Contender single shot handgun...

[375supermag]

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.

[ShooterAZ]

The G2 barrels will fit the G1 frames, no problem. Some early G1 barrels may need to be fit with the "split" type lugs to work on your frame. Here is more info:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?205701-Contender-barrel-interchangeability

[375supermag]

Hi...
Thanks for the info and the link.

[ShooterAZ]

Proceed with caution, Contenders and barrels are highly addictive! I think I'm up to 7 or 8 barrels now...It's an excellent platform, super accurate and fun.

[hornady308]

I have owned a few first generation frames and a whole bunch of barrels. I have never had any problem with any of them working together. In fact, the only problem I have ever had with my Contenders is that the barrels seem to multiply all by themselves. I started off with one barrel in 44 Mag, but ended up with more than 20 in all sorts of weird wildcats. If you do get a Contender, you might as well plan now on having barrels in .256 Win Mag, 7 TCU, 7-30 Waters, 30-30, 30 & 357 Herrett, 357 Max, 358 JDJ and 45-70. I am probably forgetting a few, but you get the idea. By the way, there is usually no need to get a 445 Super Mag since many of the 44 Mag barrels have chambers cut long enough that you will just need to cut the 445 brass back a tad to get it to fit. I also recommend the best hearing protection that you can afford.

[375supermag]

Hi...
Don't know how many barrels I might end up with.
I already have my eyes on a couple barrels and a frame at a local shop, one in .357Mag and the other in .44Mag.
Since I already have multiple handguns and reloading dies in all those calibers, the only expense would be the barrels themselves.
Thanks for the heads up on the hearing protection.

[3leggedturtle]

I can tell you one thing, you will always be on the lookout for more barrels no matter how many you have. You need a 22 barrel, well actually 2. One with iron sights and the other scoped so you don’t hafta decide which is more useful at time! 30/30, 45/410, 223 and 357 go without saying. Yeah welcome to the affliction. Todd/3leg

[RCE1]

I have a couple that were breeched up by Vern Juenke. They are tight. He used to adapt Sako .17 cal barrels to Contender frames before anybody made .17 barrels. Interesting guy.

[Shawlerbrook]

I was going to say the exact thing ShooterAZ said. The Contender platform is very habit forming. I have a G1 handgun and G2 carbine. They are well made, very accurate and a whole lot of fun !

[Czech_too]

Put joining the TCA (Thompson Center Association) on your list of things to do.
http://thompsoncenterassociation.org/index.html

A wealth of information and a good read to boot.

[Ramjet-SS]

My favorite G2 is a 10mm Carbine with a 18" BBl and a Ultradot this gun shoots 200 grain GC WFN cast MOA at 75 yards. I put a folding rear stock so I can pack this gun for a camp gun in Elk camp.

Yup it is an addiction for sure I have several Encore frames and many barrels and of course the G2 Frame.

[MDC]

They multiply worse than rabbits. Very fun and very accurate platform. I shoot my Contenders and Encores more than any of the others. When you get tired of switching barrels you'll start buying more frames. Next thing you know, you'll need another safe.

[M-Tecs]

They multiply worse than rabbits.

thats a fact!!!!!!!!!

[Mr_Sheesh]

Quick question, I've seen 23" barrels that are listed as being G2 barrels; Are these for the rifle / carbine etc., or would they fit the G1 frame? (bit long for a pistol but higher velocity with the right loads)

[Shawlerbrook]

The 23” are carbine barrels but would work on the G1 frames. There was some legal issues at one time about going from rifle to pistol and back with frames and barrels. I am sure someone here can explain, but to be safe I keep my pistol as a pistol and rifle as a rifle.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Yes I know of those issues, but so long as you don't make it an SBR you are OK in most states I'd think i.e. no shoulder stock while a 10" barrel's still on there. I usually go 14" barrels, a bit more velocity than 10" and the muzzle blast is a few inches further from me. (Having had a near-deaf family member who lost their hearing from not wearing ear protection, I tend to overdo earpro but I can live with this :))

[725]

MGM produces dandy Contender barrels. If you've got the itch, they are a "go to" resource.

