Let’s see your TC pistols

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

I’ve locked in a deal on a contender pistol package now I’m interested to see what y’all got and have done with yours.

Kills, accuracy, customization ect let’s see some sexy contenders!

[Antlers86]

30-30... love it, rarely shoot it. I’m good with it out to 75 and every once in a while hit at 100 with solid rest.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

She’s a beaut.... I’m getting a 30-30/35rem/45LC/357max/44 mag

[Antlers86]

Originally Posted by BLACKFINTURKEY

She’s a beaut.... I’m getting a 30-30/35rem/45LC/357max/44 mag

Thanks! Your going to enjoy them all!

[medicineman]

I’ve always wanted one, but know little about the guns or the optics that go with them.
I do like pistol hunting.

[Drycreek3189]

Nothing sexy about mine, looks just like the one antlers86 posted, except in .375 Win. Longest shot for me was about 120/125 yd. on a doe.

[Kossetx]

Just realized I don't have pics of mine. Bought it used from Texas Contenders about 1983. It's a 1977 manufacture. Came with a octigon 30-30 10" barrel. I have 3 other barrels but mostly shoot that one. A Herrett grip tamed the twist that original stock gave and made it a lot more pleasant to shoot...once you get past that fireball.

[critter69]

I don’t have the contender any more, mine was stolen years ago. I replaced it with an encore, I have a custom 15” 454 casull, and a 7mm br both with Burris scopes. I have shot elk with the casull and only targets with the br. Very accurate, as was my contender, which I had in 44 mag and 223.

[JONES45LC]

7mm-08 and 223


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[Bowtech38]

My dad has a 357 Herret it’s a dang cannon

[cajuntec]

Contender G2 stainless with 17HMR barrel. Ambi grip in Electric Blue.

Original Easy-Open Contenders in .357 Max and 7-30 Waters. Ambi grip on .357. Crusher grip on 7-30. Both in Purple Haze.

Original Easy-Open Contenders in 7TCU and .30 Herrett. Ambi grip on 7TCU. Crusher on .30 Herrett. Both in Cayenne. The .30 Herrett has a .22LR full size insert installed. It sticks out the front of a 10” barrel by a little over 1”. One second, I’m shooting .22LR. Flip the hammer selector to centerfire and remove the adapter, and seconds later I’m shooting .30 Herrett.

I have a few more. Just don’t have pics readily available on my iPad.

All the best,
Glenn

[RifleBowPistol]

Contenders are very accurate, when you get the loads right. So far all of my 30-30 Contenders have been able to shoot 3/8" 100 yard groups. You really have to work at it to do so, but they will do it.

I have had two Super 14 30-30s, now have a 18 Carbine, in 30-30. I would say the carbine I have may be the hardest to shoot accurately, because the stock does not fit me well. I would like to find some wood stock.

The things you really have to work on are finding bullets that will open up at very low velocities. My old 135 gr. Sierra Single Shot pistol bullets, would leave the muzzle at only 2150 fps. But I dropped many deer where they stood at 150 yards, dropped at least one dead where it stood at 250 yards. Farthest shot I ever connected on was 375, I did not realize it was that long of a shot or I would not have taken it.
Even at those very low velocities, that old Sierra bullet would open up and loose a lot of energy into whatever it hit. Those were specialty bullets made specifically for those guns, they worked great. Now days, the best I have been able to find is the 125 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip. But I am also pushing those bullets out a 18" barrel a 2740 fps. But my previous load pushed the same bullet to 2550 fps, at that velocity that bullet worked very well. Not sure how well it would work leaving the muzzle at 2150. I would bet it would not open up much at all. I have seen both the old Sierra bullet and Ballistic Tip cut in half and can tell you for sure the Ballistic Tip has a noticeably thicker jacket.

If you got a 16" barrel that will help with velocity some, then newer powders that did not exist when was last loading for the Super 14 barrels, it may be possible to get two or three hundred more fps from a 14" barrel now days and then some more from a 16" barrel.

Since you did not say what caliber you got, kind of hard to say, how well it will work for deer sized game. Now days, it would probably be easier to get a 347 Maximum to work, since it shoots pistol bullets, which will be thin jacketed bullets. The two most popular Contender calibers are the 7X30 Waters and the 357 Maximum, followed by the 30-30 and 223.

I just bought a 445 Supermag barrel for my Contender, since I already had the brass. That should be a interesting round. I have done a bunch of reading on it lately, turns out it was a flop in revolvers it was designed for, just like the 357 Maximum. But like the 357 Maximum, it is a great Contender or single shot rifle caliber.

