Thompson Contender

[azleite]

Hi Folk's, Hope it's ok to put this here. Went into the LGS yesterday as they were putting out a 1978 vintage T/C with a .223 Super 14 ported heavy barrel. It has a T/C scope mounted, the whole rig looked like it was made yesterday. Always wanted a T/C but felt they cost too much. Also had a .357 mag, .22 hornet (w/scope) & a .45 Colt/.410 barrel that came in with the gun. I walked out with the gun (.223) + the .357 barrel for $600.00 otd. I'm recovering from rotator cuff surgery right now, so it'll be a bit before I can try it. I'll be looking for a .41 mag barrel for it next. Thank's for reading & please feel free to offer advice etc. as this breed is new to me-Dave

 

[wwb]

DANGER !!!

Before you know it, you'll have another frame or two and a wheelbarrow full of barrels. Just a polite warning from a friend.

 

[cas6969]

They can be an expensive slippery slope.

 

[Pat-inCO]

WARNING!

Do not use Dick Metcalf's loads for the .41 Mag. Especially not if you are
having joint problems. I did some of them up and every one split the cases.



Now that you have the action, look at Ed's Contenders for some other
calibers and barrels. I got a 12" .22Mag that is a Gem!

 

[dougader]

Love my Contender in 30-30. A .223 and a small caliber barrel in 25-20, 22 Hornet, etc, could be added in the future.

 

[arfmel]

Careful with that one. If you cock the hammer, then lower it for some reason, you have to open the action or the hammer won’t stay back if you try to cock it again. Guy got shot a few years ago by accident due to that.

I have a couple of Contender carbines, and like them, but you want to familiarize yourself with their quirks.

 

[Rick Courtright]

They can be an expensive slippery slope.

Hi,

Yeah, just ask Ty, the Forum's own "Contender" the history of how he came up with that screen name!

Rick C

 

[eveled]

I have a soft spot for the thin tapered octagon barrels. So elegant,IMHO. but with that said by far my favorite barrel is a 14inch bull 30/30. Go figure.

 

[bogus bill]

This is about a first or second year. I bought it with the .45 colt/.410 barrel and added the .256 win mag barrel and scope. Came in a large company wood presentation case. Has a blank silver butt plate to engrave. https://s19.postimg.cc/iqt20oulf/TC13413.jpg

 

[Dan in MI]

You will love it! I've been using one, or two, or three, since about 1983. Look closely at my avatar. Those are my mitts on my 7 TCU

 

[bobski]

its been decades since I shot a contender.
can a bbl be opened in the cocked position?
or does the hammer have to be dropped first?
and...is there a 1/2 cock?
I use to shoot them for met-silo targets.

 

[bobski]

az...check your pm's.

 

[Johnnu2]

Many years ago I was at an LGS and saw a 10" TC barrel in .357 Herrett; it came with a Simmons 2X scope on it, RCBS dies and 100 rounds of fireformed brass... even back then the $160 price was very reasonable. I bought it even though I didn't own a Contender frame ). I also didn't know about the process for forming the 30-30 brass into .357 Herrett brass. The rest is history; still have it along with barrels in .22LR Match, .221 Fireball and .30 Herrett.... It will always be a FAVORITE of mine. Yup, I also have a TC Carbine in .223....

 

[contender]

As noted above,, my handle here is 'contender" due to my appreciation of the fine T/C Contenders. I have owned them since about 1980. I have taken a whole bunch of game with mine. From squirrels with a 10" bull in 22 LR, to elk with a 7x30 Waters. Well over 100 whitetails have fed my family for a few decades due to the accuracy of them.

If you didn't get the 45/410 bbl,,, RUN back to get it. If not,, you'll wish you had. It may be one of the earlier octagon barrels,, so just make sure it has the screw in choke tube for the .410, AND the wrench that comes with it.

Since I got my first one,, I've owned over 1/2 dozen frames, and a bunch of barrels. I'm currently at 3 Contender frames, and one Encore frame. I have around 20 or so barrels at this time. For MY hands,, I have found the Pachmyer Gripper a MUCH more comfortable grip to use in shooting them,, especially any with recoil that could hurt.

Take it easy with the recoiling calibers until you heal properly.

 

[azleite]

Wow! Thank you all for the replies, links & advice! Please keep me in mind on that Bob. I haven't been this excited about a new firearm in a while. Even my wife likes it, she asked why I didn't buy the other two barrels?! Thank's again-Dave

 

[azleite]

Quick question, did T/C manufacture their own scopes or did they farm them out and put their name on them? Thank's-Dave

 

[cas6969]

Rebranded scopes perhaps, but none made by them AFAIK.

 

[mohavesam]

The Contender is ambidextrous. Shoot it with your good arm. Mine are the only handguns I can actually shoot with either hand/arm, with equal accuracy.

Everyone needs a contender, if just to see what an accurate handgun is really like.

 

[azleite]

Yeesir, I had shoulder surgery (This time) on my left shoulder. Of course I'm left handed. I passed on a T/C about six months ago mostly because that shop was just too pricey but also because the grip had the dreaded thumb rest for right handers. The one I lucked into is ambi. I've passed over a many a fine long gun because of righty cheek pieces- Dave

 

[bobski]

I thought the thumb grip determined the hand to use?

 

[Don Lovel]

Contenders are fun and I have seen a kit like that sell for way more.
I would think that 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel or 25/45 Sharps would do well in one if pressures are ok for the 1st gen action

 

[muzzleloader]

That 357 barrel would make a dandy Max deer getter. :lol:

 

[bobski]

.22LR and 357 mag were a deadly combo on met-silo course.

 

[bobski]

for some reason I remember using a 1x and maybe at the most, 2x scopes to eliminate cross hair bounce on the 100yd targets.
then again...that was back when red dots were just coming about and most red dots were sun powered reflectors.

 

[Dan in MI]

OK here is the only draw back of owning a Contender.

I have been itching bad to buy a particular caliber barrel for a while now. I was scouring the web last night and was seconds from pushing the button a couple times. So this morning something told me to check what I have in the safe. I ALREADY HAVE WHAT I HAVE BEEN CRAVING!

 

[mohavesam]

Accuracy is very addictive.

 

[cas6969]

I was looking at used barrels for sale last night and getting antsy... "ooh... oh..." despite the fact that I haven't shot any of mine in several years. They were the main focus of my shooting/hunting for 10+ years.