Just want to thank Mike Bellm publically for all his help. Yes, I was the one who had the grip bolt snap off in my T/C Contender frame and then proceeded to break the easy out trying to get it out. Everything worked out find as per your suggestions. Mike is one hell of a guy to put up with all us T/C users nonsense. Thanks for being there buddy.

Next thing. I'm going to get a black powder barrel for my Contender. Mr. Bellm suggested Gonic (and, as you can tell, I highly value his opinion). Have any of you T/C users had any experience with Gonic or other barrel makers concerning BP barrels? If so, tell me about them. I want to get as much input as I can since, here in New York, they changed the rules regarding muzzleloading season in that we can now use a "scope" on our muzzleloaders (single shot muzzleloading pistols are allowed). Any help is greatly appreciated....RW

Ravenwolf, Yeah, you're right about Mike--he's a real asset to the Contender shooting world, despite his clearly being a "heretic." I hope to have something SOON to report regarding a Contender muzzleloader barrel. I checked w/ VVCG and Bullberry since they make such barrels, but their shop time was a little too long for me for THIS season. I REALLY liked the Gonic, but I had two problems w/ them: from reading their brochure, it appeared as if one had to buy one of their forends to use w/ the barrel (although barrels were reasonably price, approx $270, their forends were as much as the barrel..... ); I could never catch them on the phone to discuss the forend issue directly w/ them. I have to admit I never left a message on their answering machine, but I'm really not in a position where I can easily take phone calls while at work during the day.... That having been said, I've ordered a 50 cal Contender barrel from Van Horn (see my earlier post). Gary T.