I'll be purchasing a new hunting handgun soon. Contenders have caught my eye. I've thought that the CVA Scout was a good starting point, but I believe I'd rather spend more and have the option of caliber changes in the future. I will initially start with a .357, .44, or 10mm.

So here's my questions:

1. Since T/C offers a complete G2 in .357 would that be a smart purchase?
2. Would a Frame Assembly and MGM barrel of choice be a better purchase?
3. What length and taper of barrel accepts carbine forends?

I'm sure I'll think of something else, but let's start here.

Thanks all

P

I have never regretted buying my Contender and now many barrels later I still have no regrets. As for the caliber. Start with the one you like the most and you can always add more barrels later.

1. If a 357 is a chambering that you desire, it might be a good place to start, depending on price and avaiability.

2. This would be my path.

3. 16-1/4" factory tapered barrels accept the carbine forends. The carbine forend has a longer screw spacing than the 12"-14" Contender forends. G2 forends use the 12"-14" screw spacing.

....#2....

That would be an excellent move and my personal pick!

if going custom barrel you could even specify rifle forend screw spacing on the shorter pistol barrel, if you desired to use the longer forend.

a 13" mgm custom may not cost any more than a factory 14" barrel. the price goes up on lengths beyond that. Another $50.... i think.

Do you handload or use factory ammo? There sure are a lot of cartridge options on a custom barrel!

The Contender is a great choice. I have 3 frames and quite a few barrels. Many caliber options. Is this your first handgun or are you an accomplished handgun shooter? If its your first I would suggest a 10" barrel in 22 long rifle and 2 or 3 bricks of ammo. If you already have a good 22 handgun then go centerfire. I agree that the Custom barrel route is a good idea. Also there are used barrels out there.

It seems option 2 is popular. The calibers listed were what I have dies for, as I do roll-my-own ammunition. Personally, what I really want is a 10"-12" MGM barrel in 10mm ... I think it would be fun to shoot, load for, and somewhat oddball. But, I wanted the opinion of people who already have this platform.

Thanks

P

Rimmed cases are easier to use in the Contender.Head spaces on the rim and fall right out after shooting. With a rimless case the extractor has to snap into a extractor cut and you have to pull the case out by hand each time. 44 mag would be my choice of the three.

There is not a bad choice listed....make yourself happy first😉

a factory 12" 357mag could be enhanced to 357 maximum at a later date if so desired, and the dies work for both/either.

44 is completely doable and would be the easiest to have up and shooting right away. Forum member BRASF0311 has an Encore I found pics of with a 10" Bull barrel that is a very nice looking gun ...

I see now why these Contenders cause people to have issues! You want em all.

Bingo.....

The 10" .357 Magnum is an excellent place to start.

If you reload the 357 Mag will do a lot more than it gets credit for. Factory loads are a bit on the anemic side so if you don't reload id say get the 44 more good hunting bullets available at decent power levels. And its capable of taking pretty much any animal on this continent and quite a few that aren't.

How finicky would loading the 10mm for the Contender be? Headspaces off the case mouth, so I'm figuring case length and taper would be the biggest issues in performance. Looking around the Interwebs most people that have/had a 10mm barrel found it accurate.

Thanks all

P

PsTan,, Contender in 357mag 12in tube will be an eye opener! Grab it and go play. A 10mm tube (custom) will be great too, just have to pick the shell over the extractor. I had a 45ACP barrel for a while & it did perform. Definitely pick up a .22 when you can, another great one! Have fun!!

May want to consider the 38-40 over the 10mm I would think you would get similar performance.

If you do a 357 mag you may want to add additional freebore.

If 45 ACP go auto rim-- keep in mind you can get bothe extractors and shoot both if you want

30-40. Now there's an interesting choice. I like it.

There are indeed many choices for the Contender. For hunting I do recommend a rimmed case. Much easier to reload under stress or with gloves in cold weather. From your list I am partial to the 44 magnum. That was my first big game gun back in 1979. I still have my original 10" barrel that I used for my first kill in 1980.