Author Topic: Age of contender owners (Read 13758 times)

redneckdan · « **Reply #60 on:** October 24, 2011, 08:12:35 AM »

Currently 26, bought my first contender at 22. A 5 digit .223 super 14. Have added a few barrels and an encore since. Mostly in wildcat calibers such as .30 herret, 9.5x57, 7x444, etc....

Flashole · « **Reply #61 on:** October 24, 2011, 03:43:31 PM »

Got my first contender close to 20 years ago. 30/30 and still have it. About ten years ago I picked up a 445 SM. I just won a bid on Gunbroker for a 35 Rem. Have a few questions about the round and will open a new thread soon.
55 years young

=FLASH=

rdlange · « **Reply #62 on:** October 24, 2011, 05:54:45 PM »

Just won the bid on my first; 10" 22LR bull barrel, looks like an early model. I'm 64 and have always been a rifleman. Even an old dog can learn new tricks.

Be well...

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #63 on:** October 24, 2011, 06:52:14 PM »

I think there is a reason why the Contender is owned by an older crowd.
It takes us a while to take up the challange of a single shot pistol. One has always been on my list, just other things were ahead of it.
To play other games or to shoot faster, or to hunt new game in exotic places.

butchen · « **Reply #64 on:** October 25, 2011, 02:58:34 PM »

Quote from: Flashole on October 24, 2011, 03:43:31 PM

Got my first contender close to 20 years ago. 30/30 and still have it. About ten years ago I picked up a 445 SM. I just won a bid on Gunbroker for a 35 Rem. Have a few questions about the round and will open a new thread soon.
55 years young

=FLASH=

the 35 is one of the best rounds for the Contender 2nd only to the 45-70 in my book and I have both. My 35 works best with 200gr. Have fun after all that's the name of the game, right?

jbj-displays · « **Reply #65 on:** October 29, 2011, 03:51:02 PM »

I'm 38 and was 21 when I bought my first Contender. I know that I have shot more game with a Contender than any other firearm. I would pick up my Contender first even if I could use a slug gun here in Iowa. Since the 1st Contender it has multiplied in the vault. Now I have 92 different barrels and 12 frames. And want more !!

butchen · « **Reply #66 on:** October 30, 2011, 02:32:20 PM »

Quote from: jbj-displays on October 29, 2011, 03:51:02 PM

I'm 38 and was 21 when I bought my first Contender. I know that I have shot more game with a Contender than any other firearm. I would pick up my Contender first even if I could use a slug gun here in Iowa. Since the 1st Contender it has multiplied in the vault. Now I have 92 different barrels and 12 frames. And want more !!

I keep telling y'all that they are a form of rabbit.........I just know they are.......or maybe it's just an addiction, we need a patch!!!!

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #67 on:** October 31, 2011, 04:49:14 AM »

I bought my first Contender in 1978 after attending my 1st handgun metallic silhouette match, which was just after the Super 14 barrels were introduced. By the time that year was out , I had 3 14" barrels and 1 10" to go with 2 actions. Every serious handgunner owned them around here by the end of the 70's / beginning of the 80's, because IHMSA and NRA silhouette competitions were extremely popular then in N.C.
The interest in such competitions has faded a lot around here, but I have hunted a great deal with Contenders in various corners of the world since then, and in fact used one in .257 JDJ on my pronghorn hunt just 2-3 weeks ago.
Today I own a bit over a dozen actions with about a couple dozen barrels - certainly more than I need, but I guess none are for sale. Some of the actions are stainless, but most were blued that have been SSK Khromed. Some of the barrels are T/C OEM, some are by SSK. I use, shoot and hunt with other types of handguns, but nothing is really better, nor more versatile than a Contender, in my opinion.

Interestingly, although I know there are bunches of them in closets or safes around here, I rarely see them offered for sale ....
I'm 67, darned near 68. I agree with the OP. Around here, they now appear to be an "old guy" gun. What a shame.

