T-C Contender "mandatory" for beginners, or how I “cheated” today

[Onty]

T-C Contender "mandatory" for beginners, or how I “cheated” today

I know that this suggestion in a title will ruffle some feathers, but IMHO, nothing builds shooter’s confidence like ACCURATE handgun. And I know what I am talking about, just do not ask me how I learned this lesson.

Few years ago I got Contender frame with 44 and 45 barrels, and soon after I purchased 357 barrel, but never had a chance to try it. At one time I was even thinking about 22 LR one, but its “pop” didn’t make me rushing to get one. Anyhow, to make long story short, I finally decided to see how 357 barrel is going to work, got 357 brass and assembled some ammo using RCBS 38-158-CM bullet with SR4756 and HS6, and went this somehow “fresh” morning on the range. First shots were “little” bit out of red dot (3” dia), but after some sight adjustment and “warming up” I made several groups 2-2.5” (off hand shooting), holding pistol with both hands like revolver, without supporting pistol fore end. Considering that I am at the best average handgun shooter, this Contender must be making group about 1/2“ to max 1” at 25 meters. Well my friends, this was very “stimulating” and after that, I was knocking down those half scale silhouettes like never before. To bad that other guys (very experienced and successful on silhouettes) weren’t’ there, they would be surprised with my progress.

When I showed last time with Contender using 44 barrel, I had some folks with revolvers joking that I am having advantage over them. I told them since I am not as good as they are; I have to “cheat” somehow in order to keep up with them. Well, I am glad I purchased that 357 barrel, now I can “cheat” even better, but considering their handgun shooting, I’ll still need to burn a lot of ammo in 357 Contender to get even close.

So, as I stated in a title, I started thinking why each club wouldn’t get one of these single shot pistols, and let beginners try it before they sink money in pistols and revolvers that are not near as accurate as Contender, usually for considerably more money. This is excellent first handgun and learning tool, and once new shooter feels confident, he/she can try something else, and always get $400-450 for this great handgun. I like 357 in this pistol; when you pull the trigger, “something happens” on the muzzle and on the metal plate, not just 22 ”pop” and plate just barely topples over. Even with full power load recoil is modest and one can shoot all day long without being run down, and 357 is easy to reload and economical when compares with other larger calibres. And this is from somebody who likes 41 Bisley more than any other handgun…

 

[Rudy H]

I have not had a lot of success with my TC Contender (44 mag). It just doesn't feel right in my hand. I don't like the long reach for the trigger. But maybe it would be different if I held it with two hands.

 

[Onty]

I have not had a lot of success with my TC Contender (44 mag). It just doesn't feel right in my hand. I don't like the long reach for the trigger. But maybe it would be different if I held it with two hands.

My shooting using 44 barrel was so-so. First dozen rounds was OK but later nope. Pachmayr grip I have is also making trigger reach tad long for me and now I am looking for something smaller or wooden one I can file down. I guess combination of heavier 44 and not so optimal grip for this recoil level made my prolonged shooting not so good. Another issue; 44 will make trigger guard and its extension hitting my fingers, not so pleasant with loads above 44 Special level.

But 357 is different ball game. I hope that getting right grip and shooting 357 will help me to get on next level so I can finally "compete" with my folks.

To all young shooters: ask if anybody in your club has 357 Contender, get box or two of factory loaded ammo and try it. After shooting average revolver or semiauto and getting not so great hits, you will be pleasantly surprised when you find out that you are actually better shooter than you think. It happen to me...

 

[Rudy H]

Actually my experience with new shooters is that they shoot better with a good revolver. New women shooters in particular. Something like a S&W K frame.

While I think the Contender is a good gun (and I'd never sell mine) I can't see any reason for suggesting it for new shooters.

 

[dan belisle]

As with Rudy, small frame revolvers, in particular Colt D frames for newbies. Just seem to fit womens' and kids' hands better. I have owned a few Contenders (used to shoot silhouette) and still have one. Shot them in 7mm Int-R, 7mm TCU, 22 LR, 22 Jet, 30 Herrett, 357 Herrett, 30-30, 44 Mag, 45 Colt/410 (which is a hoot to shoot clay pigeons with by the way) and a couple of SSK wildcats. They do better shooting from a Creedmore position then offhand, but again, that's a silhouette thing. They are very, very accurate guns in general, and a lot of fun. FWIW - dan Oh, and if there were any justice at all, we'd be able to hunt with them. I've seen guys win accuracy bets against rifles at the range with a TCU or XP100.

