Contender Pistol Shooting Fundamentals

Greetings. I have a T/C G2 Contender with a 12" 357 Mag barrel and a 14" 357 Herrett barrel.

This is sort of an embarrassing question, but I am pretty unsure of how to hold this pistol in a way that promotes accuracy. I find that when I hold it like I normally hold a revolver that the length and weight of the Contender become fatiguing and I cannot get steady sight alignment, so I tried holding the forend on the pistol. I find that pulling forward on the forend with one arm and pulling backward with my grip hand seems to help steady it. Is there something here I am missing? Should I consider crossing sides and shooting with my left hand on the trigger and my right hand on the forend?

I would also like to use effective shooting aides, like a walking stick and/or sling for hunting.

I apologize in the first place if this has been covered, but I didn't turn up much with some searches. It may be a case of poor keyword choice. Thanks for the attention.

I would suggest this article by Gary as a great start.

http://www.handgunhunt.com/promo/members...s%20That%20Work

I find that my weak hand holding at the point where the trigger guard meets the forend works best in a traditional 2 hand hold. I do prefer using a sling to push against for the best offhand hold. I will look for a pic showing this.

The deal with the single shots is you have to be steady, a tri pod or the Bog Pod PSR, is my choice, another thing I use is a TV tray, on my ladder stands , I mount a piece of plywood to the rail , and shoot off my pack, as a handgun hunter we have to be creative,whatever it takes !

Thank you for the great attention, and Gary's Field Positions That Work is great, and it pretty much shows me what to do with sticks and trees which I never thought of (though I have been known to use a big tree to steady a rifle).

Perhaps the question I should have asked is how do folks literally "hold" their Contenders in an unsupported position? Do folks apply tension between their arms or against part of the pistol, sort of like an exaggerated Weaver stance?

Hi T,
I used to post here, but since my politics did not line up on every point, I was told I was not welcome.

I've an Encore. I shoot it with a Weaver hold. I put my left trigger (I'm a righty, at least for shooting) over that painful trigger guard protrusion. That is the only modification I do. I'd love it if I could get the deer to come out in front of my shooting bench, but, alas, they demure. If long range is your goal, go with the long gun. I use my contender for ranges that my revolvers don't handle.

Hope this helps.

Dogsbreath

Anthony, in all seriousness just shoot it like any other handgun. 2 handed, Isosceles hold with your weak hand in front of the trigger guard. Use a monopod, a tree, or a tripod, bipod, etc. to assist when you can. Get a sling to help with offhand shooting. Practice and find out what works for you.

Here are a few pics of my method of offhand shooting with a 2 point sling. The sling is attached at the base of the grip and the forend. This also works with the 2 point mount where the sling is attached to the rear of the scope mount instead of the forend or barrel.

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=9475

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=9473

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=9474

Another secret for shooting off the ground:
I always stop next to a tree for a potential rest when walking. Didn't always work well. Got the bright idea one day to screw in a bow holder in the tree just above eye level. I hang my backpack on this. Put the handgun on top and lean the gun/pack combo laterally in to the tree. This is an exceptionally stable hold. I've done deer out to 300 yds. on the edge of fields when the grass is to high to lay down.
The Bog Pod can be used this way, but it is just something else to carry. The bow holder is always in my pocket now.

When hunting with a handgun, I almost always carry a Primos Trigger Stick. When sitting on stand, I'll use the stick to steady my aim.



But, for this shot I was without my stick, so I just held the T/C off-hand, left hand on foregrip, right hand on pistol grip. Think of holding a rifle, but without the stock in your should. This was an 80 yard off-hand shot without the use of support.

There is not one answer that will fit every field situation. The key is to become proficient using a number of methods. I've even grabbed a handful of broom straw with my off-hand while holding the forearm. A little pull on the grass and the gun steadied right up. Be creative, flexible and do it enough that you learn what techniques work best for you.

AnthonyG, First of all, Welcome to HHM.

Secondly, you are getting some real good stuff here.

Another position that works well is using a Harris Bipod either from a support or lying prone on the ground. I devote a whole chapter to shooting positions in my handgun hunting video.

From a variety of field positions the Contender is easily capable to as far as the cartridge you are shooting, is capable. Packs, over a fallen tree, Bog Gear, bi-pod.
Always seek a solid front and back rest of some kind, if possible.
Practicing in the off season from field positions is very important as well.

I've been messing around with a variety of holds. What I am finding is interesting. To begin with, there are just a whole lot more ways one can hold a pistol like a Contender compared to a rifle or a normal pistol sans forend.

The second matter is that eye relief with scopes becomes a major issue. To me, I am thinking that irons or a red-dot is the way to go. Use Binocs for glassing.

Finally, I read up on the Snipe pod. Seems very interesting because it is so lightweight, supportive, and adjustable. Pricey, though.

I was wondering what people though of the telescoping mono-pods vs. bipods with a contender. I've never used either.

Thanks for all the great guidance.

Bipods are steadier as you only have to control them forward and backwards as they are steady side to side, but a tad harder to carry. With a monopod you have to control it in all "four" directions but are a bit easier to carry. Both can be substituted for a walking stick in a pinch if folded and held correctly.

I have used bi tri and monopods and have found a good walking sick to work for me.

For me, most field positions are easier to use since I put muzzlebrakes on my 309 JDJ Contenders. There is less muzzle flip to distract from a steady hold and smooth squeeze.

A good brake lets you get into more odd positions and or lighter holds without fear of getting smacked.

I am not too worried about recoil or anything. I've found that my 14" Super 357 Herrett barrel is very mild shooting. I've been shooting 158 grainers over 21 grains of Win296 for about 1800 FPS over my Chrony.

Perhaps things will get ugly if I decide to put some maxed out 200 grainers downrange, but so far it has been nothing compared to my old Ruger Blackhawk in 44 Magnum which I sold because it kicked so brutally.

Practice Practice Practice! You are right about the many different ways you can hold/shoot the O`le T/C and there has been plenty of good advice shared to you. You just have to find what works best for you in your shooting situation. I agree with you on the eye relief and traditional scopes. . .it can be a pain in hunting situations, that is why I switched over to a reflex hologram type sight. I only hunt and plink with my handguns, so this works good for me and my style.