Learning about T/C Contenders
- Thread starter kentucky yeti
- Start date
I’ve shot Contenders since the early 80’s. Never found that to be true. Then, I only have three frames now. 
OP
I sold two frames and barrels (.35 Rem and 45/.410) a few years ago and have always regretted it.I’ve shot Contenders since the early 80’s. Never found that to be true. Then, I only have three frames now.
contender
Ruger Guru
I do have more barrels than frames,, but I also like to keep one of them in a more "permanent" set-up.
But gosh are they nice!
But gosh are they nice!
whats the fun of having just one frame ?
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2012
- Messages
- 10,870
I have 19 barrels 1 frame. They aren’t hard to change.
OP
I had one frame and several barrels for years before I started collecting frame variations. I just like finding different variations of the frames. Flathead screw on hammer, flathead screw on hammer with sliding hammer-block safety, Left/right/middle switch for RF,CF, and safety…. Easy-open frame vs original design….
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I'm not sure I could list all the barrels I've had. I generally have about a dozen on hand. Have had up to 6 or 7 frames at once, but generally 2 or 3. Never less than two since the mid 80's.
This has made try to remember on the fly.
Frames, -- Multiple Contenders, all hammer/safety/switch variations and an Armor Alloy. A couple G-2's and at least one Encore. I only actually use Contenders. The others have been re-homed.
Barrels - I'm just going to list calibers. You can assume 90% 10". Many multiples of some calibers. 22LR, 32 H&R, 270 Ren, 6.5 TCU, 7 TCU, 7Int-R, 30-30, 357, 357 max, 410/45, 10mm, 223, hmmm, maybe not as many calibers as I thought, but the list seems short.
This has made try to remember on the fly.
Frames, -- Multiple Contenders, all hammer/safety/switch variations and an Armor Alloy. A couple G-2's and at least one Encore. I only actually use Contenders. The others have been re-homed.
Barrels - I'm just going to list calibers. You can assume 90% 10". Many multiples of some calibers. 22LR, 32 H&R, 270 Ren, 6.5 TCU, 7 TCU, 7Int-R, 30-30, 357, 357 max, 410/45, 10mm, 223, hmmm, maybe not as many calibers as I thought, but the list seems short.
carbonfibrebob
Redhawk
Is anyone in need of a 10" octagon barrel in 256 Win Mag? I have one to move
I have 3 barrels and (surprisingly) 2 frames; the second frame came as a Contender Carbine...otherwise I'd probably have just one frame. .357Herrett, .221Fireball, .22 rimfire "Match" grade........ they serve all my needs and are fun to shoot.
J.
J.
This leads to another story of my regrets. Some years ago I wound up with two stainless steel frames, and a stainless .22LR Match bull bbl and another stainless 10 inch .410/45 Long Colt vent rib bbl. Loved them but true to my form I sold them. Then later I bought a blued steel frame and had a 10 inch bull barrel in .22 magnum and I loved shooting that one. Once again, I no longer own it. God you would think I would learn.
A favorite story. My wife was having terrible back pain and we had a surgery scheduled and the morning of the surgery we were just killing time before she had to go in. We live in the country and there was a bunch of crows in the trees in the back yard that was just raising cane and my wife was complaining. I had the Contender with the 410 barrel in a case in the kitchen. I got it out, put a shell in it, and told her to go out in the yard and take care of one of them. She took the Contender out and directly shot one of the loud crows and came back into the house. She looked at me and said, "you know what, I feel better"!!
A favorite story. My wife was having terrible back pain and we had a surgery scheduled and the morning of the surgery we were just killing time before she had to go in. We live in the country and there was a bunch of crows in the trees in the back yard that was just raising cane and my wife was complaining. I had the Contender with the 410 barrel in a case in the kitchen. I got it out, put a shell in it, and told her to go out in the yard and take care of one of them. She took the Contender out and directly shot one of the loud crows and came back into the house. She looked at me and said, "you know what, I feel better"!!
I have one frame and only two barrels. a 17 HMR and a 22 lr. They are very fun pistols.
I also have this thing. I know it's some sort of trigger lock, but for the life of me I don't know how it attaches. Is it a trigger lock? Shouldn't it have a
I'm actually trying to get it to fit right now...dootzie.
I also have this thing. I know it's some sort of trigger lock, but for the life of me I don't know how it attaches. Is it a trigger lock? Shouldn't it have a
I'm actually trying to get it to fit right now...dootzie.
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OK! Who designed this thing???
Time to remove it before I lose the key.
Time to remove it before I lose the key.
I've always loved 'em! But, my personal experience with T/C Contenders is ...
...
contender
Ruger Guru
I disagree with the above analogy.
