Thompson/Center Rifles and Pistols ????

Doglips · 02-19-2004, 01:16 PM

Soem people at the range today were talkign good stuff about the t/c Encore and contender.....I never paid much attention to them..seem over priced for a single shot....but they were bragging about them......SO my ???????? Does anyone one own/shoot one of these (Pistol or carbine)....do you all like them???? Are they worth the ???? Any problems??????????

Anything else?

Thanks all.

whirlwind · 02-19-2004, 11:14 PM

i dont own one (like ya say too spensive fer me!) but a buddy of mine had two. one in 308 and the other in 22-250 and i shot the 22-250 and it was nice! way more accurate than my measly NEF single shots! id love to have one just for the fact the barrels are so easy to switch and the loads of accessories for em!but that price keeps me away. heck for the same money a guy could get a real nice tack driver from savage and have more than one shot.(not that youd need it) that FP-110 is one sharp shootin' little dude!

ScottD · 02-29-2004, 03:09 PM

I have been shooting the T/C Encore for about 5yrs. Originally I bought it with a .30-06 barrel and it was beast to handle as a pistol. But with proper handloading and installing a muzzlebrake I can shoot three shots into the same hole at 100yds. Most rifles can't do that!

After a year of that I went and got a barrel in 444 Marlin. Here again handloading and a muzzlebrake has this barrel grouping 250gr. Partitions under an inch.

Then I went and got the 209 X .50cal. blackpowder rifle barrel with shoulder staock and forearm. Worked up a load of 3-50gr pyrodex pellets with a Barnes Red Hot 180gr. bullet. That deer season I shot a buck on the point of the shoulder traversing to just under the hide on the far hip. The animal flipped back and buried his antlers 4" into the ground. I have never seen so much power in a blackpowder. Oh by the way two shots at 100yds. clips the same hole.

The trigger from the factory has a lot to be desired. Contact SKS and they can help you with just about anything concerning T/C hand cannons. I have attached a little story about my first deer with the T/C Encore. I hope you enjoy it.

gillamax77 · 08-18-2004, 02:04 PM

I Have Been Hunting With A T/c In 10" ,357 Maximum Barrel For About 10 Years Now. I Take Good Deer Every Year With One Shot. I Limit My Shots To About 125 Yds. Or Less. Not A Cartridge Limitation But My 53 Year Old Eyes Limitation. With The 158 Grn. Rem. Hollowpoint Clicking About 2k I Have Only Recovered One Bullet Fron A Front Quartering Shot At About 100 Yds. That Lodged Under The Rear Hind Quarter Skin. A Perfect Mushroomed Bullet.

Big Dog · 08-18-2004, 07:26 PM

I owned a Contender pistol for awhile. It was fun - I had always wanted to try one. I had the 14" Bull barrel in .223REM. with a 4X scope and the .22LR 10" octagon barrel with 2.75X scope. Both shot well - I got to where I could put five .223's into one inch at 100 yards, if I really concentrated.
But, alas - I'm a dedicated rifle shooter. After my fling, I finally sold it.
I kinda miss it - but I won't lose any sleep over it.
The only problem I ever had, was trying to shoot some Guatemalan surplus 5.56mm thru it. It jammed it something fierce. I learned my lesson - good commercial/handload ammo only in the Contender!
.223 and 5.56mm are NOT the same thing.

The Contender/Encore is a very good platform - well worth the money.
But it demands a whole new skillset I just didn't want to have to develop.

Nobody · 08-18-2004, 10:21 PM

I have a couple of Contender frames, keep one set up for rifle and the other as handgun. Have 3 carbine (21") barrels, 22LR, 22Hornet, & 375Win, and a couple of pistol barrels, 10" 22LR & Super 14" 7X30 Waters. They all shoot better'n me (ain't that hard

) unless I'm having an extra good day. Pic follows of my current carbine setup with 375Win barrel and old K-3 Weaver scope. 225gr Hornady JFP in front of 32.5gr RL7 at around 1900fps is pure death on whitetails out to 125yds or so. Only thing is I'd better be holding on to the forearm real tight 'cause the muzzle wants to head for the sky when I touch off that load.

whirlwind · 08-18-2004, 11:26 PM

very nice weapon nobody! id love to have a tc but their a bit outa my price range right now...BUT SOMEDAY! :uzi:

