[Fat Boy]

RE: A Thompson Center Contender, not a G2 or Encore- the barrel is an 8" octoganal, and marked .45 colt. This has an external, removable choke. Can this gun chamber .410 shotgun shells with the choke, or is it limited to a .45 caliber shot shell? (would the barrel have to be stamped ".410" for it to chamber the shotgun shell?)

Also, a contender barrel reading .357 magnum; the barrel has a vent rib and an internal, removable choke; is the internal choke for .357 shot shells? Not trying to be stupid; I can't think of anything else it would chamber, but given Thompson Center's production of all kinds of hand-loader chamberings, I wanted to be sure I understood what all these barrels are capable of shooting.

Thanks!

[Smith357]

My .45/.410 barrel is clearly marked as such, I would take the marking on the barrel as gospel and not try to chamber a .410. The choke must be for .45 Colt shot shell.

[MMCSRET]

The 45 barrel was designed to handle 2 1/2" .410 shells
The 357 barrel was for use with the discontinued 'HOTSHOT" shot shells. Both barrels will shoot standard ammo if you remove the 'chokes'.

[PO2Hammer]

Carefull, could that be a .45 Colt Hot Shot barrel? Not 100% sure either way, just concerned because all .45/.410 barrels I've seeen were clearly marked as such. Also their chokes were internal.

I'd join and ask the experts here:

http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x

[rcmodel]

It should be marked, but if it isn't, don't get all excised about it.

If it only has a .45 LC chamber, a .410 shell won't go in it all the way.

If a .410 shell will chamber, it truly is a .45LC/.410 barrel.

Here is what it should look like:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93052954

rcmodel

[tallpaul]

of course the info given is based on factory- there is always a small chance someone modifed somethin or another without marking it. It has been known to happen.Just a reminder that everything may be clear as mudd ;)

[Fat Boy]

Carefull, could that be a .45 Colt Hot Shot barrel?

So would that mean I can't shoot factory .45 long colt rounds, with the choke removed?

BTW, thanks for the great replies...

[coelacanth]

any chance you might wander by the manufacturer's website and e-mail them this question so you could get a definitive answer by the folks who actually made the barrel in question?

[PO2Hammer]

I think calling T/C might be the way to go, but to answer your question, if it is a Hot Shot barrel, you remove the choke for standard ammo, use the choke for hot shot ammo (or hand brewed shot loads, something the .45 Colt does better than any other handgun caliber).