Early T/C Contender barrel compatibility: SN <195000

[MatthewVanitas]

UPDATE: Called T/C to get the answer straight from the horse's mouth, in that odd New England accent. The rep knew the answer right off the top of her head: "frames with serial numbers under 195000 are not compatible with later barrels." So there's your cutoff.

A local pawnshop has an early T/C, from before the rimfire switch on the hammer. It has stock wood, kinda beat up, and a T/C 3x pistol scope with fair cosmetic wear. The barrel is a .22 Hornet rechambered to K-Hornet, with the front sight removed and much cosmetic wear.

Is this worth anything at all, or is it way too much hassle to bite off? I once bought a similar early T/C, only to find out that it wouldn't fit the later T/C barrels, and I had to disassemble the gun to even get the barrel off since it was so wedged.

The serial on the pawnshop one is 61,xxx.

They're asking $649 eek, but the shop knows me well, and the manager even admitted that he thinks the old frame isn't compatible with newer barrels. So with that and all the wear, I might be able to bargain it down, though I still think I wouldn't want to pay more than $250 for it.

Are early T/Cs worth messing with at all, or only as "only if you don't ever want to change barrels, the entire point of the T/C" or "only if it's under $200"?

 

[ArmedBear]

Have you called TC and asked them about parts and accessories?

I mean, if it's $150, and you want a K-Hornet, whatever that is, or if you have another old Contender in a caliber you DO want, but you need spare parts, why not? But otherwise, I'd have my doubts...

Certainly, the Contender gained its reputation with the original model. People like 'em.

There are aftermarket vendors that sell T/C barrels, as well. I just don't know how many old vs. how many new frames are out there, i.e., whether the market for old ones would support barrel makers who make old-frame barrels.

 

[steveno]

my opinion would be that the very early barrels would be collectible but not the frames. there were some 8.750 barrels that are probably pretty expensive both do to length and caliber

 

[PotatoJudge]

The newer contenders are much easier to open and can be re-cocked without working the action, as you probably know. The custom shop has a case hardened frame only for about $325. Add about $150-200 for a barrel and a cheap Hogue stock and you're well ahead of this guy's deal (which is excessive, IMO).

http://www.tcarms.com/customShop/frames.php

I would look for a used G2 in good condition and avoid the hassles of an older frame that's an overpriced beater in a caliber you don't really want.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I actually wouldn't mind .22 K-Hornet, as it'd be pretty cheap to reload for. However, as I edited the OP to note, serial numbers under 195000 are not compatible with later barrels, so that pretty much rules out that gun.

I edited the title to make it easier to find, so in the future someone googling it might find this thread and not have to bother T/C directly.

I've known the pawnshop folks for a while, so basically gave them the straight scoop on why I couldn't go that high, and offered $250. They sheepishly admitted that they'd over-loaned on it and were in deeper than that, so we agreed that we just couldn't meet on it.

On the bright side, as a consolation prize they sold me a Savage 340 boltgun with Weaver rings/mounts and a unmarked 4x steel scope for $195. It's .222, so about as cheap to reload for as .223 (after the brass), and only slightly limited for my plinking interests.

At some point in the future, if I stay with handloading, I'll take a hard look at a nice modern T/C G2. The last time I had a T/C I couldn't shoot for owl jowls with it, literally shooting worse with it off the bench than I do with my AR off-handed. I figure I must've just been doing it wrong (and it took me forever to figure out how to sight a scope in.) If I do it again, I need to find a shooting buddy who has a T/C and can walk me through it until I get it right.

The idea of a pistol which is, off the bench or a good improvised position, is as accurate as a rifle is simply fascinating.

 

[MMCSRET]

My T/C is a 5 digit s/n and I have never had a problem mating barrels to it. I have never tried a stainless or the plated type(I think they called it Armaloy). I've used custom barrels, original octagon and bull barrels. The only difference was the locking lug----one piece or two piece----and they both work.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

My T/C is a 5 digit s/n and I have never had a problem mating barrels to it. I have never tried a stainless or the plated type(I think they called it Armaloy). I've used custom barrels, original octagon and bull barrels. The only difference was the locking lug----one piece or two piece----and they both work.

The Armor Alloy barrels and receivers are, as I've heard it, compatible only with themselves and not any of the standard frames.

So you've had no trouble matching your 5-digit T/C with current production barrels?

I had a 5-digit briefly, came with an octagon .45/410 barrel IIRC, and when I put a .30 Herret barrel (probably 1980s) onto it it completely froze up. I had to knock most of the pins out of the receiver to get it loose.

Did I somehow misinterpret what T/C Customer Service told me on the phone today? They said that numbers under 195000 aren't compatible with newer barrels, so I dunno.

 

[MMCSRET]

Don't know!! the only "freeze up" I ever had was some stupidly overloaded 30-30 in a Super 14 barrel that was 20 years newer than my frame.