Hi...
I have always been intrigued by the Thompson Contender single-shot handgun.
Just never took the plunge for whatever reason. However, with my impending retirement looming, I have been acquiring some new firearms to work with once I have more free time to play with.
So far, I have acquired three new single action revolvers, two used Sako rifles(one a L579 Forester in .243 and a custom L57 with a Shultz & Larsen barrel in .308) and am building an AR-15 in .223Wylde. This in addition to the 50+ firearms I already owned.
At any rate...my interest has again been recently piqued by a couple of single shot pistols that I came across at some local firearms auctions. Although I have bid on several of them, others have apparently wanted them more than I as they were able to bid them beyond what I thought were reasonable prices.
However, last weekend I came across several T/C's at a local mauction and was able to acquire one of them...a T/C contender in .45Colt with a 10" barrel. It had a somewhat dirty barrel but cleaned up nicely and has essentially no marks on the exterior. I believe it is a first generation frame.
I am a bit concerned about the compatibility issues of first generation frames and second generation barrels as I have no practical experience or knowledge. I do know where there is another T/C Contender with additional barrels for sale locally but I don't know the shop owner well enough to trust his knowledge about frame and barrel compatibility.
Does anyone know of an on-line source of accurate information regarding this issue? I certainly don't want to get in a situation where I acquire additional barrels only to find that they won't work with this frame. Is there an on-line listing of frame serial numbers that differentiates between the various generations? Or perhaps an authoritative publication, i.e., a book?
I am really looking forward to some decent weather and getting this along with a couple of my other new acquisitions over to the range for some get acquainted time.