If you bought a rifle caliber barrel, such as a 7X30 Waters, 30-30, or one of the old 6mm TCU, 7mm TCU, you might have trouble finding bullets that will kill quickly, but maybe not. They also made 444 Marlin, 45-70 barrels. Then some more of the old wildcat rounds are the 30 Herrett, 357 Herrett, 375 JDJ, was one I always wanted to try. That was considered the king of big game handgun calibers back in the 80s.

I have had many 223 barrels, 22 LR barrels, then a few 17 HMR barrels and a 204 Ruger barrel. I never gave those calibers much credit in a Contender, as good hunting calibers. But they work, and a lot of people like them in Contenders. I just like the bigger calibers in a Contender.

There are a lot of choices of grips and forearms, The only pistol grips I have used are the old wooden grips with the finger grooves and the thumb rest, and I think I had a set of Pachmyer grip and forearm at one time. I think that was when I got rid of my last pistol barrels, because they were 17 HMR 22 LR and 223. Should have kept the grip and forearm.

The triggers are adjustable, they are light crisp, triggers with very little over travel and no creep at all.

If you shoot the gun enough, the long eye relief scope, is just as easy to see through as a short eye relief rifle scope. I have made some pretty fast shots with some of my Super 14 guns. I popped a fox 50 yards off hand, pretty fast shot. I just saw something moving through some tall grass quickly, then it stopped I focused on the stop where it stopped, realized it was a fox, snapped the gun off and squeezed off quickly. Got him straight through the heart. My buddy was standing next to me trying to figure out what was going on.

About the same point in time, I shot a running axis at about 80 to 100 yards quartering away up a hill. It was a odd angle shot, I was not sure where to aim, but never once thought that I would not hit it, I just was not sure where to aim. I wound up hitting him through the top of the left lung, through the top front of the right lung, and then the bullet stopped under the skin on the front of the right shoulder. He made it about 100 yards after he was hit, then went down in a creek.

Another time I popped a trotting whitetail buck from about the same distance, got him through the heart. He kept trotting like I never hit him, ran in a straight line, up into the brush, then dropped dead about 100 yards from where he was hit. Then fell off a cliff and wound up getting hung up on some oak trees growing out of the side of the cliff. That one was hard to recover. There was cliffs above and below where the oak trees were growing out of the side of the cliff. I wound up climbing down from above, stood on the oak trees, he was hung up on, then tossed him off of the cliff. He wound up way down the side of that hill, that was fun getting that deer out of there. He had very little hair left on him, by the time I got him back to a clearing I could get the truck to. Looked like he had a bad case of mange.

Shooting young bucks and does standing still, from ranges of 150 yards out to 250 yards, those all dropped where they stood, instantly, like I had neck shot them, but they were heart shots. Getting a bullet to expand and release what energy it has is the key to fast kills.

I have said for 25 years, I was going to get rid of my 30-30 pieces and switch to 7X30 Waters, never have. The old 30-30 just works too good to give it up and I have a lot of brass, and dies. Truly, The 30-30 has done plenty good job out to 250 yards, no reason to switch to the 7X30 Waters. The Waters would have a little flatter trajectory and higher BC numbers, so it should hit a little harder at longer ranges.
Back when I shot handguns a lot, I decided 250 was as far as I ever wanted to shoot anything with the 30-30. There were guys who used single shot handguns, to drop deer and antelope out to 350 and 400 yards all the time. Bob Milek was the king of single shot hand guns for hunting. That guy killed a lot of stuff way beyond the ranges I ever shot to.

It takes time and dedication to get really good with a handgun, but it's very doable.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Good stuff keep it coming men

[cwill]

Love me some T/Cs! Got my first one, 10" 22 hornet, 33 years ago and killed a few does with it. Also have a 15" ported 44 mag barrel and 21"223 barrel for it. Got an encore about 15 years ago with a 15" 7mm08 barrel and killed a doe or two with it. My contender is mostly stock but I did add pachmyer grip and forend to it. Had a set of walnut/maple furniture built for the encore. Haven't gun hunted in a long time, but when I do it again it will be with my T/Cs!

[sendit]

I have a couple. One blued and the other is a silver alloy finish. I forgot what T/C called it. Have a 8” threaded .22 RF, an 8” 44 mag, 14” threaded 7-30 Waters, 16” threaded 223 Rem, 14” threaded 375 JDJ and a 16” threaded 358 JDJ.

