Thompson/Center is Back! - GMP

Thompson/Center is dead and gone, right? Wrong! T/C is once again family-owned and in the midst of a rebirth. GUNS Magazine Editor Brent T. Wheat and Roy Huntington have the inside scoop!
RELATED LINKS
• Thompson/Center, tcarms.com
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[@CandidZulu]

Thompson Center was (is) one of the greatest gun makers in the US. I hope they bring back the TCR single shot rifle!

[@fmgpubs]

They’re starting with the Encore frame so with that, anyone can easily assemble a rifle. But the TCR was great. Who knows … maybe? Roy

[@walksalone175]

I would LOVE to see the TCR come back! Fox Ridge Outfitters and the custom shop too!

[@liberty7835]

44magnum encore treaded bull rifle barrel at a reasonable price do they make one?????

[@fmgpubs]

@@liberty7835 Check hausofarms.com and eBay for lots of ideas. SSK and there are a few others online. Roy

[@losgood5936]

@@walksalone175 Absolutely on the custom shop!

[@browngreen933]

With today's high ammo and component prices, single-shot firearms should see a huge Renaissance.

[@wesmosseroutdoorhobbieswas7207]

I hope they bring back the black powder firearms

[@scottbrightman3662]

What’s your idea of black powder? Are you talking about Pride or the old tried in true BP?

[@robertyoung2645]

I agree! I've got far more BP TC guns than CF...and I've got a couple Contenders and several barrels. (And the BP guns shoot Pyrodex fine Scott...I've got holy black and Pyrodex and Pyro is my favorite) The little Cherokees and Senecas are great fun.

[@fmgpubs]

@@robertyoung2645 I agree. My own black powder TCs all seem to do fine with Pyrodex, which is good because I get lazy! Roy

[@theoutdoorslifetv3200]

Gregg says they are.

[@fmgpubs]

@@theoutdoorslifetv3200 I hope so. I knew Gregg from when he was at TC. Went on a factory event, then later a hunt with him. I think if anyone can do it, he can! We’ll so what we can to support their efforts. Roy

[@jeffhutchins7048]

I was working on a TRC '83 a few years ago that my customer had inherited. I can't remember what part he needed but I called back to the factory. Keep in mind that this was probably 20 years ago. I got someone on the phone and he said, "let me look around, I'll call you back." I thought: "I'll never hear from him again....." Not too long later he told me he found two of them, what's your address?" NO CHARGE, got them BOTH! This used to be the NORM in the firearms business.

[@dbmail545]

T/C's customer support was second to none. I miss that more than I miss their guns.

[@fmgpubs]

Indeed. That was part of the charm, the owners felt like family. Something S&W missed completely. I warned them many times during factory visits but they just didn’t understand. Roy

[@michaelsarkisian1047]

that is amazing considering that the TCR portion of the factory burned down almost 30 years ago

[@jeffhutchins7048]

This happened probably 20 ish years ago.

[@markcloer2274]

After the TCR was discontinued I bought a used frame, just the frame and buttstock. I called the factory hoping against hope that they might still have forends for sale. They did not, but same thing, the guy said "Ithink have one laying around here somewhere if I can find it, give me your number and I'll call you back if I find it. An hour later he called and asked for my address. He sent it to me, no charge! What a guy!

[@bluescatreimer]

This is really good news! Bought my Contender new in 1975, one of the hard to open Contenders. Still have it and a nice selection of barrels.

[@fmgpubs]

I’ve added lots of barrels to my collection. Check eBay as they are often very affordable. Roy

[@bluescatreimer]

@@fmgpubs I have bought a few off ebay, a online friends Dad passed away and they both had 1st and 2nd Gen Contenders with quite a few duplicate barrels. I was fortunate to be able to buy some from him at a reasonable price a few years ago. I got 3 Super fourteens and couple bull barrels and a couple reg octagon barrels. Do I need all these barrels? Yes! 😉

[@fmgpubs]

@@bluescatreimer Yes indeed! Roy

[@scottc3029]

This is GOOD news!

[@fmgpubs]

Yes it is! Roy

[@jeremymeline8129]

Hopefully the prices aren't outrageous

[@alaska1andy959]

Looking forward to the Contender coming back soon.

[@12monkey57]

Hopefully with modern calibers and threaded barrels!

