SSK-50 Contender Review...

[Encore64]

I decided to start a new thread for those who have an SSK-50 Contender Frame in hand. This will avoid confusion on those still waiting...

I picked up my frame from my Local FFL today.

First impression is the fit and finish are spectacular. I really like the Two Tone Black and Stainless as it matches various barrels better than either color by itself.

Hammer is the Type 3 Style. Widely considered the best by TC Shooters. I can't argue as it's by far the easiest to manipulate between rimfire, centerfire and safety.

Trigger is fully adjustable for travel and overtravel. Just the way they should be without lawyers trigger that require two fingers to fire.

I tried barrels from TC and several custom manufacturers. Most fit fine, but as with all TCs it's not a perfect world.

One Bullberry Barrel wouldn't stay locked up. This is generally cured by careful honing of the locking lugs. I won't do this as the barrel is a 6.5x54mm and better suited to a G2 anyways.

The other barrels I tried fit just fine. As stated earlier, this is completely normal with variation between different barrel makers.

If quality holds like this, I believe we have a winner.

Looking forward to other's experience as these frames get delivered...

[Encore64]

As things progress, I'm finding most custom barrels won't lock up on these actions.

Yet, every TC Barrel I've tried works perfectly.

This leads me to believe these SSK-50 Frames are made to tight tolerances. Of course, so are the custom barrels and sometimes this happens.

I'm perfectly OK with this as I have an assortment of frames.

I've tried some barrels from Reeder, VVCG/MGM, Bullberry, etc that won't work. Others from these manufacturers work fine.

Just a word of caution for those with forward looking plans...

[Stump Buster]

Thank You for the quick report Encore64!!! I'm not on the list, but who knows what the future has in store for me and these frames.

[jeffh]

Great idea!

Mine is supposed to be at my FFL by Tuesday, so I hope to post a pic HERE, soon!

[bigbore5]

Have you tried any factory octagon barrels?

[junebug]

My flat bottomed octagon barrel has a solid locking bolt. It locked my frame up and required pulling the trigger group and unlocking with a screwdriver .Changing to a split bolt should fix the problem. I have an Armor Armoly barrel that has had the pin hole drilled out at the factory. The barrel lug is .006 thicker than my other barrels because of the coating and it drags a bit on the unlocking arms. My son ,grandson and I have 3 consecutive serial numbered frames and one flat side frame. Minor fitting has been required on the rear of the barrel boss on a few barrels, and the side of the boss on the Armoloy barrel. A couple of passes with a fine cut file and a polish with a stone were all that was required. Marty at Hause of Arms has pictures of what was required. I had a problem today at the Silhouette match with the firing pin selector. It moves very easy and I bumped it to the safe position 3 times while cocking the hammer, resulting in a snap. I have NEVER had that happen with my older frames. Two minutes may seem like a long time for 5 shots on target. But let something un expected happen where you have to diagnose, and fix the problem under time happen. Two minutes fly by. The trigger is not as good yet as my older frames but it only has about 100 rounds thru it so far, compared to thousands for them, it will come around. All in all even with the minor glitches I like it. Time will tell.

[cdf41]

If my barrels won't lock up, I'm gonna need some instructions on the minor fitting.
I still feel like a kid waiting on Christmas ha ha!

[edk]

Sept 10, 2023 16:04:59 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

As things progress, I'm finding most custom barrels won't lock up on these actions.

Yet, every TC Barrel I've tried works perfectly.

This leads me to believe these SSK-50 Frames are made to tight tolerances. Of course, so are the custom barrels and sometimes this happens.

I'm perfectly OK with this as I have an assortment of frames.

I've tried some barrels from Reeder, VVCG/MGM, Bullberry, etc that won't work. Others from these manufacturers work fine.

Just a word of caution for those with forward looking plans...

Most?

Do SSK barrels lock up on SSK frames?

[Encore64]

These frames should be strong too. Of course, that's not an endorsement to hot load into the unknown.

The New SSK-50 Frames are built from 420 Stainless and hardened to HRc50.

This is a very strong steel and remains ductile which should minimize the stretching problems associated with the Original Frames.