 

[Onty]

Actually my experience with new shooters is that they shoot better with a good revolver. New women shooters in particular. Something like a S&W K frame.

While I think the Contender is a good gun (and I'd never sell mine) I can't see any reason for suggesting it for new shooters.

I agree with opinion that certain gun configuration works better for some folks, however, I see no reason why new shooters wouldn't, at least, try Contender, preferably after witnessing what can be done with it by experienced shooter.

When I started looking for my first handgun, my mind was focused on big bad S&W 29, but I ended up with 455 Webley ("Lawrence of Arabia" syndrome, among others). If you even mentioned single shot Contender at that time I wouldn't talk to you any more. But, if someone showed me what Contender could do and let me try it, my ignorance/arrogance will evaporate quite fast.

In other words, new shooters should try during initial course in a club various handguns and Contender (in smaller calibers, no more than 357, to keep recoil moderate), should be one of them. Just my 0.2 cents...

 

[Rudy H]

I see no reason why new shooters wouldn't, at least, try Contender, preferably after witnessing what can be done with it by experienced shooter.

When I started looking for my first handgun, my mind was focused on big bad S&W 29, but I ended up with 455 Webley ("Lawrence of Arabia" syndrome, among others). If you even mentioned single shot Contender at that time I wouldn't talk to you any more. But, if someone showed me what Contender could do and let me try it, my ignorance/arrogance will evaporate quite fast.

Yes they may try it but few would have any interest in shooting it. But if they were just interested in getting the bullets in the same place on the target then they would be shooting a rifle. The shooting experience is a lot more complex than that.

Also you seem to confuse the gun's potential accuracy with the ability for someone to make use of that accuracy. The Contender seems to work for you. Great! But it is an awkward gun. Other guns balance far better in the hand.

While I agree with you that it is often desirable to get new or young shooters to shoot guns that are easier to shoot than full power semi-autos I could think of far better choices than the Contender.

But most new shooters (and some more experienced ones) want to shoot semi-autos. Even getting them to consider a revolver can be a challenge. I think it would be better to try and get them to shoot reduced loads in whatever gun they shoot until they have achieved a decent level of control.

I see no reason why new shooters wouldn't, at least, try Contender, preferably after witnessing what can be done with it by experienced shooter.

Have you ever tried shooting a S&W model 52? Put that in the hand of a skilled shooter and you will show what can be done with a handgun. And far better balance than the Contender.

Once again, there is more to shooting than just accuracy. One new shooter I was talking to would not consider any gun without an exposed hammer. He just really like the look and it didn't matter that a gun without an exposed hammer could have been good. So you move on and help and guide as best you can.

 

[Onty]

Rudy, you have a number of very good points. I would add that 357 barrel on Contender is unnecessarily heavy, making whole pistol muzzle heavy, but so is my 7.5" Redhawk and friend's 686 and 629 Classic with 8-3/8" barrel...

However, no matter how good we are, if handgun is not at least reasonable accurate, I doubt that anybody will enjoying shooting it. I wouldn't. Heck, if I can afford FA 97 in 357 or one of those Les Baer 1911-s, most likely I'll pass Contender. The bottom line is that good used one could be purchased for 400-450 bucks, and you can always get your money back when you sell it.

That's reason why I also suggest to some folks to get S&W 41. Yep, it's more than some other pistols or revolvers, but I had never seen one that isn't accurate if you spend some time and find right ammo. Still kicking myself for selling it, despite I also don't like handguns with striker or covered hammer. Partially for esthetic reason, but mostly because I personally feel safer handling-shooting handguns with exposed hammer and watching others doing the same. It's a result of an accidental discharge I had seen as a kid decades ago but that's beyond this topic.

Regards, Onty.

 

[tjhaile]

+1 on learning to shoot on a quality .22 target pistol. Even the less expensive Rugers and Brownings are cheap to feed and accurate. The older S&W Model 41s with the cocking indicator pin in the back of the frame seem to have the fewest issues compared to newer ones.

I'll have to admit that I don't particularly care for specialty pistols; for me handguns are either auto pistols or revolvers.