Im looking to buy a thompson contender, im looking for opinions on which model is best. I like the looks of the couger beter than the g2. Also which models had the selector on the hammer. Does anyone here have one and what is your opinion of it pros and cons. Mainly wanting a 22 barrel for squirrel hunting, but would also like a 30 30 for bear hunting with dogs. I cant decide if i want to go with this or a stevens model 24 in 22/410 that ive found.
thompson contender
- Thread starter kabrn
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mbopp
Member
There's a bunch of Contender shooters over on Graybeard, you may want to post your question there:
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php
I have an old G1 and two barrels for it. I've been told the triggers on the G1s are better and easier to get a good pull on than the G2's.
Mine has an old hammer that requires a screwdriver to switch between rimfire and centerfire (moot point in my case.) Later hammers have a selector lever.
I use a 357 Herrett barrel for deer and would have no qualms about trying it on bear. My opinion only - If I were looking for a deer barrel today I'd look at the 35 Remington, 375 Winchester, or one of the JDJ calibers.
IIRR you used to be able to get a 45 Colt / 410 shotshell barrel for them also.
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php
I have an old G1 and two barrels for it. I've been told the triggers on the G1s are better and easier to get a good pull on than the G2's.
Mine has an old hammer that requires a screwdriver to switch between rimfire and centerfire (moot point in my case.) Later hammers have a selector lever.
I use a 357 Herrett barrel for deer and would have no qualms about trying it on bear. My opinion only - If I were looking for a deer barrel today I'd look at the 35 Remington, 375 Winchester, or one of the JDJ calibers.
IIRR you used to be able to get a 45 Colt / 410 shotshell barrel for them also.
The original Contenders with the crouching cougar all have a selectable firing pin. The early ones had to be switched with a screwdriver with the hammer cocked, a real PITA, and very easy to forget when switching from rimfire to centerfire.
They then upgraded to the selector on top of the hammer, big improvement.
Also they changed the unlocking system to 'EZ open', not sure when that would have been. The old ones were fine though.
The very last of the Contenders had a large cougar face on the side of the receiver, looked like some high school kid drew it. Ugly guns, but they work fine.
The G-2s are nice guns too, with the selector/safety on top of the hammer. IMO, they handle recoil much better than the original. Triggers are not as refined on the G-2s, but they can be re-cocked without opening the pistol. If I were to get a 30-30, it would be a G-2 with trigger job, a 12" bull barrel and some large grips from Georgia Jim.
Encores are big guns with no selector/safety, but are sweet shooters with the bigger cartridges, .44 mag and up.
They then upgraded to the selector on top of the hammer, big improvement.
Also they changed the unlocking system to 'EZ open', not sure when that would have been. The old ones were fine though.
The very last of the Contenders had a large cougar face on the side of the receiver, looked like some high school kid drew it. Ugly guns, but they work fine.
The G-2s are nice guns too, with the selector/safety on top of the hammer. IMO, they handle recoil much better than the original. Triggers are not as refined on the G-2s, but they can be re-cocked without opening the pistol. If I were to get a 30-30, it would be a G-2 with trigger job, a 12" bull barrel and some large grips from Georgia Jim.
Encores are big guns with no selector/safety, but are sweet shooters with the bigger cartridges, .44 mag and up.
JFrame
Member
I have a G1 SS Contender I originally bought with a 10" .44 mag barrel. My next barrel was a 16.25" .44 mag blued carbine barrel.
I then got a 14" SS .22LR match barrel, and that's what it's been ever since. I love the platform for the versatility of .22 ammo I can put through it.
I put a Harris bipod and 4x Nikon Prostaff scope on it recently. It's only been at the range in this configuration a couple of times, but it feels like a "mini-rifle" to me.
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I then got a 14" SS .22LR match barrel, and that's what it's been ever since. I love the platform for the versatility of .22 ammo I can put through it.
I put a Harris bipod and 4x Nikon Prostaff scope on it recently. It's only been at the range in this configuration a couple of times, but it feels like a "mini-rifle" to me.
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The TC contenders are not really that accurate as they are a break action pistol and if you intend on mounting a scope on it, you will get a lot of variations point of impact from any slight or differences in forend pressure or resting the barrel etc.
A better choice would be a remington xp100 in 7mm BR and a good quality 22 target auto or revolver for squirl hunting.
If you can use a rifle in your state for bear your better off sticking with a long gun, hunting black bear or brown bear you will need more than one shot for your safety.
A better choice would be a remington xp100 in 7mm BR and a good quality 22 target auto or revolver for squirl hunting.