Mack in N.C. · « **Reply #68 on:** November 01, 2011, 05:04:22 PM »

got my first in 1979 when I was 16.......22lr....then added 14 in 30-30 with scope, then 45colt/410 then 10 inch 30-30 nnow looking for .357 mag or max,........so 32 years .................i have had 2 frames....1sr one was replaced by tc as the frame stretched on factory loads......Mack

I make oil · « **Reply #69 on:** November 02, 2011, 03:23:19 AM »

When I was 12 I got a crack barrel shotgun for Christmas. I have liked single shots ever since. While growing up some of my Dad's co workers hunted with Contenders in .41mag. I thought they were the coolest things ever. I couldn't wait to get one. When I turned 21 I was in the USMC trying to feed a family on Corporal pay but somehow I found the money to buy my first Contender at a gun show. It was an older frame with a octogon 45LC/410 barrel on it it also came with a octogon 25/35 barrel. I couldn't find any ammo for the 25/35 barrel and didn't reload so I sold it and bought a barrel in .44 Mag. That was the only gun I hunted with for years. While living in New Orleans years later it was stolen from my house. I wanted another but it was years later before I could get one. Now I am 42 and own 5 frames and 15 barrels. The 7-30 Waters and .22's are my favorites. I have yet to get another 25/35 but think I need to find one just to shoot it and see how it feels. Now all my kids shoot Contenders and so does my wife. I think I given them all the TC sickness.

grhornet · « **Reply #70 on:** November 03, 2011, 09:08:35 AM »

I am 70. Got my first one in 1969, a 38 special. always had at least two ever since. even when i cant hunt and in a wheel chair i will have one . just to hold and to look at and think about all of the enjoyment they have brought me.
Rich

wvjoetc · « **Reply #71 on:** November 06, 2011, 09:06:00 AM »

I'm 55 and I got my first Contender about twenty years ago, it was a 22 Hornet, I just dropped it off to have it reblued. That little 10" Hornet barrel has shot many a critter. I have three frames and six barrels, last year I made a trade here with one of our members for a 17 Mach II Super 14. What a fun one to shoot.

Joe

RangerRiz · « **Reply #72 on:** November 14, 2011, 04:48:14 PM »

I received my first contender from my wife 13 years ago as a wedding present. That was when I was 23. I had that first one for about 6 months and money got tight and it was sold to pay for something. My current contender has been with me for 4 years. I have 2 barrels one in .22 and one in Max.

Ranger

baitcaster · « **Reply #73 on:** November 15, 2011, 09:32:34 AM »

I finally got a contender again, I had one in 1981 and killed a deer with it while stationed in Wa, but I let a friend talk me out of it and now I got me a 7-30 waters. just loaded and shot it and got it sighted in, I load 120 grain sierra with H335 and I could not believe how good it shot, 3X4 inch at 50 yds and about one inch a 100 yds, I'm 64 years and really enjoying my live. baitcaster

P.A. Myers · « **Reply #74 on:** November 15, 2011, 09:54:56 PM »

I got my first Contender when I was 32, that was 32 years ago.

P.A.

223fan · « **Reply #75 on:** November 16, 2011, 03:59:07 AM »

I don't own a contender anymore,but I did buy one when I was 25, it was in 17 remington(wish I had it back).I do shoot an encore now though.

adam11082 · « **Reply #76 on:** November 20, 2011, 09:19:06 AM »

I'm 29 and just bought my first Contender in .30-30 last Wednesday. I can definitely see myself spending a ton of money on this platform.