[@garyh1449]

I find that a lot of young folks lean toward tactical firearms. Myself. I lean toward the old wood and steel firearms. As for the T/C's, I'm glad that they are coming back. I doubt that the line of T/C firearms of the 60's-80's will resurface. I was there in the 70's to the mid 80's when Ken Thompson and Warren Center were there. I was in the testing department and it was very interesting to see the changes of the Contender over the years. Also the new products such as the Muzzle loader line and the then new TCR 83 added to the pleasure of working there.

[@fmgpubs]

You’re a lucky fellow Gary! Roy

[@everettrhay4855]

Years ago a friend had a TC in 45-70, holy smokes that was a handful. I’m glad to see the return of precision single shot hand guns.

[@jongruen7854]

Bring back the T/C compass.

[@raytribble8075]

My first TC was my .36 caliber Seneca I bought in 1976 when I was 16 and she is still in my gun vault. My first contender pistol was 1982 in 35 REM and I took a lot of deer with that gun. I love the side hammers they made best. I had both .50 and .54 “Hawken” style, still have the Omega thumbhole laminate and an Encore both in 50 cal. They all have taken many elk, deer and antelope back home in Wyoming. I really hope to see this pod cast come to fruition.

[@skswig1]

those .36 caliber guns are very rare, Most states did not let you hunt deer with them, so not many people bought them. I would love to have one.

[@fmgpubs]

I have no doubt this will happen, but it will take some time. They anticipate Encore frames in 2025. I agree their line of black powder rifles was the best. Roy

[@raytribble8075]

@@fmgpubs I am a gunsmith and build my own centerfire rifle but I love building and hunting with flintlocks… I still go home to Wyoming to hunt if I can draw the tag. But that Seneca started my black powder fever. Before Encore, I had several “Contender” calibers but wanted to push handgun hunting so I started building .358 Winchesters on Remington XP-100 actions. So I drifted away from Contenders until the Encore came out.

[@raytribble8075]

@@skswig1 yes, you are right… back in the day I took a 2X3 Mulie buck and a few doe with mine when I was 16-17 in Wyoming but the rabbits, squirrels and grouse were fair game. I still have my original Lyman Maxi-Ball mold and cast them for the gun as recent as a month ago. It will go onto my youngest grandson once I am gone.

[@39MercFlathead]

.54 Hawken here. I think I bought it in about 1981. I gave it to one of my sons a couple years ago. It is a great cap & ball rifle and I know original models because I inherited my grandfather's muzzleloader from his youngest brother, my great uncle Manny, who was still using it when he died in 1954.

[@marklove2022]

I bought a 50 cal thunderhawk inline muzzleloader in late 80's or early 90's couldn't get any shot consistency using pyrodex and various bullets. Was going to send it back to factory, called first, receptionist said let me give you the guy who works on that model. He said "load 80 gr. 2f black powder and a 300 gr. Maxiball and I'll never hear from you again. I thought "yeah right" but tried it anyway. Result - tackdriver, if I miss it's my fault! I marked my ramrod and have never tried another load in 35+ years! Customer service knew how to fix the problem. Also have a New Englander 50 cal and 12 ga shotgun. T/C made some of the nicest muzzleloaders in my opinion. Hope they bring them back too.

[@fmgpubs]

A typical story about their customer service. Roy

[@kfelix2934]

I also had a Thunderhawk, sold it to finance my Encore BP 12ha/50cal combo ;) It was one of the best muzzleloader that I ever own. I bought hundreds of musket caps and killed quite a few deers over a 10 year period. Previously I own a Firehawk and even had a Whie's Rifle Tominator. These MZL products was one of the best thing that was ever made IMHO

[@davidslade497]

Historically, it would be interesting to find out how far TC would have gone without the IHMSA silhouette game coming on board. Elgin Gates sold thousands of TC's in addition to creating new cartridges and having TC make barrels for those cartridges.

[@tonydeangelo7317]

With so many states going to straight wall case only for deer hunting, those cartridges would be a great place to start for their carbine barrels.

[@victorwhite7866]

Glad to hear that TC will be back in business. LOVE all mine !

[@georgemannsr8708]

T/C 87 was a fine rifle built before the encore

[@jeffhutchins7048]

And before the TCR '87 was the TCR '83. Graceful rifles.