If you can use a rifle in your state for bear your better off sticking with a long gun, hunting black bear or brown bear you will need more than one shot for your safety.
JFrame
Member
I'm not sure I understand this logic. Since the barrel and chamber of the Contender are one continuous pipe, and the scope is basically mounted on the pipe, how is there any variation in POI, since the two pieces are basically fixed to each other?
Also, I can't imagine many pieces of metal any more solid than a bull-barreled Contender .22 barrel...
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Break action pistols and to a greater degree break action rifles are sensitive to lock up consistency even though the scope, mount and barrel are all in one. I've found carbines are more sensitive to it than pistols though.
If your main concern is benchrest accuracy, maybe the XP-100 has an edge, but Contenders have proven to be very accurate on the silhouette ranges out to 200 yards and hunting fields.
Contenders for me are far better off hand shooters than the awkward bolt guns, although the old mid grip XP-100s are nice.
Any break action gun pistol is not the accurate as a solidly fixed barrell, like a bolt action ect.
The problem with the contender is that any pressure exerted on the forend or barrell will cause a significant shift in POA, like a bipod or pressure on the barrell. Even resting the forend or barrell on a shooting rest can effect it.
In order to shoot a contender pistol consistantly accurate you must sight it in and shoot it the same way you will hunt with it. Meaning off hand shooting or gently resting it on a shooting bench being very carefull to not rest the barrell or forend on any surface, ( you must rest the grip only and try and sight in it at 50 yrds. max).
I experimented for 3 yrs/ with a 223, 30-30 and 35 rem contender and found that they are very difficult guns to shoot consistantly accurate.
Here are some results 223 14" barrell contender with harriss bipod and burris 2-7 x scope, the best it would do is 7" groups at a 100 yrds.
Eventually converted barrell to a 18" rifle barrell with a reamed out 223 match welded flash suppressor and installed a shoulder stock on it and a longer hand guard , harris bipod and weaver 6-18 power scope, the best the contender converted to a legal rifle configuration it would shoot only 3-4 " groups at 100yrds.
I finally gave up on it and switched to remington xp100's in 7mm and 35 cal. The 7mm xp100 scoped would consistantly shoot .375" MOA for 3 shots at 100 yrds. A lot of you will claim it was me and not the gun that was the problem. But the example between the xp100 and contender show proof that it was the contender and not the shooter.
The problem with the contender is that any pressure exerted on the forend or barrell will cause a significant shift in POA, like a bipod or pressure on the barrell. Even resting the forend or barrell on a shooting rest can effect it.
In order to shoot a contender pistol consistantly accurate you must sight it in and shoot it the same way you will hunt with it. Meaning off hand shooting or gently resting it on a shooting bench being very carefull to not rest the barrell or forend on any surface, ( you must rest the grip only and try and sight in it at 50 yrds. max).
I experimented for 3 yrs/ with a 223, 30-30 and 35 rem contender and found that they are very difficult guns to shoot consistantly accurate.
Here are some results 223 14" barrell contender with harriss bipod and burris 2-7 x scope, the best it would do is 7" groups at a 100 yrds.
Eventually converted barrell to a 18" rifle barrell with a reamed out 223 match welded flash suppressor and installed a shoulder stock on it and a longer hand guard , harris bipod and weaver 6-18 power scope, the best the contender converted to a legal rifle configuration it would shoot only 3-4 " groups at 100yrds.
I finally gave up on it and switched to remington xp100's in 7mm and 35 cal. The 7mm xp100 scoped would consistantly shoot .375" MOA for 3 shots at 100 yrds. A lot of you will claim it was me and not the gun that was the problem. But the example between the xp100 and contender show proof that it was the contender and not the shooter.
JFrame
Member
Thanks for the explanation. I've never heard of any accuracy complaints vis-a-vis the Contender (and, as you say, especially the pistol), so it had me wondering.
It sounds like the dynamics potentially causing issues for the T/C might be more in the realm of the theoretical than practical. At least, it has never been a concern for me...
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JFrame
Member
As with PO2Hammer, thank you for taking the time to reply.
I don't doubt the experiences you had, and the causes, but at least for me, in my limited capacity, I find the stated issue not to have a practical impact on me.
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Pete D.
Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2010
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- 2,660
Contenders
I have two of the G1s. They are fine guns. The big problem with Contenders is that once you own one, you may contract the dreaded "BAD" or Barrel Acquisition Disease. Yeah.....you want a .22 and a .30-30. HA!
And a .223, a .357, a .44, a 45-70, a couple of wildcats, another .22 barrel, and then theres that .30 Herret on Gunbroker.
