TC info

[SW CQB 45]

Is there a link to provide info for what I got?

A close friend was given a TC 44 mag through a family members death.

He asked me to do some research with the likely hood of selling it.

Is there a sound source too tell me what I have?

Its just a 5 digit serial number (62xxx) 44 mag vent rib with a cat on the blued frame. The wood has alot of handling marks and there was few specs of rust. The is no external safety and the barrel is difficult to open. Nice rifling.

thanks in advance

 

[rwsmith]

Thompson Center G2

It looks like a G2, the model that followed the original Contender. Nice. There are 40 different barrels that you can put on it. Great single shot shooters that can be loaded higher than standard pressures (If you need it). A friend had a Contender in 22 Hornet that would rock you back on your heels.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I think that’s a G1 (first generation) Contender. Serial number is about 1976. Looks as though it hasn’t been shot much.

$500-$600 seems to be a fair price.

 

[Tony M.]

It's an early(ish) gun. The barrel likely has an incredibly long throat and a removable 'choke' tube designed for what TC called "Hot Shot" cartridges, as well as standard fare. Don't fire normal ammo with the choke tube installed, as it was designed to 'straighten' the flight of the shot charge in the hot shot cartridges.

I don't know how the value has gone in recent years, but unfortunately the hot shot barrels aren't terribly desirable, and tend to be on the lower end of value.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

That is defiantly a G-1 model. At a small gun show last weekend I saw 3 different used G-1's in the $350-400 range with a 10" barrel.

There is an later version of the G-1, that is called the "Easy Open", for obvious reasons, these run about $50 to75 more.

I have both G-1 types of actions, and 12 barrels from 22 rimfire up to 44 Mag and 375 Winchester. The shot shell versions will work with regular ammo, but the "Choke" MUST be removed (there is a special wrench for that.) I had the Super 14" in 223 but didn't think much of it, I have a 10 bull and 10" octagon in 221 Fireball, that is my favorite. Followed closely by a 10" bull in 22 Hornet. I have a 10" octagon in 357 from late 1968 from frame SN 1681 (they started shipping and available in Aug 1968 at SN 1001) and the rear sights are very accurate but simplistic and crude.

Contenders and the bigger Encores, are a great platform for power and accuracy! The are little pricey (because of the quality) and best of all, they are NOT tacti-cool!

Ivan

 

[4T5GUY]

Yep, it’s an earlier one, and as mentioned also looks like a “hot shot.”

I really like my early Contender, my first pistol I ever bought. My mom had to sign for it as I wasn’t 21 yet. (Late ‘70’s.) That 14” 44 barrel with the wood grips was like hitting a baseball bat on concrete, but I didn’t mind my swelled fingers. I still have it, plus many other barrels. I got a bunch from Mike Bellm, (the Hairy Tick,) for a custom rifle he never completed due to his divorce from his wife, P.O. Ackleys daughter. All of my barrels are great, but most you can not buy ammunition for. I have to support the .223 barrel though. It was what I used to harvest Sitka Blacktails with when I lived in S.E. AK.. 7 a season, and I always got that, never any runners, most “out” when I got to them.

Contenders are great.

Jim

 

[Lonegle57]

Looking at the pics it is a G1 like others have said, one of the earlier versions looking at the hammer. It is not an easy open frame, for those they moved a pin on the lower part of the frame from the front of the gun more towards the middle. Like others have said this one have a 44 shotshell barrel. This neck of the woods I see people trying to sell them for 500 but usually go around 400. As far as more info sites, Specialty Pistols has a breakopen section and believe Greybeards still has a Tc section. hope that helps some

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks for the info.

I did not know about the shot shell barrel.

I need to inspect it further and see if the owner has the tool for removal.

take care

 

[bigggbbruce]

As described by the OP.. $300.

 

[SW CQB 45]

another question

is it ok to shoot 44 caliber (after you remove the shot shell portion) with exposed threads?

I have the owner looking for the barrel tool.

He is not a gun guy.

 

[k22fan]

Back when I was in a position to do so I wanted to stand on top of the dug in shack that contained to bird thrower and try shooting trap with a Contender. I got as far as buying or trading for a Contender just like yours and buying the Hot Shot capsules. Unfortunately I left my Contender where it could be seen. A man who spotted it kept stacking bills on a pile of them until it would have been ridiculous on my budget to continue saying no. If you get a chance try it for me and report how it goes.

I never owned another Contender. At the time a .32-20 Contender with a rifle scope was the hot gun for 100 yard Hunter Silhouette. Competitors shot standing holding the weight of the pistol by the scope with their off hand. The scope was held so close to the eye that only cartridges with minimal recoil could be used. One gent used a .22 WRM Contender but to get enough momentum he had to pull the bullets and reload the cases with centerfire rifle bullets. He made a living in his own machine shop so making the .22 WRM reloading dies was no problem.

Unfortunately in the mid-1980s .44 Magnum barrels had a poor reputation for accuracy. Since they had a variety of different rifling styles it was believed that T/C sub-contracted their manufacture to multiple companies. Since I never fired mine I do not remember it well. If I remember correctly, to fire regular bullets you replaced the straight rifled Hot Shot tube with a tube that was smooth bored over groove diameter.

 

[SW CQB 45]

while I have zero TC experience....I thought it would have to have some sort of cover to protect the threads.

I doubt I will shoot. He wants me to sell it for him but I think he will be disappointed what the going price will be.

He needs to find the accessories to this piece or the dollar value goes down.

thanks for the info.

 

[Jebus35745]

I’m sure it’s OK to shoot with the threads showing. They made the choke removable so regular rounds could be fired. You could hunt rabbits in the morning and deer in the afternoon with the same barrel. The “choke” has straight rifling to stop the spin of the BB’s so the pattern has a longer effective range. Shooting a regular round through the choke would ruin it. I used a Contender yrs ago to hunt rabbits at closer range, a fun challenge. Have had a Contender since the 70’s.

They are hard to sell, gun shows bring very little attention and low offers. The .44 mag bbl you have is brutal to shoot, a lot of recoil which makes it harder to sell. Plus rust. I couldn’t sell mine yrs ago so I kept it. Now it’s a single shot indoor target pistol for one handed shooting. Have a .22, .38 spec and a 6 1/2” .32 mag barrel. On the same idea of the Hammerli free pistol I shoot. Always thought a single shot handgun in .32 & .38 would be neat.




The choke tool could be found on eBay, I watch Contender items on eBay regularly. I found a 20” .357 maximum barrel and bought a manlicher forend and to made it a rifle. Looks great with the full length forend. Very versatile firearm. Search Contender and see all that’s available before it’s sold, could be a fun gun for you. Let me know the final price shipped, the barrel has to be FIT to the frame if hard to open. Could use extra frame. Larry

 

[Jingles]

another question

is it ok to shoot 44 caliber (after you remove the shot shell portion) with exposed threads?....

Yes, I do it all the time. When you're done just use a brush to clean out the powder residue.

 

[H Richard]

I don't buy the accuracy problems claim. I have a 2nd gen with the 10" 44 mag barrel (and several others) and it was accurate enough to knock down Ram's at 200 meters.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Thanks for the info

K22, the owner is looking the the tool and sleeve (if he has them)

I will let you know

 

[Bakebfr480]

Definately not a G2! I traded one just like that at Don's in Victoria, TX about 10 years ago!