Hey

How is the quality of the Thompson Contender compared to other rifles?

What kind of accuracy out of the box can I expect from a contender Carbine in a standard chambering?

Is the trigger good?

Here in Sweden Thompson guns are very rare so it would be nice to hear what you have to say about the gun! I thinking of getting a carbine chambered in 22K-Hornet.

Had a T/C factory in 17 Remington factory. I understood these were Shilen blanks. It would shoot 1/2" @ 100 yds. I got crazy a couple years ago & sold it. Dumb Huh? I have a T/C SS match 22 LR carbine & 10" barrel that will shoot 1" at 100 yds. I've had others that are not anything to brag about.

I have 19 barrels in carbine length, 2 of which are shotgun (.410 bore and 28 gauge). The rifles vary from 16�" to 24" in length and are .22 LR to .45-70. At 100 yards I average 1-1�" groups from field positions (as opposed to elaborate benchrested positions). Most barrels are scopes with 2�X scopes but not all, some have aperture sights. Average weight with the Rynite (composite) stock I use is 6 to 6� pounds although one setup weighs 5� pounds. I think I like the setup!



Modern bolt guns just don't float my boat. No longer interested in the black guns either. Quality is comparable to any mass produced firearm but you can easily get and switch the better barrels from custom makers. Lots of chambering options. The Encore will handle the bigger cartridges (like the 9.3-74R or 9.3x62) if that is what interests you.

Jamt - its tough to compare quality to say a bolt rifle because they are made so much different. I would say above average compared to all production guns....based on the basic frame. Barrels/calibers vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. It would seem that some are notoriously bad while others are amazing.....go figure. I much prefer custom barrels for my TC's because they are finished so much nicer and for me shoot consistantly more accurate. Any TC should be able to shoot 1 1/2" at 100 yds. with a standard barrel, suitable scope and rifle caliber....some much better than that. I have not shot a new Contender G2, I shot a few Enocores and they needed trigger work.......my contenders have a very good trigger that I never really thought needed any significant work.

I have 2 Thompson contender carbines, and both are very accurate. One of them is a 20" .221 Fireball that My 11 year old "thinks" is his. He was using a Ruger 10-22 that wasn't the right size for him. With a youth buttstock and a so-so scope he's getting 3" groups @ 100 yards with the fireball, and his interest level has just soared. When he gets used to shooting more I will introduce him to a better scope, but right now he insists that I don't touch that rifle.

I have a .22K-Hornet 12" contender pistol barrel that is my favorite gun to shoot. I have yet to develope any loads for it, just shooting factory .22 Hornet ammo. I have never had so much fun!

jab - My son is 10 and my .221 fireball is a 16 1/4" carbine....I have the same problem. He thinks its "his" but thats alot better that him not having any interest. We use this one for prairie dogs out past 250 yds. and since we don't shoot many groups I would have to say that is a testament to the accuracy potential.