[@snipe1066]

had a .308 TCR 87, sorry i sold it

[@BraskHouseConcerts]

221 fireball 🎉

[@fmgpubs]

I have a barrel for it and as expected it shoots like a rifle. Roy

[@Ammo08]

I had one back in 1973 in 30-30 and 410. I think a new in 221 Fireball would be great.

[@dionysis84]

Just bought my first muzzleloader. Would have definitely went with a T/C if I knew they would start producing them and covering warranty again. Love my venture and still believe it to be the best value priced rifle on the market

[@mausercal65]

I’ve got several of the Thompson muzzle loaders , all side locks .

[@gunsnwater2668]

45LC only. Sick of all the 410 combos. Bring them back.

[@user-sd9kz6sr9l]

50 yards, open sights, amazing caliber in a Thompson contender. Almost boring, can’t miss!

[@fmgpubs]

@@user-sd9kz6sr9l They all shoot like lasers! Roy

[@Fox4Alpha]

I agree. Years ago, I sold my combo .410/45 Colt barrel to a friend's brother. I have never regretted it. I would like to have a rifled 45 Colt barrel with good sights though.

[@johnndavis7647]

@@Fox4Alpha yep a bull barrel 45 Colt with 10" and 14" barrels.

[@daves.682]

I hope their marketing doesn’t start with “We’re back”, which emphasizes that they were gone. I hope they take a “Vacation’s over” angle to indicate it was just a temporary pause. I believe that would make folks feel more comfortable about the rebirth of T/C.

[@Bill-jv5eg]

Nice to hear TC is coming back, I haven’t seen them at the range in a long time as well as the Ruger #1, too many blasters….

[@jamesvatter5729]

First thought I had when I read this, "This is going to put a big smile on Roy Huntingdon's face!"

[@fmgpubs]

It does, indeed Jim! Roy

[@davidspitzer8176]

You mentioned getting younger shooters interested in the Contender. Well the tie in is already there. Shooters today like movie guns. The Walking Dead series pretty much resurrected the Colt Python. If you watch John Wick 4 you will see that he used a custom T/C in a dueling scene. A John Wick TC Contender would sell just like the Taran Tactical guns. Something for the marketing people to. Consider.

[@jdhasty8660]

I have a few Contenders. One thing that folks are not aware of is just how accurate the carbines are. They can be incredibly accurate. Great triggers.

[@timburton9514]

I have a contender and an Omega muzzleloader. Love both

[@51ubetcha]

I feel that the introduction of the steel silhouette game ( ie IHMSA - International Handgun Metalic Silhouette Association ) boosted the popularity of the TC and the Remington XP100. Many find gun makers were born from this game like Freedom Arms.

[@fmgpubs]

You’re exactly right. Roy

[@patgarrett9185]

Contender in 7TCU 10” put me in the Game

[@craigr.5941]

My first T/C was a 10" barrel Contender in .30-30 Winchester, for competing in IHMSA metallic silhouettes around 1987. It was recommended to me by Les Baer (back when he worked out of the original shop at his home in Allentown PA.) He also recommended the caliber, because it would reliably knock over the 55 lb. rams at 200 yds. After a while though, I switched to the .357 MAX chambering, which was adequately powerful and much less punishing to shoot a match with. Les also did a trigger job on it for me, which was a big improvement .

[@mikewebb8456]

TC platform is and was extremely accurate and addictive... Make one shot count !

[@cbroz7492]

50 years ago, in the summer of 2974 shortly aftrr I got back from the better pi artbif three great years in Germany with the Army, I bought a T/C Hawken at Edelman's in Wayne, NJ..lost it a few years later after I moved to FL in 1979...kadvto see they're back..

[@js7127]

So happy they are starting back up. Hopefully the new "Primitive Hunting" seasons favoring exposed hammer/single shots will give them a boost to get going.

[@Basilidesthehermit]

Waited years to hear this news. Very pleased. Thank you guys!

[@hikerglenn]

Hopefully the Hawken and Renegade and Seneca rifles will be reintroduced, but I doubt it.

[@mikecompton6401]

I love my Thompson Center hawken bought in the early 80’s

[@12monkey57]

I hope they make some contender barrels and encore barrels in modern calibers with threaded barrels

[@dbmail545]

I really regretted not getting a G2 muzzleloader barrel & foreend in the short window it was available. It would be nice if that was brought back.