Growing up as a young boy I remember an uncle having a weird looking handgun with a funny thing on the end of the barrel. It was an original 10”octagon 44 mag that fired T/C’s then new shot shells and the thing was a choke tube. T/C used to have the best detailed catalogs put out yearly.

Great handguns in their day.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Anyone run a suppressor on their contender pistols?

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Let’s bring this up and start a tc only thread. Just got my contenders and I’m ready to learn!

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Here are a few pics of mine.
First up 357 max wearing a 2x leupold and pachmayr grips.
Here is my 35 rem wearing 2x leupold and original wood.


44 mag with pachmayrs
My fill collection other barrels are 30-30 and 45lc.


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[Texas Grown]

Chris, your safe is gonna look like mine before long.


There are several models of that first Gen frame.


On that 35Rem; I've got one I got back in the late 1980s. Pending which barrel you've got, some shoot a very wide array of diameters. I've shot 9mm through 35cal projectiles out of mine. And up to 250gr Speer spitzers just for fun lobbing them at a 5 gallon gas can at 250 yards. Even run some .358" 158gr lead just for fun. Got a 1.5-4x20 LER Burris I mounted on it when I bought it. Not sure how many rounds I've had through that barrel.



Also Remington makes a factory 150gr spire point load that is very flat shooting. Shot my last pistol buck with it just under the chin at 101 yards cause he was facing me. Bang-plop . I've shot turkeys and a number of other things with it. I've got several boxes of 150gr 35 cal projectiles for reloading when I get back around to it. Got them from Mr Buzz Chambly of Fox River Outfitters back when they were in business.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Lol I kinda just dove into the the T/C scene not 1 but 3 lol, anyway my barrel is a tc super 14 on the 30-30/35 rem/and 357 max.

Trying to get the giant of shootings these things they are a little different than a rifle to say the least.

My first range day I was getting 1.5” groups with the 3 I mentioned at 50 yards but not as consistent as I’d like to be. I’m sure it’s just a learning curve. After 50 rounds of 35 rem and 357 max plus another 20 rounds of 30-30 my hand was pretty beat up.

Do you have a pet load for the 35 rem? I’m playing with the 200gr rn Sierra right now as I’ve got about 200 of them.


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[Texas Grown]

Look for some 180gr in 35cal. Seems to be the most proficient. I don't have a pet load per say for that one. It's been more entertaining that way.


But my 10" bullbarrel .45/.410 I do. It's not real accurate past 30 yards. But puts a bad hurt-n on the hogs with a 250 XTP. Also doubles as a quail gun with the .410. Light and easy to carry too. Mine has the bull-barrel target sights on it and no vent-rib. Also got .41Mag. .357Mag, .44Mag, in 10Bull. And a 23" Bull-barrel in 7x30 with a rifle stock and forend for it. Can't remember what else right at the moment. Besides the various blueed frames I've own/owned, I do have a stainless frame that is pretty sweet. They also made some frames with a Duracoat that looks kinda like stainless, so don't be fooled.



Those triggers can be slicked up quite a bit. Bellm T/C used to have some good info on doing it. Or you can send it to him and get it done. Makes a huge difference in shooting. There are several things that can be done to improve accuracy with a frame and barrel combo.


If you get a chance, do some research on barrels and their lugs. And how the lugs have changed over the years. That way, when you pick a barrel up, you'll know pretty quick by looking at the lug what your holding.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Pictures above is also a 45lc/410 and 44mag both iron sights. I have not put the 45lc or 44 on paper yet waiting on some brass for the 44 and I just have some cowboy loads for the 45.

I have some 180 xtp sim playing with in the max that I could also use in the 35 rem. I sure wish we weren’t having the ammo shortages right now. I hate just shooting to shoot but man these are fun!

I plan on trying to get a hog soon with one the contenders, need more practice at 100yards just incase!

[kenforu]

Here are both of mine. Both are awesome shooting pistols.

[cwill]

7/08 Encore with custom walnut/maple furniture. Had bench and hunting forends made to match my grip. This thing shoots WAY better than I do!

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[Bureau2]

Some awesome weapons you men have! Love the single shots...

[MUZZYSLINGR]

These are some pretty looking pistols. Only ever had one, briefly. It was a 45/410 . Sold it to help fund my gunsmiths school.

I sold it quick before I could get attached to it.

It’s now one of those ones I wish I had never sold.


