Identifying Contender Frames (with pictures) [message #18559] |
Mon, 21 January 2013 16:17 |
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Crubear
Messages: 1796 Registered: March 2010 Location: NW Georgia
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Question keeps coming up, so lets get some pics out there
Here's a very early add I found in some magazine published in 1968.
Notice the scrolling on the frame.
This again shows the frame with scrolling. You can also tell it's an early frame because the hammer doesn't have a safety or switch, and the trigger guard is hinged at the front.
TC Then decided they could save some money if they reduced the amount of engraving on the frame, so out went a bit of the scroll work from above the cougar. The hammer in this picture has the cross-bolt safety.
Not sure when they did this, but I've seen about 5 of these gold washed frames. It was definitely a TC Factory process though. This one's kind of rough, but they are sharp looking when you have it in hand.
Edit:This info is an error, Factory never did this, It was owners using a Brownell's kit.
Probably responding to Customer comments, someone figured out that you could increase the leverage and decrease the effort of opening a frame by moving the hinge in the trigger guard to the middle. These are called "Easy Open" frames.
Then TC came out with Armour Alloy II. A coating they plated onto both frames and barrels. This coating made things a little bigger, so you might have problems putting an AA2 barrel on a blued frame or a blued barrel on an AA2 frame. Just something to be aware of.
Edit: Hinge pins are smaller on a AA, larger on standard blue and SS
TC then came out with what's called the "Angry Cougar" by some, in both stainless and blue.
And of course, now you have the G2, which comes in stainless or Blue
Honestly, I have all the barrels I want or could ever need..... wait, look, there's another!!
[Updated on: Mon, 22 July 2019 13:18] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Contender Frames [message #18560 is a reply to message #18559] |
Mon, 21 January 2013 16:21 |
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Crubear
Messages: 1796 Registered: March 2010 Location: NW Georgia
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One final warning... with the advent of coatings, you can now find what appear to be desirable AA2 frames. AA2 frames have a prefix of A in the serial number.
Honestly, I have all the barrels I want or could ever need..... wait, look, there's another!!
[Updated on: Tue, 25 November 2014 12:32] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Contender Frames [message #18602 is a reply to message #18589] |
Tue, 22 January 2013 12:48 |
jamesgammel
Messages: 1708 Registered: August 2012 Location: Lovell, Wyoming
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The Ad: "Each gun is now handsomely engraved." So much for truth in advertising, they're actually etched. The rear scroll was delted in the 16,2xx serial range. I know someone with two frames in this range just 10 numbers apart; one with the rear scroll, the other without.
AA2's being desireable is debatable; the caliber selections were very limited, and T'C's own literature mentions that Blued and AA2 frames and barrels are NOT interchangeable. AA2 frames are preceeded with "A" on their serial numbers, the right side of their barrel lugs are stamped "AA" as well.
The easy-open feature came into play during the cross-bolt safety period. By april 1, 1984 all frames that left the factory were both lever selector and easy open. They did offer owners of older frames to send their guns in to get the easy open trigger guards, the newer hammer being "optional" along with it. Thus you can find some frames with the front trigger group hole still in them, the owners merely opted for the conversion.
Other notable frames:
1. For the first month or so, frames had no etching, and thus called "flat-sides". Serial numbers started with "1000". Flat sides can generally be found interspersed into the 1700 range.
2. Eagle frames: 50-60 frames were selected (virtually at random) for this trial. Porosity was prone in the center where the casting sprue was, resulting in unacceptable reject rates. Others rejected because etching the eagle resulted in rejects as well (probably too intricate). Interspersed 1300-1800's
3. IHMSA: 1979-80. 400 flatsides with 14" barrels. Serials starting with IHMSA 001. First 25 in .357 mag were silver inlaid with the IHMSA logo. Last 25 no inlays. All IHMSA 14's had the "williams" type rear sights. Second was 45 Colt, another set numbering 50. Next was 50 .44 Mag. Next was 50 30 Herrett. Next was .256 Win, 100 made for this one. Last was 100 7TCU.
1971: NRA commemorative. Not released, NRA chose Colt and Daisy for official commemoratives.
1989: 500 Steve Herrett Comm. SH preceeded serial numbered cased sets. Engraved in Japan. Shipped with a 10" 30 Herrett engraved barrel, and dummy 30 and 357 Herrett shells. Frame engraved with Herrett's likeness on left side and award on reverse side.
1992: T/C 25th anniversary commemorative.
1986+: TCA collector's association special runs.
Jim
[Updated on: Mon, 22 June 2015 21:32] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Contender Frames [message #23382 is a reply to message #18602] |
Wed, 24 July 2013 20:56 |
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Crubear
Messages: 1796 Registered: March 2010 Location: NW Georgia
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Didn't include this, but....
TC put a tiny little screw inside the frame that you can use to take up trigger creep. With a little work and patience you could get an outstanding trigger by setting this screw and the over travel. I don't know if the earliest frames had this, but the later cougar frames do. If someone has an Angry Cougar (they're still ugly IMHO)can let us know.
I don't believe that the G2 does either.
Edit: All G-1's Have trigger creep adjustment; however none are within the "frame". The first two versions of trigger guards had them with a tiny set screw in the top middle left on the bottom of the trigger guard part that sits basicly flush with the bottom of the frame. You have to remove the trigger guard to gain access to the screw. The Easy open made it easier, it's set screw is accessed with the trigger guard still pinned to the frame in "ready" use mode. The screw is located at the top front of the trigger. The second and third(last) frame versions all had overtravel adjustment. The screw for this is in a small "boss" behind the trigger and is accessed from between the trigger guard's rear and grip. Watch out while adjusting the overtravel, the screw is pretty short and you may screw it in until it falls out. It really should have been longer, and you can find longer replacements. Don't go over 1/4" total length longer ones to replace it with, could end up with a knuckle scraper.
Honestly, I have all the barrels I want or could ever need..... wait, look, there's another!!
[Updated on: Sat, 29 March 2014 19:12] by Moderator Report message to a moderator
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