Question about a TC Contender

[george preston]

Quick question for y'all: I've got a line on a TC CONTENDER. The guy doesn't know much about it. It looks a little ruff from the pictures he sent me. I'd say about 80% gun. He has 2 barrels (.357 mag and a .45/.410), it's missing the forend and the forend screw, and it's also missing the pin that connects the barrel to the grip frame. I think it's a 1st generation model ( I'm not too sure. It has a "wildcat" engraving on the left side of the frame if that helps). What kind of value would y'all place on this package? Ballpark is fine. I was thinking of offering him $200-250 but I truthfully have no idea what the value is. Thanks for the help.

 

[Jim Puke]

The barrels are worth more than the price you are considering offering for the whole package. If you can get it for that, get it.

 

[John E Davies]

$225 to $250 is a typical price for a nice frame, no grip or forearm. Nice barrels go for $175 and up, depending on their rarity and caliber. Both of those barrels you described are common. Since the gun is rough, it's up to you but I wouldn't go over $350.

Buy the set and sell the bits separately online. Parts are readily available. ....
http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_kw=thompson+center+parts

The engraved frame indicates that it is an original model, not the later G2 which has a plain frame. I and many others prefer the older model. Here is an FAQ ... http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=110

BTW, for many years new frames have been unavailable. I just saw NEW G2 blued pistol frame sets (with wood) listed for $413 at ..... http://www.eabco.com/store/Thompson-Center-G2-Contender-Pistol-Frame-Blue-Walnut

I have a couple of Contenders and will buy more..... They are cool.

John Davies
Spokane, WA USA

 

[ra]

If it is 80% I would probably not go much over $300. Also the cougar should be on both sides of the frame, if one side is the cougar and the other is an eagle jump on it fast. What is the serial number, this could add value if it is an older one. The first barrels were octagon, then they switched to bull barrels. The 45/410 originally came with an external chock which was later switched to an internal chock. The 410 was made with regular sights or a vent rib with the rear sight that folds down to give a shotgun sight picture. I have both barrels and they are both a good choice, add a 22 long rifle barrel and you are ready for most situations .
If you purchase it drop me a PM and I have an extra hinge pin that I will give to you, the forends are harder to find. If you do find a new walnut forend they have gotten pricey.

Roger

 

[george preston]

Thanks for the info guys! I just sent him a text and told him I was in the $250-300 range depending on how bad the condition is. I've only seen pictures from a cell phone and there where a couple of areas I was concerned about. Cast a line and see what bites

 

[contender]

As noted,,, more details are needed.
The barrels,, if older, octagon, short or long etc all make a difference. Barrels can run from $100 to $225 each. (The later bull barrels are the most desirable for many shooters.)
The frame. Look at the hammer. If it doesn't have a push pin cross safety,,, it's a fairly early one. Then along came the plain hammer with the cross pin safety. The hammer face will be where you switch it from rimfire to centerfire. After that, came the "switch" on top of the hammer. That's the last variation of the hammer design. All 3 designs can be found in the models with the cat on the side.
As such,, an 80% frame would be around $150 to $250 average depending on the other factors.
So, on the bottom end,, $350 for the package.
Hinge pins can be had, and as for the forends,, they can be found too!

 

[george preston]

Thanks for the info. The .357 barrel seems to be a bull. The .45/.410 as a vent rib. The switch from center to rimfire is on top of the hammer. From the pictures the rust that I see could just be surface or it could be worse. This has always been on my list but not too close to the top. I figure if I can pick one up at a good price I'll jump on it. Then I'll need a few more barrels, another scope or two..... Maybe this isn't such a good idea

 

[John E Davies]

Here's an informative " teach me about Contenders" thread.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...ll-me-10-things-I-don-t-know-about-Contenders

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Pat-inCO]

I wouldn't go over $200, but that's me.

Here is a source for barrels. I bought one from him a year ago and
he is a class act in the proper handling of orders.

 

[Dan in MI]

You have the info needed the only thing I'd add is hinge pins and fore ends are on the big auction site all the time.

I will second Ed's as a bbl source.

 

[Gaffer]

With a carbine barrel you can make a great small light rifle that will be a tack driver such as this one

 

[george preston]

Got an email from the owner today that said he had 2 offers from "gun shops" for $350. A pawn shop owner that I know also saw the add and told me this: if it walked into his shop, he'd go as high as $250 and price it at $400 and let the first guy that offered him $375 take it. I emailed the seller back and told him $300 was has high as I was willing to go and if he didn't sell it, my offer would stand.

 

[FastEd]

I'll take a shot at that.
Since you live in Florida you should be able to find better T/C stuff than that.
Old, rusty, no pin and no forend is iffy to me. Is it going to be tight with another pin?
Is it going to lock up OK? Sorry, I would pass on that.

 

[george preston]

Fast Ed- you would think so but I don't see too many around show up for sale, used. Like I said, it's not on my short list but I have always wanted one. I figure if I can get this on between $250-300, it would be worth my time. Just got the word from my dad that my cousin needs 21 does culled out on his property this year and it would be nice to take a few with a handgun