[evoevil]

I have 6 barrels for my contender. Love the gun.

[modified5]

Welcome to the addiction!
I too have mutiple barrels, a couple in wildcats. I acquired last year my buddies Virgin Valley barrel in 45-70. Oh the joy!
I told my wife that if I had to keep only one gun, this would be it.
People who don't shoot a lot think I'm crazy for shooting rifle rounds out of a hand gun. I call them sissies. [smilie=l:

[Ramjet-SS]

MGM produces dandy Contender barrels. If you've got the itch, they are a "go to" resource.

Some high quality barrels.

[nagantguy]

Two years ago picked up a early 4 digit frame
And a 44’mag barrel, they have multiplied to 2 44 barrels a 357 max a 22 a 38/357 mag and i currently have my eye on a .35 rem and a 22 hornet. Love them!

[Mr_Sheesh]

I've been eyeing a 7-30 Waters and wondering how much kick that'd give in a 14" barrel; Some arthritis in my hands and too much is too much, hmmmm. Need a frame some day, may even get a 22 barrel some day :p

[Moonie]

My first handgun (at age 21) was a TC Contender super 14 in 7-30 Waters. I later purchased a 10" 357 Max barrel for it. I regretted letting it go but when you have small children you learn they come first. Fast forward a number of years and I came across someone selling Encore setups at a gunshow (this was just a few years ago and I'll be 50 this month) and purchased a 15" pistol in 270 Winchester. Darn if they don't multiply faster when you have more disposable income, I now have 6 barrels, most of them are MGM custom's, 3 pistol and 3 rifle and I just purchased a second frame. Rabbits I tell you...

Do be careful, it's a sickness, much like casting and custom molds lol.

[mew]

I have three barrels for my Contender. 14" 7-30 Waters, 14" .35 Remington and a 10" .44 Mag. Really like them all. I am looking for one more though. A 14" 7mm TCU. Shooting and loading for them is definitely in the "sickness" category!

[Mr_Sheesh]

Some call it "sickness" others call it "fun"

[NoZombies]

I've got a G2 frame registered as an SBR... Talk about versatility. Any barrel length I want with any stock configuration.

[Moonie]

I've got a G2 frame registered as an SBR... Talk about versatility. Any barrel length I want with any stock configuration.

I've thought about doing this with my encore frame, then it multiplied as well...

[uscra112]

Just steer clear of large high pressure cartridges in the G1 and G2 versions. The gun was designed with nothing more than .32-20 and .22 Hornet in mind, and going to bigger cartridges leads to stretched frames and consequent loss of headpace. Been there, done that, soon got cured of the Contender disease. Still have a Gen 1, I use only the .22 Hornet barrel on it, when I bother to get it out at all. Got a .357 Max barrel which I can't in good conscience sell. It nearly terminally ruined my frame. Also a .30 Herrett barrel with a short ton of brass that nobody wants.

Also, swapping barrels around isn't as easy as it looks. Getting multiple barrels to all headspace properly is a PITA. Not too bad with rimless cartridges, so long as you're willing to prep brass to fit the gun, (and nothing else), but rimmed cartridges.....!!

[rking22]

Guess different folks have different experiences with them. I bought a new one in 1976 chambered in 44mag. Didn't shoot it a lot as it was the small grip and octagon barrel, kicked like a mule! That same frame wears a 357 Herrett barrel today and has no headspace issues with any of the barrels I've had or still have. 3030, and 30 herrett as well as the 357 herret have fired 1000s of rounds . Also a 4 digit frame with no issues. Both these frames never had loads above factory 3030 pressures in those head sizes. It was/is moa accurate with factory level 223 Rem.
The frames will DEFINATELY stretch, and once stretched are done for, but at normal pressures they are fine in 44 mag to 3030 and 35 rem. Many a Contender was ruined with " published" 30 herrett and 357 herrett loads. Just because someone wrote a magazine article dosent make it a pressure tested load. Some were in The 50k psi range when tested on strain gage equipment! Way too much for the design!
Be very aware that this far down the road any frame should be checked for headspace, but once verified it should be fine with any factory issued chambering or equilivent. If you want horsepower then go up to the encore, it was issued in 270 winchester and the like. That would destroy a Contender!