Gswag · « **Reply #77 on:** November 21, 2011, 04:17:15 PM »

34 here. Got my first one probably 8 years or so ago and sold it to a buddy. Have hunted exclusively with sixguns for about 10 years but got into the single shots again last November. I have 5 frames with barrels and one of the encores. I've found that I really like the accuracy of these guns. I'm not going to sell my Freedom Arms or Rugers but they haven't gotten as much field time lately. These TC's are just tackdrivers.
Now, as far as the youngest in this thread....it would be my son so far. He has a nice carbine that we got from Ladobe and Mr. JD made him a nice 20" 6.5 JDJ barrel to fit it also. He's had that carbine since he was 3 and a half years old. He turns 5 this year at the same time as Ken above

Don't tell him that they are old guy guns, he may not want to shoot it then

Minnesota1 · « **Reply #78 on:** November 21, 2011, 05:34:27 PM »

39 and have been shooting contenders since I was 11!

twohats · « **Reply #79 on:** November 22, 2011, 03:24:52 PM »

I'm 51 and got my first Contender @ 5 yrs ago and it was an older easy open frame and I never hunted with it for ayear cause I just couldn't get use to it.I missed a few deer and got frustrated.I then decided to put a scope on the 30/30 and killed two deer that year and instantly fell in love with the set up.I really wanted a G2 and sold that one and got the the G2 with a 7-30 Waters barrell,then a .14in .44 and then a .444 and now a .35 Rem and a couple weeks ago a ML barrell from Gonic in .45.I hunt with the longbow and then when gun season comes in the TC and I head out to the woods.What a blast....

Thane_Of_Fife · « **Reply #80 on:** November 27, 2011, 05:37:05 PM »

I'm one month from 27 and bought my first contender with a 22LR 10" octagonal barrel shortly before I turned 22. I found myself helpless to resist the precision of the button rifling and option to slap on several different calibers. I currently own a 16" 45-70 gov, 14" 223 rem, 8" octagonal 44 magnum, (brutal on the hands), and of course the 22LR that came with the piece. I'm currently contemplating the purchase of either a 22 hornet or 204 ruger barrel and maybe another frame so I can designate one for rifle to be in compliance with BATFE. I'm a former U.S. Marine who has no use for tilting a firearm sideways and trying to send as many rounds down range as possible. My ideal shooting situation is 500yds or better but such is not available in the People's Republic of Illinois. I reload my own ammunition and only do so under strict tolerances; this is the kind of shooter I am.
JD

Oh by the way, would anyone have a clue where I can buy the screws for mounting a williams micrometer sight to the longer barrels with 4 screw holes conventionally used for scope mounts/ rail? Obviously I would need the same screws as are used for a rail but a tad shorter. If someone could inform me as to the proper thread diameter, pitch and tpi that would work as well.
Thanks
JD

dstegjas · « **Reply #81 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:00:17 AM »

I bought my first Contender when I was 42. The price was right and it was interesting. It was really more a novelty then anything else. There isn't really anything you can hunt in Ohio with a .35 Remington. I am 55 now and still shoot and hunt with a Contender. Although the .35 Remington barrel is long gone. I have owned many pistol and carbine barrels since the first one. I see a place in my gun safe for Contenders for a long time to come.

cowboyup453 · « **Reply #82 on:** December 12, 2011, 08:00:01 PM »

I am 32. I got my first contender 5 or 6 years ago( I wanted one before that, but well you know life got in the way). I am a single shot guy. My first gun was a H&R 20ga Shot gun. Next was a cva kit gun put together by my dad and I. I hunt mostly with a front stuffer. I will take a wheel gun over a simi any day, what can I say they just work.

dragoondrake · « **Reply #83 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:50:58 AM »

I am 25 and I bought my first contender when I was 21. I now own one contender frame, two encore frames, and 24+ barrels for the 3 frames. I own a few revolvers and two semi's. 1 1911 that I built from the frame up and a Ruger MK II target. Everything else I own is a bolt action and most of those are single shots.

