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Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=45483&th=19206#msg_45483
If you have anything you'd like more on let me know by PM and I'll see what I can do.]]>Crubear2019-09-16T14:04:18-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=45484&th=19206#msg_45484
Since that first frame was sold the Contender has gone through a variety of changes to make it easier to produce (frame etching), easier to use (easy open), and stronger (G2). During each phase there were different varieties as well. I won't be covering all of them, but you'll get to see more than a few here.
As for barrels? This is the last you'll read of them in this thread. There are more than a few different barrel types, shapes, configurations, sights, etc... and I don't have the expertise or collection to show you all of them. The one thing I can tell you is don't ever look for standardized sights. They came off, got lost, got switched, got mixed, and otherwise may have very little to do with the barrel they're on.]]>Crubear2019-09-16T15:08:08-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=45485&th=19206#msg_45485
(Very early Contender Ad)
The above ad shows a very early version of the Contender.
It has:
- A flat or slab side
- A bare, almost skeleton hammer
- The trigger creep screw is accessed from inside the frame.
Pay attention to the grip and forend. The early caliber offereins were fairly low pressure and the stock sets were designed for such. You can see in the ad that there isn't much to the grip and the barrels have a screw with a round top. The forend just snapped on and off.
When magnum calibers became popular in the early 70's TC started to get calls. It seems the recoil exceeded the clamping strength of the forend and Newton's Law of Inertia came into play. You would shoot, bend over, pick up the forend, snap it back on, and repeat. The grip itself didn't do much to manage recoil either.
Flat/Slab sides were also available from the TC Custom Shop (Fox Ridge Outfitters), so just because it is a flat side doesn't mean it's an early Contender.
]]>Crubear2019-09-16T15:17:08-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46112&th=19206#msg_46112
Along with this, bluing a frame is an exacting process and any variation of the steel or the process can result in a color other than the deep blue/black. And, time can also cause a change. The attached picture shows and example of this coloring (Plum). It's a common thing and not a defect. I've seen it most often on the trigger guard (mine was closer to an orange color).
If you're selling a frame that has some plum parts be very upfront about it and include pictures.
]]>Crubear2020-07-16T19:10:08-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46116&th=19206#msg_46116
The first of these was the Cougar etching you're familiar with, for our purposes I'm going to call this the G1.V1a (Generation 1 Version 1a)
Things to note are:
1) The hammer has no safety or switch, but could be changed between rim fire and center fire by turning a screw in the trigger face.
2) Trigger creep could be taken up by a hex screw that you reached from inside the frame
3) The trigger group hinges at the front of the frame, not the center (see the plum frame above).
4) The extra scrolling in the etching.
(The G1.V1 is how I'm going to differentiate between the frame types).]]>Crubear2020-07-20T18:40:27-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46117&th=19206#msg_46117
They are rare, but show up occasionally on the auction sites. There were rumors of a single two sided frame, but I've been assured by the Contender expert himself that it never happened.
]]>Crubear2020-07-20T18:46:11-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46118&th=19206#msg_46118
Below is an add I found in a 1968 firearms magazine. You will want to note the price of the frame and barrel. The presentation boxes are real and I've seen them off and on at gun shows and auction sites.
As the above ad shows, there was a kit you could buy to gold wash the etching. I've seen it done better, I've seen it done worse.
]]>Crubear2020-07-20T18:58:28-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46119&th=19206#msg_46119
Well, if you're TC the first thing you so is add more calibers, then change the grip and forends to accommodate the increased recoil, and you find a way to cut production costs and increase safety.
We'll call this G1.V1c.
Note the following:
1) The trigger group hinge is still at the front
2) the lack of scrolling behind the Cougar
3) The hammer has a cross-bar safety. When it is engaged a little pin sticks out the front of the hammer and prevents it from contacting the firing pin.
]]>Crubear2020-07-20T19:05:25-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46120&th=19206#msg_46120
If you have one of these you're also probably aware that they can be VERY difficult to open depending on the barrel.
Just so we have a common frame of reference, this is a barrel lug:
What locks up the barrel to the frame are called locking BOLTS. There are two types single and split.
This is the last time in this thread I'll talk about these, but if you're having a problem with opening a barrel/frame go see the thread on "My Contender WON'T Open Easily".]]>Crubear2020-07-20T19:26:37-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46121&th=19206#msg_46121
But that didn't stop the T/C Contender from moving on and gaining even more fans. Longer barrels, more calibers, more shooting sports (can you say silhouette?), and more expertise drove a new set of changes.
Frames were just hard to open and reexamining the engineering brought on a new change, the Easy Open frame (G1.V2a) Something as simple as moving the trigger group hinge to the middle made a world of difference.
(Those of us who've had both types will attest to this!!!)
Things to note:
1) The trigger group hinge is in the middle
2) The trigger creep screw is now in the trigger
3) Though not seen, there is an overtravel screw in the guard
4) The hammer has a switch/safety on top.]]>Crubear2020-07-20T19:35:30-00:00Re: Identifying Contender Frames (with pics) V2
http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=46122&th=19206#msg_46122
I need to start pulling some of the old threads pics so PBucket quits harassing me
Armour Alloy II (G1.V2b)
Angry Cougar (Stainless and blue G1.V3)
and the G2
and other notes will follow (along with grammar and other corrections)
I have been reminded they are called "LOCKING BOLTS". They didn't include the "Dummy" it deserved.]]>Crubear2020-07-20T19:39:32-00:00