Accuracy. The XP guns are fine shooters, no doubt. I never noticed that my Contenders were not supposed to be accurate. I won a couple of bench rest titles with the Cast bullet Association shooting an iron sighted Contender 10" bbl. .30-30.
Pete
I have two of the G1s. They are fine guns. The big problem with Contenders is that once you own one, you may contract the dreaded "BAD" or Barrel Acquisition Disease. Yeah.....you want a .22 and a .30-30. HA!
And a .223, a .357, a .44, a 45-70, a couple of wildcats, another .22 barrel, and then theres that .30 Herret on Gunbroker.
Accuracy. The XP guns are fine shooters, no doubt. I never noticed that my Contenders were not supposed to be accurate. I won a couple of bench rest titles with the Cast bullet Association shooting an iron sighted Contender 10" bbl. .30-30.
Pete
I have a G2 and love it. Have a 30-30 barrel and 22LR barrel. They are both very accurate. I've shot a 3" group at 100 yds off a bag with the 30-30 using cheap Monarch ammo and an Aimpoint. With the heavy trigger pull it has I know that most of that spread was due to me. I can't imagine what that gun could do in the hands of a really good shot.
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flipajig
Member
I have a G-2 and wouldnt trade it for nothing I have 5 barrels for it
the first barrel that I bought with the gun was a 7-30 waters its made by Bullberry and when I do my part it will do its part 1/2" at 100 with factory or reloads.
#2 Was a 22 LR Match grade it will also shoot 1/2 " 50 with remingon bulk ammo.
#3 was a 44mag this one gave me some problems as far as accuracy but I was able to make it shoot.
#4 was a 30-30 with factory ammo I have been able to keep thim in 1" at 100
#5 Is a 223 I just picked up a scope for it. I tryed a rifle scope on it and didnt like it
so im mounting a Wever 2.5-8x30 on it so I will know soon how it will do. with the rifle scope on it 1" or so at 100 .
I also have added a 7-08 Encore to the stable and im excited to see how it will do.
I have had no problems getting one to shoot except the 44 my longest shot to date is 250-300 yds at a rock chuck. The Contenders are like all guns some will have a problem hear and there. I shoot of a rest or a bypod shooting a pistol is like shooting a bow you have to do everything right every time not just part time every time to make them shoot. They also have one other problem they MULTIPLY so watch out.
the first barrel that I bought with the gun was a 7-30 waters its made by Bullberry and when I do my part it will do its part 1/2" at 100 with factory or reloads.
#2 Was a 22 LR Match grade it will also shoot 1/2 " 50 with remingon bulk ammo.
#3 was a 44mag this one gave me some problems as far as accuracy but I was able to make it shoot.
#4 was a 30-30 with factory ammo I have been able to keep thim in 1" at 100
#5 Is a 223 I just picked up a scope for it. I tryed a rifle scope on it and didnt like it
so im mounting a Wever 2.5-8x30 on it so I will know soon how it will do. with the rifle scope on it 1" or so at 100 .
I also have added a 7-08 Encore to the stable and im excited to see how it will do.
I have had no problems getting one to shoot except the 44 my longest shot to date is 250-300 yds at a rock chuck. The Contenders are like all guns some will have a problem hear and there. I shoot of a rest or a bypod shooting a pistol is like shooting a bow you have to do everything right every time not just part time every time to make them shoot. They also have one other problem they MULTIPLY so watch out.
Tomcat47
Member
Contenders Are Awesome!
I particularly would not trade my contender for two XP100's.
In the complaint of accuracy??? Most state a grouping average of all barrells @ around 2" at 100 yards. XP is about 1.8 (more accurate but.. .200)
This is a broad range of calibers/barrells and hand loading changes everything......which if you want more calibers in XP you gotta buy more pistols.
My .41 Magnum super 14 with store bought PMC ammo held an incredible group at 100 yards. Average was about .625 - .700 thats with a bullet diameter of .410....and with some hand loads I get as low as .575 groups.
At one private competition years ago...I was the only TC there and winning profusely with the .41 Mag against an array of calibers and some were accusing me of shooting out of target for 2nd and 3rd shot in a 3 shot group.
I proved them wrong by letting a judge shoot his own 3 shot group!
While I will say that the XP is somewhat more accurate...IMO the accuracy difference is splitting hairs and losing a lot of combination variations. The contenders are just an awesome platform. 1 Handgun permit/purchase and you just pick up barrels and have fun
I particularly would not trade my contender for two XP100's.
