ihmsa forums

letter says it all

Well that just sucks

What Rich said, times 10.
Joe

By and large we all shoot the original Contender. TC/S&W stopped supporting US a long time ago. They stopped working on them some time ago. I tried to order some parts and was told (after staying on hold for 20 minutes) they didn't service the parts anymore. SSK is trying to make their own version of the frame. They have parts, service and barrels. There are other places to get parts and service. Barrels can be had from several custom manufacturers. Contenders were and are still the entry level gun of IHMSA. I believe with the amount of them out there they will continue to be.

Hopefully this will open the door to a interested party who is willing and able to buy and put the pieces back together again from TC. HOA has tried to do this for years, only to be continually shut down by law suits from S/W.
I hope this will create a fresh slate that we all will benefit from in the future!

I am hoping SSK can get the SSK-50 Frame out soon. But last I heard, they have over 500 orders to fill.

nutcase wrote: Wed May 05, 2021 11:29 am I am hoping SSK can get the SSK-50 Frame out soon. But last I heard, they have over 500 orders to fill.

I'd say 500 is a low estimate. I have one ordered with two different companies. I know a guy who has three paid for already.

The basic Contender design has been around since what, 1967? Investment casting then wasn't near as good as it is today, so what tha hell is taking them so long? They have the design they want, it's worked for decades. This seems like they are designing it from the ground up! Something is rotten in Denmark!

LOCKHART wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 10:57 am The basic Contender design has been around since what, 1967? Investment casting then wasn't near as good as it is today, so what tha hell is taking them so long? They have the design they want, it's worked for decades. This seems like they are designing it from the ground up! Something is rotten in Denmark!

Is the TC frame really that much harder to replicate and machine than an AR lower? Or will S&W sue them out of existence?

64XP-100 wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 9:17 pm

LOCKHART wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 10:57 am The basic Contender design has been around since what, 1967? Investment casting then wasn't near as good as it is today, so what tha hell is taking them so long? They have the design they want, it's worked for decades. This seems like they are designing it from the ground up! Something is rotten in Denmark!

Is the TC frame really that much harder to replicate and machine than an AR lower? Or will S&W sue them out of existence?

Ok, This is what I know what is happening with the SSK-50:

First, I am going to Bitch. The original news release said all parts would be CNC machined. Now the frame itself will be cast. I suspect they did this to keep the cost down.

1. First casting came out to be good. BUT the Casting was the original Casting And S&W caused trouble as it belonged to them.
2. Second Casting made was Way out of Specs and was useless.
3. Third Casting was in specs. But the foundry stated it would be 1-2 years before they start production.
4. So, off to another Foundry and that is the last I heard..

Leaks say they will be shipping the Receivers this year. Another is they moved to a new facility and it is not yet finished.