Author Topic: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open  (Read 1334 times)

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Offline Rogerdog

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Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« on: August 16, 2011, 05:58:37 AM »
As a bit of background I have owned my Contender for about two years.  At the time of purchase I had (and still have) an extensive gun collection even including two transferrable submachine guns.  I bought my Contender at a local gun show with the thought of using it as a test bed for my reloading.  It seemed a pretty good deal and included the frame, five barrels (22LR, 221 Fireball, 45/410, 357, and 44mag), three scopes mounted, and a handy briefcase fitted for the works.  All this was purchased for 800 cash and carry. 


Therefore, two years later all my other guns turned into safe queens and ever since I can't let go of that damned Contender.  Honestly, in two years the gun that has been in my hand 90% of the time is that freaking Contender.


On to the question at hand, my Contender is the older non easy open without the switch for save, center, and rimfire.  It has an absolutely wonderful trigger, nice and light and very predictable.  I have found that some barrels are harder to open than others but most have gotten easier with usage.  So is there any downside to upgrading to "easy open"?  I would hate to lose the great trigger but it would be nice to have the gun open a bit easier.  I don't have a problem with the gun but others (especially my wife) think its a bear to open.


Thanks in advance!

Offline luckydawg13

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2011, 06:23:56 AM »
just the loss of your frame in down time but i just dont know how the NEW t/c is on
turn a rounds good luck
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Offline shot1

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2011, 06:32:58 AM »
You will loose you nice trigger that you have now. It will be replaced with a new one.

Offline Ken ONeill

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2011, 10:00:29 AM »
No negatives at all. The new trigger will have it's adjustment screw in the center of the top of the trigger, rather than the side, and is actually superior in my opinion.
HOWEVER, it's worth a phone call before you send it off, because I have no idea who's doing that conversion work now,  nor how long it's taking them. I'd hate to see it sitting in a basement in Springfield for about a year, with no one knowing what to do.

Offline BBF

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2011, 11:42:26 AM »
...........................
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 I don't have a problem with the gun but others (especially my wife) think its a bear to open.
....................

 
 Do you consider that a bad thing? ???
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.

Offline darkgael

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2011, 12:47:43 AM »
I have a similar love affair with the Contender. I own two of them and a bunch of barrels.
One of the triggers is particularly sweet; I  did a polishing, etc. job on it many years ago and the positive effects have endured.
I wouldn't change that.
I know that it is hard, maybe impossible, to quantify what "hard to open" means. For those unfamiliar with Contenders, working the release can be problematic but none of my barrels are difficult to open beyond that.
I wonder why there is a difference from one barrel to another on your gun.
Pete











 

Offline Hafast

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2011, 03:14:11 AM »
Make sure you check what they will do. When T/C came out with the easy pull mod I sent my frame in. When I got it back they had replaced my well tuned trigger system with all stock parts. When I contacted them they said they couldn't allow modified triggers out of their plant due to liability issues. I've never sent anything to them for repair since.
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Offline luckydawg13

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2011, 05:39:48 AM »
i saw a tool to help open up the old frame but the vender is not on this forum
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Offline BillSoTx

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2011, 12:13:48 AM »


I sent mine in for the easy open conversion July 8th. I inquired as to turn around and was told about 4 weeks, right now. Of course they were closed down for 2 weeks, so 6 weeks would be reasonable. That's next week, right?


I was pleased with the person I dealt with. Started with emails and he answered the phone when I called to confirm I had shipping instructions correct.


My frame and original barrel were purchased new in the early 70s - .357. The second barrel around '83 in 7TCU, both opened easy.


Recently purchased a .22LR match and .222 or GunBroker. The .222 was old - new in box, the LR had slight rub marks. Both shot good on my first outing - 100rds. of .222, 200+ rds. of LR. Both opened easy, but when I switched out the LR and tried it again it was a bear to open. I finally resorted to striking the lever with a wooden bat - piece of 2" dowel. I tried the polishing on the split bolts in the sticky (probably didn't do that right, but felt worse). Factory would not send new parts. Next, I tried switching bolts between barrels with slight improvement, I tried a new spring, shortened the spring, all to no avail. Put it back like it was. All that led to the return for easy open update. Sent in 2 barrels, the LR and the .357 which had single piece bolt. That was instructions from phone call.


All 4 barrels are 10" bull with iron sights. I plan on one more barrel - 14" in .223 which will be scoped - ammo less expensive, lots available in factory loading, already have reloading setup for .223 and lots of brass on hand. Already have the base, rings and Leupold M8 2X, but won't purchase until the frame gets back and proves out.


I'll try to remember to come back here and let y'all know if it comes back on time and how it runs. For now, I'll go back to lurkin' and learnin'. I enjoy and appreciate you guys sharin' your knowledge. Stay Safe!




Offline DEACONLLB

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2011, 12:02:17 PM »
The only down side that I know of is that if you have any of the snapon forends that were around for a few years your conversion will unsnap the forend as you are moving the hinge back and the forend was deaigned for the trigger guard to hinge in front so when it drops the front of the trigger guard it hits the forend and off it comes. not many of them around so it may not be a problem for you.
 
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Offline Iowa Fox

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2011, 06:26:47 PM »
I would apply the cost to convert the frame to purchasing an Easy open (over S/N 195,000) frame. Everyone needs at least two frames especially when they own multiple barrels.

Offline pastorp

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2011, 04:24:18 PM »
I believe I agree with the Fox. Just buy your wife a nice used easyopen frame or a G2 frame and Presto everyones happy.  ;D
 
Don't know what they charge now but the last one I had converted was $50.00 + shipping. That was about 10 years ago.
 
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Offline DEACONLLB

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2011, 12:59:25 PM »
Seems to me I saw a price of 69.50 plus shipping plus the added time to get it converted and you also wind up with a pin hole in frame that is not filled or at least the one I saw that was converted was that way
 
Deaconllb
 
 
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Offline Hank08

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Re: Is there any downside to upgrading to easy open
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2011, 06:54:43 PM »
If you recontour the back of the "snap on" forend to the shape of the newer ones they'll work perfectly with the easy open frames, easy to do.
H08