[@georgeclarke4235]

Good news. Thx for the video. Have had many calibers since the 70s. Stupidly sold too many barrels to pay for new projects. Favs were 7x30 waters, 30 Herrett, 357 Herrett, 375 Winchester, and 45-70. Love the fire breathers. Have probably owned about 20 barrells. Still have two contender frames and 223, 35 Rem, and 44 barrells.

[@buzzsawncgo2751]

As a long standing member of that CULT, I can truly say that my TC has the best trigger that I have ever experienced with the possible exception of a Savage Anschutz target rifle that I used on the rifle team in college. Unfortunately that was way back in a previous century.

[@realityawayfromreality3494]

Great news. I don't own any T/C but I know that they have a hard core fan base. Single shot firearms took a big hit with the demise of H&R, NEF. Good to see more players on the field.

[@davidlynch3077]

I have a TC Compass 243 win. that shoots 1/2 moa with factory ammo Winchester Deer Season 95 grain. $300 with a $ 75 gift card at Cabellas years ago. My go to Whitetail rifle and favorite range rifle !

[@RTmadnesstoo]

I'm sorry I passed on that deal. That was when Cabela's opened a store near me.

[@michaelsarkisian1047]

I loved my Contender, and I love my TCR 87, bring back the TCR! The TCR 83/87 is the most elegant single shot rifle I have ever owned!

[@fmgpubs]

Agreed Mike. They are simply perfect. Roy

[@losgood5936]

Thompson Center the best company that I have ever worked with. PERIOD...!!!

[@caileanmacanndraigh8580]

This is the best news this year. I cannae wait to get my hands on a new one. I’ve been a lifelong single shot shooter and fan and customer of TC since day one of TC. How soon will we see this platform ready for sale to the public.

[@fmgpubs]

They’re saying 2025. Fingers crossed. Roy

[@theepicgamerultimate4831]

I want their black powder rifles back in production.

[@radamson1]

My favorite Contender was a 30/30. The 30/30 with a pointed bullet was really a nice firearm. A great gun for up to deer size game.

[@jamesreed4907]

Great news. I had a 223 with 10 power scope shoot 3/4” at 200 yds. Sadly, I sold it big mistake.

[@mikeherrmann5360]

22 creedmore encore heavy barrel...I'LL BE THERE DUDE!

[@survivalistgrandpa]

I grew up reading about the Contender through the writings of Bob Milek. Glad they're being made again!

[@dougmac9955]

So happy to hear Roy’s recommendations. I’ve oniy recently gotten into the Contender scene and the barrels I’ve ended up with are, 22LR, 22 Hornet, 357 magnum, 35 Remington and 44 magnum. This is what came of several months of trading and haunting my local enablers shop. Of course this is only the beginning. I’ve wanted one of these since they came out (I’m 74) but there was always something else that I desperately didn’t need but couldn’t live without more.

[@fmgpubs]

Shop eBay Doug. There are hundreds of barrels for sale and many of the prices are very affordable. Roy

[@snipe1066]

Have a .256 win mag. pistol barrel, fun to shoot

[@fmgpubs]

@@snipe1066 That's a great caliber for the TC. Roy

[@RTmadnesstoo]

@@snipe1066 I love my .256WinMag! Those .35Rem barrels shine also. Made for the 14" combo.

[@mechanic4164]

I love my TC Omega one of the best black power guns I have ever had. Glad that Thompson Center is coming back.

[@outragousbob4367]

My wife of 34 years worked there in the office. She and the owners daughter, Gustafson if memory serves, put together the first Fox Ridge Outfitters catalog. My wife’s mother, who worked there, gave me my first muzzle loader, a white mountain carbine. When Smith bought them, they closed the factory in Rochester NH and also the retail Fox Ridge store. I bought two encores, one 223 and one 7mm-08. Got a camo rifle stock to convert the 7mm to a rifle for deer hunting. Thompson Center built quality!

[@fmgpubs]

A great story! Roy

[@jamesbradshaw474]

I’ve got two receivers, one blue and one stainless, and six barrels. I love them. They are extremely accurate and versatile. I’m glad to hear they are coming back. Oh, I’m one of the senior owners.

[@_JimS]

GREAT News! My 1st Gen Thompson Center .22lr 16.25" Match barrel still outshoots my CZ 457 MTR bolt rifle. I have a target somewhere I saved where I shot a 5-shot dime group at 100yds with Eley 10x ammo. The say the least that's my squirrel rifle. It has a gorgeous Bullberry custom birds eye maple stock and fore end in blonde.....also a 38/357, .41 mag and a 44 mag barrels. LOVE my T/C Contenders!

