I was just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the contender. As i have just purchased one from a local gun shop that is sadly going out of business. I have always wanted one because of the versatility. I just wanted to know if there are any common problems to be aware of or any thing that I should keep an extra close eye on. Thanks
Thompson Center Contender?
- Thread starter jomdlcrs
- Start date
You have to keep a close eye on your wallet. Because you will want to get more barrels!
I wasted several decades ignoring the Contender, much to my current regret. Other than personal defense, they are excellent arms for any sporting purpose that does not require rapid fire.
More accurate than most other handguns, excellent triggers, good sights, easily scoped, barrels in a wide variety of calibers (and since the sights/scope is on the barrel, changing barrels does not mean having to sight the gun in each time).
There is something about the Contender, you work for each shot. There is no spray and pray. It is a precision tool, delivering one shot. And that one shot can be more powerful than nearly all repeaters.
I currently have two frames and barrels in .22LR, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, .30-30, 9mm Luger, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .45 Win Mag, .45-70, and .45Colt/.410.
They are fun, and a real test of shooter skill. I like them.
I wasted several decades ignoring the Contender, much to my current regret. Other than personal defense, they are excellent arms for any sporting purpose that does not require rapid fire.
More accurate than most other handguns, excellent triggers, good sights, easily scoped, barrels in a wide variety of calibers (and since the sights/scope is on the barrel, changing barrels does not mean having to sight the gun in each time).
There is something about the Contender, you work for each shot. There is no spray and pray. It is a precision tool, delivering one shot. And that one shot can be more powerful than nearly all repeaters.
I currently have two frames and barrels in .22LR, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, .30-30, 9mm Luger, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .45 Win Mag, .45-70, and .45Colt/.410.
They are fun, and a real test of shooter skill. I like them.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
They're not the prettiest guns in the world, but I can't imagine anyone ever wearing one out. Those I've owned have been more accurate than I've ever been or could even hope to be.
Patsy4fingers
New member
Get rid of it. Like the previous post said, it will cost you a lot of money. You will shoot it too much, buy too many barrels, and shoot the middle out of too many targets. However, If you do keep it, buy a 357max barrel.
Patsy4fingers
New member
By the way, did you buy the old style or a G2?
shootniron
New member
I have had them for years and for what they do, they are very hard to beat. One of the most versatile designs ever.
I used to own one of the older, non-G, models. It was a great pistol. I owned barrels in .223 Rem., .44 Magnum, .22 Magnum, and 7mm TCU. All were very accurate, and reloading helped keep costs down.
However, the .44 Magnum was never fun to shoot. There's something about the grip angle that made it uncomfortable. I had a Super 14 barrel, and it was Magnaported, but was never a favorite. The Super 14 in .223 Rem, was a tack driver. It would shoot about 4 inches at 200 yards.
The only mechanical problems I had was with the springs. Twice it got to the point where it wouldn't touch off rounds, whether center- or rim-fire. T/C fixed it both times. However, I'd mounted an Uncle Mike's hammer extension, and their customer service stated that the extension would retard, and damage the spring. How something as light as that would harm the hammer spring is beyond me.
However, the .44 Magnum was never fun to shoot. There's something about the grip angle that made it uncomfortable. I had a Super 14 barrel, and it was Magnaported, but was never a favorite. The Super 14 in .223 Rem, was a tack driver. It would shoot about 4 inches at 200 yards.
The only mechanical problems I had was with the springs. Twice it got to the point where it wouldn't touch off rounds, whether center- or rim-fire. T/C fixed it both times. However, I'd mounted an Uncle Mike's hammer extension, and their customer service stated that the extension would retard, and damage the spring. How something as light as that would harm the hammer spring is beyond me.
44 AMP + 1; On all points
Told myself, for a long time that I did not want to get started on these. Then I ran into a "Great" deal and they took off with a life of their own. I now have more barrels than ever planned for, again all good deals. .....
The first generation was the Contenders and there have been quite a few variations. The current issue are called G2's. One point, to TC's credit is that the older issued barrels will fit the new G2's.
The only real problem I have ever seen, is that when switching barrels, some will lock up, on closer and are hard to reopen. There is an easy fix, you can do and the problem is in the barrel and not the frame. When this problem or for that matter, any problem arises, just send it back to TC and they will fix it. ...
Be Safe !!!
Told myself, for a long time that I did not want to get started on these. Then I ran into a "Great" deal and they took off with a life of their own. I now have more barrels than ever planned for, again all good deals. .....
The first generation was the Contenders and there have been quite a few variations. The current issue are called G2's. One point, to TC's credit is that the older issued barrels will fit the new G2's.
The only real problem I have ever seen, is that when switching barrels, some will lock up, on closer and are hard to reopen. There is an easy fix, you can do and the problem is in the barrel and not the frame. When this problem or for that matter, any problem arises, just send it back to TC and they will fix it. ...
Be Safe !!!
After about 15 years I started getting a few light strikes on the primers, a new hammer spring took care of that, the same with each contender frame I've had + or - a few years .So I keep a few on hand just in case.The oldest frame I have had over 35 years and have done the spring twice. Not sure about the encore frames haven't had or seen any problems with them, but did pick up a hammer spring to have on hand, just in case.
The TC is a pleasure to shoot. Very accurate and addictive. In North Charleston, SC I entered a gun shop that was going out of business many years ago and they had a box of original TC barrels and I spent all my money that day on many barrels of various calibers including my first 221 Rem Fireball. I have quite a number now both pistols and rifles.
Lemmon
Lemmon
iraqimedic
Inactive
As one stated, I don't think in its standard form that it is a beuty but you can not beat the versitility of the contender. I have had a few over the years but in the last couple of years I have been tinkering with custom barrels. I would suggest SSK or Bullberry if you want to play with wildcats of odd cartridges for the contender. Stay away from MGM until they get their act together, the gunsmithing lacks a lot to be desired and one machinist in particular does poor work and gets nasty if you question any discrepancies in his work.
In process of a SSK build and looking to play with a variety of cartridges in 25 caliber. Love the 25 caliber and am looking to see what kind of combinations I can get with different cartridges for deer pistols out to about 150 yards.
Sure can't beat the contenders in my book.
In process of a SSK build and looking to play with a variety of cartridges in 25 caliber. Love the 25 caliber and am looking to see what kind of combinations I can get with different cartridges for deer pistols out to about 150 yards.
Sure can't beat the contenders in my book.