jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Feb 16, 2023 21:57:32 GMT -5
Since this could be a handgun or a rifle, I couldn't make up my mind where to post it, so I chose HERE so anyone interested might have a chance to see it.
I'd long given up checking the status on Haus of Arms' site, but a friend texted me this evening and told me that the elusive SSK-50 frames were supposed to start shipping. My first though twas "yeah, right." Well, I looked on Haus of Arms' site and it appears that they really believe these will be shipping THIS MONTH.
I'm "on the list" for one, but the way the whole rest of the thing happened (more accurately DIDN'T), I figure somehow, my name fell off the list, never made it onto it, or who knows what other dumb luck would befall one after the all the false starts. I'm not doing any happy dances until I have a real one in my grubby little mitts. Yeah, there are Contenders out there I could buy, but I want to see this project HAPPEN. The shooting public should NOT be deprived of this platform.
If you've paid up front, you will be the first to get one. If you're on "the list," you'll be next. They are honoring the original price for ONE unit for both groups, but offering each a chance to order one more (at the new, undetermined price), before selling to the general public.
I truly hope that this is valid information, as I truly hope to see this project be a success, as I've told Marty a few times now, "not just because I want one, but because the Contender platform NEEDS to survive."
Marty has been very patient with my pestering for the first year and a half of this wait, so it will be nice to see this happen for him as well as for anyone who wants a (another) Contender.
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cdf41
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by cdf41 on Feb 16, 2023 22:41:16 GMT -5
Im on the list some where lol.Think I got on the list around October 2019 , sure hope this works out. Have a couple barrels waiting and shouldn't have sold my Contender frame a couple years ago.
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Feb 16, 2023 22:54:22 GMT -5
Im on the list some where lol.Think I got on the list October 2019 , sure hope this works out. Have a couple barrels waiting and shouldn't have sold my Contender frame a couple years ago.
Yeah, and Marty posted on the blog not to call and ask where you are on the list. I got on the minute I saw it, so I hope I was early. You and I will have to wait for 373 other guys who paid up front to get theirs, and whoever was in front of us on the list. I just hope all 373 of the ones who paid up front do not exercise their option to buy a second frame! We'll be waiting for 746 of them to be delivered before we come up!
I've been watching Contender frames online and a lot of people seem to be OK with paying $400 for one. I'm OK with paying $275, but it's going to cost me another stock set and barrel now.
Now, I'll go to sleep tonight wondering if I should look for a tapered, 16" 357 barrel, a 24", non-tapered 38-55 barrel, maybe a 24" 222 barrel, but I could make 256 Win Mag brass from 357 brass and...... I'm actually NOT complaining. Beats going to sleep fretting about stupid stuff.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,424
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Post by JM on Feb 17, 2023 12:21:11 GMT -5
I requested a refund after the third failed shipping date. Been about 3 years, doubt that I'm still on the waiting list.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2023 12:30:04 GMT -5
I requested a refund after the third failed shipping date. Been about 3 years, doubt that I'm still on the waiting list. I did the same after the first two years of broken promises. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Inflation of materials, etc will mean these are sold at a significant loss. Every email for four years has promised that we're getting close. At this point, I'll believe there's an SSK-50 Contender when I see a SSK-50 Contender... |
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 17, 2023 13:07:51 GMT -5
Sounds ominous to call Warren Center’s Contender a “platform.” When I hear “platform” I think loading dock. Better to call it a Contender. Unique among single shots, Warren Center’s pistol accompanied the ascension of handgun hunting and handgun silhouette, both disciplines responsible for major explorations in handgun ballistics.
Aside from Remington’s XP-100, I pretty much stuck with the Thompson/Center Contender for Production category competition in steel shooting, a tip of my hat to Warren Center for his brilliant design, wonderfully executed for the blue collar dollar.... None of which would have mattered, had not Warren conceived his tip-open single shot so smooth to reload, with such a fine trigger.
The gun has no business dying now. A mediocre design could stay buried. A superior design should cheat the coffin for generations.
