Tech Force Contender 87: Part 2

As promised, I'm back with another entry on the Contender 87 from Tech Force. You saw in the first report the aesthetics of the gun, how it looks, and a little about the power of the gun with the posted chronograph results using 3 different types of pellets.

But is it an accurate gun?

I mentioned mounting a scope on it, and I did. The scope rails on this gun are just barely too short to mount a 4-screw 1-piece mount with the factory scope stop installed, so I removed it and depended on the gripping power of the mount to keep the scope in place. So far, it hasnt' moved. Using a 3-9x40 scope, I set about shooting for some groups.

My shooting style for testing isn't like some reviewers.....I usually go for real-world conditions where I'm leaning up against a post or tree, or sitting down shooting off my knees. That's the kind of accuracy I'm interested in since in the field, that's how I shoot. There's nothing wrong with a bench-rested group, but it is simply not the way I test guns.

The first pellets I shot for accuracy were the RWS Superdomes. The Superdomes almost always give me decent results in most any gun I try them in.....but not today. They provided by far the worst groups from the Contender 87, which surprised me. However, I write it as I see it, so here's a pic of the groups I got at only 20 yards with the RWS Superdomes:



As you can see, that group isn't anything to write home about....in fact, it is dismal at only 20 yards. A pattern of nearly 2" takes a gun out of contention when trying to hit the head of a squirrel, or working towards beating your friends at target shooting. But I forged on ahead with some other pellets, and the results did improve.

The next pellet test was with the Chinese domes that are a good bet in many guns. They are uniform pellets, weigh just over 8 grains, and provide excellent groups from the QB-78 CO2 gun from the same manufacturer. The groups with this pellet did improve, but still weren't what I was looking for from my test gun. Here's a pic of the group:



The third option I tested were the heavier Beeman Kodiaks. These pellets provide lots of knockdown in a .177 pellet, and from the last report you see they are still doing over 900 fps from this powerhouse. And they proved to be the most accurate as well. The little circle you see drawn on the box is the circumference of a penny, and I was aiming at the center of the circle each time. As you can see, the Kodiaks did much better than the other two pellets I tested, and I suspect that the heavier the pellet, the better this gun will like it. Here's a couple of pics:



You can cover this group with a penny!



Now that is more like it! That is squirrel-killing accuracy, and I'm certain as the gun wears in, the accuracy will improve. I would love to put about 1000 rounds through this gun and see how the accuracy changes as the gun wears in and the parts all begin to mesh appropriately.

Another nice option on the Contender 87 is the adjustable trigger. I fiddled with the sear engagement somewhat, and lessened the weight needed to fire the gun. It will take some more experimenting, but the trigger IS adjustable, and this will help you, as the owner, to get it shooting the way you want it to.

Now is there a downside to this gun? Well....maybe. It IS heavy. With a good-sized scope on it, you're pushing over 10 lbs here, and this is a handful in the woods for a day's hunt. But if you are shooting targets or competition, that weight can be in your favor. Most FT guns that I've seen would not be suitable for carrying around, and the heavier the gun, the steadier the shooter can be. So the size and weight of the Contender 87 aren't a bad thing depending on the uses you have planned. As a hunter, if I'm going on a short hunt, or shooting pests, it would be a good candidate. If I'm heading out for an all-day hike with an airgun, I'll choose something lighter for the long haul.

At $189.95, you are getting a well-made, solid piece of shooting machinery for your money. It looks good, shoots good with the heavier pellets, and feels solid in your hands. So spend your money wisely, and enjoy the Tech Force Contender 87.

The New Tech Force Contender 87: Part 1

The Tech Force Contender 87 is a handsome gun, and quite the handful as well. Weighing in a 9 lbs. without a scope, this gun isn't for the small of frame or child-sized shooter. Lengthwise it measures out at 47", and requires an adult-sized shooter to handle comfortably.

The stained-wood finish is nice and even, and the fit of the stock to the action is much above average. The butt pad of the gun also has been well-fitted to the rear of the stock, and provides a nice soft shoulder rest.



