TC Contender & Encore (let’s talk)

[Mark_Mark]

I have always been intrigued by the TC frame & barrel guns. Very cool looking, never shot them, but my local has a few. What do you guys think of price and such?

 

[243winxb]

https://horstauction.hibid.com/lot/145348652/thompson-center-model-contender?ref=catalog
2 bbls, scope, $ 1250. 35 Rem & 375 Winchester with a Leupold M8-4x pistol scope attached.


Prices seem at full retail.
Buying a lot of different barrels in cartridges you want, ok. Waste of money if not interested in that cartridge.

The 223, 222, 7mm TCU, 22lr, 30-30, 45/410 i had were accurate & fun. For target shooting, the single shot gets old quick. Skeet with 410, 1 time and done. Broke 10 of 25. Singles.
1 shot for hunting? How fast can you reload?

When fun was over, sold all by the piece. Edit/Add- did shoot a 460 S&W Magnum, not a fun gun.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I really like the Contender in pistol format. The Encore is good, but heavier/chunkier, to allow it to handle more powerful rifle cartridges. So, I would read up some on what each will do to see which one fits you better.

The Contender will do 30-30, 45-70, 5.56, and other rifle calibers so it is not like there are not rifle options there.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Check prices at E.Arthur Brown co. EABCO for comparison etc.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I have a Contender in 7-30 Waters it shoots well.

 

[PapaG]

Down to one pistol, the last version before G2 (there were three, none marked but with subtle differences, most important that that the last.was much easier to open), and two earlier carbines. Never cared for the Encore as a pistol. Solid as rifle.
With 22 lr match, 222 Rem, 30-30, 357, 44 mag, 45 Colt and 45/410, I am equipped for about anything I want to do with a single shot pistol. 223, 22 long rifle and 30-30 barrels for rifles, I'm also set.
What I have learned personally is that TC knew something about making barrels. 90%+ of all I have had have been superbly accurate. You can stretch a frame pushing too hard with the big stuff. The older octagonal barrels look cooler. And, for me, I can hardly joke my 357 barrel lead up.
Oh, yeah, use plugs and muffs with 223, 30-30 and a few others in the handgun.

 

[doubleh]

I like the rifles, contender more than the encore..The contender's trigger can be made better than the encore's. Also I don't shoot calibers any more that require the more robust encore frame. At the bench they are a slowpoke but very accurate. Even though T/C is dead and gone there are aftermarket parts available. I have a contender with three barrels and an encore with two in small cailbers and they aren't going anywhere but to the range and in my jeep when boondocking.

 

[LimaCharlie]

460 S&W Magnum

 

[Mark_Mark]

the pistols look very cool! I’ll take some photos of the receivers when I get a chance. I would like to add one in a crazy caliber

 

[Ohen Cepel]

There are custom places which will make a barrel to your specifications. So, the options could be pretty impressive.
For a Contender I think the 7-30 Waters is a great deer round. 45-70 is a lot of fun if handloaded to meet your interests.

Several of the old silhouette rounds made from 5.56 brass in the TCU line could be fun also, but I haven't gotten into those. May be some of the few factory chamberings I don't have yet.

 

[WestKentucky]

There are custom places which will make a barrel to your specifications. So, the options could be pretty impressive.
For a Contender I think the 7-30 Waters is a great deer round. 45-70 is a lot of fun if handloaded to meet your interests.

Several of the old silhouette rounds made from 5.56 brass in the TCU line could be fun also, but I haven't gotten into those. May be some of the few factory chamberings I don't have yet.

There is only 1 drawback to “rimless” cartridges in a contender, and that is headspace. A properly set up barrel with a frame that matches well will be fine. Most combinations are fine. Some though, deep chamber barrel with minimum tolerance breechface may have some headspace issues. Rimmed rounds (mostly 30-30 based) seem to do better since they headspace on the rim. I have both, and have had more of both. I very much prefer rimmed, as most of the TC world seems to prefer.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

There is only 1 drawback to “rimless” cartridges in a contender, and that is headspace. A properly set up barrel with a frame that matches well will be fine. Most combinations are fine. Some though, deep chamber barrel with minimum tolerance breechface may have some headspace issues. Rimmed rounds (mostly 30-30 based) seem to do better since they headspace on the rim. I have both, and have had more of both. I very much prefer rimmed, as most of the TC world seems to prefer.

True, rims make life easier in these platforms.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have three first generation Contender frames. They make great firearms.

I got into Contenders back in the 1980's shooting IHMSA hand gun silhouette shooting a 10" contender chambered in 357 Magnum. I later bought a 14" 7mm Int Rimmed barrel for unlimited competition.

Various job and life changes moved me away from convenient Contender shooting.

I bought a 22 Hornet rifle barrel and then a 221 Rem Fireball rifle barrel for my Contender frames. Both are some of the most accurate rifles in my collection.

During this time frame, I got interested in a more powerful Contender. Unfortunately, with the second and third generation Contenders, they took away most of the trigger adjustments of the first generation Contenders.

Any way, in the 1960's and 1970's, Contenders were great Firearms. Not so much these days.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have three first generation Contender frames. They make great firearms.

I got into Contenders back in the 1980's shooting IHMSA hand gun silhouette shooting a 10" contender chambered in 357 Magnum. I later bought a 14" 7mm Int Rimmed barrel for unlimited competition.

Various job and life changes moved me away from convenient Contender shooting.

I bought a 22 Hornet rifle barrel and then a 221 Rem Fireball rifle barrel for my Contender frames. Both are some of the most accurate rifles in my collection.

During this time frame, I got interested in a more powerful Contender. Unfortunately, with the second and third generation Contenders, they took away most of the trigger adjustments of the first generation Contenders.

