Mounting a Red Dot on Thompson Contender

[Kevin]

I've got a Thompson Contender with a 12 inch 22lr barrel. I also have a 14" 17HMR barrel that is pure joy to shoot. However the 22 lr barrel isn't. I don't think it's very accurate. Or rather the sights are off, as in way off. Otherwise it's consistent. I haven't used the 22 barrel in a long while, but I remember it shooting straight, just low, very, very low.

Anyway, I've put off getting a red dot mounted on this barrel long enough. I thought I might take it out to Contender's in October. If I can get a red dot put on it in time that is.

I don't want a long rail bolted to the top of the barrel. I'd really like something just the same length as a red dot.

But how to do this?

I've searched for short rails and I get slogged with listings for AR-15 parts and accessories. Short rails for M-LOC guards etc.

Any suggestions? I would like to not remove the rear sight, just mount the red dot just forward of it. Is that a good decision? Or would it be best to remove the rear sight? I called a reputable local gun smith that can do the work.

I attached a couple pictures. I'm not sure how the rear sight is attached.

Any suggestions?

 

[eveled]

Looks like there is a lot of adjustment left on that sight. I try it again. No reason it shouldn’t be just as pleasant as you .17 barrel.

I have no idea about the red dot I’ve never used one.

 

[Dave P.]

Not much of an answer but my old contender sights were held on with three screws. If you removed your sight and
yes I read you'd rather not it seems like you could cut down a Weaver or picatinny mount to length for a dot.
Any decent smith ought to be able to machine a new sight base that could be slightly extended to allow a dot
be added or removed as wanted if you went that way.
I think it would look a little odd with the dot mounted forward of the sight but that's just me.

 

[rkrcpa]

Mounting a red dot sight is no big thing. That rear sight is held on with screws. Take the sight off, put a Weaver scope base on. That's it. Then you can try a red dot and see if you like it.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks, I didn’t know how the sight is held on.

I think the first thing I need to do is figure out the sights and how accurate it is. @eveled is right, there is sone more adjustment in the rear sight.

I’ll try the route of removing the rear sight. Thanks!

 

[Dan in MI]

Back out the elevation screw all the way. You may need to drive the pin out for the front pivot of the sight. (you have a newer version sight I haven't messed with) if the sight doesn't flip out of the way to remove the screws in the base then you will need to drive out the pivot. As I type I "think" I may have one of those sights, if I do, pics are coming.

Edit--

I do agree with above you should have plenty of sight to adjust it to hit where you want.

1) remove elevator screw
2) flip sight 180*
3) remove two base screws
As far as bases go a Weaver 92 is cheap. Depend on what your chosen dot needs

 

[Kevin]

awesome, thanks for the extra pictures.

 

[contender]

Ok, as noted above,, the rear sight assy is easily removed. Most of my Contender barrels wear a scope. Just buy a scope base for a Contender,, and it'll have the slots for Weaver scope rings,,, AND many of the red dot optics out there.
Don't spend money on a gunsmith,, if you want to have me work on it,, just bring it with you, at the Gathering,, and we can easily mount anything. In fact,, I'm sure I can find a red dot to play with to see if it's what you'll enjoy.

 

[s4s4u]

You can chop down a 92A scope base if you want it shorter.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for all the replies. Sometimes when the plain answer is right in front of me I’m blind. I think I was making it more complicated than it needed to be.

Im down at the beach right now, but when I get back, this will be next weeks project. Thanks again!