[45workhorse]

Proceed with caution, Contenders and barrels are highly addictive! I think I'm up to 7 or 8 barrels now...It's an excellent platform, super accurate and fun.
Don't but them to "bed" in the same area!!
When you return again, there will be three, or four new barrels!
You have been warned:bigsmyl2:

[quilbilly]

Stop now before it's too late!!! Send them to me so I can dispose of them properly. Barrels aren't the only part that multiply like rabbits. So do the frames. Pretty soon you will find yourself in some shop thinking you need another frame so you don't have to switch barrels as often. This disease is a terrible affliction. One day you may find yourself with six frames and eighteen barrels. Ohhh! The horror!

[uscra112]

Stop now before it's too late!!! Send them to me so I can dispose of them properly. Barrels aren't the only part that multiply like rabbits. So do the frames. Pretty soon you will find yourself in some shop thinking you need another frame so you don't have to switch barrels as often. This disease is a terrible affliction. One day you may find yourself with six frames and eighteen barrels. Ohhh! The horror!

It's curable, and without drugs, too. My epiphany came when I realized that the sliding-bolt lockup method was abandoned by American shotgun makers before 1900, and was never revived, with good reason. Why Warren Center chose it for his design baffles me, unless, as I wrote before, he never intended the gun for anything more vigorous than low-horsepower handgun cartridges.

[ubetcha]

I'm sure this has been hashed around before, but T/C did not make a G1 frame. Just the new version G2. The first frames were just called Contenders. Not trying to start an argument, just saying. As far as the legality of switching barrels, it depends on if it was registered as a rifle or handgun as I understand it
. I think there is some mention of this on Mike Belm's website

[Road_Clam]

MGM produces dandy Contender barrels. If you've got the itch, they are a "go to" resource.

+1, I recently purchased an Encore pistol frame (TC has a $75 rebate promo), then after much research I opted to NOT purchase a Encore factory barrel but had MGM build me a perfect .243 barrel with a 1-8 twist for shooting the heavies. I abandoned .243 rifle a few years ago and have a couple thousand 90+ gr match bullets. Got my Encore fitted with a Burris 3-12x40 scope and "let me be clear" my MGM .243 barrel produces some amazing accuracy !

https://thumb.ibb.co/m1DhF7/DSCF0514_1.jpg (https://ibb.co/m1DhF7)

[hornady308]

I have had three frames, and barrels from .22lr through the 358 JDJ. I've never stretched a frame or had headspace issues, but have always stayed within the design parameters of the gun. As stated earlier, be very careful with some of the wildcat load data that is out there from the 1970's and 80's. Regardless, the Contender and G2 have been around for more than 50 years now, so I guess it is safe to say that the design is proven. The fact that some people have stretched their frames with hot handloads doesn't mean that it is the gun's fault.

[DW475]

I've got several Encores set up in pistol & rifle. Addicting for sure. Never had any accuracy issues & haven't stretched a frame. If it's gonna happen it would probably happen on my 500 S&W barrel but so far it's a tack driver but I can only tolerate shooting that beast with leather gloves and after 15-20 rounds i'm done for the day!

[Three44s]

Couple of original frames and many barrels, lots of fun and plenty of flexibility.

Favorites?

The 22k hornet, .25-20 Win in a carbine length, the 30 Herret and my Super 14 in 30-30 Win.


That is just the short list of favorites!

Best regards

Three44s