Options for Carrying the Contender
Spotteddog, I favor using a sling to carry big guns like the Contender/Encore.

Here are a few suggestions.
Rear stud: A rear swivel stud can be attached to the bottom of the plastic grip (T/C makes a set of swivel studs to attach to the forend/plastic grip); if you're handy and have the time you can fashion your own means of attaching a swivel stud to the rear grip (here's one idea
http://www.handgunhunt.com/noframes/tech/t4/index.html); another idea would be to make some sort of metal rear grip cap to replace the factory plastic and attach a swivel stud to the new metal grip cap; I wonder if one could weld a swivel stud to the bottom end of the rear grip/frame screw? Forend stud: With a wooden forend, you can attach a regular swivel stud to the forend; if you're going to attach a bipod to the forend, you may want to buy a longer/wider forend from Bullberry Barrel Works(
www.bullberry.com) or Virgin Valley Custom Guns (
www.virginvalleyguns.com) as the factory forend doesn't work well for this use.
Slings: I've used various slings, from Pachymar's Contender sling to different rifle slings, but by far and away my favorite is the one from "Just Sling It". :grin: (it's available from manufacturer at
www.jsi-guns-hunting-firearms.com/atv.htm or at VVCG). This sling is designed to be used w/ handguns.
The single best swivel studs for the Conteder were made by SSK, but when I last checked a year ago or so, they had discontinued them. :roll: I've since found one pair on Ebay. Good luck and good hunting. Gary T.