Fresh out of the box, you can easily see the fine finish on the metalwork. Though not the deep, rich blueing of a European gun, the oxidized finish is even and deep, with the logo of the gun embossed just behind the breech opening of the action.



The pressed checkering of the gun is positioned on the grip and forearm of the gun. It works well to provide a tactile surface if you are shooting in damp conditions or have sweaty palms on a hot day.





A scope rail is provided for mounting a scope, with a factory-installed scope stop to aid in keeping your scope mount from creeping away on you. Part 2 of our report on the Contender 87 will feature shooting results while scoped.

The factory open-sights feature fiber-optic inserts, green at the rear sight and red at the front site. Lining up on your target is quick and easy with this arrangement, and plinking is a breeze with the open sights.





The cocking mechanism of this gun is, of course, the underlever style. Once you've brought the arm all the way down to open the breech, a beartrap safety device engages and locks it into place. In the trigger group you will find the release for this safety feature at the front of the trigger group. Pull this back and the cocking lever can be returned to firing position. The safety is located between the beartrap release and the trigger. All three, the beartrap safety release, the safety, and the trigger are easily accessible with your finger inside the trigger guard.



Now, if you look at the stats on the description page of the Contender 87, you'll see it claims that the velocity is near 1100 fps with .177 caliber pellets. And they aren't kidding, either! Look at the figures below on the three pellets I tested today.


Beeman Kodiaks - 917 fps


Chinese Domes - 1057 fps


RWS Superdomes - 1082


The above pellets are not the lightest you'll find, rather they are of average weight except for the Beeman Kodiaks. And if you do your math, you'll find foot-pound energy (fpe) levels that prove this gun has the power to deliver in the field!

In part 2 of our report, we'll mount a scope, shoot some groups, and play with the trigger just a little bit. But you can already see that for $189.95, you'll get a lot of gun for your hard-earned money. So stay tuned for the rest of the report coming in the next few days.

Can you hunt with a pistol? And should you?

By far, the most popular hunting tool in the world is the rifle, and this holds true for the airgun hunter as well. It provides ease of use, a steady platform, and a longer sight plane for the beginning and intermediate hunter.

However, if you hunt often, the day may come when bagging your game, though still exciting, becomes almost predictable. When that happens, many hunters lose their sense of excitement, or try and up the challenge level by extending their range at which they will take shots.

Another way to increase the enjoyment of the hunt is to switch gear, and to try something a little different. If nailing your prey with a rifle has gained some yawn factor, then consider using a pistol to up the challenge.

I went hunting this morning with a little gem of a pistol called the LD. The LD pistol is the brainchild of Larry Durham, and is a custom rig that is phenomenal in its accuracy and shoot-ability. In .22 caliber, this gun is very suitable for small game and pests. The squirrel I shot this morning was shot at over 25 yards.....with a pistol!

Other guns that provide the needed power for pistol-based hunting are the RWS 5G Magnum, Beeman's P1, the Benjamin HB series, Crosman's 1377 and 2240, the Evanix pistols, some Brocock pistols, and of course the custom high-power pistols of individual makers, some of which are hard to find! This isn't an exhaustive list by any means, but gives you an idea of what is out there for consideration.


The Benjamin Sheridan HB Series Pistol

Mastering the hunt with a pistol often requires more patience, more practice, and a willingness to pass on shots that you would have certainly taken with a rifle. But if you go into the pistol hunt with the right attitude, it becomes an enormous amount of fun.....after all, hunting with an airgun is just like bowhunting....it's about how close you can get, not how far you can shoot!

For sighting aids, many hunters opt for better optics on their pistols. You need a long eye-relief scope for most pistol applications, though some folks enjoy holding the pistol closer and can use a rifle-type eye-relief. Others like the electronic red-dots, and I've used them before myself with good success. It really is a judgment call on your part as to what you enjoy using the most and feel the most comfortable with.


Tech Force's economical red dot sight

So if you want a challenge, or are getting close to the edge of boredom with rifles, then try a pistol for your next hunt. They are fun, adequate, and easy to pack around in the field.