I have a 14" .35 Rem. barrel that is hard to open, it is the only barrel that I own that is this way. The action will still open, but it takes quite a bit of pressure on the trigger guard to open it. I can open it by hand but it gets hard on the fingers after several shots, especially in cold weather. Is this a user (substitute dummy) fixable problem or does it need to go to the smith?

Dennis,

There may be a mechanical fix needed to make opening your Contender a little easier. But you might try a little different way of doing it before getting a smith involved.

Rather than to try to open the action with just finger tension on your right hand, grasp the trigger guard lever with your right fingers the same as before, then with your left palm, smack your right-hand fingers. This will give the opening mechanism a little extra thrust and will usually pop it right open. If it is still stiff, you probably do need the attention of a smith.

Also, if your frame is the old type and has not been converted to the "easy-open" version, you may be able to send it to T/C and have it converted at a nominal cost. I say - MAY, because I don't know for sure if they still do this, but some years ago that was a common conversion.

Hope that makes it easier,

Don Shearer

I just bought an older frame (that is not of the easy open variety) a couple days ago. I phoned Fox Ridge Outfitters yesterday and inquired about the Easy Open Contender Frame Conversion. Yes Fox Ridge Outfitters is still doing this conversion. The price is $55.00 plus $7.95 for return shipping. The Conversion includes a new Trigger Guard, New Trigger & New Hammer, etc. I boxed up my frame today and will ship it out tomorrow morning. They said it is normally a 2 week turn-around time. There is information on this conversion on the Fox Ridge Outfitters web site under "Conversions".

Larry

Larry

Thanks for the info.

Dennis