Alright TC Guys. I have a (potential) Contender coming to me and need to know what to look out for. It is blued with wood grips and has 3 barrels 22lr, 357 Mag, and 44Mag.

Let me know what I need to look at when I pick this thing up!

THANKS

The easy open era began about serial number 195,000. This is one of the first things I look into when debating a frame purchase.

Make sure all barrels connect properly to the frame. They are supposed to be interchangeable but sometimes are not, though it can be fixed.

So is it bad if it is prior 195,000?

No its not bad, but it is a bit harder to open.

BEFORE MY FIRST SAFARI IN 1988 I HAD BEEN AN IHMSA SHOOTER AND, SINCE 1981, A 100% HANDGUN HUNTER, AND HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH GEN1 CONTENDERS. THEY HAD INARDS THAT REMINDED ME OF THE SKELETAL STRUCTURE OF MICE, A LOT OF SMALL AND FRAGILE PARTS, WHICH WOULD BREAK ALL TOO OFTEN FOR MY LIKES, SO WHEN I WENT TO THE RSA IN 1988 I TOOK 3 FRAMES WITH ME "JUST IN CASE". THE G2 IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT OVER THE G1 BOTH IN RELIABILITY AND NOT HAVING TO OPEN THE FRAME TO COCK THE HAMMER. I HAVE NO INTEREST IN ACQUIRING G1 FRAMES.

So how do I tell the difference?

Ok after some research I believe this is a 1st gen contender. It has the engraving on the frame of the mtn lion. So is this something I should stay away from?

THERE MAY BE DEFENDERS OF THE G1 FRAMES OUT THERE. I HAVE MY OPINION BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR OTHER OPINIONS.

You don't have to open the frame to cock the hammer on an original Contender. All that is necessary is to pull on the trigger guard spur to reset the action.

I really like the original Contender. If it is an easy open frame with the firing pin selector switch on top of the hammer I would give it a go if the price is right. You won't find a better trigger than that on the original, and by the way there isn't nor ever was a "G1" ;-)

I have 3 original Contender frames that are all from the 70s and 80s. They do have the Mt lion on the sides. I sent my oldest one back to TC to be upgraded to the easy open version. 2 of these frames have thousands of heavy loads through them and work great. I would buy it if you like the price.

Basically it is a trade. I will have right around $650 in items on the trade.

Barrels typically run ~$150 or more in my experience. That gives you a frame for $200. I don't think it's a bad price, but it's not a screaming deal. I would say it's slightly in your favor.

There have been lots of comments of the frame from lots of directions so here is my understanding (others, please check/correct/add to this where needed)
There is the original contender and the G2.
The original came in a couple different flavors, The first flavor (which i know very little about), then an easy open frame and (I think at the same time) a small selector switch on the hammer to select rimfire or center fire. Stainless was introduced later in the easy open.

The easy open moved the pivot point of the trigger guard and made it easier to open. If you have smaller hands or find it difficult to open it might be best to look for an easy open or G2 frame. Another option is to find some hand exercise rings and work on developing hand strength so it's not an issue.

People say the original contender has a better trigger then the G2. Folks say the G2 is a little stronger the the original. With the 3 barrels mentioned, strength will not be an issue.

22lr is great for plinking
357 Mag is a lot of fun and extremely capable in a contender platform, even more so if you reload and could lengthen the throat. Also gives you options for 357 max if you wish. 38 special would be nice plinking loads, but have a good bore brush! This is the barrel in the kit that would excite me the most.
44 mag is also very capable, but can be a handful to shoot with the short and light barrels, 44 special would also punch above it's weight in a contender platform and be a little more recoil friendly.

Any scope mounts or rings with the kit? It does sound like an easy way to slide into the contender platform and have some options to play with right away. Barrels have a way of getting together in your gunsafe and reproducing while simultaneously draining your wallet. Most contender owners also have more then one frame, but we all started with one frame at some time.

I do not reload YET... But I just had a CVA Scout V2 rechambered from 44 to 444 Marlin by Mike Bellm and have done quite a bit of research on the 357 Max. So I too have a strong excitement about the .357 barrel. I wanted the 22LR for a plinker just to keep trigger pull and fundamentals in check. All three barrels are iron sight mounted and do not come with rails (sad day) but i really want this gun to give me more trigger time to help with my new 444 which is extremely costly to shoot.

Thanks Guys!!! I think I will have a new TC Contender this weekend.

Thank you s4s4u for saying that. After 40 years of hunting with Contenders, I've never heard anyone say they could uncock one like you described. I've been doing it that way for years, but didn't want to argue with those who said it couldn't be done.

I reset the sear on mine that way, as well.

Well the deal fell through... Guy started acting shady about it. Was like well its my brothers gun and he is not here at the moment yada yada yada... So I just pulled the plug...

One day I will have a TC

My early Contender frame is still going strong since the early 80's. Shot I.H.M.S. with it and shoot it still. My hammer had the little dinky safety that slid back and forth thru the hammer. To set for center fire or rim fire you needed a screwdriver.The only part I have ever broken was that dinky little safety bar which I never missed or replaced.I have easy open frames too, but that original frame has a special place in my heart.

Contenders are outstanding handguns. I personally prefer the pre-G2, because of the adjustable trigger, but the G2 can be refined by a knowledgable person. I also like the pre-G2 etching, or the later engraving. The best are those post 195,000 actions, with the "Easy-open " feature and other upgrades. Earlier actions could be converted at T/C's factory, and all but 1 of mine have been. In my opinion, all barrels should also be fitted with the 2 piece "split bolt" for easier opening and improved lock up.

I used Contenders in IHMSA and NRA silhouettte competitions, and have hunted with them across 5 continents. I still continue to use them for hunting, in calibers ranging from .22LR through .45-70. Squirrels through Buff. My oldest one, a 30-30, is an early Super 14 dating from 1978, later converted to "Easy open ". It's still extremely accurate.

Stay on the hunt for a good Contender of either generation. I predict you won't be sorry.