Early TC Contender Vs G2 Contender

John10 · June 4, 2007, 08:28 AM

First posting.. I have acquired an older Thompson Center Contender, Super 14, in .30cal Herrett (not stainless steel ) and am interested in adding different barrels, etc… but I have no idea what will fit this earlier model in light of the newer G2 Contender series now on the market. I understand the older Contender barrels will fit on the G2 frame (???) but can find nothing that indicates that the G2 barrells and accessories will fit my older Contender. In fact I am not even certain that any; for example, 12 inch 357 Rem Mag… non-super 14 barrel or forearm… will fit on my older .30Cal Herrett style Contender. I have contacted TC but they simply sent me their latest product catalog which hasn’t helped much. The limited information it contains seems to contradict itself. Also am interested to learn differences between the .30Cal Herrett and the newer .30Cal TC cartridge..
Any information will certainly be appreciated..
Thanks in advance, John10

mikejonestkd · June 4, 2007, 10:29 AM

Enjoy the contender!!! I love TC's too

From the company website: http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/g2Contender.php

MAINTAINING THE SAME barrel interchangeability, the same time-proven long range accuracy, and the same adaptability of converting to rim fire or center fire, the new G2 Contender® has added some features which make it even more user friendly in the field. In addition, the grip, frame, and forend have been profiled and sculpted for a more modern and streamlined appearance. Size and weight remained approximately the same, adding less than 1/10th of a pound to the frame assembly.

Simply put....ALL Contender and Contender G2 barrels interchange.

Encore and contender/ Contender G2 barrels DO NOT interchange.

hoghunting · June 4, 2007, 11:26 AM

As Mike said the barrels on the Contender and the G2 will interchange as will the forends. The grips will not interchange. The 308 TC isn't offered in the G2.

Welcome to the forum.

mikejonestkd · June 4, 2007, 11:42 AM

John,

Use the search function for threads on Thompson center contenders, there are quite a few good bits of info here on them.

Try this one: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...ghlight=encore

There are a ton of good calibers that you can get the contender in, either from the tc factory, bullberry, e arthur brown, ssk....

They are addicting. A person can't have just one barrel for a TC...

**44 AMP** · June 5, 2007, 02:06 AM

I am no Contender expert, but I have been told by a couple of old time Contender shooters that there have been 3 variations to the Contrender frame (before the G2), and barrels from the earliest model will not work on later models. Apparently they will go on the frame, but then you can't get the action open. It has (so they said) to do with the "step" or lack of same on the underlug.

I have just checked 9 of my Contender barrels, and 3 of them do not have the "step" and the others do. All of them work on my frame, so this may be an "urban myth", or it may be correct that certain barrels and frames won't work together, I just don't know enough to be certain, sorry.

T/C does say that all Contender barrels will work with the new G2 frame, but I do not know if the reverse is true. if that helps.

Do not confuse Encore and Contender. Encore barrels will not fit on the Contender, and vice versa. If you order a barrel, make sure you order the correct one.

SOSARMS · June 5, 2007, 06:48 AM

Been so long ago, but i believe TC will update barrels /frames at very little cost. Sent one in 10 yrs ago, and believe I didn't pay a thing except shipping...

Magnum Wheel Man · June 5, 2007, 06:44 PM

I have several "old actions"... I have never run into a "Contender barrel" ( not the "Encore barrels" ) tht didn't work on one of my actions... be aware though that there are lots of aftermarket & wildcat barrels out there, so you might rn into one here & there that doesn't work, but I have 40-50 barrels, & all interchange...

... shoot it up... you'l love it... I don't hve a new model action, but thought I heard the major reason for the change was to eliminate the need to break open & reclose the action, should the hammer be decocked ( as is needed to do on theolder TC Contender actions )

crasha51pan · June 5, 2007, 06:58 PM

Anyone have a ball park figure for my contender. Am thinking of selling my Super 14", 44 Mag. Contender along with an extra grip, holster (left hand) and
a soft carry case. What might I expect to get for the complete rig?

