Thompson Center Contender W/ 6 Barrel Set Plus Extras, MFD 1972 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,281.00
WOA#: WY240321BS098
Make: Thompson Center.
Model: Contender Mk. 1
Serial Number: 19961
Year of Manufacture: Jan. 1972
Caliber: .357 Remington Maximum, .222 Remington, .256 Win Mag, .221 Remington, .45 Colt
Action Type: Break Action, Single Shot, Hammer Fired.
Markings: Left side of barrels are marked, “THOMPSON CENTER ARMS ROCHESTER N. H.” The calibers are all marked after the TC rollmark. The serial is under the hammer.
Barrel Length: The scoped .222 Rem barrel is 10” as well as the unscoped one, the .256 Win Mag barrel is 10”, the .357 Maximum barrel is 10” The .221 barrel is 10” and the .45 colt barrel is 8.5 with ports.
Sights / Optics: All barrels have the standard TC ramped Patridge front sights. The .256, .221, and .45 Colt barrels have adjustable square notch rear sights. The .222 Rem barrel has a TC branded 1.5x scope. The .357 Max barrel has a Leupold scope.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This pistol has a single piece checkered capped competition style grip with a thumb rest. The forend is a smooth schnabel shape W/ a second smooth forend. There are scattered light scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks.The grip rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp in all of them. There is no visible erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores all rates at a 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are only minor spots of wear. The action has light wear. The markings are clear, and the screw heads are sharp. Overall, this contender rates in about Excellent condition. The .221 Rem barrel has finish loss throughout with an odd sheen to it. It may have been refinished or neglected in some way.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 2 Scopes, 6 barrels, extra forend, hard case.
Our Assessment: The Thompson Center Contender is a highly versatile single-shot, break-action pistol or rifle platform manufactured by Thompson Center Arms. Introduced in 1967, the Contender quickly gained popularity among handgun hunters, target shooters, and enthusiasts due to its accuracy, interchangeable barrels, and customizable features. One of the key features of the Contender is its interchangeable barrel system, which allows shooters to easily swap barrels of different calibers and lengths to suit their specific shooting needs. This modular design enables the Contender to be configured as a pistol or rifle, chambered in a wide range of calibers from rimfire to magnum cartridges. Over the years, Thompson Center has offered a variety of barrel lengths, ranging from short pistol barrels to longer rifle barrels, catering to different shooting disciplines and preferences. The Contender’s accuracy and versatility have made it a popular choice for hunting, target shooting, and even silhouette competitions.
This particular Contender sports a set of 6 barrels, and would make a great target shooter, varmint gun, or overall fun range plinker with a wide variety of calibers. Please see the photos for more information, and good luck on your bid! -R.E.
