Nub Needs Info

[bdavis@1911ssc.org]

I have wanted a Contender for several years, stumbled across a great deal, bought it(built in 1972 and never fired, three barrels).  My questions is:  The action is very difficult to break open, the gun was/is virtually unfired (until yesterday).  Ran about 35 .223 (Black Hills) through it.  Action  takes two hands to squeeze the trigger guard to open, and often can't for several tries.  Fired brass is raised up but  literally requires a tool to extract.  Is this normal?  Will it "shoot itself in?"  Or, what needs to be done? I can live with the extraction issue, but not the resistance to opening.  Thanks.

[luckydawg13]

you can send it back to t/c and they can change it to a easy open frame as fare as the brass to extract no that is not normal
 your extractor pin may be bent its held in by one roll pin if you nock it out just enough to take it out and put a spent case in
if it comes out easy then your pin is bent if its still hard to take out is the bore clean

[shot1]

Sounds like you ammo is TOO HOT also.

[Bigeasy]

Sounds similar to a problem I was having with an early TC frame in .223.  The pre- easy open actions can be stiff to open, no doubt about it.  Is it harder to open after firing a round?  That was the problem with mine, using UltraMax reloads in military brass.  Primers seemed soft, and the firing pin was sticking in the primers, causing a swipe mark on the primers (see photo), and hard opening.  Using Federal factory loads, as well as reloads with CCI primers did away with the problem.

Had the same problem using factory Winchester 30-30 ammo.  Didn't happen with factory Remington though.  Finally fixed the problem by replacing the firing pin spring, which was too weak, allowing the firing pin to stick in primers instead of pulling back below the firing pin opening of the frame.

As far as the empty casings sticking in the chamber, that does sound like high pressure, though it could be a rough chamber causing the brass to stick.  I would try another brand of ammo and see how it works.

Larry

[bdavis@1911ssc.org]

The ammo's not too hot, the case drags on the extractor when you insert it.  Yes, it is harder to open after it is fired.  I don't usually send guns back for any kind of work; generally take care of it myself.  Unfortunately all me experience is the 1911 platform.  After firing the action did open smoother, it was getting it to unlock.  It took two men and a boy on a couple of occasions. Feels very gritty like it is dragging on something it should not be dragging on. As for dirty bore, chamber, etc the gun is brand new -- it has never been fired.  I do intend to take it down and clean and oil it.  I also intend to try the other calibers to see about extraction.  Thanks for the suggestions, it helps me narrow it down.

[P.A. Myers]

A stainless steel CHAMBER brush casn often solve extraction problems in new guns. Note the diagram.  Stone surface 'A' , knock the edge off surface 'C'. The entire lug should move easily in its slot. Go slow, you can do it.

[bdavis@1911ssc.org]

Looks like PA Meyers got it.  I tore the entire gun down and figured it out, then read the email.  I did stone  the area and it made a great deal of difference.  It is still a little hard, but I think it is to a point where it can wear itself in.  The extractor needed to be bent a little it was dragging substantially on the cartridge as it was inserted and difficult to extract.  Now I just need to test fire it to see if the extractor is engaging enough to life the casing. 

[Hopalong7]

     The extractor has to drag(at least to some extent)on a rimless cartridge in the Contender or it will not engage enough of the rim to extract.  The old pre-easy open frame will never open as easy as a later model, but it shouldn't take two men and a boy either.
    Have I ever mentioned that I like rimmed cases for my contender?
Walt

[bdavis@1911ssc.org]

I understand that there has to be some drag by the extract so that it can pop under the case head and into the rim.  I was literally having to take a screw driver and put the tip into the groove to begin to pull it out.  Suggestions were very helpful.

[Ladobe]

Welcome to the world of Contenders, and GBO.

The earliest frames are indeed very serviceable as they came from the factory.   They were all we had for the first 14 years, so we enjoyed them and lived with them not knowing better until 1981 when the easy open version came along.   With the frame being new as you say, it will loosen up a little when shot in with the barrels and become a bit easier to open.   But the conversion to easy open makes these early frames like driving a Cadillac instead of a Pinto.   Not a project you'll want to take on yourself though, and well worth the price of addmission TC charges to do it.    Seems like the last I heard around $55.    With the conversion you'll also want to update any early flat base barrels from solid to two piece locking bolts as well.   Easy to do yourself with parts from TC.   While they have it they can also update the hammer to the easier to use rimfire/centerfire selector lever, and I don't think there is a charge for that.

[Mikebiker]

At this time the entire TC gunsmithing operation is being moved to Springfield. This is due to the purchase of TC by S&W. I called about a conversion the other day and was told to wait until July and in m y opinion the end of the summer would be better. Some of the conversion parts were out of stock.

[tward91574]

Just got my Contender back from the factory after the Easy open conversion. Took them about a month, I called every week or so and always had courteous replies. I got a call last week asking if I was willing to let them use a Stainless steel trigger guard as they were out of blued ones and were waiting for production to commence at Springfield, Mass. I went for it and now have a blue shell, receiver? with SS guts. The charge was $55. I sent in the action and a SS 22lr barrel that I had screwed up the locking bolts on trying to get the barrel to fit. When I got it back the barrel was fitted, the trigger guard and guts were SS and they had put on a black synthetic stock, no charge! The action opens well and the trigger pull seems a little heaver but breaks crisply with no overtravel ! They also put on the new style hammer with the three position lever also in SS. Going to range tomarrow to see how it shoots.
 Tim

[Hopalong7]

     You came outta that deal smellin' lika ROSE....glad to hear it!!!   Maybe they're is still hope for life at TC !!  YES!!!
Walt

[tward91574]

Thanks hopalong7! Took gun to the range today, got some good groups but after about 60 rounds I wasn't getting enough firing pin crush on the rims for them to fire. Got it home and cleaned it up seemed like the firing pins were a little gritty so I cleaned and lubed them as best I could. Hope that works!
   After cleaning decided to try my 357 Maximum barrel. Nice tight lockup but would not unlock! Tried the rubber mallet on trigger guard to open the action. It worked but just seems wrong! Will try stoning the locking lugs today.
  Tim

[spinafish]

when you get it all ironed out...you will be so happy!

[tward91574]

Finally got my contender problems worked out, in the process I changed the hammer spring, removed and cleaned the firing pins and replaced the bolt spring with a heavy duty mb spring. I did all this and still had problems, so back to basics, cleaned and degreased the action and lubed with drilube, result no more misfires!!