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[SaltwaterSlick]

Man, this thread is makin' me want to dig mine out the safe and pop a few caps... Used to love to hunt/shoot these things... Have a bobcat mounted with a quail in his mouth... killed the cat with the super 14" in 223 125 yards and killed the quail with the .410/45 10" barrel... Longest shot ever was 196 yard head shot on a doe with the super 16 7-30 Waters... The .223 and 7-30 are topped with a 2.5-8X Leupolds. The 22LR super 14 is topped with a 4X leupold all ELR's... Have a fancy velvet lined custom case to hold the whole collection that I've been threatening to dig out of retirement and photograph and put up for sale on here... but haven't because I know I'd be kickin' myseff in the arse if I ever solt 'em... The thumb rest grip (have em for both frames) are even lefty... as are my hammer extensions...


That 7-30 is a letitimate 200 yard pistol... best group ever was .750" 5 shot at 200 yards off bags...

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

Man, this thread is makin' me want to dig mine out the safe and pop a few caps... Used to love to hunt/shoot these things... Have a bobcat mounted with a quail in his mouth... killed the cat with the super 14" in 223 125 yards and killed the quail with the .410/45 10" barrel... Longest shot ever was 196 yard head shot on a doe with the super 16 7-30 Waters... The .223 and 7-30 are topped with a 2.5-8X Leupolds. The 22LR super 14 is topped with a 4X leupold all ELR's... Have a fancy velvet lined custom case to hold the whole collection that I've been threatening to dig out of retirement and photograph and put up for sale on here... but haven't because I know I'd be kickin' myseff in the arse if I ever solt 'em... The thumb rest grip (have em for both frames) are even lefty... as are my hammer extensions...


That 7-30 is a letitimate 200 yard pistol... best group ever was .750" 5 shot at 200 yards off bags...



Attachment 1039861

Slick if you ever part with some barrels I’d be interested in some! Awesome story on the successful use of these pistols!

[SaltwaterSlick]

Chris, if you have good equipment and ammo, the secret to accurate shooting is learning how to hold the firearm still on POA and break the shot smoothly... Personally, I find it easier, more comfortable doing that with these Contenders than most rifles... They have great triggers, the optics are far from your eye, you have a much better view of the big and small "picture" prior to the shot, and if you have a steady rest, to me, it's easier to shoot them accurately at some stretched out ranges...


I have a pistol perch that I fabricated out of aluminum that clamps to the window ledge of my gun stand. It has a sand bag for the butt of the pistol to sit on, and a fore-end bag that the front of the fore-end sits on that is adjustable... once I get it close to target, sliding it back and forth displaces sand in the sand bag on the butt untill it is dead on. Then just a gentle squeeze and BOOM!! No flinching, no getting "scoped", none of that stuff...



Bought the 410/45 barrel for dove hunting then found out that it is illegal to shoot doves with it... (Feds say it must be a shotgun fired from the shoulder) but It's been the death of many, many quail and even a couple turkeys...

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

Chris, if you have good equipment and ammo, the secret to accurate shooting is learning how to hold the firearm still on POA and break the shot smoothly... Personally, I find it easier, more comfortable doing that with these Contenders than most rifles... They have great triggers, the optics are far from your eye, you have a much better view of the big and small "picture" prior to the shot, and if you have a steady rest, to me, it's easier to shoot them accurately at some stretched out ranges...


I have a pistol perch that I fabricated out of aluminum that clamps to the window ledge of my gun stand. It has a sand bag for the butt of the pistol to sit on, and a fore-end bag that the front of the fore-end sits on that is adjustable... once I get it close to target, sliding it back and forth displaces sand in the sand bag on the butt untill it is dead on. Then just a gentle squeeze and BOOM!! No flinching, no getting "scoped", none of that stuff...



Bought the 410/45 barrel for dove hunting then found out that it is illegal to shoot doves with it... (Feds say it must be a shotgun fired from the shoulder) but It's been the death of many, many quail and even a couple turkeys...

Thanks for the tips. I managed 1.5” groups at 50yards nothing impressive but there is a learning curve for sure. Your 100% right the triggers are great better than most rifles out there. Recoil management and grip are two things I need to improve on vastly. That will improve with more rounds down range.

I need to find me a 22lr barrel!

[cantexduck]

Not mine but a hunter that hunts a bunch with me.
7mm08 ,6.5 cm and 308 barrels. These were the last animals shot with it. Probably have seen 40 plus animals shot with that encore.
Mike










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[ar3731guy]

Here is mine. .260 Rem I bought off here a year or 2 ago. I can keep 5 in a snuff can at 100 yds with a good rest.
Ok, for some reason it wont load correctly.