TC Contender Tough break open.

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kckstd

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Any one have any experience with a contender barrel/receiver reluctant to break open. Had a 45 colt barrel from a previous life (unmarried 28 yrs ago). Recently bought a receiver (i believe this is 2nd generation) on Gunbroker.com. Upon assembly the gun would only break open with great effort. Is this a common problem? Anyone have any suggestions for a home fix. I realize I could send it to Thompson Center but I hate to part with it even for a little while.
kckstd
 
My Pop is a big Contender fan and has run across the same problem a few times with different barrels. That has always ben his only complaint is that the Contenders can be hard to break open.

I think it is a common problem, and it should wear in with use....try breaking it over your knee like a stick of wood!:D The old Contenders have such a nice trigger pull that it's worth the annoyance of a hard to open action. I've heard of a few guys gooking it full of Colgate toothpaste (no kidding) and working it for an evening while watching TV. Wash it out in the sink, dry it, and oil it really well to protect it.


I have an Encore pistol that just drops open with a little tug on the trigger guard, but the old Contenders are SOOO nice on the trigger pull!
 
I have a couple of old Contender Frames...

And it takes a really good squeeze to open them. So much so that people not familiar with them have a hard time doing it. Once they understand how hard they need to squeeze the trigger guard, they can do it OK, but they often complain. And yes, they do have very nice triggers.

I have handled an Encore, and they open so easily they scare me! The G2 Contender is supposed to open easy as well, but I haven't handled one of them yet.

Since I am used to them, I kind of like the fact that they are difficult to open, it gives me confidence that they are not going to open by accident, no matter what!
 
Do a seach on Pahoo and you will find previous posts that address this problem. The problem is in your barrel and you can do a home-fix or send it into a shop for the fix and trigger job ....



Be Safe !!!
 
Pahoo search.

Found nothing relevant on thefiringline. Was your post on this forum? I would appreciate more info to find this post. It does seem like it would have the answer.
 
Okay, I'll go find it and it was posted here. There have been many posts on this problems. Give me some time and I'll get back to you ...


Be safe !!!


Okay, lets try this one but there have been others that are older. Just do a search on Contenders and see what comes up. The one listed below, is the most current one that I know of. God luck and let me know how you make out !!

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298417

Be safe !!!
 
Last edited:
Thanks Pahoo.

Your information informed me enough to proceed. I have filed this locking bolt down and it has helped is a little. I was worried about filing it further but with your encouragement I will conservatively proceed.
Thanks kckstd
 
As you proceed, the project will talk to you. Remember that the locking wedge is not clearing the frame engagement and needs to be shortened just enough to satisfy. I finish off by honing this flat area and debur. The flat surface I'm refering to, is perpendicular to the barrel and is not the tapered plane. This surface is only about 1/4" by 1/2". It would be the last part, that clears the frame. I have looked and unable to locate a schematic for Contenders and Encores. Might add that I have had to do this to three barrels, for myself and friends. Good luck !!!

There is a flat face on the end of the locking wedge, that transitions to the taper. Carefully file and hone this flat face and it's important to keep it square and true. Perform this a little at a time just until you see some results. Listen to the project and it will tell you when you are there. Be very conservative.
Click to expand...


Be Safe !!!
 
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