Thompson Center Contenders

Not an expert, but here's what I know

Contender - original model, made since the 70s, with a few changes during production. According to some, some of the barrels for one "generation" will not fit on other generation frames. I do not know if this is correct, as all the barrels I have bought for my Contender frame have fit ok.

Contender G2 - new version of the Contender, easier to open than the original ones, can be cocked again after letting hammer down without opening the action (original Contender must be opened before being recocked). According to the factory ads, all original Contender barrels will fit the G2 frame.

Encore - a beefier version of the Contender, which will take higher pressure cartridges. Encore barrels only fit Encores. Contender barrels do not fit Encores.


Lots of used Contenders out there at the gun shows and shops. G2s and Encores can be had new.
Hope this helps.

Keep an eye on T/C, now that S&W has bought them, things could get better, or worse.
 
What is his beginning interest? .223 Stainless 14" barrel
Click to expand...

I started with a complete 14" bull barrel in .223 Rem, but blued. I thought that was the best varminting pistol around. It is a good choice, but if one 14" bull barrel can be chambered in 222 Rem or 221 Fireball, those 2 rounds will be just outstanding in a short barrel. I think the 223 is better off with the longer barrels. I have a 21" Fox Ridge custom bull barrel with a tamer and the ballistics are so much better than the 14" 223. Drawback of the short barrel is the muzzle blast and recoil. josh
 
I have a Contender (not G2) that I bought new in 1994. Super 14" in .223.
Quite accurate, a lot of fun to shoot and handload for. It wears a 2-6x Bushnell scope. Not a high-dollar piece of glass, but I've never had a stitch of trouble with it, and this combo has seen hundreds of rounds and all with the scope attached.

I really want a .44 Mag barrel for it. It seems that if I buy new, they offer a 12-inch. I'd rather have a 10-inch. I plan to use iron sights with it, and I'm hoping to use this .44 Mag as a standard offhand shooter, rather than a benchrester like the .223, so keeping weight and length in check are what I'm trying to do.

Did they make a .44 Mag barrel in 10-inch in the past? I really don't care for the one with the threaded choke thing.

Price is always a consideration--I think I can get a new 12-inch blued in .44 Mag for about $225.

The other comment I wanted to make was about the post earlier in the thread that talked about a trigger job. Umm--I don't know about the new G2, but the trigger on my '94 Contender is incredible. Factory adjustable for both weight of pull and overtravel... I have this thing set so lightly that it feels like a match trigger. Personally, I cannot see the need for a lighter trigger on anything, ever. It's by far the finest trigger I have on any firearm, and it's not even a close race. I don't have a trigger pull measuring device, but I have no doubt this trigger is under two pounds.

And no, I've never had an accidental or negligent discharge. Not with any of firearms, but specifically, not with this Contender and it's incredibly smooth, light, terrific trigger.

I love it. Help me find a 10-inch .44 Mag barrel for it!
 
The adjustability of the Contender's trigger is the reason that I'll never buy a G2 or an Encore. When Warren Center retired, the 'geniuses' at T/C proceeded to screw around with his superb original conception, resulting in the guns produced today, which are notable only for the capacity to use more powerful cartridges (in the case of the Encore) and the idiot-proofness (??!??) of the G2 trigger. Both of these 'improvements' are moot to me. I'm glad I bought my T/C products before 1990!
 
I respectfully disagree, the encore trigger is not a work of art but it is more than adequate for hunting or target shooting. my personal encore has a nice 2# trigger ( done by my favorite local smith ) and a very crisp letoff.

It certainly is not a match trigger like on a bench bolt rifle but it is in the same class as an older contender trigger. Both are good, the contender may be better most of the time but the encore is nothing to complain about...

just my .02, YMMV
 
mikejones: (with respect) the difference between my Contenders and your G2/Encore, is that you had to have a gunsmith work the trigger. I adjusted mine myself, safely...and can re-adjust it anytime again. A factory trigger that has to have immediate attention by a highly paid professional mechanic isn't anything I want. I admire your ability to convince yourself that a sow's ear is exactly equivalent to a silk purse. Must be a useful skill, nowadays.
 
10 inch .44 Mag barrel

I can't tell you where to get one, but I will tell you about the one I have. 10 inch .44 Mag, octagon. Beautiful rich blue.

This thing climbs like a rocket! I mean that it heads for the sky when fired. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of flip with this barrel. The 14" ported 45-70 almost feels tame by comparison.

A bull barrel (especially ported) would be more comfortable to shoot, but a bit more to hold offhand.

Anyway, good luck with yours (when you get it), and let us know how it works for you.
 
The first frame I bought in 73 came with a 10" 44 mag barrel ,still have it and the frame, shoots very well,the only problems I have had with T C products were weak hammer springs ,then only after many thousands of rounds. When I first called T C years ago for a new hammer spring the gentleman I talked to was more than helpful ,informing me the frame I had should have an updated hammer ,but since I declined sending them the frame he included one with my order.When I called T C 2 years ago for hammer springs for the Encore I was treated a little differently,in fact if I didn't own their products already I would have to think
very hard about buying anything from a company with cust.service like that.
 
I don't think that you would find a 12" bull barrel in 44 mag too hard to shoot off hand. The longer bull barrels with the big holes in them like 44 and 45 are quite a bit lighter than the small bore cousins like the 223. I shoot my 45 Winchester Mag super 14 with a Tasco pro point red dot offhand all the time. I have a 10" bull in 45 Win Mag and its just too darn light. I also have a 14" 44mag and I think that may be a touch heavy but a 12" might be quite close to right. :)
 
to those of you who are looking for the 44mag in ten inch, get the bull barrel!:eek: it is not to bad off hand, however the recoil is robust, not so bad as to hinder you, but robust none-the-less. and out to seventy-five yrds it holds zero well. they can be had in blue, stainless, and if you can find them, amor alloy.:D
 
Well folks, my TCC came in and she looks new. I have a set of pachmayr grips and forearm coming, a 22 mag bbl, 357 max bbl (already here), 375 JDJ, and a 357 Herrett BBL. All BBLs are 10" except for the JDJ. I will be putting NcStar 2.5X scopes on the rimfires and using a Leupold 4X on the centerfire barrels. I will need to get the supplies and dies to load the latter two rounds. Also will be needing some help from you guys on loading the JDJ and Herrett rounds. Also, anyone here with experience with the Max and Herrett rounds enough to give me a performance comparison??? I am about as excited as a sailor on shore leave with a roll of 20s in his pocket!!!:D:D:D
 
I have shot the Max quite a bit, & the Herrett some... if I remember correctly, the Herrett has the edge on power, but you can still find the Max in factory loadings, though normally only 158 grains... which in my max's I like the heavier bullets better ( also have a Dan Wesson in 357 Max as well )

I've been wanting some of the JDJ barels as well, but have not shelled out the $$$ yet... I'd also like to try a 300 Whisper which I think is available from JDJ also...
 
I got a Super 14" barrel in 375 Win for sale. Anyone interested? I'm only asking $175. It's in really great shape and has luepold rings. I can send pics if interested
 
Esoom753, are there factory rounds still available for the 375 Win,:confused: or is now strickly hand load? If so where do you get brass? Iknow that the JDJ 375 is available from TC, and also from SSK Industries, JD Jones' web site.:D
 
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