Thompson TCR 83 aristocrat rifle???

[Encoreman]

Anybody know anything about 1 of these. It is in .223, breaks open like a single shot shotgun. Has set trigger. Anyone have an idea what it is worth? I am looking for a p'dog gun. Thanks mac

 

[stubbicatt]

I had one with a 30-06 barrel and a 22-250 barrel.

It was a beautifully finished rifle, but it was not accurate, and loading was a serious PITA from a bench. If a single shot is your hope, look for a falling block or a rolling block action. It is much easier to use than the break action.

If you want a good prairie dog rifle with a set trigger get you a CZ 527, of whatever style. Very accurate, 5 round detachable magazine, set trigger, excellent fit and finish.

My 2 cents worth.

 

[Kilted Cossack]

Encoreman:

I had one in .308 for a while, and it was a pretty dang neat rifle. As you said, top-break, mine had a SUPER sweet trigger. You had to mash TWO buttons to release the safety, as I recall. Mine shot about 1.5" with a wide variety of ammunition---but my bench technique is about a 1.5" technique. (I simply don't get worked up about shooting small groups off a bench or a rest, I admire it but it's not what turns my crank.)

So if it was so cool, how come I got rid of it? I'm a fool for the idea of a "perfect single shot rifle." The TCR just wasn't . . . quite . . . elegant enough to satisfy my monomaniacal cravings. The Ruger No. 1 comes closer, and I still have a couple of them, in .30-06 and .45-70. If the Ruger is 90 percent of my idealized single shot, the TCR was maybe 85 percent.

They are definitely interesting and cool rifles. If it was me in your shoes, and had never owned a TCR, I'd bite if it was a good price. "They ain't making 'em anymore."

At the same time, the break action is a pain at the bench, you pretty much have to completely break every point of contact with the rifle to reload it.