Aaron
posted this
21 December 2023
As you surmise, frames will be the issue. I think S&W has dropped the Contender/Encore line of frames and they are focusing on the inline rifles. Yuck!
There are plenty of used frames out there and lots of barrels, more so now that we boomers are heading to the eternal range in the sky. There are fortunately, a host of aftermarket producers of barrels like Bullberry and SSK. I have seen the SSK barrels advertised on MidwayUSA at reasonable prices. They are of course, "standard" chamberings. Bullberry makes excellent barrels of almost any chamber you wish. A full list of chamberings is on his website.
Newcomers to the Contender line get very confused with barrel/frame combinations. Specifically the Armour Alloy II frames and barrels. There are a considerable amount of folks who insist these are Stainless Steel. Oh well, such is life.
I doubt we will see T/C resurrect their barrel line in our lifetime, and those of us who shoot these fine guns will have to rely on the used market, with all of its risks, as well as aftermarket producers.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.