Thompson/Center Single Shot?

[Dewey123]

I have been thinking about getting my hands on a T/C single shot rifle in .22 as my first gun. The reasons that I am thinking about a T/C are these:
I can purchase barrels in different calibers, thus making practice more effective. yes, I realize that I can probably get an H&R single shot rifle and do the same thing for less money, and that brigs me to the second reason: I would be supporting local workers. You see, the Thompson/Center factory is right here in my hometown, and the idea of owning a rifle and being able to drive right by the factory where it was made just seems good. So, does anyone out there own a T/C rifle? What are they like?

 

[Geno]

Does anyone here NOT own a T/C Arms' rifle?! If not, why?!

8^) Awesome rifles! I have owned several, and had several opportunities to correspond with the former President, Mr. Gustoffson...great man! Great company! Great product!

So, go get yourself the T/C G2 Contender. Buy the .22LR match.

 

[Smith357]

I had a quite a Contender rig many moons ago I had two frames a deticated pistol and rifle frame with 8 barrels to mix and match. It was a fine firearm. I had a .22lr match grade Bulberry barrel toped with a 40x scope that basically got banned from my local clubs fun macthes because it shot so well. Every barrel shot sub MOA with handloads. I regret selling it when I fell on hard times.

 

[markallen]

I used to have a Contender in handgun configuration, with five different barrels.
The 12" .22 Hornet barrel, with a Leupold 4x would clover leaf three shots at a hundred yards.
I had to sell it when times were hard, but I replaced it with an Encore, handgun with the 15" .45-70 Govt barrel, and have since added a .308 rifle barrel.
I don't ever plan on selling this one.

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[jbkebert]

I have a Encore pro-hunter and love the rifle. I currently have 8 rifle barrels and one pistol barrel in .308 win. Also picked up a Contender handgun in .35 rem that is the only contender barrel I own. Love the rifle shoots very very well sub-moa on most barrels but just over one moa in two others.



This is six shots fired by my 10 year old son. He was shooting a .243 barrel 28" fluted using a 95 grain Hornady SST. The hit to the right was a flyer. The hit low beside the (9) is a adjustment of the scope. All shots were taken at 150 yards off of a card table in the back yard using a MTM front rifle rest and a folding chair for a seat.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Contender Carbine is tough to beat

Yeah, my T/C Contender carbine with .22RF match barrel is probably my favorite .22. Whether it's the most accurate, or I shoot it better than the others, or both; I don't know. All I know is that, shooting offhand, they all go where I want them to.

Even with a 3x9 variable scope, the carbine with a standard 21" barrel is very light, compact, and a joy to carry. The somewhat funky looking stock is quite functional and fits me perfectly. Hard to explain, but when shooting the carbine offhand, I feel unusually relaxed. As a result, aim is rock steady. Unusual for a light rifle. Add in an excellent, shooter adjustable trigger and you've got a single-shot that stands head and shoulders above everything in its price range. Only caveat is that the rifle is so light with a standard .223 Rem. barrel that shooting generates noticeable recoil.

Like Smith357, above, I've got two frames. One dedicated to pistol use and one dedicated to rifle...but only a couple of rifle barrels. The rifle sees almost all the shooting these days. As I've gotten older, the bloom has gone off the rose in terms of shooting Super 14 Contender handguns. They take practice to master, especially in the hard kicking calibers.

T/C's warranty is second to none. They fix nearly everything free of charge. In my case, they even came through when I caused the problem. Just be honest, own up to your mistakes, and they'll treat you very well. Most of my experience with T/C customer service is through their muzzleloaders, of which I have several.

The Encore is stronger and offers a better choice of calibers than the Contender. T/C even offers rimfire barrels for it now; or so I've heard. If starting out, the Encore might be the better choice. But I'm perfectly content with my Contenders and will probably never sell them.
Bob

 

[Dewey123]

Well, it's good to know that these rifles are so highly thought of. I have always had a soft spot for them. Does anyone know how much I could expect to pay for an Encore in .22LR?

 

[scythefwd]

Geno,
I don't own a T/C and there is one reason why. I got a CVA that does the same thing for 1/2 the price. I was looking at an Encore, but I couldn't justify the cost difference. Now lets see if I can find someone to make a custom barrel for it

 

[scythefwd]

double tap

 

[Dewey123]

Scythefwd, I can see where you're coming from, but like I said, one of the reasons that I am interested in the T/c despite the cost is the fact that they make them in my hometown. That might not seem like the greatest reason, but it just appeals to me. people are always saying "buy local", aren't they?
Edit: I have another question, are the rifle and pistol frames the same? could you get a pistol, and then put a full stack and a rifle barrel on it? Would that be legal? If these are stupid questions, sorry, I'm very inexperienced.

 

[markallen]

If you want to switch from handgun to rifle, then buy the handgun. You can legally convert from handgun to rifle, but not the other way around. But if you go with the handgun, and then buy the stock, and forearm for the rifle, ONLY Use rifle barrels with that configuration. If you put the rifle stock on then put the pistol barrel on, it is a SBR ( 18" minimum barrel length, overall length 26 1/2") and is illegal without the precious stamp. With the handgun receiver you can go from pistol, to muzzleloader, shotgun, and rifle, but like I said, it has to be one configuration ( long gun- handgun) you can't mix stocks, grips with rifle, handgun barrels.
Be sure to check with your local laws on this. the above is Federal requirements.

 

[jbkebert]

There is a lot of debate over putting a pistol barrel and grip on a thompson purchased as a rifle. Thompson says it is okay talking to there customer service people. The ATF says not you can't well they are the ones who can arrest you. I also read in another thread that if you buy as a pistol you can't convert to a rifle. According to it the only way to is by purchasing a combo kit. Which Thompson does not sell. I am not telling you to do it. There of the guys I shoot with often love my T/C and they are all law enforment. One being a FBI agent that has one himself.

Best advice is you decide to convert it don't make a big deal about it. Don't break the law, shoot at legal ranges, hunt during appropriate seasons, buy a tag. I don't beleive anyone would mess with you. If you break the law and they find out yes its another charge against you.

 

[gbran]

Here's my G2. I have a handfull of different barrels for it.

 

[Smith357]

Best advice is you decide to convert it don't make a big deal about it. Don't break the law, shoot at legal ranges, hunt during appropriate seasons, buy a tag. I don't beleive anyone would mess with you. If you break the law and they find out yes its another charge against you.

I used to shoot mine with a retired secret service agent who just scoffed at the idea of busting someone for having the pistol grip and barrel on a rifle frame, he did mention that it would not be good to get caught using a short barrel with the rifle stock though. One would think the BATF would have better things to do than to worry about a single shot hunting/target firearm. Unless you give them cause to go after you should be fine.

 

[Dewey123]

Thanks for the Advice. Does anyone know how much they cost these days? I looked on the website but I couldn't find a MSRP or anything. Thanks!

 

[t george]

I bought one of mine(contender) in a pawn shop for 400 otd. not sure how much they are new, but you should look on bud's gun shop online. you can get a decent idea of the costs.

t george