Thompson Contender Education

[Mark Terry]

I've never owned a TC and recently was able to acquire a older TC is what appears to be good condition. I got what is basically a 35 Rem Super 14 TC with 10" 45LC and .22 rimfire barrels.

Since the 10" barrels require a different fore end, I bought one off GunBroker to fit the 45 barrel. The 35 Rem and 45 barrels are round and the .22 barrel is octagonal. I'm assuming I'll need to find a fore end specifically to fit the octagonal .22 barrel. If anyone has one lying around, let me know.

I've been able to find some information about the history and evolution of the TCs but I'd like to find more. For example, mine has the rimfire / centerfire selector on the hammer spur and I see some that have a different mechanism. Which came first?

The 45 caliber barrel I have is marked "45 Colt / 410" which I assume means it is intened for use with 45 Colt and 410 shot shells. The rifling appears normal except there is a section at the muzzle that looks as if there are grooves milled into an insert that appears to be screwed into the end of the barrel. What is this and what is it's intened function? Does the insert need to be removed for 45 Colt use? Is there a tool to install and remove the insert?

Thanks,

[brettov]

These guys on the Specialty Pistols Forum can probably tell you anything there is to know about TCs .
specialtypistols.infopop.cc/eve/forums . They make you sign up to enter but it is well worth it . They have the Break Action Pistol threads in the free section . The thing in your .45/.410 barrel is the choke for the .410 shells . You need to remove that to shoot .45LC . Most guys leave it in and only shoot the .410s though , as the accuracy with .45LC in that barrel is supposed to be quite bad .They have a classified section where you can find most anything for TCs for sale . They also have there share of custom grip and forend makers . Have fun , I think they are a little addictive .

[Mark Terry]

Thanks brettov,
I signed up and will spend some time this evening on it.

It sounds as thought I need to find a 45 Colt barrel for semi-serious work and plan to leave the choke in place in case I decide to use the 410 capability.

I really needed another addition......

Thanks again

[AxeHandle]

You are on the edge of a deep dark hole with virtually no bottom... I fell off in 1975 and haven't hit the bottom yet.. Last time I tried to count the cartridges I had barrels for I stopped at around 35. Currently on a tangent with Reeder wildcats based on the 405 Winchester case. Look through this folder a bit and you will see some recent posts about custom TC barrels.. Doesn't end with barrels and cartridges either... There is some Slap Yo Mama wood out there too....

Don't ever go here and look around for wood and barrels..
www.bullberry.com/

[Mark Terry]

Okay, I won't go there and look. ;D


Maybe just a glimpse.....

They list 108 different chamberings. You're not even halfway there......

Thanks,

[edk]

I love my TCs. Do not underestimate that 35 Rem super 14 barrel. It is one of my very favorites although many have cast it aside in favor of something newer, more exotic. It is a fantastic hunting barrel. Many whine that it isn't too useful outside of 150yds. I say: "we are handgun hunting aren't we"?

edit: Oh, also have the 45/410 barrel and went to Bullberry for a dedicated 45 Colt tube.

[Mark Terry]

I shot the 35 Rem and was quite impressed. I was a little skeptical, after all, shooting a relatively large rifle cartridge in a handgun? It's a whole new world.

I got some studying to do.

Thanks,

[edk]

I prefer rimmed cartridges in break-opens as do many. Couple that with the fact that the 35 Remington's shoulder is small and many experience headspace issues here is something from the "can't leave well enough alone" department:



The Krag case offers a huge rim and notice the diameter at the web. By simply cutting a rim counterbore and installing a rimmed extractor one can use this case in the TC 35 Rem Super 14 barrel. Using a 35 cal tapered expander in the sizing die this is a simple on-pass case forming operation having first cut the Krag brass to approx 35 Rem length and performing a final trim operation after sizing and/or fireforming.

Not something I'm urging anyone to rush out and do but one of those fun things that make the gun "your own". Having two extractors one can easily revert to factory ammo if the need arises.

[Mark Terry]

edk,

If it's okay with you, I will file that under "advanced things to do when I get bored". Waaaaaaaay over my head and pay grade. Right now, I'm trying to figure out the difference in choke devices internal versus external to standard 45 Colt barrels.

Thanks

[edk]

OK - sorry if I came on too strong. It is simply a function of my enthusiasm for these guns. I would say these and revolvers are about neck-neck in my personal popularity race for favorite guns. While we all love our sixguns, it's no secret that there are a great number of tolerances that can stack up to work against us. Not so much with the TCs. Therefore and since the vast majority of what I hunt only needs one shot and does not bite back, these are generally my go-to handguns when hunting.

[tommyt]

GBO dot com is where to go there is a wealth of TC knowledge there
buying acc. and barrels as was said is very addictive including Blk.powder
Good luck

[wickerbill]

The cast boolit forum has a lot of info on TC's as well.
castboolits.gunloads.com/
Bill

P.S. Did anyone mention this can get addictive.

[AxeHandle]

Just for grins:
While cross refencing looking for a Lee Auto Prime shell holder I noted that the 30-40 Kraig and the 405 Winchester use the same shell holder...

[Lee Martin]

Axe...when Winchester designed the 405, they just straightened the 30-40 Krag and added 0.2". If fact, before Hornady released cases, my dad used to shoot short 405 Win in his '95s using this method (or course, we had to back the loads down to account for reduced capacity).

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Lee Martin]

The thing I've always liked about TCs is they're an inexpensive way to work with a lot of different calibers. Three of my favorite barrels include:

416 JDJ & 8mm JDJ package:



Home-built 375 SuperMag:



-Lee
www.singleactions.com