June 4, 2007, 08:28 AM	#1
John10 Junior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Posts: 3	Early TC Contender Vs G2 Contender First posting.. I have acquired an older Thompson Center Contender, Super 14, in .30cal Herrett (not stainless steel ) and am interested in adding different barrels, etc… but I have no idea what will fit this earlier model in light of the newer G2 Contender series now on the market. I understand the older Contender barrels will fit on the G2 frame (???) but can find nothing that indicates that the G2 barrells and accessories will fit my older Contender. In fact I am not even certain that any; for example, 12 inch 357 Rem Mag… non-super 14 barrel or forearm… will fit on my older .30Cal Herrett style Contender. I have contacted TC but they simply sent me their latest product catalog which hasn’t helped much. The limited information it contains seems to contradict itself. Also am interested to learn differences between the .30Cal Herrett and the newer .30Cal TC cartridge.. Any information will certainly be appreciated.. Thanks in advance, John10

June 4, 2007, 10:29 AM	#2
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,758	Enjoy the contender!!! I love TC's too From the company website: http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/g2Contender.php MAINTAINING THE SAME barrel interchangeability, the same time-proven long range accuracy, and the same adaptability of converting to rim fire or center fire, the new G2 Contender® has added some features which make it even more user friendly in the field. In addition, the grip, frame, and forend have been profiled and sculpted for a more modern and streamlined appearance. Size and weight remained approximately the same, adding less than 1/10th of a pound to the frame assembly. Simply put....ALL Contender and Contender G2 barrels interchange. Encore and contender/ Contender G2 barrels DO NOT interchange. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

June 4, 2007, 11:42 AM	#4
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,758	John, Use the search function for threads on Thompson center contenders, there are quite a few good bits of info here on them. Try this one: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...ghlight=encore There are a ton of good calibers that you can get the contender in, either from the tc factory, bullberry, e arthur brown, ssk.... They are addicting. A person can't have just one barrel for a TC... __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

June 5, 2007, 02:06 AM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,432	Be aware I am no Contender expert, but I have been told by a couple of old time Contender shooters that there have been 3 variations to the Contrender frame (before the G2), and barrels from the earliest model will not work on later models. Apparently they will go on the frame, but then you can't get the action open. It has (so they said) to do with the "step" or lack of same on the underlug. I have just checked 9 of my Contender barrels, and 3 of them do not have the "step" and the others do. All of them work on my frame, so this may be an "urban myth", or it may be correct that certain barrels and frames won't work together, I just don't know enough to be certain, sorry. T/C does say that all Contender barrels will work with the new G2 frame, but I do not know if the reverse is true. if that helps. Do not confuse Encore and Contender. Encore barrels will not fit on the Contender, and vice versa. If you order a barrel, make sure you order the correct one. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 5, 2007, 06:58 PM	#8
crasha51pan Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Posts: 41	How Much ? Anyone have a ball park figure for my contender. Am thinking of selling my Super 14", 44 Mag. Contender along with an extra grip, holster (left hand) and a soft carry case. What might I expect to get for the complete rig?

June 4, 2007, 11:26 AM	#3
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2006 Posts: 1,559	As Mike said the barrels on the Contender and the G2 will interchange as will the forends. The grips will not interchange. The 308 TC isn't offered in the G2. Welcome to the forum.

June 5, 2007, 06:48 AM	#6
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	Been so long ago, but i believe TC will update barrels /frames at very little cost. Sent one in 10 yrs ago, and believe I didn't pay a thing except shipping...

June 5, 2007, 06:44 PM	#7
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I have several "old actions"... I have never run into a "Contender barrel" ( not the "Encore barrels" ) tht didn't work on one of my actions... be aware though that there are lots of aftermarket & wildcat barrels out there, so you might rn into one here & there that doesn't work, but I have 40-50 barrels, & all interchange... ... shoot it up... you'l love it... I don't hve a new model action, but thought I heard the major reason for the change was to eliminate the need to break open & reclose the action, should the hammer be decocked ( as is needed to do on theolder TC Contender actions )