You're so right, DWD. The Contender spawned the rise of a lot of cartridges tailored to the silhouette game and handgun hunting, such as the TCU and Herrett series and it also saved a few less popular commercial cartridges from an early death. For example, there's still a lot of Contender fans who love the 7-30 Waters, even though they pretty much have to make their own brass from 30-30 brass, now.
I used to shoot the 357 Max, back in the day. Wonderful cartridge.
Happy New Year All!
TC Contender 357 and 44 mag sight in
- North Country Gal
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bandit1250
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Re: TC Contender 357 and 44 mag sight in
Go to love the older Contenders that were very well made. I used to carry a Super 14 in 223 Rem. in a shoulder rig in fall turkey season along with my Beretta O/U in case the turkeys were spotted out in the fields out of range. I killed quite a few with it that included a huge old gobbler at ranges past 200yds. NCG that is good shooting with bulk ammo and we expect that from you any way.
I have been watching for an older one to turn up.
- North Country Gal
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Re: TC Contender 357 and 44 mag sight in
Thanks, Bandit.
Getting a little iffy on parts availability on the very early ones, such as the one above, for some certain key parts and there were changes made to some parts over the years. Even the later versions, from the mid 80s on for the original Conteders will be a problem, at some point. When S&W bought TC, they pretty much dropped servicing the original Contenders and now only service the G2 and Encore. We're now pretty much on our own for parts on the original Contenders. Just a heads up.
Getting a little iffy on parts availability on the very early ones, such as the one above, for some certain key parts and there were changes made to some parts over the years. Even the later versions, from the mid 80s on for the original Conteders will be a problem, at some point. When S&W bought TC, they pretty much dropped servicing the original Contenders and now only service the G2 and Encore. We're now pretty much on our own for parts on the original Contenders. Just a heads up.
Re: TC Contender 357 and 44 mag sight in
NCG,
Good report, good pictures and good shooting!
Thank you.
Cate
Good report, good pictures and good shooting!
Thank you.
Cate
- North Country Gal
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- Location: northern Wisconsin

Re: TC Contender 357 and 44 mag sight in
You are very welcome, Cate.