David Bradshaw
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2023 13:17:38 GMT -5
Sounds ominous to call Warren Center’s Contender a “platform.” When I hear “platform” I think loading dock. Better to call it a Contender. Unique among single shots, Warren Center’s pistol accompanied the ascension of handgun hunting and handgun silhouette, both disciplines responsible for major explorations in handgun ballistics. Aside from Remington’s XP-100, I pretty much stuck with the Thompson/Center Contender for Production category completion in steel shooting, a tip of my hat to Warren Center for his brilliant design, wonderfully executed for the blue collar dollar.... None of which would have mattered, had not Warren conceived his tip-open single shot so smooth to reload, with such a fine trigger. The gun has no business dying now. A mediocre design could stay buried. A superior design should cheat the coffin for generations. David Bradshaw Not only do I agree, but I'll add that no gun (probably all guns combined) has ever spawned as many Wildcat Cartridges. I personally own barrels ranging from 17 Ack Hornet to 50-70 Govt. You can throw a 410 Shotgun in there too. I doubt there's ever been any handgun that did more for Handgun Hunting either. |
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Feb 17, 2023 16:46:36 GMT -5
OK, so I won't use the "P-word" again. 
Unless this strikes a nerve already irritated by the current gross misuse and "repurposing" of words which have already had meanings for a few hundred years (yeah, that bugs me), I'm not sure I understand why distinguishing between various action types with that specific word seems demeaning. I consider the Contender to be one of the finest engineering marvels of the twentieth century and feel that it really has no match. I absolutely mean no disrespect. I fell for the Contender when they came out. It was so inherently COOL, that it didn't even bother me that it LOOKED cool, and that usually turns me off. It is just the most amazing little thing, which is one of the things I love about it - it's so LITTLE. SO much you can do with one. SO versatile. SO handy. "Blue collar dollar." Now, there's an extinct concept. Ruger, Marlin, TC all used to be part of that market, but I don't think that segment gets much love these days. If I can land a SSK-50 for $275, I'm taking it, but an extra barrel is going to be over $400 these days and a PLASTIC stock set is up to $140! Yes, Encore64, I am in agreement on seeing before believing. I left my name on the list, just in case. If it happens, I'll have one. If it doesn't, I won't. I'm personally more interested in seeing the Contender survive than getting another one, but I'll damned surely take another one if it's passed under my nose for $275. I really and truly hope that this is a GO. The Contender MUST survive. A few years from now, a bunch of people will get their heads out of their butts and wish they had a bunch of stuff which was displaced by plastic stuff that goes "bang" and tills the back stop. This plat.... the CONTENDER will be wanted and needed once again by more that the current dedicated few who care more about hitting their target than plowing the earth all around it really fast. |
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Post by parallaxbill on Feb 17, 2023 18:08:14 GMT -5
I'm on the list. Just about forgot about it.
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Feb 17, 2023 18:50:41 GMT -5
I'm on the list. Just about forgot about it. It's been so long - let's just hope THEY didn't forget about US!  |
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Post by kevshell on Feb 17, 2023 20:14:53 GMT -5
Let's see if they call. I've got 2 of the flat sides ordered/reserved/requested.
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Post by ChiefTJS on Feb 17, 2023 20:40:58 GMT -5
I'm on the list but it's been so long I can't remember what I reserved. I have three Contender frames but I still want some of these.
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Feb 17, 2023 23:27:21 GMT -5
Not to just be cynical, but the way this has gone, I see some kind of debacle regarding the list popping up. JUST to be cynical, I actually have the cash, so SOMETHING else HAS to go wrong.  |
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 18, 2023 8:00:25 GMT -5
Not to just be cynical, but the way this has gone, I see some kind of debacle regarding the list popping up. JUST to be cynical, I actually have the cash, so SOMETHING else HAS to go wrong. I agree. It's not being cynical, it's dealing with reality and having learned what we have for four years. |
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cdf41
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by cdf41 on Feb 21, 2023 19:11:29 GMT -5
I actually have the cash, so SOMETHING else HAS to go wrong. [/quote] Ha ha yup goes that way for me all the time ! If I have the cash no good deals show up, only when I don't have it 🤣 |
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