Thompson Contender Education

[AxeHandle]

I did a 204 Encore rifle one time... Got that out of my system pretty quick.. While my Contender and Encore barrel set in no where near complete I do have a few:

17HMR
17 Mach IV
22LR
22 Mag
22 Hornet
222
223
6mm BBI
6mm TCU
6mm BR
256 WM
25 BBI
257 GNR
270 REN
6.5 TCU
6.5 Raptor
7mm TCU
7-30 Waters
280 GNR
7.62x39
30 Carbine
30 Herrett
308 Win
300 VJR
310 GNR
32 Mag
32-20
338 GNR
357 Mag
357 Herrett
375 W
378 GNR
10mm
41 Mag
44 Mag
45 ACP
45 WM
45 Colt
45-70

Current count is 39. Every time I return I remember 3 or 4 more.. ;D

[louiethelump]

No one answered your initial question I don't think. The Contender was the original and it was available in at least three variations seen with different hammers. Then there was the Generation 2 (G2) that replaced the original Contender. It has a built up frame and is a bit stronger, and is a miniature Encore. Different hammer and different mechanism and allows the hammer to be re-cocked without having to open the action as is required on the original Contender.

I have 4 G2 frames now, three set up as pistols and one as a rifle. I just received a 23" 22lr match barrel today that I picked up used. I also have a 357 magnum rifle barrel and that takes care of my rifle needs. (In Florida anything here can be taken cleanly with a 357 magnum rifle length barrel and the right load.

The Contender thing is a bottomless pit if you let it get hold of you.

Be sure to join the TC list and TC Group forums.......... Graybeard outdoors has an extensive TC population and classifieds specifically for Contender and Encore.

Welcome to the addiction.

Louie