THE Thompson Center Contender

When I was 12 or 13 I discovered the Thompson Center line of pistols (Contender and Encore) and I was instantly fascinated! Well, 23ish years later I finally got my hands on one! I always preferred the Contender, for no reason other than the mountain lion on the side. The Encore certainly has its benefits with the added frame strength and expanded cartridge lineup, maybe I need one of those too! This one came with a 410/45 Colt Barrel and a 223 barrel. I'm really interested in big-game hunting with this eventually, I'd be curious if anyone has any experience with these pistols and specifically the larger calibers offered for them. I'm looking at what I consider the obvious 30-30 or 7-30 waters, 35 Remington is also intriguing.

Thanks!

Attachment 95990

Fun pistols.

I had one in 22LR and 30 Herrett.

Fun pistols.

Not for hunting or very much anything else...I have used both Contender & Encor.....bullberry the site - see link below
https://www.bullberrylegacy.com/oldc...tender-barrels

can make you what ever you want...as long as it accurate.

Oh; I also have the 223 barrel and for rifle configuration I have one in .308.

They are heavy, and if you are willing to spend the money on something above - can be very accurate.

if you have way - way too much money - there is an improved version with maybe better artwork

https://www.sskfirearms.com/firearm-...receivers.html

something, something, requires order of 5 from a gun dealership...

everything I want seems to require a custom order
https://www.sskfirearms.com/223-remington-cbl20-2.html

I had a Contender years ago. I liked it for the unusual calibers. Like Hoser, I had a 30 Herrett. I also had a 22 K Hornet, a 7-30 Waters, and a 300 Whisper back before they changed the name and made it popular. Pretty sure I had a couple of other calibers as well but my memory isn?t what it once was. I mostly used the Contender for IHMSA.

It's a great host for a two stamp gun!

O2

y suggestion: Don’t shot a full power .45-70 load out of the 16” barrel with a pistol grip.

I have several Encores, 25/06, 2 in .300wm, .338wm, 7mm08 currently. I have had a lot of the others and they are a blast.

For contender pistols, I had the .357, .30-30 and .45/70. The .30-30 or 7-30 would be good hunting calibers.

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Originally Posted by encorehunter

y suggestion: Don’t shot a full power .45-70 load out of the 16” barrel with a pistol grip.

I have several Encores, 25/06, 2 in .300wm, .338wm, 7mm08 currently. I have had a lot of the others and they are a blast.

For contender pistols, I had the .357, .30-30 and .45/70. The .30-30 or 7-30 would be good hunting calibers.

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A guy could lose a finger doing that.......[gohome]

Thanks for all the info! I think I've narrowed it down to at least 30cal, and likely 7-30 waters. I have a couple 30cal cans, Hoser ruined me a long time ago and I can't even consider shooting unsuppressed anymore! The two stamp idea has crossed my mind and would be pretty sweet.

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Originally Posted by bradbn4

Not for hunting or very much anything else...I have used both Contender & Encor.....bullberry the site - see link below
https://www.bullberrylegacy.com/oldc...tender-barrels

can make you what ever you want...as long as it accurate.

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Excellent advice, just spent 50 minutes on the phone with Troy and he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to TC Pistols! He really gave some good info when it comes to big game cartridges and I will be ordering a barrel from him shortly!

My brain is running at half speed today. How do you manage a two stamp gun with a suppressed pistol?

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Originally Posted by Tim K

My brain is running at half speed today. How do you manage a two stamp gun with a suppressed pistol?

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Add a shoulder thing that goes up?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tim K

My brain is running at half speed today. How do you manage a two stamp gun with a suppressed pistol?

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The contender pistol and contender rifle share the same receiver, so they make really cool SBRs if you stamp the receiver.

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Originally Posted by Erni

Add a shoulder thing that goes up?

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[ROFL1]

I have a friend that shoots a 7.30 Waters. He shot an Antelope at just under 300yds.

Nice, I think 7-30 waters is what I have settled on. I ended up with a 30-30 Ackley Improved barrel that I was thinking about using. But am leaning towards that just being too much of a hassle.