SteveBresnahan
Inactive
Who makes triggers for contenders ? thanks Steve
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T C Contender
- Thread starter SteveBresnahan
- Start date
Steve, why would anyone want an aftermarket trigger for a Contender? They are usually wonderful as is, and only require a little adjustment (not gunsmithing) to make them superb. One allen wrench (I forget the size) is all you need. No flame, but praise for the Contender. I have not handled or shot the Encore, but I understand they are not as good out of the box.
I've never seen an aftermarket Contender trigger for sale. There are a number of place you can get them worked on. E. Arthur Brown Company comes to mind, I'm sure there's others. Contender triggers are pretty good, but there's always room for improvement, I've thought about getting mine done. One joke is "Contender triggers are fully adjustable.... you can set them anywhere from 10 to 100 pounds." Seriously though, I don't think I can set mine under 5 or 6 pounds and still have it function reliably. -- Kernel
Targetshooter
Inactive
If you are having problems with your Contender then send it back to them. They will stand behind their product. I had a Hammer break 3 yrs ago. They repaired the hammer and replaced the rear sight on my barrel at the same time free of charge. Real good company. I hope this helps
One joke is "Contender triggers are fully adjustable.... you can set them anywhere from 10 to 100 pounds." Seriously though, I don't think I can set mine under 5 or 6 pounds and still have it function reliably. -- Kernel
I bought my Contender new back in '88 and it easily adjusted down to about 1.5 pounds. I could have gone lighter still, but it's a field gun. I'm wondering if the newer T/Cs have lawyer-proof triggers. Have yout tried adjusting yours Steve? What year Contender do you have?
Lawyers - that could be it cuz it ain't broken. Mine was new in '95 and it's stainless if that matters. It's got zero creep and no over travel to speak of, it's just plain heavy. It's okay for hunting, it's on the bench when I wish it was lighter. It's probably is more like 4 lbs, I don't have a scale, I do know my out-of-the-box Smiths put it to shame. Tried adjusting it down but it would trip the sear when I opened the action, not a safe condition. I got it set now as light as it's safe to go. Maybe I should just dry fire it about a 1,000 times. -- Kernel
The new heavier trigger spring for Contender frames was introduced (as a liability deterrent, I'm sure) in 1997, according to an e-mail I received from T/C Customer Service Manager Tim Pancurak.
The older frames with the original springs could be adjusted to a perfect, no-creep no-backlash surprise break of around 2 lbs., safely. The newer ones won't go below about 5 lbs. And of course the whole discussion is moot, because effective Jan. 1st, the 'newest' Contender has no adjustments in its trigger at all...it's as bad as the hated Encore.
You can buy lighter aftermarket springs( I think Brownells has them, and probably SSK,) but installing them yourself isn't easy.
I'm holding onto my two old frames. Maybe somebody hasn't gotten the word yet and you can buy theirs. Watch the prices of 'originals' go up...
The older frames with the original springs could be adjusted to a perfect, no-creep no-backlash surprise break of around 2 lbs., safely. The newer ones won't go below about 5 lbs. And of course the whole discussion is moot, because effective Jan. 1st, the 'newest' Contender has no adjustments in its trigger at all...it's as bad as the hated Encore.
You can buy lighter aftermarket springs( I think Brownells has them, and probably SSK,) but installing them yourself isn't easy.
I'm holding onto my two old frames. Maybe somebody hasn't gotten the word yet and you can buy theirs. Watch the prices of 'originals' go up...
mconfluence
New member
OK aHOLE LOT OF YOU CAN ADJUST THE TRIGGER .What about how you adjust it?
troy_mclure
New member
bellmtcs.com has trigger job instructions for contender g2/encore, also sells lighter springs,stones, etc....
http://bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=450 trigger job by mike.
http://bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=450 trigger job by mike.
Contender
Really sorry to read that about the newer Contenders. The two that I have work very nicely at about two lbs.
How to do it? It isn't difficult but explaining it would be a challenge; pics are worth a thousand words in this case.
Suffice it to say that the simplest adjustment involves removing the trigger group from the frame, removing the sear spring and replacing it or cutting off a coil (that's what I did) and polishing the sear.
Simple and very effective. Schematic at http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/tc_contender.jpg
BTW - I haven't found the Encore trigger all that offensive. It isn't the Contender but mine ain't bad. If I hadn't read a number of times on different fora about how bad it is, I'd never have thought twice about it.
Pete
Really sorry to read that about the newer Contenders. The two that I have work very nicely at about two lbs.
How to do it? It isn't difficult but explaining it would be a challenge; pics are worth a thousand words in this case.
Suffice it to say that the simplest adjustment involves removing the trigger group from the frame, removing the sear spring and replacing it or cutting off a coil (that's what I did) and polishing the sear.
Simple and very effective. Schematic at http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/tc_contender.jpg
BTW - I haven't found the Encore trigger all that offensive. It isn't the Contender but mine ain't bad. If I hadn't read a number of times on different fora about how bad it is, I'd never have thought twice about it.
Pete
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