T/C Contender "love"

Tell about them and/or show them off.

Currently I have mine with barrels for 30-30 , .223 , .410/45LC and .22. The .223 and 30-30 are scoped.

Why do I "love " them. Accurate as a rifle in a compact package and of course one frame accepts a multitude of calibers.

Contender, 30-30,7-30 Waters,44 Mag,223,357 Max, 35 Rem, Encores, 30-06,308,7mm-08,357 Max,460,44 Mag.

Hmm, an inventory. Hope my wife doesn't see this. I love the trigger, size, weight, accuracy, and versatility. Did I mention the trigger?
I really love the trigger.
I've got
17hmr, scoped
22lr
7-30 waters 14" scoped
30-30 10" (needs a new home)
30-30 14" scoped
45/410
45 colt, old octagon

I'vet also got a 45-70 in encore.

My next planned acquisition is a 1:9 223 with screw on muzzle break in hopes that I can easily put a suppressor on it in the nearish future.

T/C Contender 14 inch 7-30 Waters. It has light recoil, great accuracy and has killed several deer. I call it 'Lightning' because it drops them that fast.

This picture is my 357 Mag also have a 22 hornet 223 and 45/70

9" .41 mag GNR-TC 4x Simmonds( no like no more-so scope will go away at some time) has a little engraving one it the barrel
shoots a 212gr penta point cast gc hp-- mzv of 1800 FPS
12" braked .41 #2 --2x7 burris--210 gr Deep curl @ 2155FPS
modest engraving also

9" .41 mag GNR-TC 4x Simmonds( no like no more-so scope will go away at some time) has a little engraving one it the barrel
shoots a 212gr penta point cast gc hp-- mzv of 1800 FPS
12" braked .41 #2 --2x7 burris--210 gr Deep curl @ 2155FPS
modest engraving also

10" 22LR match
10" 30-30
10" 44mag
12" 45/70 Hunter
16" 45/70 with brake
21" 30/30

.223 ( not 5.56)
7 TCU. < 14 in. Bull Bbl. scoped with Burris
35 Remington
.41 Mag. ......... 10 in. Iron sights Irradescent front bead.
375 JDJ ...........14" SSK mounts, TSB rings with a Bushnell
45_70 Gov. ..........12 hunter Bbl multi holed ports / Burris 5x

I have always loved the contender. I think I have owned and shot close to half of what was available in that firearm.
22lr
22 hornet
.223 Rem 3x
30 carbine
30-30
30-30AI
300 Savage
300 BO
7-30
7 mm I HMSA rimed
6 TCU
6x45 way better than 6 TCU
35 Rem
357 mag
41 mag
44 mag
45 colt
45 auto rim
Sure I missed a few

Have had Gen 1, Gen 2 And Gen 3 frames and then they went and called the Gen 4 a G2

I am sure I missed one in this mix and have had several listed above in the Encore--the big brother

The sad news is I no longer own a contender or Encore.
Just does not spin the wheels any longer.

I do still have 3 XPs and a Striker(a what?)

But in the end if I could choose any contender that I wold say was the best...


Well hands down the bone stock -- not MGM---
Gen 3 frame that was the one with the flip switch hammer 14" 30-30 barrel
Leupold base and 2.5-8 Leupold scope.

That old timer will do it all.

Why was this gun "The [censored]" well it was the first handgun I had that I could consistently hit [censored] a 300 yards with a 125 -150 gr rifle bullet.

That was bad ass for a handgun in 1984 (when?)

200M goat every time

Nice......

I've got an early 1967 contender in .45/.410 20" and .223 20"/scoped with a rifle stock. I'm confused because mine doesn't have the puma logo on the sides. Everywhere i've read says that only the early ones have the logo, does anyone know the real story?

You may have what is called a "flatside" Contender frame. The very early 1967 frames had no etching on them whatsoever. They are quite rare and often fetch a hefty price.

Actually, Rod has it all wrong. They are actually worthless, and are horrible shooters. You should just send it to me and save yourself the headache!!

s4s4u, Thanks for the info. I got it at an estate sale. Raportrapper, I'm sure that you're right, I'll pack it up and ship it pronto.