Why aren't Thompson Center Contender Rifles more popular in Canada?

Camp Cook said:
WOW now that is a load of spewing about a firearms company that has the most successful single shot handgun in the history of the world and were able to convert it into a fantastic single shot carbine... :p
Click to expand...

How many other companies that exclusively make single shot handguns?


philthygeezer said:
I agree with Camp Cook. The detractors are just missing the point.
Click to expand...

I think I understand the reason some people find these rifles appealing....I just don't agree with them.:p
 
Gatehouse said:
How many other companies that exclusively make single shot handguns?
Click to expand...

Loads of them over the years it's just that none of the others became popular due to the versatility/accuracy/size of the Contenders...

I know people here in Canada that have over 40 different barrels for their Contenders I personally don't see the need and feel that 7 - 8 is all a guy needs...

Once you use one you'll understand the appeal, you may still not want one but you'll understand...
 
Here is a picture of my son he just turned 3 years old last week he is holding my 14" 45 Colt T/C Contender carbine in a couple more years he will be shooting it...

He thinks it is a awesome looking rifle and he also knows it is his rifle...

He was out on Saturday with my older son and myself shooting this same rifle with a little help from us but with the 223 barrel installed.

He was also shooting my new XCR in 223... :D

img_9051.jpg
 
Camp Cook said:
.

Once you use one you'll understand the appeal, you may still not want one but you'll understand...
Click to expand...

I have used them, and I understand why some people find them appealing, however I do not agree. I don't find any appeal in the switch barrel or takedown aspects of these rifles.

And I think they are FUGLY and feel like someone put a rifle stock on a handgun.:p

I could see using one in handgun configuration for handgun hunting, if it were allowed. Although I would probably opt for a .45 COlt SIngle action Ruger.:)
 
philthygeezer said:
It's the take-down and barrel swap capabilities that make a T/C a superior buy. And you can pretty much choose any stock you like.
Click to expand...

I'm not knocking the functionality of Contenders, it's just a matter of subjective personal preference.

Besides, why would I want a reason to own fewer guns? What's the fun of that?
 
I recently won a T/C Omega muzzle loader in a raffle.

I went down to my local g-monger (to pick up the new ML) I asked if I could trade up to a Pro Hunter...... The reason being, I have always wanted one but I couldn't justify the cost. He is 'making me an offer I cannot refuse'... :D

They had a little 20" model 50 cal ML with a rear peep and a fibre front sight, stainless fluted and beautiful looking....

Needless to say I'm going to trade up.....

I have always liked the TC pro hunter/ Encore series of Muzzle Loader rifles, but untill now I just could't justify the cost for something I was going to use 2 or 3 weekends out of the year. Now that all the different barrel combo's are available..... I can see me using this for a bunch more than just for ML deer season.

Cheers!
 
Hey Gatehouse, I understand your feelings and agree. It is good to have your own opinion and still see the practical point also it is not my only, but I have one and like it, but as previously stated it is a plowhorse not an Arabian.
 
tjhaile said:
I'm not knocking the functionality of Contenders, it's just a matter of subjective personal preference.

Besides, why would I want a reason to own fewer guns? What's the fun of that?
Click to expand...

I'm trying to understand this how does having a Contender keep you from having more firearms?

My wife counts my two Contender frames as 2 firearms but I know that their actually 8... :p
 
I just saw one at my local gun show last month with a short (guessing 14") 500 S&W barrel. Extremely light, and the fellow who owned it was loading it noticeably heavier than factory 45-70. He had been using it to take buffalo at reasonably close ranges. I was quite impressed with this little thing actually.

The reason I don't own any - COST! I can buy a whole other rifle for just the cost of the extra barrels for these babies, never mind the grand I'd have to deal out to get the original rifle. The math just doesn't add up...

They would have to be selling for half of what they are in order to be reasonably popular.
 
I've held one of those short Encores in 500S$W very cool little cannon I didn't buy it because of the cost as well.
 
Match grade barrels are churned out for 10/22s at around the $330 mark. Considering that T/C has to make barrels in umpteen different calibers and contours, I'm not surprised they go for a little more.

But I do think that if they kept the price for new T/C barrels around $330 and not $450, they would sell a hell of a lot more Encores and Contenders. I agree that they need to keep barrels under the cost of a new budget rifle, but also think they ought to be of very high quality.
 
Last edited:
Wrestling with a shifting scope on my own Encore that's shooting 7mm-08. Mind you this is my first serious scope job and I've since learned about the non slip cures. But still, a second set of rings is seeming like cheap insurance for a solid immovable scope to me at this point.... :D
 
gunsmith1951 said:
Thompson Center was making them but have discontinued, Black Hills might be a source if you can find a distributor. I roll my own from .444 marlin cases.
Click to expand...

I may leave well enough alone with the Contender as a .22LR, .223 Rem, .30-30 kit gun and go with the Encore for the big stuff. Factory .375 HH Magnum can't be hard to find.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom