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Contender Barrel ID [message #46501] Sat, 27 February 2021 16:48 Go to next message
DrHoward1955 is currently offline  DrHoward1955
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I just picked up a contender barrel in 223. I believe it to be an early barrel as the muzzle has a conventional crown much like other standard rifle barrels. My newer barrels have the recessed target crowns. Am I on the right track?
Approximate years of production?
Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46503 is a reply to message #46501] Sun, 28 February 2021 08:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Crubear is currently offline  Crubear
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Pictures always help. If you're talking carbine barrel, early barrels have a single forend screw, usually with very thin bluing.

Honestly, I have all the barrels I want or could ever need..... wait, look, there's another!!
Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46504 is a reply to message #46503] Sun, 28 February 2021 08:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cajuntec is currently offline  cajuntec
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The barrel engraving can usually tell the approximate years of manufacturer, as engraving styles and methods changed over the years.
All the best,
Glenn


If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46506 is a reply to message #46504] Sun, 28 February 2021 15:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DrHoward1955 is currently offline  DrHoward1955
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Here you go guys. It is a two screw.

https://i.postimg.cc/V6kjvDBW/5E52AC86-C59D-4CF8-B9B3-645944EA8E18.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/0QX7wDVR/51C7ADD3-ECD3-4A94-8573-E35E7B248A9C.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/yxJcXxGJ/4767072E-E191-4406-A494-8E18811E8DE9.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/0NxGR8z3/43324F2C-B7D0-45F9-9B7E-2FDA6DB954F6.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/k5cQ7k85/41A6A5F8-A2D2-4576-9AB5-334AD19C230C.jpg



Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46507 is a reply to message #46506] Sun, 28 February 2021 16:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cajuntec is currently offline  cajuntec
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Going by a chart that was passed to me by a former member, it's at least a Type V or later (and he listed types I through VIII), due to it having a stepped lug (type IV still had a flat bottom lug). He was talking more about the Super 14's, but mentioned the 16 and 21 inch barrels in a few places. Something else that stands out is that he mentioned type VII being the first with screwed on front sites, as the VI still had front's soldered on. I'm not sure if it was the same for all length barrels, but it would make sense if they were doing it for the pistols, they were likely also doing it for the carbines / rifles. So it's likely even later - type VII or later.

On the Type V he also wrote that they changed somewhere in that timeframe from one piece to two piece locking bolts. Hard to tell from the angle - but it almost looks like a one piece locking bolt.

If it's a 21" barrel, then it's pre 2003, as they changed to 23" bull barrels at that time.

Oh - found one more thing. The circled letter on the right hand side of the lug started happening in 1992. So that barrel is at least a 1992 or newer.

That's all I have though. The other distinctions were between types of sites. And since yours doesn't have the factory sites on it, we can't use that as an identifier either.

All the best,
Glenn



If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!

[Updated on: Sun, 28 February 2021 16:24]

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Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46509 is a reply to message #46507] Sun, 28 February 2021 17:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DrHoward1955 is currently offline  DrHoward1955
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Glenn,
I checked the lungs. They are split, so two piece. The other owner, or a previous owner pulled the sights and plugged the holes. The barrel is dead on 21" and the smaller diameter than the 23" barrels.
It looks like we’re between ‘93 & ‘03. The barrel crown is odd to me. All my other Contenders have had crowns like the Encores a stepped recessed crown.
Thanks for your help.
John

[Updated on: Sun, 28 February 2021 17:53]

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Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46510 is a reply to message #46509] Sun, 28 February 2021 18:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DrHoward1955 is currently offline  DrHoward1955
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If I was a gambling man I'd say the B was the month of production.... February....
Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46511 is a reply to message #46510] Sun, 28 February 2021 19:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cajuntec is currently offline  cajuntec
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DrHoward1955 wrote on Sun, 28 February 2021 18:12
If I was a gambling man I'd say the B was the month of production.... February....
Not sure. I have a .357 Max with an R on the lug. So if Jan - Dec were A through L, I wonder where that one would fall in? At one time, I read (not sure if it was accurate though), that the letter or symbol (star, etc...) had to do with the cartridge the barrel was chambered in. I can't find that now though.

All the best,
Glenn


If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
Re: Contender Barrel ID [message #46513 is a reply to message #46509] Sun, 28 February 2021 19:14 Go to previous message
cajuntec is currently offline  cajuntec
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DrHoward1955 wrote on Sun, 28 February 2021 17:46
Glenn,
I checked the lungs. They are split, so two piece. The other owner, or a previous owner pulled the sights and plugged the holes. The barrel is dead on 21" and the smaller diameter than the 23" barrels.
It looks like we’re between ‘93 & ‘03. The barrel crown is odd to me. All my other Contenders have had crowns like the Encores a stepped recessed crown.
Thanks for your help.
John
I've seen several different barrel crowns on the .223, including the one you have, the one you talked about (stepped), and also another that looks like it was just cut flat (but it actually does have a slight bevel).

All the best,
Glenn


If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
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