I've always been somewhat intriqued by the Contender's looks, but just never got around to owning one. Anyway, it appears I have finally come across a good practical use for one, and have this simple question - how do most of you hold it? I mean, do both hands go on the rear grip as with any other handgun, or is one hand supposed to go up on the forearm (I assume that's the proper name for it?)

Either or, depending on personal preference. I use both hands on the grip. Some silhouette shooters I have known hold the foreend.

I shoot mine (and an Encore while I owned one) with both hands on the grip. When shooting barrels chambered for stouter cartridges the trigger guard spur can bite, bruise, and sometimes abrade the support hand index finger so I tend to rotate my support hand position a little lower than with other pistols and revolvers.

I use both hands on the grip.

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:
I use both hands on the grip.

Yep, it take a while to get used to the weight of a 14" with scope.

I actually shot one as a Free Pistol(one handed .22 LR) for a year until I bought a Toz-35.

Both hands on the grip.For longer shots a Bipod or Backpack.

Lad,

I'm a competitive pistol shooter (indoor bullseye), so I'm always tempted to try it one-handed. I have a lovely, old set of TC wood, thumb-rest grips for my longer pistol barrels.

This is how I look at it. It's not the grip, its the "control" needed to put the bullet on target. One-hand for paper, cans, rocks, unxious tourists... fine. But, for animals... hell, I'll bolt it to a tree if it gives me the best control for a killing shot!

2-screw Contender forends resemble rifles, but I have never been able to successfully hold it as such. I have always thought a flat, varmint style forend would be more practical for resting... which is how I take the vast majority of shots.

I would humbly suggest that whatever grip gives you the best control for the situation... use it!!

BTW, it would be judicious on your part to find the closest mental health clinic. Owning and shooting Contenders and their ilk is addictive and promotes obsessive behaviour. First its new grips, then barrels, then scopes, then custom this and that then carbines, then wildcats, then ....AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! The loveliest form of neurosis

Mike

Two hands on the grip. The gun is not friendly to the hand at all. I don't know how the larger calibers are shot without knuckle damage unless you have the hands of a woman.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Two hands on the grip. The gun is not friendly to the hand at all. I don't know how the larger calibers are shot without knuckle damage unless you have the hands of a woman.

I know what you mean, I get my fingers busted all the time on my 475 Linebaugh and 510 GNR barrel. The trigger guard kills my fingers.
No lady's hand's here.

Thx on all the good replies. I think that forearm is kinda cool looking but just wasn't sure if it's there for any useful purpose. The idea of trying to hold both always seemed pretty awkward.

As far as what the recoil issue will be like, I'm thinking of trying to have a barrel made up in .44 AMP (same cartridge as used in the Auto Mag). It could be a test bed for developing AM loads without putting at risk any extremely valuable and rare 1970s vintage collector guns. The load would be 240 grainers at 1250, 1350 and 1450 fps...similar to a hot factory .44 Mag revolver load.

Would that probably rate the two hand hold on the rear grip?

Now, if I could only find a way to get barrels made up in .357 AMP and .41 JMP.

quote:

Originally posted by Shack:
The load would be 240 grainers at 1250, 1350 and 1450 fps...similar to a hot factory .44 Mag revolver load.

Would that probably rate the two hand hold on the rear grip?

Yep, that'll be no problem with a Contender. I've run 320s @ 1375 from a 10 inch 44 magnum tube. At that level the support hand index finger gets a little arthritic for a while but the aching goes away and flexibility returns eventually.

quote:

Now, if I could only find a way to get barrels made up in .357 AMP and .41 JMP.

Seems to me all you need are the reamers and someone who'll build a barrel with bore, groove, and land dimensions that match your Automags. Sounds like a fun project.

used to shoot IHMSA (long range pistol silhouette)... lay down on your back, support you head with your left hand, hold the contender in your right with your grip next to your butt... then support the barrel on your right leg, just above your boot top... its easier than it sounds... and its called "creedmoore"....

quote:

Originally posted by Shack:
how do most of you hold it? I mean, do both hands go on the rear grip as with any other handgun, or is one hand supposed to go up on the forearm

Hello Shak:
I shoot Contenders in NRA Silhouette, and the hold most people use is with one hand on the forearm (Taco Hold), but the calibers are light (for the most part) with Rifle scopes so he pistol is very close to you. I also shoot pretty stiff loads in a 14" .223 barrel and, again, place one hand on the forearm. In addition, I have a 12 " .45 ACP barrel and load very hot in it, getting a HDY 230 grain XTP to around 1800 FPS with absolutely no signs of pressure and the recoil is very light. With both the .223 and .45 barrels I use Burris pistol scopes that have a longer relief so as not to get tagged.
I hold the forearm with both of these barrels as well (not the Taco hold though) and do not find it awkward at all. I used the .45 at a Silhouette match today as a matter of fact, and it is fun watching the chickens fly completly over the berm behind the bank of animals.

Mr. Glass is correct in that the Contender is very addicting. I continually find myself looking at new barrels, etc...wondering now if I can get someone to make a 14" .450 Bushmaster?!

Have fun, you will love it.

.373 JDJ...
Iron sights. 2 hands on the grip. Padded leather glove on the "strong" hand.

I asked T/C and they still have the .44 AMP reamer, so that appears to make this project possible.

AM barrels were made in many lengths, but the standard is 6.5. There is load data for that and for the longer 8.5. Anyway, the question I'm asking myself is what length T/C barrel to order. I prefer something longer than 6.5 or 8.5 in a Contender and was thinking maybe 10 or 12 inches.

But, obviously that will have a big effect on the ballistics. It raises several interesting questions, such as, generally speaking can you expect a "straight line progression" in fps as you increase the length, or is it more on a "curve" that can't be calculated in advance. In other words, if you know the fps of a 240 with X amount of WW296 in a 6.5, and you know the same figure in an 8.5, then can you calculate with reasonably certainty what it would do in 10.0 or 12.0 with a Contender?

One other thing...I will not be using a scope.

I would not worry about anything but accuracy anyway. But a 10" contender is still a very short gun overall.

The Contender pistol foreend works with barrels as short as 6 inches. No reason you can't order a 6-1/2 barrel and ask the custom shop to drill and tap for front and rear sights.