Nobody · 08-19-2004, 08:45 AM

whirlwind -

The nice thing about Contenders is you can pick up a piece or two at a time. I occasionally see frames on Gunbroker or Auction Arms for a couple hundred or less, and they can often be found at gun shows. Once you get a frame, add other pieces, buttstock, grips, forearms, barrel(s), etc., as you can afford. You can spend as much (or as little) as you want/can afford, and each time you add a new barrel, you've got a whole new gun. Only thing is, if I'm reading the BATFE regs correctly, you need to make sure the frame was originally for a handgun, else you can only use it for the carbine mode. An original handgun frame can be switched back and forth as needed. Doesn't really make sense to me but that seems to be the case (???). `Tenders are fun :uzi: !!

whirlwind · 08-19-2004, 09:19 AM

interesting nobody! ill have to keep my eye out! id really like to have one in 220swift and a 308. they may not offer them in 220swift but hey,,,its a dream (=

jarcp · 08-20-2004, 01:14 PM

Whirlwind,

Price depends on how you look at it. Once you have the frame, you can get a new barrel for whatever caliber you want. There are not too many rifles or pistols that you can buy new for under 300.00 that will shoot 1" groups all day long. We carry all T/C stuff you need new. We also offer a payment plan if you need.

Nobody · 08-20-2004, 01:59 PM

whirllwind -

If you want the Swift or .308 types, you'll have to go to the Encore. It's the big brother to the Contender. Heavier frame, slightly different firing mechanism, and capable of handling the higher pressures involved (up to .300 Win Mag at least). The G2 version of the Contender is almost identical to the Encore except smaller, and of course you can't use the high pressure barrels meant for the Encore. Barrels for the G2 and the original Contender can be swapped back and forth between the frames, primary difference is firing/cocking mechanism and different buttstock/forearm. I'd like to have a G2 frame but haven't convinced myself yet that I need to spend the money

.

ScottD · 08-20-2004, 04:21 PM

Shot my .444 Marlin in 15" Encore yesterday. And had a couple of new guys shoot it also. They all fell in love with it.

Indy · 08-26-2004, 09:55 PM

I have three Contenders and a couple extra barrels. One is a match 22lr, a .35Rem, and a .223. The extra barrels are in .357 and .44 mag. All are very accurate and fun to shoot. The .35 is a handfull, but it's manageable.

I recently sent in one Contender and a barrel to Fox Ridge, which is the TC custom shop. There was an advertised upgrade for older frames and the turn around time was within two weeks. I wasn't sure of the cost of the return shipping and later the custom shop sent a note listing the charges. I received the pistol and barrel the same day I mailed the shipping charges. In my experience there has never been a company who would ship an item, first without receiving all of their money. Personally, I felt good that they would trust a person. Additionally, the modifications were outstanding.

Indy

02-19-2004, 01:16 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,088	Thompson/Center Rifles and Pistols ???? Soem people at the range today were talkign good stuff about the t/c Encore and contender.....I never paid much attention to them..seem over priced for a single shot....but they were bragging about them......SO my ???????? Does anyone one own/shoot one of these (Pistol or carbine)....do you all like them???? Are they worth the ???? Any problems?????????? Anything else? Thanks all.

02-19-2004, 11:14 PM	#2
whirlwind Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oklahoma Posts: 3,751 Images: 1	i dont own one (like ya say too spensive fer me!) but a buddy of mine had two. one in 308 and the other in 22-250 and i shot the 22-250 and it was nice! way more accurate than my measly NEF single shots! id love to have one just for the fact the barrels are so easy to switch and the loads of accessories for em!but that price keeps me away. heck for the same money a guy could get a real nice tack driver from savage and have more than one shot.(not that youd need it) that FP-110 is one sharp shootin' little dude! __________________ De oppresso liber !

08-18-2004, 07:26 PM	#5
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,421	I owned a Contender pistol for awhile. It was fun - I had always wanted to try one. I had the 14" Bull barrel in .223REM. with a 4X scope and the .22LR 10" octagon barrel with 2.75X scope. Both shot well - I got to where I could put five .223's into one inch at 100 yards, if I really concentrated. But, alas - I'm a dedicated rifle shooter. After my fling, I finally sold it. I kinda miss it - but I won't lose any sleep over it. The only problem I ever had, was trying to shoot some Guatemalan surplus 5.56mm thru it. It jammed it something fierce. I learned my lesson - good commercial/handload ammo only in the Contender! .223 and 5.56mm are NOT the same thing. The Contender/Encore is a very good platform - well worth the money. But it demands a whole new skillset I just didn't want to have to develop. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables. Last edited by Big Dog; 08-18-2004 at 07:29 PM.