I've had T/C Contenders for over 40 years. And with what I paid for my stuff, I could easily sell & make money. I also have all I need or want in them. And feeding them is easier than the bottom feeding semi-auto shell slingers as well as cheaper.
I've had T/C Contenders for over 40 years. And with what I paid for my stuff, I could easily sell & make money. I also have all I need or want in them. And feeding them is easier than the bottom feeding semi-auto shell slingers as well as cheaper.
Your prerogative Tyrone.
Every barrel needs a scope...Then a base...And then also rings. A blued frame...A stainless frame, each need the proper correspondingly finished barrels.
Hmmm, let's do a rifle on this one...It then needs a stock, then the appropriate matching forend...Plus a RIFLE scope, it most definitely all adds up!
And, I lost my ass on a few of the oddball SSK/JDJ chambered cartridge barrels that I sold back shortly after T/C essentially went belly up.
Not saying that I regret it. It's a hobby, and hobbies do tend to cost a lot of money...Some of which often never gets recovered.
I gotta stick my nose in now. Most of my barrels have open sights. Now I did buy the good silhouette sights, but I can turn them over for lot more than I paid. Adding components is still less costly than another completely new gun that also needs base, rings, scope, etc....
it doesn't matter if it's a T/C rifle or a Remington, Winchester ect. they all need bases of some kind along with rings and the scope , as for the stock and forearm you pay for them on other Brands just in a different way
This thread reminds me of a quote from a TV show (and I NEVER remember quotes from shows or movies). The host was interviewing a retired mafia gangster who had served his time and was living in Boston (IIRC). The host asked him what he did with the "millions of dollars you notably acquired over your years in the mob" (?). The (conservatively well dressed) gangster replied: "Well, I know that I spent a ton of money on booze and broads.......... I guess I must have wasted the rest".
Life is not a dress rehearsal........ don't worry about the future..... enjoy your time here.
IMHO of course
J.
Life is not a dress rehearsal........ don't worry about the future..... enjoy your time here.
IMHO of course
J.
contender
Ruger Guru
BULL'S-EYE,, you are correct in the "bases, rings, scopes" additions to a Contender set-up. But again,, judicious shopping, and keeping these things for use & such,, if I were to sell such stuff, I can often get more out of it than what I put into it. Example; I've bought a few Leupold scopes long ago. Now,, with the fact they are no longer made,, I can get much more than what I paid for them. The same goes for the barrels.
So in my case,, it's not money down the drain,, it's money in the bank!
So in my case,, it's not money down the drain,, it's money in the bank!
I got into the Contender 30 years ago when I had my 1st retina detachment & was told to cut my recoil. Sold my 30 caliber rifles and trap shotgun (hated to do that) but still liked shooting those calibers. Still have my original, and only, frame. Over the years I had the following barrels: 30/30 Winchester, 35 Remington, 375 Winchester, .222, .223, 10MM, 22 Hornet, 17HMR and .204 Ruger. The 17 HMR and .204 Ruger never worked on the older frame regardless that they went back to T/C a couple of times to solve the problem so they were sold. A couple of years ago started having eye problems again and was advised again the cut recoil even in handguns. Sold all by barrels but had a .38 Super 14" made by Bullberry Barrel Works, Ltd. (new owner of Bullberry & now out of business).
I load 14 Calibers. Long ago,I decided to have a Barrel for each.
WellBull Barrels showed up. My Collection Grew
I own 4 different actions
There are 32 barrels on my display
I sold a Barrel,once….ONCE.
I SELDOM PART WITH GUNS I HAVE COLLECTED
I NEVER, IR SELDOM DO A QUICK PICK ON A GUN
EACH ONE IS AN INVESTMENT
CAREFULLY EVALUATED.
Sorry, I don’t share photos.
ChrisL
Single-Sixer
The bases, rings, and scope all go on/with the barrel.
I have several that are dedicated to a particular barrel and a few that are swapped around.
I have a frame and 14 barrels that my dad acquired over the years, most have scopes, not all are currently mounted due to space constraints in my safe.
I also have a Carbine and 2 barrels that my dad bought, after he sent his previous Carbine and barrels to my brother.
My dad really liked them and I need to shoot them more often.
I also have a Carbine and 2 barrels that my dad bought, after he sent his previous Carbine and barrels to my brother.
My dad really liked them and I need to shoot them more often.
LDB
Blackhawk
I remember when they were in most all shops and everywhere. Are there any good current sources for them? I had a .222 Super 14 with a Leupold scope I wish I had back. I'd like to get a .22 Hornet.
I just have one. 45-70. It's for any buffalo that try to sneak up on the house.