Any way, in the 1960's and 1970's, Contenders were great Firearms. Not so much these days.

the 2 frames at my shop looked deep engraved floral or eagles. I’ll take some photo next time I’m there. They been in the shop forever. Really want to shoot one!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have three first generation Contender frames. They make great firearms.

I got into Contenders back in the 1980's shooting IHMSA hand gun silhouette shooting a 10" contender chambered in 357 Magnum. I later bought a 14" 7mm Int Rimmed barrel for unlimited competition.

Various job and life changes moved me away from convenient Contender shooting.

I bought a 22 Hornet rifle barrel and then a 221 Rem Fireball rifle barrel for my Contender frames. Both are some of the most accurate rifles in my collection.

During this time frame, I got interested in a more powerful Contender. Unfortunately, with the second and third generation Contenders, they took away most of the trigger adjustments of the first generation Contenders.

Any way, in the 1960's and 1970's, Contenders were great Firearms. Not so much these days.

The most fun cartridge in my barrel collection was the .221Rem Fireball with the Super-14 barrel a healthy load of IMR 4227. Tiny bullet, huge fireball, face rippling concussion and almost no recoil. I used to like “one-handing” it to impress the range rats but it really needed a rest or at least a two-handed grip.

I sold the barrel to pay some bills and then gave away all the reloading gear that went with it. That’s what happens with most Contenders: the original owner gets old or bored and practically gives the goods away.

If you want to get close to an apples-apples comparison of book loading data to your handloads, a T/C is the way to go.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The most fun cartridge in my barrel collection was the .221Rem Fireball with the Super-14 barrel a healthy load of IMR 4227. Tiny bullet, huge fireball, face rippling concussion and almost no recoil. I used to like “one-handing” it to impress the range rats but it really needed a rest or at least a two-handed grip.

I sold the barrel to pay some bills and then gave away all the reloading gear that went with it. That’s what happens with most Contenders: the original owner gets old or bored and practically gives the goods away.

If you want to get close to an apples-apples comparison of book loading data to your handloads, a T/C is the way to go.

I’m not old or grey yet! better get a set soon!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m not old or grey yet! better get a set soon!

Prepare to open your wallet!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Prepare to open your wallet!

no kidding! these are not H&R single shot thumpers EXPENSIVE! but COOL

 

[cfullgraf]

The most fun cartridge in my barrel collection was the .221Rem Fireball with the Super-14 barrel a healthy load of IMR 4227. Tiny bullet, huge fireball, face rippling concussion and almost no recoil. I used to like “one-handing” it to impress the range rats but it really needed a rest or at least a two-handed grip.

I have a 221 Rem Fireball 22” Bullberry Contender barrel along with Bullberry furniture. It is one of the most accurate rifles that I have. It makes my 221 Rem FB Remington 700 look like a shotgun.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have a 221 Rem Fireball 22” Bullberry Contender barrel along with Bullberry furniture. It is one of the most accurate rifles that I have. It makes my 221 Rem FB Remington 700 look like a shotgun.

after I finish my revolver itch, I’m get a set! love the look

 

[dobedo]

I have always been intrigued by the TC frame & barrel guns. Very cool looking, never shot them, but my local has a few. What do you guys think of price and such?

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They are great guns; however, they are no longer in production. I have shot the 45/70 and it was not terrible as you may think. It was actually nicer than shooting the 44 magnum.

 

[Pete D.]

I fell in love with Contenders a few decades ago I used one with a .22 barrel and a "enhanced" trigger (an Arkansas stone and a wire clipper and you are good to go) for NRA Precision Pistol. My favorite cartridges are the .30-30 in a ten inch barrel, the .30 herrett in a 14 inch and the .22RF.

 

[PapaG]

I have had at least one since shortly after they were introduced in the 60s. IIRC the first few I bought ran a little over $100.
The original 45/410 had grips like a 2X4 and punished you with 3" 410 shells.
They were a blast for IHMSA competition (metallic silhouette).
The Super 14 revolutionized what we knew about handgun accuracy.
JDJones based his array of potent wildcats on the TC platform. 300 Whisper, the 375 JDJ and a plethora of others proved that handguns (again) could easily take any game animal that walks.
They aren't indestructible regardless of what you read. Frames can stretch. Barrel interchangeability is not 100%.
I believe they made great barrels for the most part. The 357s that I've had and have are almost leading free.
30-30 out of a 10" is fun but not the best choice for the caliber.
I'm a fan of the last version before G2 for is easier opening feature. G2 didn't had quite as good a trigger. Never had an Encore but sold a bunch and shot a few. Bigger by far and chambered in some insane stuff.
My best groups by chambering over the past 57 years, and I'm not stupid enough to suggest I can do it again at will follow. (5 shots, bench, 50 or 100)
22 long rifle, bull barrel, 10", match chamber, 1.25" (100)
357, handload, 18 gc Thompson 358156, @ 1500 fps. 2.5" (100)
222 Rem, factory 50 grain sp, 2".
30-30, 3"-3.5" but need better scope and load dev. (10" oct.)
Carbine, 22, 223, 30-30 will all consistently do 1.5-2 MOA.

 

[jmorris]

As pistols, with heavy recoil they seem to eat my fingers, I much prefer the XP-100. Most of the ones I have, stay in rifle form.

 

[Bigdog357]

I am a fan of the Encore platform, have never had a Contender so I can't speak on them. I have a couple Encore frames and several rifle barrels, all are very accurate, I used my 20ga to hunt deer for many years. I recently had some custom furniture made for my 22-250 Encore pistol. Unfortunately, prices have went crazy on TC items since they stopped making the frames.