Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots best place to buy a contender

I'm really wanting a TC Contender frame. Where do you recommend buying one from?

do they require a trigger job?

My plan is to order a .22LR and a 357 Max barrel from MGM

sorry if this has been discussed a ton of times.

Gubroker or gunsamerica. they pop up there often. You can also order from T C and have delivered to your ffl. Or you could buy mine but would have to pay for the stocks, barrel, scope and holster too....lol

Prices are all over the place, as is availability. There's some shaking up going on at S&W, so I'd get one pretty soon. I put a SS rifle frame on layaway at Oakland Guns in AR until I can figure out how to get it transferred. My barrel is already here.

Reports on the triggers vary. One supplier at least EABCO, will do an "action job" on the frames they sell before shipping it to you. Saves some money. Can't comment on the quality of their work.

There is one for sale here in the classifieds

Ed's Contenders in OKC normally has frames, new and used available.

Possible option....

SSK/Haus of arms.

I'd get the no logo version

https://www.hausofarms.com/SSK-50-FRAMES_p_2661.html

I’d get a G2 and throw a set of Bellm springs in it. It’s really pretty easy to do. Local gun store would be my first stop

I second the recommendation for HausofArms.com. You can buy the frame from them and have them do a trigger job with Bellm parts before they ship it. I've had them do 3 G2 trigger jobs for me (2 frames bought from them plus another I just sent in). They can set them at whatever level you request down to 2-2.5 lbs, which is where I set mine, and they all shoot fantastic!

Can't remember the last time I saw any TC break-action in an LGS. I suspect the disposable rifle concept has quenched the demand somewhat. All I ever see are their MLs.

Great info guys

I’m going to order the ssk frame

I’ve not seen a TC in my local shops either but I walk in and lay money on the table and it’s usually there within a week.

Buy a frame and then order one of Bellm's spring kits. Also get the special spring pliers. Piece of cake. My encore dropped from 3.5 lbs pull to 1.75 lbs with just the kit. Two more to go.

The only problem with finding a Contender frame, is you have to start looking for the next one and the next. It's a slippery slope, but a fun slide.

Are you after a new or used, original or G2? I bought one new G2 and two used originals. The last was a used original in handgun for with a 10 inch .22 match barrel for $300 OTD. I have been waiting for the SSK50s to start shipping, but I am getting impatient. I want two in carbine form and two in pistol form and I am one short right now. Pawn shops are where I find most of my barrels, but my local gun shop guy has a lot of Contender barrels for reasonable prices.

Complete with 10" match barrel for 300 bucks was a bargain!

Early model, non-easy open with the screwdriver slot for turning the hammer from centerfire to rimfire position. I still think I got a deal considering it was complete with the rimfire barrel.

Depends on the vintage. The older ones have excellent adjustable triggers.

I bought an "early" Contender in .44 mag many years ago, and still have it, use it a lot. Over the years I added a carbine stock and had a "custom' suppressor built for it. This one is my main "hog rifle". Sub sonic loads with heavy hard cast bullets are excellent. Just swapped for a Contender in .222 Remington with a 10" barrel, and started looking for what else I had in Contenders stashed around. Found a .30/30 "Improved" barrel, think I have a .45 Colt stashed somewhere.

I like Contenders. They work!

Mike Holmes

I like them. I think I have three 45 Colt barrels. One has the external choke. I have an Encore too. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Picked mine up yesterday. Trigger ranges from 3-15 to 3-11. I certainly have better ones, but this is perfectly usable for me. The last review I read listed their sample, a .30/30, at over 7lbs, so I was relieved after measuring mine.

With the 20" 1-20" .44 mag barrel, it's a a stubby liitle rascal, perfect for crawling around in the puckerbrush or ambushing from a treestand in tight cover.