Should I sell this gun?

Should I sell this gun?

  • Yes, sell it and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy shooting it.

    Votes: 32 84.2%

  • No, keep it because it's a cool gun, and it already has a good home.

    Votes: 6 15.8%
  • Total voters
    38
  • Poll closed .
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W

wiscoaster

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I'm trying to decide whether to sell this Thompson/Center Contender 44 Magnum. I've had it for a couple years and I never shoot it, and it's not part of a collection strategy. I don't really need the money right now, and I would only be likely to do a little better than break-even. But I just hate to see a nice gun sitting in storage and not getting used. I would be selling it on consignment through my local gunsmith / used gun store, so don't ask me about buying it here because it's not being offered here. I just want you guys to help me make up my mind. Here's a pic of the gun:
View media item 3251
 
I have not shot my Contenders in many years but I would not sell them. They are just too flexible in what can be done with them.

Also, I feel the older frames are better than the current production frames and they will only be harder to find over time.

Get a carbine length barrel and a rifle stock and you will have a dandy. little carbine. Just do not leave the pistol barrel on the frame with the rifle stock attached.
 
If you ever consider getting into reloading and want to shoot some interesting cartridges that aren't common or available like .357 Maximum or 10mm Magnum, the Thompson Center is often the only gun that can shoot them because it's a single shot platform and one of the most well supported by aftermarket barrel manufacturers.

If you've no interest in such things, sell it. Keep guns you like, dump the ones you don't.
 
Do you know anybody else with a contender? If so borrow their barrel or gun and try something like a 223 or 30-30. The feeling is vastly different. Hitting targets at 200 when some kid with an AR can’t hit squat is all kinds of fun at the range. Before you sell, explore the possibilities.

And I will add this... big heavy straightwalls are a beast in the contender. I had a 16” 44 barrel and it legitimately hurt to shoot it with full power loads. When I got my 7-30 barrel things got better very quickly.
 
I never sell guns. If there is something I find I don't use at all I will keep it for a trade. I can trade a gun for something I like better with money going one way or the other to balance out value without giving up a huge chunk of change by selling it on consignment.
 
Sell the barrel and the handgun wood, if you must, but keep the frame. There are some dandy carbine barrels available and you can even have them custom made. I have carbine barrels in .223, .22LR,, and .35 Rem. Good shooters all. The last one has a bull barrel and was a custom by the E. Arthur Brown co.

Of course you'll have to spring for carbine furniture, but that's not expensive if you're content with the black plastic version.
 
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I would say sell it if it were a high demand item and you can get stupid money for it.
A single shot 44 mag I don't think fits the bill.
 
748 said:
I would say sell it if it were a high demand item and you can get stupid money for it.
A single shot 44 mag I don't think fits the bill.
Click to expand...

No, it doesn't, but after the consignment commission I can still be ahead $50 or so, based on what they're going for on Gunbroker.

However, I'm not thinking of selling it for the money, so that criterion doesn't really weight my decision much.
 
WestKentucky said:
Do you know anybody else with a contender? If so borrow their barrel or gun and try something like a 223 or 30-30. The feeling is vastly different. Hitting targets at 200 when some kid with an AR can’t hit squat is all kinds of fun at the range. Before you sell, explore the possibilities.

And I will add this... big heavy straightwalls are a beast in the contender. I had a 16” 44 barrel and it legitimately hurt to shoot it with full power loads. When I got my 7-30 barrel things got better very quickly.
Click to expand...
So true. I've got a 16" .45-70 barrel and it's pretty much unshootable, even after a full rifle Magnaport job. Definitely an explosion in your hand, and you feel every bit of it, unless, of course, you're shooting 405s. I don't shoot it anymore, but the .30-30 barrel I originally bought the gun with is one I dearly love. And MOA accurate. I'd also like to get a .223 barrel for it. At any rate, I'd never sell my Contender.
 
WestKentucky said:
Do you know anybody else with a contender? If so borrow their barrel or gun and try something like a 223 or 30-30. The feeling is vastly different. Hitting targets at 200 when some kid with an AR can’t hit squat is all kinds of fun at the range. Before you sell, explore the possibilities.

And I will add this... big heavy straightwalls are a beast in the contender. I had a 16” 44 barrel and it legitimately hurt to shoot it with full power loads. When I got my 7-30 barrel things got better very quickly.
Click to expand...

I really dislike shooting 44 magnum in a T/C, it kicks like a mule. You're right about the 7/30 Waters.
 
Bush Pilot said:
You're right about the 7/30 Waters.
Click to expand...

In the 1980's, I got a Super 14 7mm International Rimmed barrel for shooting Unlimited class in IHMSA Silhouette. 7mm Int Rimmed is similar to 7-30 Waters, basically a necked down 30-30 case.

It was a good way to get involved in Unlimited class on a budget and fairly competitive, accuracy wise, with the bolt action pistols of the time.
 
I’m taking this seller’s market opportunity to clear our the oddballs, duplicates, and firearms that I just don’t shoot. So with that mindset, of course I’ll say:

Sell it
 
Just cause it's a 44 mag doesn't mean you have to shoot it as a loudenboomer. I have two Super Blackhawks and my old wrists can't take 44 mag recoil anymore but I'm not selling them. 44 mag guns are really nice, pleasant shooters when loaded as 44 specials and accurate too. If that isn't appealing to you go ahead and sell it. Someone will want it.
 
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