[lakota]

I have a chance to pick up an early Contender with a 10" 44 mag bbl with a vent rib for $350. Is this a fair price? Are the early mfg Contenders compatible with all present day acc. IE carbine buttstocks and barrels etc. I want to convert it to a carbine in .223, but dont want to buy if it cannot be converted. I traded my first Contender about 4 years ago for a Super Black Hawk and I have been kicking myself for it ever since! :x

Thanks,

Scott

 

[helobill]

Yep, all barrels with fit the early frames. Only frames and barrels that won't are the Armour Alloy II's unless they've been reworked (basically they take the AA finish off the frame and lug so they accept a standard pivot pin.)
$350 is okay, not great at the moment but prices go up and down. Without the easy opening conversion ($55 plus shipping last time I looked at Fox Ridge) I'd probably only go $300-$325 if it was in very good condition. If you check Eds, gunbroker or auction arms, you can see what 44 mag barrels are going for. Eds or James Lewis usually have frames for $175-$200, just have to add the wood and barrel to compare to your $350.
Helicopter Bill

 

[pinduck]

You might want to check the .44 mag barrel, if it is the very early one that is flat on the bottom of the breech end you may have trouble getting a new barrel that has the step on the bottom to work properly. I have run into this on some of my early 4number series frames. However having some later frames I just switch to a frame that does work. Maybe someone has a fix for this problem.

 

[lakota]

I went out and got it

For $325. It is actually a 45/410 bbl with the vent rib they had it mismarked on their ad. The Serial # is 313XXX. Was this made after the easy open conversion?


Scott.

 

[pinduck]

With that serial number barrel should fit.

 

[helobill]

Made in the last half of 1987. Easy open conversion started with serial number 195,000. I'd take it for $325 in good condition.
Helicopter Bill

 

[lakota]

Thanks for the help, I am back in the Contender business now.


Scott.

 

[grinch]

Just got a contender s/n 3xxxx. Will there be any problem using new barrels? The current one is 22 k-hornet and I would like to get a 30/30 one. I don't understand about "flat spot" on bottom at breech end. The current barrel has moderate corrosion in several places that will likely need to be draw filed and reblued. The frame does not appear to have any corrosion. Yes I did take it apart to look. I paid $250.

 

[RonF]

A 30,000 range Contender shouldn't give you any trouble. I have one in the 12,000 range that handles all barrels just fine.

RonF

 

[kywoodwrkr]

Static discertation on this?

Is there a static, or permanent location, where a discussion of early receivers and their unmodified use with newer barrels is explained and documented? I have two receivers under 50,000 which I have problems with when using some barrels. Just 10" barrels, nothing spectatcular. Do they work easier after a certain amount of use? I know I can have them modified but I just get bent out of shape when I have to pay for re-engineering because of poor original engineering. Thanks for any links. DaveP