I have had a Contender for many years with several different barrels but the only one I use much any more is the 45LC/.410 barrel. I am wanting to sell my .223 14" with a Burris 2-7x32 with AO on Burris mount and rings and also have a 10" .44 mag barrel, with the factory sights, that was rechambered to .444 Marlin (yes, it's a handfull). I have a guy interested in the barrels but he told me that there was a difference in the earlier frames and that the barrels may not work on his frame. Is this true? Is their a serial number range that I could check? Is there a way to modify the barrels? What may these barrels be worth?

Thank you,
Keith

I bought a couple of barrels that were VERY difficult to open for my Contender. They were apparently before an "easy open" modification. I sent them to T/C and they did the modification at no charge. In short, the barrels may need modification but it isn't that expensive to do (the cost of shipping). You could also call T/C for the final answer; they've always been helpful when I've called.

As for how much they're worth; who knows. I would say that at the low end, the 444 Marlin barrel would probably go for at least $175 on eBay. The scoped barrel would probably go in the $200s.

Grumukin is correct in everything mentioned wk

The problem with barrel changing and barrel lugs in general is that TC has changed the 'locking bolts' a couple of times since the early days. Way back (I have been into TCs since the seventies) they were one piece bolt. To make the easy open feature work they had to split them into two. They have since changed the geometry slightly to 'improve' lock up. If you have issues with an old barrel its not terribly difficult to correct by changing the locking bolts. Thats what TC will do if you send them the gun/barrel.

According to T/C the split locking bolt barrels will not work very well (if at all) with the old non-easy open frames. T/C will convert the frames to easy open for $55.00 and replace the non-split locking bolts with split locking bolts on any older barrels for free.

edited to clairfy terminology and spelling

I have a pretty good collection of locking bolts if you are ever in a position to need them. I have one pc., two pc., two pc. with the floating pin...the whole gammit with springs and roll pins. In 30 years you gather a few things....

Replacing the one piece bolt witha 2 piece is a 5 minute job, TC shipped me a two piece bolt free.
I was using a barrel with one piece bolt in a newer frame and it cost me a very nice buck when the gun failed to fire...3 times. At that point the buck figured out what all the clicking was and made it.
The gun had fired fine when it was warmer out.