08-18-2004, 10:21 PM	#6
Nobody Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 20	I have a couple of Contender frames, keep one set up for rifle and the other as handgun. Have 3 carbine (21") barrels, 22LR, 22Hornet, & 375Win, and a couple of pistol barrels, 10" 22LR & Super 14" 7X30 Waters. They all shoot better'n me (ain't that hard ) unless I'm having an extra good day. Pic follows of my current carbine setup with 375Win barrel and old K-3 Weaver scope. 225gr Hornady JFP in front of 32.5gr RL7 at around 1900fps is pure death on whitetails out to 125yds or so. Only thing is I'd better be holding on to the forearm real tight 'cause the muzzle wants to head for the sky when I touch off that load. __________________ Exercising maximum personal freedom, means . . . . . Accepting total personal responsiibility!

08-18-2004, 11:26 PM	#7
whirlwind Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oklahoma Posts: 3,751 Images: 1	very nice weapon nobody! id love to have a tc but their a bit outa my price range right now...BUT SOMEDAY! :uzi: __________________ De oppresso liber !

08-18-2004, 02:04 PM	#4
gillamax77 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8	I Have Been Hunting With A T/c In 10" ,357 Maximum Barrel For About 10 Years Now. I Take Good Deer Every Year With One Shot. I Limit My Shots To About 125 Yds. Or Less. Not A Cartridge Limitation But My 53 Year Old Eyes Limitation. With The 158 Grn. Rem. Hollowpoint Clicking About 2k I Have Only Recovered One Bullet Fron A Front Quartering Shot At About 100 Yds. That Lodged Under The Rear Hind Quarter Skin. A Perfect Mushroomed Bullet.

08-19-2004, 08:45 AM	#8
Nobody Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 20	whirlwind - The nice thing about Contenders is you can pick up a piece or two at a time. I occasionally see frames on Gunbroker or Auction Arms for a couple hundred or less, and they can often be found at gun shows. Once you get a frame, add other pieces, buttstock, grips, forearms, barrel(s), etc., as you can afford. You can spend as much (or as little) as you want/can afford, and each time you add a new barrel, you've got a whole new gun. Only thing is, if I'm reading the BATFE regs correctly, you need to make sure the frame was originally for a handgun, else you can only use it for the carbine mode. An original handgun frame can be switched back and forth as needed. Doesn't really make sense to me but that seems to be the case (???). `Tenders are fun :uzi: !! __________________ Exercising maximum personal freedom, means . . . . . Accepting total personal responsiibility!

08-19-2004, 09:19 AM	#9
whirlwind Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oklahoma Posts: 3,751 Images: 1	interesting nobody! ill have to keep my eye out! id really like to have one in 220swift and a 308. they may not offer them in 220swift but hey,,,its a dream (= __________________ De oppresso liber !

08-20-2004, 01:14 PM	#10
jarcp Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 253	Whirlwind, Price depends on how you look at it. Once you have the frame, you can get a new barrel for whatever caliber you want. There are not too many rifles or pistols that you can buy new for under 300.00 that will shoot 1" groups all day long. We carry all T/C stuff you need new. We also offer a payment plan if you need. __________________ Reed's Ammunition & Research 1209 SW 129th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73170 www.reedsammo.com info@reedsammo.com

08-20-2004, 01:59 PM	#11
Nobody Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 20	whirllwind - If you want the Swift or .308 types, you'll have to go to the Encore. It's the big brother to the Contender. Heavier frame, slightly different firing mechanism, and capable of handling the higher pressures involved (up to .300 Win Mag at least). The G2 version of the Contender is almost identical to the Encore except smaller, and of course you can't use the high pressure barrels meant for the Encore. Barrels for the G2 and the original Contender can be swapped back and forth between the frames, primary difference is firing/cocking mechanism and different buttstock/forearm. I'd like to have a G2 frame but haven't convinced myself yet that I need to spend the money . __________________ Exercising maximum personal freedom, means . . . . . Accepting total personal responsiibility!

08-20-2004, 04:21 PM	#12
ScottD Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Evanston, IL Posts: 1,020	Shot my .444 Marlin in 15" Encore yesterday. And had a couple of new guys shoot it also. They all fell in love with it. __________________ "Some people can not live without wilderness"-Aldo Leopold

08-26-2004, 09:55 PM	#13
Indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 336	I have three Contenders and a couple extra barrels. One is a match 22lr, a .35Rem, and a .223. The extra barrels are in .357 and .44 mag. All are very accurate and fun to shoot. The .35 is a handfull, but it's manageable. I recently sent in one Contender and a barrel to Fox Ridge, which is the TC custom shop. There was an advertised upgrade for older frames and the turn around time was within two weeks. I wasn't sure of the cost of the return shipping and later the custom shop sent a note listing the charges. I received the pistol and barrel the same day I mailed the shipping charges. In my experience there has never been a company who would ship an item, first without receiving all of their money. Personally, I felt good that they would trust a person. Additionally, the modifications were outstanding. Indy