1puckaway · « **Reply #84 on:** December 16, 2011, 03:16:41 PM »

56 As of this year just dug my contender out of the basement the kids are gone so time for shooting again.I put the Contender away 25 years ago when it would no longer shoot I have sent the frame back to T/C two weeks ago now wait and see.

teamnelson · « **Reply #85 on:** December 16, 2011, 03:40:39 PM »

Got my first contender 8 years ago, I was 35. Shooting IHMSA next to a fella that said he'd trade his whole set up for a .22 bull barrel, wasn't hitting nothing. Found a barrel for $125, swapped it with him for an early frame with an octagonal .22lr 10", original grip and forend. Managed to get far better out of that one than that fella ever did. Sold that frame, like an idjit, but now have a g2 with ol' georgia jim grip and schnabel forend on a ss 10" .22 and 10" 357 max. Have traded through several variations. Also got into Encores there for a bit. [size=78%]But I wanted a Contender in the 70's as a boy, saw a picture of one in a magazine; figured the 223 hunter was the best idea ever. Have yet to own one of those ... but there's still time.[/size]

I agree its less age than shooting philosophy, but there seems to be a higher percentage of single shot afficinados over 40 than under. I think Rossi's, Handis, and the new HotShots are keeping it alive in the younger crowd.

454-hunter · « **Reply #86 on:** December 17, 2011, 04:17:30 PM »

I am 39 I think contenders and encores are similar and following that train of thought I bought my first encore about 4 years ago and I love it .I started out with a revolver as young as 14or 15 yrs. old 22 mag. used to raccoon hunt with it . Shot a lot of raccoon with that revolver a H&R 12 barrel model 656 it is owned by my dad but he is 68 and cant see the front sight any more so it stays at my house. I became a policeman in 1996 . My first revolver was a GP100 357 magnum used that wheel gun to qualify and pass my shooting examination at the police academy the instructors really liked it. I then bought a 44magnum ruger super redhawk loved that gun shot lots a deer with that one the dove tail mount on top stretched probably my fault from a lose mount and heavy load sold it and bought a 454 casull raging bull taurus nice gun shot several nice bucks with that one too got rid of it because it started to cut the top strap slightly . I then got the encore about 4 or 5 yrs. ago i came to the conclusion that having more than one shot was not that important . When I was hunting I realized that you really only get one one real quick kill shot anyway after that if needed after they are down a followup and with the revolvers I never used them in double action only single and if you are going to connect you are going to do it on the first shot anyway so I have had several nice deer fall to my encore sice and aint never looked back bought the 460 s&w barrel and a 30-06 barrel and mainly have used the 460 barrel with 454 casull ammo but use the 460 ammo for bear 454 for deer and 45 for plinking . Have only one complaint aint found a scope yet that will hold up to stiff recoil for longer than one season had one go out on me mid season had to go back to open sights which is probably the best anyway . I am 39 and never looking back to a pistol or a wheel gun as my main hunting weapon. . However I have used handguns since I was a young man probably because of my dad an old country boy from West Virginia .
Thanks Stan

mkee · « **Reply #87 on:** December 18, 2011, 02:32:09 PM »

I'm 32 and bought my first Contender about 12 years ago. 1 frame with a 7-30 waters and a 223. Prefer the contender over the encore, but I do still have an Encore frame for long gun usage. I've owned about 20 frames, and probably 50 or more barrels since I started. Hope to never be without one. I've bought a few semi-autos, but have traded out of them for contenders and wheelguns.

singleVI · « **Reply #88 on:** December 21, 2011, 03:43:54 PM »

I put mine together last Christmas, when I was 22. It took me six years to finally commit to the project (and acquire the $$). 14" MGM .223 G2 Contender. Cant decide on my next MGM barrel. Either 8" .22 or .357 Mag.

patrick_sween · « **Reply #89 on:** December 21, 2011, 04:30:53 PM »

Well, I'm 35 now and bought my first Contender carbine at 16 (legally dad bought it). Got my first pistol length at 18 the same way. Still shooting them both plus more and not planning to stop any time soon.

Patrick