In the complaint of accuracy??? Most state a grouping average of all barrells @ around 2" at 100 yards. XP is about 1.8 (more accurate but.. .200)
This is a broad range of calibers/barrells and hand loading changes everything......which if you want more calibers in XP you gotta buy more pistols.
My .41 Magnum super 14 with store bought PMC ammo held an incredible group at 100 yards. Average was about .625 - .700 thats with a bullet diameter of .410....and with some hand loads I get as low as .575 groups.
At one private competition years ago...I was the only TC there and winning profusely with the .41 Mag against an array of calibers and some were accusing me of shooting out of target for 2nd and 3rd shot in a 3 shot group.
I proved them wrong by letting a judge shoot his own 3 shot group!
While I will say that the XP is somewhat more accurate...IMO the accuracy difference is splitting hairs and losing a lot of combination variations. The contenders are just an awesome platform. 1 Handgun permit/purchase and you just pick up barrels and have fun
Yeah, the best I could ever do with cast bullets (consistently) was just under MOA, but jacketed bullets were a little more accurate. My XP was wicked accurate.
mbopp
Member
Inaccurate? My 357 Herrett will go 1-1/4" at 100 yards with hunting loads, plenty good for deer. The 218 Bee will do 3/4". And I make no claim to being a benchrest shooter.
I am a Contender fan, but will honestly say I have no experience with the newer models. G2 etc. My experience is with the original, one with the Puma on the side. I've shot dozens if not hundreds of frame and barrel combination's and thousands of rounds through them. Thanks to a family member with an outstanding collection of them. I myself own a half dozen frames and barrels.
Inaccurate? I've not found one that didn't shot better than I capable. Some better than others but none I would call inaccurate.
The Contender is more than capable of accomplishing what the OP is wanting it to do.
Inaccurate? I've not found one that didn't shot better than I capable. Some better than others but none I would call inaccurate.
The Contender is more than capable of accomplishing what the OP is wanting it to do.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I enjoy my Contender quite a bit. I own the older style, not this newer G2.
Do keep in mind that a 30/30 out of a pistol length barrel won't perform extremely well. That round needs more length to burn the powder properly. It won't be awful, but it won't do as well as a more efficient cartridge would. You'll see erratic performance, and it'll show downrange on paper.
The 30 Herrett was designed to improve the on the 30/30 concept through a pistol length barrel.
Do keep in mind that a 30/30 out of a pistol length barrel won't perform extremely well. That round needs more length to burn the powder properly. It won't be awful, but it won't do as well as a more efficient cartridge would. You'll see erratic performance, and it'll show downrange on paper.
The 30 Herrett was designed to improve the on the 30/30 concept through a pistol length barrel.
Tomcat47
Member
I loaded 30-30 with contender reloading manual (compressed charge) except I used a Nosler ballistic Tip 180 gr. Bullet.
I wanted to try same with 7 x 30 waters but never got around to it.
Out of Super 14 Barrel This thing was a tack driver at 100 yards and well under 3/4" groups. This was one of my favorite white tail set ups. I would have never hesitated a 200 yard shot with this load and bullet.
I love My contenders, just so many possibilities.
XPs are cool....Like a Model 700 Pistol and as I said before very accurate.
I am just a fan of the barrel change thing with the same pistol.
I carried mine in a case with my 5 favorite barrels...
.22 Hornet
.223
7 x 30 waters
.30-.30
.41 Magnum ( I also Had a special load for it too, involving the same Nosler .30 caliber 180 gr. bullet...I made my own Sabots out of Teflon. Awesome!)
Very Hard Hitting!
Didnt they start making a Lone wolf pistol or something after they quit making the XP?
I wanted to try same with 7 x 30 waters but never got around to it.
Out of Super 14 Barrel This thing was a tack driver at 100 yards and well under 3/4" groups. This was one of my favorite white tail set ups. I would have never hesitated a 200 yard shot with this load and bullet.
I love My contenders, just so many possibilities.
XPs are cool....Like a Model 700 Pistol and as I said before very accurate.
I am just a fan of the barrel change thing with the same pistol.
I carried mine in a case with my 5 favorite barrels...
.22 Hornet
.223
7 x 30 waters
.30-.30
.41 Magnum ( I also Had a special load for it too, involving the same Nosler .30 caliber 180 gr. bullet...I made my own Sabots out of Teflon. Awesome!)
Very Hard Hitting!
Didnt they start making a Lone wolf pistol or something after they quit making the XP?
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Tomcat, performance can be improved with handloading the 30/30. But for those without the skill and tools, factory ammo out of a Super 14 will disappoint.
JFrame
Member
Wow -- looks like fans of the Contender have really come out...
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