I decided this year to take the plunge and hunt big game with a handgun only. I had only used my Contender for varmint shooting before this.

I have had my nose in the reloading manuals trying to decided on a caliber for a big game barrel and came up with a few choices. I then started searching the net and find only barrels that state they will not work on a Contender with a serial # below 195,000.

My Contender has a serial # below 50,000. What do I do now?

That the first I've ever heard of that. Serial 195,000 was the start of the easy open era, IIRC, but the barrels are still put together the same way. There have been little improvements in the barrel lug and locking bolts but for the most part they are the same and "should" interchange. Some gentle massaging may be necessary with real old and new parts, and sometimes even parts of the same era. You gun was made in 1976 if that helps any.

Maybe they're disclaiming the "brand new" factory barrels so they don't get hassled with calls. There are lots of used tubes on GunBroker and other auctions. Were they making octagons in '76?

Call TC?

i have never heard of that before something new or bs
larry

I had never heard of it before either. I shouldnt have said only barrels with that statement, I looked at four websights and two stated that the barrel would not work on the older Contender. One was midway usa (you had to click on the barrel you were interested in and read the information down below the picture of barrel). I cant recall the other one. The other two didnt specify one way or the other.

I have sent an email to T/C customer service regarding this.

I also googled contender barrels serial # under 195,000 and found a thread on a shooting websight were someone had posted the same question I did here. One reply said he had an older frame and the barrel would lock to the frame and not open after firing. Another said he had never heard of that before either and the only time he had that problem putting newer barrels on his <195,000 frame was when he loaded up some, in his words "stupidly hot loads" and the barrel locked to the frame.

I dont want to spend the money on a new barrel and have it not work. I have been reloading for almost 30 years now and have learned the hard way not to push the edge of the envelope! And no, that was not with my contender, it was with a model 29 S&W.

Has anyone here mounted a newer barrel on a frame earlier than serial # 195,00 and had problems?

Thanks for the replies thus far and for any guidance I can get from others.

Does it have to be a new barrel? What chambering were you looking for? If you are concerned about a new barrel, and there can be issues for older 'hard-open' frames, you might look into used. Many of my barrels were previously owned and they shoot/shot just fine. You can get some good deals now and again.

No it does not have to be a new barrel but, I now have the concern that a used barrel might be one that was tried on an older frame and did not work, then put up for sale. Also in my earlier post about a similar thread I found on google, someone posted that he had called T/C and was told the new barrels would not work on frames below #195,000.

I only put in for deer tags this year (New Mexico is now a draw only state) and since this will be my first time hunting larger game with a handgun, the calibers I was considering were 6 or 7mm TCU, 7x30 Waters and 30-30. I was also planning on getting a 338 JDJ#2 next year for elk and bear.

If I get a reply from T/C, I will post there responce here. I am confused for sure now.

Ya know, I just looked up both of my Contender frames and they are both the “hard open” frames with serial numbers under 195,000. AND I haven’t had any problems with them at all. I have put both new and old barrels on them alike. The only difference I have noticed is that the older frame has been converted and can’t handle the same CUP’s as the “newer” one. (E.G. A max load of a 7mm TCU in newer one is fine and is hard to open in the older converted easy open frame.) I have heard and experienced the older barrels with a singe lug are harder to open compared to the newer barrels with a split lug. I have also experienced newer Encore barrels not fitting in my old 4 digit Encore frames.

I know that TC has told me before that if I was having problems to send them both in and they would fix it. With the current status of TC, I would order a MGM barrel and I know if you have any problems they would make it right. But that is JMHO…

i have not had a problem with any of mine sofar but i agree
with tcman
larry

I own A Contender frame with ser# 169139, recntly ordered a 6.5 JDJ barrel from SSK that works perfectly. I also purchased a
45-70 carbine barrel from TC custom shop a few years ago that also works perfectly.

Thanks to all that responded.

You guys are great on this forum!

I will order a new barrel in complete confidence. Hopefully, if I draw a tag this year (getting hard to do in NM) I will be posting pictures of big critters on the ground.

Thanks again, you guys are great people!

New Mex

Oh, OOPS

I forgot to mention, I STILL HAVENT GOT A RESPONCE FROM T/C on my email.

New Mex

My Contender has a serial # less than 13000 it was manufactured in 1970. When I first purchased it a few months ago it would only work with pre 1981 barrels. Since then I had TC perform the easy open conversion so it will now work with pre G2 barrels. I can also use the G2 barrels but I have to send it and have TC match the barrel to my frame. This service is free but cost to ship and you have to sign for the package when it comes back. Making it kind of a pain if you work all over like I do. Good Luck Chris,

For deer, if you are ordering new, I would go with the .30-30 AI.

Mike

If the "problem on pre 195k frames is the 1 vs 2 peice lugs, can you possibly switch the lugs from one barrel to another and solve the "locked up " problem?

Go with 30-30 and have it rechamber to 30-30 Ackley. Shoot cheap factory loads to fire form. Then hunt with good 150gr spritzers.