Thompson Center Contender Peeps

[Trapper Jim]

Just wondering how many INGOERS shoot Contenders and what your favorite barrels/calibers are.


I have and play a lot with TC Contenders since they came out. I really like my 10” .223, a 12” .22, a 12” .357, and a 14” 30-30. They are all extremely accurate and my favorite frame is still a late model G1.

what you got?

 

[Mgderf]

Let's see.
G2 here, and I have,
.22Hornet
.222Rem
.357mag
.35Rem
.44mag
.45Colt/.410
.45-70gvt

Yeah. I like 'em.

 

[CZ evo3]

Early stainless frame, cut engraving. My favorite bbl is my .357 Remington Maximum that I had custom made by Bullberry. At 19" , it makes one very handy contender rifle.

 

[Whip_McCord]

I shot handgun silhouettes for a few decades. Big bore is from 50 to 200 meters. Small bore (22 rimfire) is from 25 to 100 yards. Field Pistol (mostly straight-walled pistol cases, plus 22 Hornet) is from 25 to 100 yards. It is pretty much dead now, but we started shooting long-range rimfire rifle/pistol from 75 to 165 yards. This year we may add 220 yard targets for an extra challenge.

I have two G1 Contender frames and the following barrels:

10"

• 22 LR Match
• 22 Hornet w/ full-length rail, Bomar rear sight, and 3X12 scope
• .357 Mag
• 30 M1 Carbine (octagon)
• 7mm TCU

14"

• .223 barrel
• 45-70 barrel w/ Burris 2x pistol scope

 

[Backpacker]

I had two G1 frames in the 1980s with barrels in 10" 22lr, 14" .222 Rem, 10" 7TCU, 10" 357 Mag, 10" 357 Maximum and 357 Kendrick rifle barrel. Both actions were difficult to open with my arthritic hand.

In 2008 and bought a G2 with a 14" 44 Magnum barrel but eventually sold it. It seems to me the higher pressure calibers lock up tighter. I liked them all.

 

[El Conquistador]

I love the G1 contenders. Currently have a 22lr, 44 mag and a 45-70. The 44 is my favorite. Sold a few over the years and regret it now. Always on the hunt to buy more.

 

[mcapo]

Sold my first one and barrels years ago - bad move.

Now have a G1 with only a 30-30 and a 22lr barrel. More needed!

 

[patience0830]

.22 lr, 10" and 14'
.20 VarTarg (MGM)15"
.223 (MGM)15"
.22 Hornet
.35 Rem

Had more. They are fun.

 

[VinceU1]

I've got a G1, only have two barrels for it. A 7-30Waters and a 10" .22LR. I've been thinking about getting something with a bit bigger bore, maybe a 45-70 or a .44Mag.

 

[bdybdall]

Don't shoot it often but I have my Contender in .357 Herrett. I have considered selling it but never get around to it.

 

[Roadman]

I do a little deer hunting with a 14 inch ported 44 mag. It is deadly out to 140 yards I know from experience. I suspect it will reach out further, but I tend to be conservative when shooting at living creatures. It is a G1 that I have had for many years.

 

[Clay Pigeon]

All of mine are 14"
22LR
17 pup
17 squirrel
19 Calhoon same as 19 Hornet.
22 squirrel
22 Hornet
218 Bee
And a few 22 Jets

At the Tipton shows a few years ago two guys from Illinois had tables with barrels and molds dumping a huge collection. At two shows I spent more money than I had spent at gun shows then the last decade.

 

[Hookeye]

Have had half a doz early types.
.22lr, .22 mag, .35 rem, .44mag, .45 colt, .223 rem and a couple repeats.
Do not care for the looks of the G2 and hate the way Encores look and feel.

Have shot other cartridges in Contenders owned by friends and fam.

Don't mind em in handgun, took a couple deer w rifle form. Just don't like break open rigs for deer.
Much prefer a falling block if going single shot rifle.

Can shoot an EER scope pretty well, offhand. Still kind of annoying. Reddots way easier.
But then they look funky on an old TC.

 

[Contender]

I might have an addiction

5 G1 Frames
2 G2 Frames

10" 22 lr
10" 22 mag
10" 22 hornet
10" 357 mag
10" 41 mag
10" 44 mag
10" 45 colt
14" 223
14" 41 mag
14" 44 mag
14" 375 win
14" 45-70
16" 45/410
23" 22 LR
23" 223
21" 22 hornet
23" 41 mag
21" 30-30

I need to seek help ......

 

[Twangbanger]

My favorites are 10" 22LR Octagon, 10" 410/45, and 14" 30 Carbine. One time I hit 14 standing on the trap house roof at the old Columbus Gun Club with the .410 and the trap oscillating, and consider it my best shooting feat in probably, ever. But it does do a number on your hand if you shoot it more than a box of shells.

The .22 lr has fired an unhealthy number of CB rounds into pine boards in basements and garages, and the unventilated indoor discharge of lead is probably at least partially responsible for my forgetfulness...

The 30 Carbine is fun to shoot at dusk, and is a great gun for entertaining new shooters who like a big boom and fireball, without much recoil. And you don't have to worry about them having a second round in the chamber while they're turning around saying "OMG!" I have eyed used Ruger Blackhawks in 30 Carbine on a few occasions, but the Contender barrel has cheaply saved me from having to spend so much money on such a special-purpose gun.

 

[700 LTR 223]

Bought my 10" 357 Mag Contender new in 1989 for NRA metallic silhouette. Had other barrels through the years. Still have the 357 and 3 others:

22 lr match (2 barrels)
223 Super 14

 

[El Conquistador]

Added another contender to my collection today. Picked up a G2 in 35 Remington, I hope to try it out this weekend.

 

[Trapper Jim]

Added another contender to my collection today. Picked up a G2 in 35 Remington, I hope to try it out this weekend.

Nice. Good caliber

 

[MrSmitty]

I want one, does that count? My Dad had one years ago with the 45LC/.410 bbl, and a .17 Rem. and .22 Hornet. I've wanted one for years.

 

[El Conquistador]

I want one, does that count? My Dad had one years ago with the 45LC/.410 bbl, and a .17 Rem. and .22 Hornet. I've wanted one for years.

They are out there. They even pop up for sale here from time to time. When Indiana first allowed deer hunting with pistols along time ago I hunted with a contender in 44 mag. They are great guns.