I also owned the first 14" Contender chambered in 444Marlin in the state of Maine and possibly all of New England. Same with a 375JDJ.
Anyone remember SSK (J.D. Jones) ?? I did quite a bit of buisness with him in his "before anyone had heard of SSK" years.
The shooters in Maine could not believe why someone would want/need a pistol chambered in 444Marlin. They told me that it would "blow up". I shot book max loads out of it with the new (back then) Hornady 265gr.
Keep at it guys. I,for one,am interested. And thanks Wes for a forum where we can share ideas,info,and expierances. --- SAWMAN