T/C Contender barrel, 6" 32magnum

[BullRunBear]

This morning I got a 6" bull barrel for a G1 contender in 32 H&R magnum. Didn't know such a thing was ever made. It has a high polish blued finish and looks unused. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but it does fit on my older Contender frame and it opens with the usual hard pull, no problem. It has the T/C A triangle shaped logo on the side on the barrel.

I can't find much about it on the net except for a reference that some (possibly custom) were made with a .308 bore instead of .312. That seems odd but no explanation was given. I any event, is anyone familiar with this barrel? I'm sending an inquiry to T/C customer service but assume they won't respond for a few days if I'm lucky.

This shoud be a fun addition to my Contender use. I've become a big fan of of the 32 magnum cartridge, and even more of the 32 long. They are comfortable, accurate in my Single-Six 32 mag., and cheap to reload with cast bullets.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jeff

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Pretty sure they are all .308 which I why I have never bought one. They did that so you could load pointy .308's in them for silhouette shooting as I understand it.

Not sure how they will do with .312 bullets in them. Please let me know if it does well with std 32's in it as I will start to look for one again then.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Maybe a limited run from TC from years ago? That sounds really intriguing to me since I'm a 32HR/327 fanatic.

 

[WestKentucky]

I knew that they made some 32 mag but I didn’t know they made it in 6”. Seems likely that the 6” would be custom ordered or possibly a cutdown. I know some custom makers make short barrels and sell them as factory seconds whenever they bigger up a crown or something and chop the barrel to save it.

As for 308 vs 312 bore diameter, that sounds right. The reason so few were made if I recall correctly is that the 30 carbine was so similar and was more popular. I would buy a 32 long, 32 mag is less interesting (to me anyways), but would be a lot more useful.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guys,
Thanks for the help. The Contenders were made with the .308 bores and 1 in10 twist because they were mostly used for steel silhouette targets and the smaller bore and that twist meant they could use heavier rifle bullets. This short barrel version appears to have been made for the T/C Contender Collectors Association. That would explain the TCA in a circle logo on the barrel. Also, it is perfectly safe to shoot regular 32 long and magnum ammo in it with their low pressures and soft bullets. Hot diggety!

Now comes the fun part of working up a load this barrel likes.

Jeff

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Please keep us posted. Big Contender and .32 fan so very interested in how it does with 32 long or mag loads.

 

[WestKentucky]

I want to see a picture of the barrel on a frame. 6” for such a large gun will be interesting.

 

[25-20 WCF]

I want to see a picture of the barrel on a frame. 6” for such a large gun will be interesting.

This isn’t mine, but it appears to be a 6-1/2 barrel.



.

 

[BullRunBear]

Yep! That's pretty much what mine looks like. I've got to admit, the image of a 'snubby' Contender is odd. Not bad, just unusual.

Jeff

 

[BullRunBear]

FINALLY got to the range to try the Contender. Using Remington 32 long ammo I was able to keep 3 inch groups off hand at 25 yards once I got a feel for the piece. No problem, as mentioned above, using the regular diameter bullets in the .308 bore. Okay results considering I haven't shot in a while. It will be fun trying different cast bullet loads to get the group size down.

I don't know if the Contender will be any more accurate than my Ruger Single-Six in 32 magnum but that shorty Contender barrel sure makes for an interesting look.

Jeff

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

that shorty Contender barrel sure makes for an interesting look.

Yeah, but just. not. right! (IMO)....

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I think it looks pretty cool be a neat little target gun in a 38 special