Although I've never stretched a frame, I have seen this done a number of times...

[tex500]

Question about the hinge pin dia. I have a G2 frame that the hole has been enlarged and a barrel that fits it as well. I have a TC barrel that has not been touched and was just curious about the dia of the new frames. MY assumption is that I will be fine and I expect the TC barrel to fit well. Has anyone checked this ? Not worried, just one of those people that thinks about little things.....

Encore which frame is two tone? I have a Lynx ordered and look forward to seeing it in person.

[Encore64]

The Lynx Frame is definitely two toned and very attractive.

From the pictures, the Flatside Frame will be too. I think if you're not going to offer blue and stainless frames, this was a great call on SSK's part.

I think you'll be fine with the hinge pin too.

But, these frames have been produced for 5+ Decades. Also, they've gone through three ownerships. First TC, then S&W and now frames being produced by SSK.

When you combine that with a multitude of barrel manufacturers, tolerance variations are bound to show it. Part of an imperfect world...

[blazenet]

My flatsided is two tone.

[junebug]

Sept 11, 2023 13:32:26 GMT -5 tex500 said:

Question about the hinge pin dia. I have a G2 frame that the hole has been enlarged and a barrel that fits it as well. I have a TC barrel that has not been touched and was just curious about the dia of the new frames. MY assumption is that I will be fine and I expect the TC barrel to fit well. Has anyone checked this ? Not worried, just one of those people that thinks about little things.....

Encore which frame is two tone? I have a Lynx ordered and look forward to seeing it in person.

If you have enlarged the frame pin hole and barrel pin hole on the G2 chances are other barrels won't work on your G2 with out opening the pin holes in them. Your barrel from the G2 will then be loose on any other frame you try to put it on and should be dedicated to the G2 frame. The unaltered TC barrel should work on the SSK frame. When the barrels don't fit it should only take minor fitting that most anyone can do to make them work. If you check barrel lugs with a micrometer or caliper you will find differences in width and length on almost every barrel, even custom barrels. I measured 4 of my barrel lugs and ALL 4 are different so minor fitting can be required. The SSk frames do seem to have tighter tolerances so occasional fitting is required. If you have solid locking lugs instead of the two piece lug change them out for two piece lugs. I don't see the new frames being much stronger if any than the old, that's why they added the boss to the top of G2 frames, to strengthen it. The new frames may have a few glitches , its a new product, but most fitment issues I've seen are barrel lug or barrel locking lug related so far and easily fixed. I have one Pachmayer grip that would not work on my frame . The grip bolt wanted to cross thread. My son pointed out to me that, it may be for the G2 frame which makes sense as they have a different grip angle than standard frames. So if you have G2 grips laying around, they WILL NOT fit the SSK frame. JMHO I hope this helps someone else who may be having issues.

[jeffh]

OK, here's another.  Just brought it home.

Took my 20", blued, untapered, MGM 357 Max barrel, which has never been mounted onto a frame and put it on this one.

I can verify the claims that theses are made to tight specs.  It took some focused wiggling and fiddling to get the holes in the frame to match up with the hole in the lug and the pin JUST went through.  I did not measure the pin, but there is definitely NO wiggle in anything.  The pin went through with thumb pressure once everything was lined up.

I closed the action on the barrel and that was that.  Won't open back up, at least not just yet.  I can't get enough of a grip on it to really try to open it, but the trigger guard certainly moves far enough to disengaged the split bolts, so I'll wait until the stock set shows up tomorrow to try to open it without disassembly.

It's a rather attractive action, but seeing the lynx in person,... I like the decoration even less.  If they'd left off the super-long ear tufts, maybe.  Not enough of an aggravation to fret about, but I do wish I'd have ordered a flat-side now.  I had the impression early on that flat-sides would be as rare as original flat-sides, compared to engraved, and probably more costly, so I went with the standard version.

I can assemble my 357 Max carbine now and shoot it.  No excuse that the barrel is not mounted on a frame now.

[Encore64]

It's my understanding that the Flatsides were to be rare too. Something about having to hand pick flawless specimens from cast frames to make them from.

Maybe they got that corrected? I do know there are other designs planned for the future.