T/C Contender fans here?

[Inspector-Callahan]

Contender & Encore

I have an older 10" .223 S/S Contender and two Encore's. I just finished putting together my 2nd Encore and it is exactly what the doctor ordered. 12" High polish blued heavy taper barrel from the custom shop and blued/walnut frame. Also warne QR low mount rings/base combo. Oh yeah, it's a 44 mag, naturally. And yes, I know the Encore or Contender G2 can handle a wimpy 44Mag, but I wanted an Encore frame (just because) and I am not a huge fan of overpowered rifle rounds out of a handgun. The 44 mag gives me all that I am after in power.

The idea came to me after seeing an article in handloader many months back written by Stan Tzroniec(sp) He reviewed a 15" 35 Rem Encore pistol in that article I believe but it was similarly setup.
IC

 

[m75rlg]

Yes, see below: Click link. That is my best with the Contender.

 

[n4zov]

I've had a goodly number over the years starting with one of the old .45/.410 models with detachable choke. That old hand splitter was one of the more useless guns I've ever owned and I chuckle every time I see somebody praising the Taurus Judge with the same ammo combination.

Then there is the 10" tack driving .30 Herrett I shot in IHMSA competition and another one in .357 Maximum. Contenders have to be one of the most versatile handguns ever marketed and are a real tribute to their designers.

 

[VonFatman]

I also like Contenders!

I sure enjoy mine. I agree, you can spend lots of time shooting and not burn much ammo! Currently, I have 15 barrels...most are straight-wall pistol calibers, however, I do have a couple bottleneck barrels. I like to use my barrels to try out various loads I've worked up on the reloading bench.

Here's what I have...

I own a single Contender frame....

*.22 LR - 10" Octagonal w/open sights
*.22 LR - 10" Bull Barrel w/2x Leupold
*.22 WMR - 10" Octagonal w/open sights
*.22 Jet - 10" Octagonal w/open sights
*.223 Rem. - 10" Bull Barrel w/open sights
*.32 H&R Mag. - 10" Bull Barrel w/open sights
*.38 Spcl. - 8.75” Octagonal w/open sights
*.357 Mag. - 10" Octagonal w/open sights
*.357 Max. - 10" Bull Barrel w/2x Leupold
*.41 Mag. - 10" Bull Barrel w/open sights
*.44 Mag. - 10" Octagonal w/open sights
*.44 Mag. - 10" Bull Barrel w/open sights
*.45 ACP - 10" Octagonal w/open sights
*.45 Colt - 10" Bull Barrel w/open sights
* 7-30 Waters - Super 14" Bull Barrel w/Muzzle Tamer & T/C Scope

 

[H Richard]

Yes, very versatile. I have an old 2nd generation which I've been shooting since the mid 80's. Have 44 mag, 7X30 Waters, .222 barrels presently, and have had 7 TCU, .22 RF.

 

[Jellybean]

Hobie, a 16" barrel in .41 mag.!!! I can't stop drooling.

 

[625smith]

I have 7 blued frames and 1 stainless. I also have 35-40 barrels. Here is one of my favorites.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I have one frame and all Super 14 barrels.

.22 LR

.223 Remington Stainless If you think about it the current M4 has a 14 1/2" barrel. The T/C has a 1:12 twist vs the M4 1:7 so the T/C works better with 40-45gr bullets.

30-30 1/2" at 50 yds with 125gr Sierra over 29 gr RE-7 2200fps according to Sierra manual.

45/410

44 mag

 

[VonFatman]

625Smith,
You ARE the T/C Man! Don't you like those Pachmayr grips? I am so glad I got a set! Much more fun to shoot when the loads are heavy! I just sold a 45-70 barrel...I never had the guts to let it rip!

Bob

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

All my 10" barrels have iron sights.
22LR match
223 Remington
357 Magnum
44 Magnum

the super 14"s have scopes

22LR
223 Remington w/comp
357 Magnum
44 Magnum w/comp
30-30 Winchester w/comp

Sometimes I'm sorry to have put the Comps on. They do get anoying after a while...

I also put another action together as a 22LR carbine. Both are stainless steel.

Also as a foot note, I just re-did my carbine wood and have a extra that I will sell, maybe next week after I get some pictures. I have too much junk and I'm starting to pawn things off.

It's a Nutmeg Laminate thumbhole stock on an oil finish. Came out real nice...So keep an eye out in the classifieds, if anyone is interested.

 

[625smith]

625Smith,
You ARE the T/C Man! Don't you like those Pachmayr grips? I am so glad I got a set! Much more fun to shoot when the loads are heavy! I just sold a 45-70 barrel...I never had the guts to let it rip!

Bob

Bob,

I love the Pachmayr grips! You should have touched off the .45/70. Just one word of advice beware of the trigger guard they have been known to leave a mark on your weak hand!

 

[dg101win]

I bought my Contender about 20 years ago if I recall. It is in 35Rem with the 12" muzzle tamer barrel and wears a Burris 2.5x-7x scope.
When I put 36.5 grains of H322 behind a Hornady 180 SSP bullet it will do 5 shot 1" groups@100 yds or better with an honest 2000fps. It does very well on Indiana whitetails.
Also have the 10" 45/410 w/internal choke to fool around with once in awhile.

 

[VonFatman]

625smith,
I agree...the Pachmayr grip has helped on the weak-hand...it's not fun to send a bunch of hot loads downrange in one sitting.

Bob

 

[Gaffer]

I own 5 Contenders. The first was an early one, with a 4 digit serial number and 4 octagon barrels in .22LR, 256WM, .222Rem and a 45/410 with external choke. Bought that whole package used back in the 1970's for $105. I have two carbine barrels, and so many pistol barrels I can't recall what caliber they are all in. Just love em and collect them. At one time I had 3- .270REN barrels, but have sold them all now. Don't shoot as much NRA silhouette now as I used to.

 

[Nygma]

I like mine so much that I just cannot fathom why I would ever want a second frame.
I've had this one since I was a kid (# 3353X):

Right now I have nothing but 10" barrels; 22 LR, 22 Jet, 256 Win Mag, 30-30, 30 Herrett, and 357 Maximum.

Been kind of keeping my eye open for a 10" 45 Win Mag.

Awesome guns!