TC Contender accuracy questions - handgun

[socalbeachbum]

I started looking into TC Contender handguns and found a bunch of smiths that offer work to accurize them. They offer tightening up the frame pivot, trigger work, recrowning, refacing the breech.

I'm wondering how necessary any of this is for just an average shooter who wants one to play with, maybe try 50m and 100m silouettes, etc., and NOT trying to take game at 200-300 yds.

anyone had experience with the TC Contenders? or the newer handgun versions?

I'd probably want a few different barrels to play with, .357, .44, .223 or maybe something in a 6 or 6.5mm

 

[steveno]

save your money

 

[JShirley]

Yup. Not needed for 100 meters.

 

[cfullgraf]

I shot IHMSA Silhouettes in the 1980's with a Contender, both Production and Unlimited.

The stock gun was better than I was and I'd hold my own with the 200m rams.

All three of my Contenders are first generation so assuming the current version of the Contender trigger is similar in design to the Encore, that was a great step back on T/C's part. The adjustability of the original Contender's trigger is very nice.

A little trigger work on my Encore greatly help with the ability to shoot it better.

 

[sheephearder]

The original contender needs no work to shoot accurate. The contender II and encore may need a little trigger work but are usually OK. There is no need to tighten the barrel pin or reinforce the breach. Save your money for ammo.

 

[TNBilly]

agree with your previous responses - been shooting Contenders for over 30 years. I finally had to make a "custom" pin for mine that I purchased in 83! I've taken crows at over 300 yards with the 223 barrel. Can't even guess how many rounds the frame has on it. Have fun shooting yours for a long time and do the extra if and when it ever needs it.

 

[xphunter]

For what you are doing I would start with factory and go enjoy yourself

 

[critter]

I have a bone stock TC Contender with 2 barrels-a .223 and a 30-30 Win. The .223 will do 3/8" 3-shot groups at 100 yds. The 30-30 is 'worse'-9/16" at 100 yds.

I have taken a bunch of deer with the 30-30 using 125 gr Nosler BT's and much 'vermen' of various sorts with the .223

Get one and shoot it-a LOT-before you decide it needs work.

 

[damienph]

Mine is an older scoped 10" bull barrel in .30 Herrett. Easily under an inch at 100 yards shooting 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. I've taken a few whitetails and a bunch of coyotes with it. Bone stock, 30+ years old and still shoots great.

 

[ID-shooting]

Other than ammo tuning, no work has ever been needed on any contender I have owned.

 

[loose noose]

I've got the Contender also and have a vast array of barrels both 14", 10", and the carbine barrels, in just about any and every caliber you can think of. I've taken deer, snow shoe rabbits, prairee dogs, ground squirrels, cotton tail rabbits, and with the .410 barrel a few quail and a bunch of dove using the 20" barrel. I've shot well over 5,000 rounds thru it and never had a problem with accuracy. The only thing I did to it (pistol version) I put a I believe a Herret rubber inlaid grip, that has been a number of years ago, when I shot Steel Silhouette using the .44Mag Barrel. I generally hit any where from 7-10 rams at 200 meters consistently with it, the chickens, and the pigs never stood a chance, but to be totally honest I had a hard time with the turkeys. Any way if ya get it enjoy yourself you won't find a better single shot firearm any where, plus like I said earlier or more versatile.

 

[BigN]

Not necessary. The Contenders are pleasantly accurate right out of the box.

 

[X-Rap]

Yea I'd say a pistol smith specializing in the old Contender might look a lot like the Maytag repairman.

 

[xphunter]

All depends on what your accuracy goals and distance goals are.

 

[cfullgraf]

but to be totally honest I had a hard time with the turkeys.

Yes, the turkeys are hard to hit!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

My Contender was MOA accurate from day one. No smith needed for anything.

 

[243winxb]

If the trigger is to heavy, a simple spring change will make it lighter. Contender needs no work to shoot accurate for your needs. Shot Free Pistol with one in 22lr with 9 oz trigger. Other in 223, 30-30, 7mm TCU were accurate also.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Finding the right load would be the best place to start. Triggers are usually very good. I tried the larger pin but really just found it to be a pain to use with no gain.

I haven't shot all my barrels as much as I would like to, however, they have all shot well so far.