Hey, I’m kicking around getting a T/C Contender pistol for predator calling during small game season (no center fire rifles allowed).

Are any of y’all using one of those and, if so, how do you like it? Do you have any probs getting it on target? Do you use shooting sticks or something to steady it? Do you use a scope, red dot, what?

Just trying to get some input on this before I make a decision.

Many thanks.

I find a contender handgun with a scope to be real slow to get on target. I don't find shooting sticks to be good enough. If I can't belly down on the ground and shoot over my pack, I'm S-O-L so far as hitting anything. With iron sights it's a lot better situation ... much like a long barreled revolver. The 10" barrels are not bad at all, the 14" barrels are kinda clumsy even w/o a scope.

I haven't tried it, but one of the very very light red dots might work out pretty well .. just guessing.

Most of my field time with a Contender is with an old 10" SS .22 LR match barrel that's been punched for .22 magnum. It is spooky accurate. Iron sights and a very slick trigger pull on the G2 frame.

I agree with T_O_M. Been a long time, but that’s one of the reasons I let the two I once had go. A red dot will be faster, if less precise. Maybe an attached bipod would help, maybe not.

There are other options. Supposedly, tungsten shotshells will kill to about 100yards. Maybe one of the hot .17 RFs? Or go with your gut and your original notion. Maybe I’m just clumsy.

A 12 gauge semi-auto with a red dot would surely work, esp with coyote loads and a coyote choke.

For deer with a contender I wouldn't see a problem, as those are walkers, assuming you used a deer-compatible caliber. But friggin coyotes are moving a lot of the time, and it occurred to me that getting a workable sight picture might be a prob. A red dot might work better. I live in the SE, and sometimes things get a little thick.

I use my Contender a lot for much varmint hunting. The trick for me as to getting the guns steady fast is to hold it by the grip and forend at the same time and sort of stretch the pistol by pulling your hands apart slightly. This settles the gun down for me and I don't have any problem getting a good sight picture through my 2-6 Bushnell pistol scope. However if two coyotes come in you probably are not going to get a shot on the second.

Contender carbine chambered in 17 HMR would be better than a scoped pistol Contender in my opinion.

Unless you are wanting a true challenge and are willing to either miss a lot of opportunities and able to pass on a lot of shots it is an easy pass.

A tight choked 12 gauge w a good dose of lead BBs, #2s,#4s or #5s would be a better choice IMO.

The idea of a 17 HMR in a carbine would be okay too.

Assume it would have to be a rimfire cartridge in the pistol as well?

Shortly after the 17 HMR came out, I bought a barrel for my Contender pistol. Had a 2x Leupold on it and killed a few coyotes with it.

Wound up missing a few opportunities and started carrying it for cats and an AR for coyotes. I have wondered if a red dot might have been a better option.

If I was stuck with a rimfire, I’d opt for 22 magnum though and in a carbine if at all possible.

OP, I killed a lot of coyotes with a 22 Mag, 40g winchester HP...many others will fail. 17 HMR is a pitiful choice as you need bullet penetration, which it is poorly lacking.

17 Rim fire mag MAYbe a good choice but I have never owned one.

12ga with full and extra full choke with #4 Buck is a great choice, killed a lot with this combo.

Yup if going for yotes w shotgun, make it #4 buck and not reg #4 shot.

Hookeye, I have a box of Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote in 'T' shot in 3" and 3 1/2" if I wanna roll with a shotgun.

17 wsm would seem to be the answer for you

I see guys using an AR pistol style arm brace on their contenders. I believe the ATF has clarified that using them like a buttstock is ok but you need to do your own verification on that. Would give you a handgun option in a suitable chambering with short carbine characteristics. Haus of Arms has the braces (sharps brand).

An SBA3 brace would fit just like this LaRue stock I put on to reduce LOP for my son.



It is rather thick in the grip, but it works, and was inexpensive, as I had the buffer tube and stock in my parts bin.

Don't let the coyotes I have killed w #4 & #5 turkey loads they were pussies and died to small shot!!

It's a dead issue now. I was eyeballin' a used Contender G2 with a Weaver scope, base, and rings, and a 223 barrel on Gunbroker. The guy put it on starting at $9. When I first saw it the price was $305. The auction just now ended and it went for $850. Too rich for my blood.

Maybe I'll just get a brand new Stoeger M3000 instead, if I feel a need to get something.,

That was too much. I got a new G2 action, trigger job done, and 30-30 SSK threaded barrel with a sweet rail for that amount.

That's GB for ya.

goalie,
That's why I just sat there laffin.

10gauge,
I think that was the first GB auction I ever got close to participating in. It was...interesting.

I'm sure the seller would disagree with it being too high.

I read where Haus of Arms is close to building and releasing a new G1 Contender frame, along with lots of barrel calibers.

For the seller, there is no such thing as a price that is too high. But it was more than I wanted to pay. I have other irons in the fire.

I'm in no rush. We'll see what happens down the road. Good to hear about Haus of Arms.

Definitely doable, but I think I’d want a semi auto or repeating shotgun of some kind for calling. If you call in a double or need multiple shots, the contender isn’t going to do you any favors. If you just want to, go for it!

I had and used one in .223 14" topped with a fixed 2.5x scope. Loaded with Hornady SX or blitz it worked very well. I found sitting leaning back with my knees up worked best. I used a two-hand grip making contact with legs or knees as available for the angle of the critter coming in. In the short barrel the soft bullets wouldn't exit, and there was little if any pelt damage. This was back in the mid 80's, so there are many bullets now that didn't exist then.

I have a .22 mag 14" w a 3-12X Burris on it.
Had a 4X leupold and find the 3X is a bit easier.
2X is good (had on another pistol) but when at the range, it aint enough. I go up to 9X when farting around at the range (using a bench).

Had a reddot on a .35 rem bbl. Made it easy to shoot well, and quick..........but lack of mag, Id only run one on a deer setup.

The Burris scope, w Burris Signature Zee rings and that small hole in the Super 14 bbl................its a pig on a long walk to do a few calling spots.

I’ve got a few contenders and have sold a few others. Although they can be very accurate I seriously doubt I would have much of a chance at hitting a rapidly moving coyote at any distance with one of them. I’d definitely go with a 12ga with 3” #4B and a good choke. A good 22mag would also suffice. Good luck.

Once upon a time I used a Contender in 221 Fireball. It was great fun but you HAD to pay attention!

Contenders, pistols and rifle make for a poor calling gun, about the same as a single barrel shotgun. I can not stress this enough. We like what we like in our hobby, but a 12 ga Semi auto with the right choke is a truly awesome weapon for coyotes.

Check out Bubbaroundtree on You Tube

One thing about coyotes, 40-60 % of the time, you are shooting at a Walking, Trotting, or running target. If you wait till they stand still, you are going to be passing on a LOT of shots, and this means you may need a follow up shot.

I’ll buy your Contender that is not good for coyotes!

never understood the allure.... even after having them.