OK, enough about Politics for a while. Recently, I wrote a bit on my fascination with the Contender and it seems that my observations struck a cord. I've gotten a number of nice messages on the subject and I thought that I'd amplify a bit on my experiences.
First off, I got my first frame (Easy Open) a few years ago in .44 mag. I wasn't sure what I was getting into but I loved it. Today I have five frames (old original Contender. Some easy open, some converted, some not so easy open) and a bunch of barrels. "What barrels" you say? Well, take a look:
| 10" | .30 Carbine |
| 14" | .17 HMR |
| 14" | .22 LR |
| 14" | .204 Ruger |
| 10" | 32/20 Winchester |
| 10" | 7-30 Waters |
| 10" | .445 Super Mag |
| 10" | .45 Long Colt/ .410 |
| 10" | .30-30 |
| 12" | .17 Ackley Bee |
| 10" | .222 Remington |
| 10" | .22 LR |
| 10" | .223 |
| 12" | .22 WMR |
| 10" | .22 WMR |
| 12" | .357 Magnum |
| 10" | 5 mm Remington |
| 14" | .17 HM2 |
| 10" | .44 Remington |
| 10" | .357 Max/magnum |
Nice little collection. Honest to God, I'd love to say that I bang away with all of them but, truth be told, I bought a few "just because". Come on now, a .17 Ackley Bee? Before you .17 Ackley Bee guys kick ass, let me say that I intend to shoot it, it just isn't at the highest point of my list and there are only so many hours in the day.
At the moment, I am riveted by two calibers: the .17HM2 and the .204 Ruger.
This is the steel frame in .204. Neat. Only problem is that the grip is a bit too small for my hand. Not a big issue since I use it from a rest or bipod.
A note on optic: I have an NCStar rice rocket on this piece. I gotta say that for ~$40 from Amazon I have to wonder about the sanity of someone who would go out and spend half a grand for a sight picture that is indistinguishable from this one. Hell, if you're worried about the damn thing breaking, buy four of them. Buy ten for Chrissakes. It's still cheaper. Slam it on your Contender and use the cost difference to buy another frame or a couple of barrels. If you're worried about fashion go watch Project Runway and leave firearms to guys who look for functionality at reasonable cost first and whether the name is "right" second.
So ... the Ruger .204. I've shot it a couple of times now, nice muzzle blast. Not quite as "interesting" as a .223 but it certainly gets the attention of anyone to your side. The target shows 10 shots at 100 yards. Rest, naturally.
I stand by my notion of shooting being "Loud Zen". There is only one problem: when you pay a buck for every flyer, it is tough to be real mellow. There is a solution, though. Next time I'll discourse on why rim fires are the preferred calibers of the Zen masters.
Share your Contender thoughts Amigos, I am waiting.
Till next time ...
MJ
A note on optic: I have an NCStar rice rocket on this piece. I gotta say that for ~$40 from Amazon I have to wonder about the sanity of someone who would go out and spend half a grand for a sight picture that is indistinguishable from this one. Hell, if you're worried about the damn thing breaking, buy four of them. Buy ten for Chrissakes. It's still cheaper. Slam it on your Contender and use the cost difference to buy another frame or a couple of barrels. If you're worried about fashion go watch Project Runway and leave firearms to guys who look for functionality at reasonable cost first and whether the name is "right" second.
I stand by my notion of shooting being "Loud Zen". There is only one problem: when you pay a buck for every flyer, it is tough to be real mellow. There is a solution, though. Next time I'll discourse on why rim fires are the preferred calibers of the Zen masters.
Share your Contender thoughts Amigos, I am waiting.
Till next time ...
MJ
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