T/C Armalloy Contender

[DOC45-70]

OK, guys, this is my first post, so pardon any 'flyers'. I am trying to help find the scarcity and collectability of an Armalloy finished Thompson Center set. There is one frame and three barrels. The 14 inch barrels are in .223 and .44 Magnum. A 10 inch barrel is in .45/410 with a removable choke tube and flip up sight. All the wood furniture is new, as it was removed on day one and replaced with Pachmyer grips. There are scope mounts attached to the long barrels.
I must have bought it 30 years ago and then my firearm interests changed.
Two questions: 1- Is there any way to make this frame accept blue/stainless barrels?
2- Why did T/C quit making this finish? It looks pretty nice to me.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[WestKentucky]

From what I understand any barrel will work with any frame. As to rarity who knows. I've not seen one of these but contenders aren't super common around here.

 

[witchhunter]

Try MikeBellm contenders for info. He has a lot of contender stuff on his site. Blue and stainless barrels will work as long as they are for Contender and not Encore, the newer model. T/C was bought out and under new ownership, but they still make some guns, not Contenders though, and the Custom Shop was shut down. There are several barrel makers that still make barrels for the Contenders though. Try Bullberry, EABCO, and MGM. There are still a lot of guys that shoot em.

 

[DOC45-70]

The Armalloy frames and barrels are apparently different. They do not swap out with blue/stainless barrels. I heard that there was some sort of machinist trick to make them swap properly. I have heard the the old Fox Ridge custom shop did this, but they are closed up now.

 

[hoghunting]

The Armalloy frames and barrels are apparently different

Yes the sizes are different due to the armalloy coating. Years ago T/C offered a service to drill the frame and barrel holes to the same size as the uncoated frames and barrels, but I don't know if they do that any more. The armalloy coating was discontinued because the barrels weren't interchangeable with non coated barrels.

 

[Grumulkin]

You would probably get the best information on the Specialty Pistols forum.

As for collectable value, I doubt it. Unless you find a rabid Contender fan, you'll probably get less out of it than you would for a standard Contender.

 

[witchhunter]

Wow, I did not know that the Armalloy was a different size! I thought all of the Contenders were interchangeable. Sorry for the bad info!