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Joined: Aug 2005
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Back in the early 80's my brother had a Contender and I always thought it was cool. Have looked at them off and on for 30 years since. Saw a nice one in the classifieds and finally said to heck with it and bought it. I had forgotten just how much fun these things were. Accurate, great triggers, super performance from pistol calibers and just plain cool looking. This thing showed up Friday and I have since wiped out my 357Mag and 38 Spc supplies and can't wait to get some more loaded up for it and do some more blasting. I realize I'm 30 years late to the party, but better late than never! If you have one of these collecting dust in the safe I highly recommend you dust it off and put some rounds through it. Then try to wipe the silly grin off your face.
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Last edited by centershot; 06/26/18.

A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
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Centershot: I thought "I" was late getting in on the Thompson Contender pistol fun - I bought my first Contender 21 years ago.
It is a 14" heavy barrel model in caliber 223 Remington.
I agree the triggers are wonderful and the accuracy on mine is VERY pleasing.
I have killed all manner of Colony Varmints along with Badgers, Coyotes, Fox, Skunk, Porcupine and Raccoon with my pistol.
You being in Idaho I highly recommend you seek out a 14" heavy barrel in caliber 223 Remington for your frame.
Enjoy!
And to others on the fence - try a Contender they are handy, accurate, fun and hold their value pretty well.
Hold into the wind
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i got my first one 3 weeks a go 357 mag 12inc br made in 1978 i do not think it was shot much at all i love it

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Contenders are a great deal of fun. In a fit of trading I got rid of mine, but need to correct that in the future or finally take the XP-100 plunge.

Always fun to plunk down a "pistol" on the rifle range and out shoot most of the guys with rifles.

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I bought my first one shortly after they originally came on the market - a .44 mag with the vent rib barrel and "shot shell choke" - for shooting the .44 shot shell cartridges as well as .44 mag when the choke was out. Still have that barrel around somewhere. Later I went through a .45 Colt/.410 barrel, a .223, a .30/30, and I think I recall a .22 Hornet. Also a few more in .44 mag. The one I still use the most is a 14" .44 mag barrel fitted with a suppressor and mounted on a "carbine" shoulder stock (with an SBR permit). I mostly shoot suppressed loads in it, and it makes a VERY efficient feral hog gun. I have a .30/30 AI barrel, and probably a few more I don't remember right now. Do have an "AA" (Armor Alloy) frame with nice wooden stock and fore end I really like, also. Have had and sold a few others over the years.

VERY enjoyable firearms to shoot, and also can be practical and useful.

Mike Holmes

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My most accurate barrel is an octagon .357. Crazy accurate.

7TCU is a lot of fun.


Originally Posted by Geno67
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I had one of the "Hunter" series. 14" barrel with a brake and Pachmyer grip and forend in 7/30 Waters. It was fun to shoot but at the time I didn't handload. Ended up trading it off for a stainless mdl7 in 260. Have thought about buying another but just never have.


Those who are always shooting off at the mouth usually aren't shooting straight.



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I used to shoot Contenders a lot - really got into it for a few years but no longer own one. First barrel was a 7x30 Waters and then added a 222 Rem and 375 JDJ. It is amazing how accurate they can be. I've thought about another one or possibly an XP 100 (the mid grip appeals to me though I've never shot one).

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I had a Contender with 14" barrels in 22LR, 223 and 17HMR. 2x Leupold scopes on those then I picked up an Encore with a 15" 308 barrel, 2-7 TC scope and had a blast, literally.

Killed a bunch of critters with them but had to shoot them off a rest like a bipod or a pack. Realized I had rifles that weighed just a tad bit more and were easier to shoot. Got rid of them all and now shoot pistols like pistols are meant to be shot.

But dang if I don't keep finding myself wanting another super 14 in 223...

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Originally Posted by deflave
My most accurate barrel is an octagon .357. Crazy accurate.

7TCU is a lot of fun.


This 357 surprises me every time I shoot it. I'm a poor pistol shot but this thing is pretty amazing. I'd like to find a few other Armor Alloy barrels a 10" 30 Herrett, and 22 Hornet would keep with classic calibers and cover my bases pretty well.


A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
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Not a classic, but the 300 bo makes so much more sense than the 30 herret. 22 hornet is good, but 221 fireball has better brass and accuracy. And if you're truly a crank, have the barrels turned to accept rims and make your brass from 360 DW.

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I've had half a dozen of them (3 at one time- I don't change barrels LOL).
Last one was my 2nd Super 14 in .35 rem.
I'd shoot a box of ammo and my arm would buzz for a couple hrs.
Guess arthritis is getting bad enough I need less recoil.

Maybe a 12" in .357 mag.

Or maybe just build one into a .35 rem rifle.........18.5" (had a Super 16 in rifle form).
Pops has a one (non easy open) w Fajen wood and TC Custom shop bbl..........256 win.
Told him I'd buy the wood/bbl.......and slap it on an easy open.

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Super 14 in .223 rem is a hoot.
Mine shot 55gr factory stuff very well.

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Had Bullberry make me a 10" 218 mashburn bee. Was surprisingly finicky on what bullets it liked even with a 1-12 twist but when I found that 40 gr sierra sp's were the ticket it wouldn't miss headshots on the 150yd turkey silhouette. I think a 10" 221 fireball would be the same only better. Slightly larger case is easier to handle in the press and not quite as finicky with powder charges.

A 32 H&R mag or 327 Federal would probably be the ideal cast bullet plinking and close range small game round. A couple grains of powder and 100 gr of lead for fun, ratchet it on up to make fur fly.

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The only issue with .32 handgun cartridges is most of the barrel makers are using .308 barrel blanks. This is true of the older TC factory & custom shop barrels, Bullberry, and probably others.


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Here be dragons ...
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Bought my first Contender when the 30 Herrett came out, a 10". Killed a couple deer with it, then added a 223 for PD's.

Got the XP-100 fever, and sold all the Contender stuff to a buddy.

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The TC Contenders are a fantastic value for the money. Over the years I've had 41 different barrels for both the Contender & the Encore. Most of mine were Wildcats & most of them were made by Fred at Bullberry. When Fred & I hunted Africa he used a 17 caliber, a 6.5 caliber & a 7mm caliber. I used a 6.5/284 & a 338/284 both on the Encore frame. Between us we took a lot of plains game with no second shots being needed.
As mentioned the little 221 Fireball is one of the most efficient cartridges out there on the Contender frame, a little powder goes a long way!

Dick

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Contenders should carry one of those government mandated safety warnings: "Caution - May Be Habit Forming".

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About 25 years ago at my old gun club the Contenders became quite popular. The group started a "pistol benchrest" competition. Lots of different cartridges but the winners all seemed to be in either 30/30 or 223. I saw some amazing groups, all at 100 yards, some that rivaled the few benchrest rifles we had there.


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Had a Contender since '72. Traded only one barrel off but bought more. First two were octagon .22LR and 45 Colt. I think I can still get the oct 45 back. Would be nice to have all the family together again. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!


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