[@captainobvious1721]

I celebrate the return of Thompson Center! I owned one years ago and regret getting rid of it. I love revolvers, lever actions, and all things mechanical. I look forward to seeing what they come out with as they ramp up production. I really miss the Super 14 barrels.

[@RTmadnesstoo]

The .38/.357 barrel is fantastic but the one that changed my Attitude was the .45acp. It's amazing! Who knew you could shoot groups like that at 100yds with an old slow .45? So I picked up an octagonal .45Colt barrel -not the shotshell version. It's so slender and light and with the hotter loads I was shooting 64oz Gatorade bottles full of water at 200yds! WOW! But it was so light it kind of hurt after an long afternoon so I went out and bought a .460 S&W Magnum. What a flat shooter! Wonderful! And it all started with an old .45acp barrel I got in a trade. Somehow I let it get away and I miss it.

[@fmgpubs]

Agreed 100 percent on the .45 ACP. It’s a great way to check the accuracy of any .45 ACP ammo. On that .45 Colt barrel (I have the light one too), I just load it down. I like a 250 SWC cast bullet at about 800 fps. Still a bit of thump, but easy to shoot and has rifle-like accuracy. Roy

[@RTmadnesstoo]

@@fmgpubs Well, I had several hundred 250g JHPs loaded for my Ruger Bisley. Kind of stout maybe.

[@raymonddettlaff1386]

I'm so happy to hear this. I have a TC with 3 barrels. But, recognize there's also the CVA Scout now.

[@RTmadnesstoo]

Love my Thompson/Centers! Glad to see them back!

[@barrykarpowich731]

THIS IS GREAT NEWS,GOT FOUR OF THEM ,KEEP THE NEWS COMING ,LOVE THEM ALL THANK YOU

[@michealsmith4465]

Me and my brothers were talking today how we missed the t/c glad to see it coming back

[@rogerfutrell5767]

5 frames, 24 barrels, .17 HMR-.50 cal, and counting.

[@3henry214]

Great news! I hope they bring out a .327 Fed Mag barrel, would also like to get one in .22 Jet to give my S&W M53 a break. Would like to see the return of the T/C custom shop too. Ebay prices for barrels are plain nuts, so I hope this brings the prices of barrels down.

[@jeffhutchins7048]

My favorite Contender is my blued G2 frame with a trigger job, Choate folding stock, 24" stainless barrel cut down to 16" in 30-30 Rangemaster (30-30 Ackley with .300" long neck) with Williams Guide Sight and fiber optic front.

[@GunGeek-cm2ni]

I'm seeing some comments from folks hoping certain models will be brought back. I happen to know one of Ritz's partners, and that guy is hoping to eventually bring back most of the guns TC ever made, including the muzzleloaders (yeah, that guy likes to hunt with a smoke pole). I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but be patient guys. If all works out, I think we'll see the first guns late this year or early next. Once things are up & running, it'll take a while to see guns other than Encore framed ones being brought back. Keep your eyes & ears open. Obviously, nothing I say is official, but the new plant isn't far from my house & I can't help but be as excited about this as everyone else. Support from the gun community has been great, and I can't wait to see what's down the road.

[@fmgpubs]

Agreed. This is essentially a start-up so we need to give them time and support. Roy

[@RTmadnesstoo]

@@fmgpubs Support shouldn't be too hard. Everybody needs a New Encore!

[@robertfieldsgreenridge900]

I have a Encore rifle in 308. I got back in 2005. Great platform, and so glad to hear about them returning. I felt like the S&W thing wouldn't be good. Thanks guy's, enjoy your work.

[@fmgpubs]

We all predicted S&W would mess it up and they did. We wish Greg and his team all success! Thanks for the kind words too, Bob. Roy

[@dpwhitaker7088]

I love hearing this news! I have an Encore with multiple barrels, two Compasses, a Hawken and a Cherokee. Also an inline Fire Hawk. I can't wait for TC to get going again!

[@bcvpiper8356]

I sure hope they bring back their traditional black powder line!

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Great news! Time to collect all the barrels.

[@controlledchaos7808]

This is soooo good to hear!!! I hope they return with the family oriented feel of the original company. I'll be a player!

