mag. On the 14" setup, I use the Fajen push-pull stock.

"Death-Ray accurate" is the perfect word for this. Heck, after shooting the .223, I sold my XP100 because it didn't shoot as well. Get yourself some good hearing protection, though. Out of a 10" barrel those 223's get a bit snappy.

Muzzle blast is ferocious out of a .223 10" barrel. I could not keep a scope from shifting after 8-10 rounds.Leupold,or Burris Z rings,friction tape would not keep the scope from shifting.I sold the barrel for $35.00
Every T/C barrel I bought had to have Leupold windage adjustable bases because the base holes were not square.I would run out of scope windage before I could get it sighted in.Weaver style bases do not allow for windage adjustment.E.R. Shaw make much better barrels for the Contender than T/C does.I ended up trading my Contender and 4 barrels (2-rifle 2-handgun) for a Colt Anaconda.I was more than happy with the trade.

I have the exact same gun also in. 223 and I can agree with all comments. Price wise, you stole it! I have a Leupold 2-8x stainless EER scope installed on mine. It is death ray accurate but in a 10" barrel it is surprising how much muzzle blast there is. I was expecting much less. Im very happy with mine and have yet to get another barrel for it. Instead of doing that, I decided that I wanted a custom blued 44 magnum and put that together on an encore frame with custom shop high polish 12" heavy barrel. The T/C's are definitely fun. If you ever plan to hunt with it, invest in a quality telescoping rest like a pole cat, steady Snztix, etc.

One of my old shooting buddies actually picked up the same setup when I got mine and I remember us both dusting dirt clods on a hillside 100yds away with EASE from a hasty fencepost rest.

I have the contender with Super 14 barrels in .223, .44mag, .22LR, .30-30. I get better accuracy with 40-45gr bullets in the .223, probably because it has a 1:12 twist.

I made the mistake of firing 5.56 NATO in it and the primers backed out of the case and made it difficult to open. It is a .223, not a 5.56 NATO.

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Corripe Cervisiam

I had one many years ago, in 223 and sold it. I missed it for years and just recently replaced it with a new one. They are a lot of fun and extremely accurate. $350 is a really good price for one.

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

Another plus is for only $250-300 you can add a different caliber.

I had a 10" bbl .30-.30 and it was a smokin' deadly accurate gun. I had Pachmayr grips and a forearm on it. It was labeled the "Intimidator" by those that shot it. I really screwed-up in selling it. The early blue was incredible and the trigger was..........supreme. Good find and buy. You will be best served if you wear VERY GOOD hearing protection when you touch it off!!!! The .223 barks like you won't believe out of that set-up.

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Go big or stay home

I have one in .308 my FIL gave me in trade for a .22-250 rifle that was his. I was holding the rifle for him, now I'm holding the Contender for him if that makes sense. As much as I hate to say it I'm afraid to shoot it. I'm scared I won't be able to hold on to it.