I am interested in buying a contender in .22LR for plinking but would like to know how much difference the barrel length can make, if any noticeable difference at all.
Also, does the .22LR have a smaller frame than the others and can you swap barrels in this pistol, say switch to a .30-30 barrel when needed?
Thanx.

EXPRESS,

Greetings! While there are some monor issues regarding frame strength between very old and new style frames (minor differences in the trigger group configuration flag a frame as old or new style) all the frames were meant to accept all the Contender barrels.

As for barrel length, I am a bit biased as I shoot the 22lr using a rifle scope and with a free-float handguard and Harris bipod, so unless you are going to do this type shooting, you may want to opt for the shorter 10" length for off-hand shooting.

THIS IS MY 14" VARMINTING 22lr W/MATCH CHAMBER



THIS IS A BIT MORE TRADITIONAL 10" SETUP, THOUGH MINE WEARS AN AIRGUN CLOSE-FOCUS SCOPE.

I shoot a 10" 22 match with a Simmons Aetec 3.8-12X with the adjustable objective. This rig does GREAT in NRA Hunter Pistol Class at the clubs monthly Silhouette match. I use this rig standing and shoot out to 100 meters to knock over the Rams. Great fun, whoever says a 22LR is not accurate at 100 yards needs to come out and watch.
This barrel loves the CCI MINI MAG Silouette Ammo, very consistant and good solid hits.

I also have a 16" barrel in 22LR and I do not see any great difference in accuracy with it over the 10". I'm sure it has higher FPS but have not done a test yet over the chrony to find out how much.
Could be a Spring project.

I have a Burris 2.5x-7x on my 10" Match barrel. It is very accurate with Winchester Power Points. I like the 10" for offhand shooting.......

I also shoot a match 14inch Contender, never though about putting a rifle scope on it... think I'll do some swapping on my next off shift. The thing you need to remember is to find the ammo you 22lr, no matter the length, likes best. I'm lucky in that my Contender shoots CCI Mini-Mags(cheap) like a dream and just dolts on Federal Gold Metal (900)not so cheap).
I use all my 22lr guns as squirrel/rabbit guns. Haven't had the Contender out this year yet. Been ringing out the three project rifles since the first week in OCT. I've got a string going that I won't post until after the season (don't want to break it by posting the number.