[@Lemur70]

Super happy to hear T/C coming back. Many years ago I received a T/C percussion mz. Right away the nice quality could be seen. I was looking to buy another T/C then I heard S/W acquired them, instantly I was turned off because it seems S/W is mostly concerned for the bottom dollar. Quality and Family atmosphere goes a long way. I can't wait to see what happens.

[@justinglock20]

I've wanted a Contender carbine forever and missed my chance to get one before they all disappeared. Hopefully they will be offered in stainless.

[@gunsnwater2668]

Happy happy joy joy.😄 hope the bring back the encore and the muzzle loaders of the traditional variety.

[@fmgpubs]

Slowly but surely. From what I understand, they’ll start with Encore platform guns. Roy

[@tomedwards643]

Had a black powder rifle, an Omega. The barrel apparently had a fissure in it at the muzzle and came apart. This was during the time Gregg Ritz owned the company. I sent them a letter and they sent me a brand new rifle! That was excellent customer service!!! I will support the,m again now!

[@fmgpubs]

They were always known for their service, that’s for sure. Roy

[@garyK.45ACP]

Nice to see something besides another polymer frame, striker fired, 9mm handgun.🙄 T/C Contenders absolutely dominated the handgun metallic silhouette shooting competitions in the 80s and 90s when I was doing that. It was hard to actually _compete_ with anything else. They were also the dominant handgun hunting pistol. Lots of custom barrels and cartridges were available from outfits like JDJ and Gary Reeder. I hope they come back strong!

[@brucevaughn2886]

Looking forward to TC 2.0 with cautious optimism.

[@danielrobey1759]

This is wonderful news! I love the encore platform (jumped on that shortly after it was introduced) and in the last year I picked up my first contender, wonderful contrast in size between the two platforms. My main focus has been on the pistols but I also have a few rifle barrels... I've put a lot of venison in the freezer with the encore and made some great memories doing it 😊

[@paulkolhepp5070]

I had one of the early contenders with several barrels (223, 7mm tcu, and 357 herret) all in 14". By far my favorite was the 357 Herret. I hope they can make it work, those were great guns.

[@karlbergersen8564]

This is great news!!! Hope to see the encore receiver back on the market-

[@gunman-6646]

I love Thompson contender, I own several. Glad they are back!

[@billyp333]

50 cal Pennsylvania hunter .......great black powder rifle

[@scottydouglass1892]

I am old school and the og contender was awesome. I did buy a of the semi auto 22, typical TC, it's smooth. Smith wanted the barrel making capacity that TC was so good at.

[@daniellochner2073]

I had a lot of TC guns over the years and own the contender pistol. Super accurate, you need only one shot. I have the .35 Remington which was great for deer hunting.

[@robertbessette8592]

I have one of the real tc encores with beautiful blueing and the over travel set screw in the trigger guard which made the trigger about perfect and I hope Greg will be bringing that back. I have a mgm barrel in 270 win. 24”polished blue will shoot 1/2” all day. I can’t say enough about there work. if you pick up one in rifle form put it to your shoulder then you understand and have to have one because the weight of the rife is in between your hands where it should be and makes it so steady. This makes me so happy they are coming back.

[@GUNMETALGUYUSA]

Great News 🤠👍🏽 Great Discussion 💯

[@MrTacklebury]

Great! Hoping they are bringing back the Compass rifle also. Love mine.

[@fmgpubs]

Just the Encore frame at first. I think things are slated for 2025. Roy

[@JamesWilliams-sk3qj]

Can't hardly wait to see the new rifles, I own several TC arms and they're some of my favorite ones!

[@robertfrye6256]

I have the venture in 30-06 and the venture predator in 243 . Both awsome guns!

[@todddorsey9395]

Really great news. I’ve owned Thompson Center products since the 80s and dealt with customer service a time or two and sure hope they are as good as they used to be which they probably will

[@arthurshingler2025]

Fabulous news!!

[@richardfassett9755]

You are so right about this earlier Contenders being a bit hard to open is so true. I have an early 22 mag. that is a beast to open. I’ll have to try hitting my fingers. Thanks for the tip. Richard

[@fmgpubs]

It works Richard. Just fuss around until you get the hang of it. Roy

[@billjue1753]

Love my ssk 250 savage barrel on TC Contender. Got away from TC before smashing a groundhog with that thing. My 222 14in was my first 1/2in gun at 100yds. Still have that target from 35yrs ago.

[@troy9477]

Fantastic news. Learned about Contenders and XP-100's reading Bob Milek (RIP) in the 80's. I bought a used one in 2005 (i think) with an eye toward ground squirrels. Sold the 7x30 Waters barrel to partially pay for a 22 Hornet (how little i really knew about the Waters). Love the thing. Traded an unloved Kel Tec P11 to a friend for a scoped 17 HMR barrel, bought a 22 LR, and a few years ago a 357 Herrett from another friend (so far unfired by me; no room to reload, stuff is in storage). All 14". Still want 1 or 2 more. Would like to get some 9" barrels, esp a 41 Mag. That 45 ACP barrel that Roy mentioned is very interesting. So would a 10mm be. Would like a rifle barrel or 2, possibly a 25-06. I am very interested i 38-55, and i was just recently pricing barrels and wood on the Bulberry website. I love Roy's attitude, perpetual smile, and easygoing attitude. Would love to have dinner with him and talk guns, shooting and cop stuff. Better that i go to MO than he come back to Kalifornia. Lol. Thank you, gentlemen. Be well

[@garyh1449]

Bob Milek used to pop in to T/C Arms now and then. Also Massad Ayoob and others.

[@danielrobey1759]

Bob was one of my favorite authors! Definitely gone too soon!!

[@fmgpubs]

Sounds like you’re on the right track with your TC guns Troy. I have a .22 Hornet barrell and it shoots like a laser. All of the barrels do! Thanks for your kind words, and you’re right about getting me back to CA. No way! Roy

[@troy9477]

@@fmgpubs Hi Roy. Thanks for the reply. Glad you are well and healthy. Enjoyed your work for many years now, and love the vids and shorts. The Bulberry barrel i was considering is a 38-55. I don't think T/C ever chambered it. I am probably going to hold off though. Give T/C some business and get a 45-70 and a buttstock and forend. I meant to put in my comment that even if they start with just 5 or 6 popular chamberings (14" 223 and 30/30, 22 LR, 357,44 mag, maybe 35 Rem; 45/70 and 223 rifle, etc), that would be a good start, get product out there, and generate revenue. Then after a bit they could resume the lower volume stuff- 32-20, the shorter handgun barrels you mentioned, etc. Good luck, reborn T/C! We eagerly await

[@RSW6666]

My first Contender was the 10" .38/357 with the screw on choke for shot. Got it used in 1981 when I was in Jr-High School. Couldn't afford a new one, but I scraped together my allowance and had my dad buy it. Every Birthday or Xmas it was always the same question; "What caliber and barrel length do you want this time?" I was the only kid in my class who had a scoped pistol.

[@fmgpubs]

Ha! A great story! Hope you still have them. Roy

[@Robert31352]

I own almost every TC, traditional, black powder variant that they produced. I hunt with them, all of them. I am in my seventies and started hunting with their products in the early 70's. Back in the day, if something went wrong, even if it was my fault, they fixed it or sent a part for free. I can not think of any firearm company that had their customer service attitude. Not one time in many phone calls was I ever lectured by a customer service parson, though I probably should have been. Great companies like TC need to be in business and hopefully, resurrect an old fashion American made product and customer service that is lacking in the country. Do it the way Henry does. Made in America, or not at all. We do not need any more Chinese junk sitting on store shelves.

[@fmgpubs]

These will be made here Bob. Roy

[@eugeneeverett8072]

I owned one and loved it and the encore top line guns

[@robertfrye6256]

Hopefully we will be able to order replacement parts for past models like magazines for the venture models.

[@larryeddings3185]

Excellent news! I love my Contender.

[@Mike-qv3ob]

I took my 357 contender barrel extended it to 357 max works great for that little extra power

[@JW-fq1pp]

I bought a LH Dimension in .308 when they came out with those. Lots of folks thought they were ugly but I like it, shoots good. Wish I had gotten the 30.06 barrel for it when they were available.

[@tonytable1537]

Had an 06 (RH). Accurate, loved the erogos, only complaint afield was no locking safety (personal quirk). Tried to get new barrels from S&W, kept getting brushed off, always out of stock, so after a few years I sold it after a couple years and bought a used 06 push-feed model 70 I get that many felt it was a gimmick gun, but between the stock's feel and barrel's quality, it still stands out in my mind