I am not into Contender Pistols (I have an encore rifle with 2x Bbls and am considering a used Customised Contender rifle), but it is amusing that in Australia you can get a new Remington/Savage or Howa rifle cheaper than spare barrels for the T/Cs, go figure.
I have a Thompson Center Flintlock (Right Handed) that I need some info on. I bought it from my brother, who bought it used from a guy at work about 15 years ago. (Brother died years ago and I'm not sure who he bought it from.)
It looks to be a Hawkin, but 'Hawkin' is not marked on it like it is on my Renegade. The fit and finish looks way too nice to be a kit gun, unless someone did a near perfect job on it. Typical Hawkin brass butt plate, patch box, etc. Scrolling engraved on the case hardened lock.
Barrel is only marked Thompson Center Arms, Rochester, New Hampshire Cal 50. Serial Number is 666X (X number not listed by me).
Most of the research I did (internet) is showing large serial numbers or serial numbers with letters. Does anyone have a clue of what I actually have or how old it could really be????
Ng The Contender
Spec Ops Shooting
The hammer is drawn to cocked position and the External Manual Firing Pin Selector set to an armed position (position 1 or 3) only during the act of firing. When you are ready to fire, support the pistol with two hands (as pictured in Photo E). Keep the muzzle down range. Draw the hammer to full cock position. Set the External Manual Firing Pin Selector to the fire position required for your cartridge (Rim or Center Fire). Aim carefully at the target and fire the shot! 8
G FIRING!
Never cock the hammer until the instant before firing. Support the pistol with two hands as you move the External Manual Firing Pin Selector into armed position.
IIM FIRE ELECTION
For Rim Fire cartridges, et selector in this position.
G FIRING!
Never cock the hammer until the instant before firing. Support the pistol with two hands as you move the External Manual Firing Pin Selector into armed position.
IIM FIRE ELECTION
For Rim Fire cartridges, et selector in this position.
NOTE: Illustration shows Center Fire selection. If you are using a Rim Fire cartridge, see insert on right.
After the shot is fired, open the action, remove the fired round AND IMMEDIATELY RESET THE EXTERNAL FIRING PIN SELECTOR TO SAFETY POSITION 2. At all times, except for the instant before and after firing this selector must be set in safety position 2. NEVER CLOSE THE ACTION ON A LOADED ROUND UNTIL YOU HAVE CHECKED AND ASSURED YOURSELF THAT THIS SELECTOR IS SET IN ITS SAFETY (UNARMED) POSITION.
The safeties on the Contender are mechanical devices and are not foolproof. They are intended to be used in combination with common sense and safe gun handling practices. Do not rely on the safeties to overcome the danger of injury to yourself or others from careless handling or abuse of your Contender.
DO NOT LOAD THE CONTENDER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE IT. Always keep the muzzle of your Contender pointed down range.
If the Contender is dropped or struck a hard blow, the following steps should be taken. The action should be opened, the gun should be unloaded, the bore should be checked for obstructions, the action should be functioned to be sure that both safeties work properly; that the trigger adjustment is proper (see pages 11 and 12); that the hammer functions normally; and that there are no broken or deformed parts. If any problem or malfunction is noted the gun should be returned to the factory for service (see page 14).
Should you decide NOT TO FIRE the Contender' after the hammer has been FULLY COCKED, then you must take the following steps!
If, after cocking the pistol, the shooter decides not to fire, one of the following sets of procedures must be followed.
1. Set the External Manual Firing Pin Selector on safety position 2. Then, with the thumb on the hammer, pull up on the trigger guard spur until the action breaks open. This will release the hammer (allowing it to move forward) while keeping the hammer block engaged.
2. Set the External Manual Firing Pin Selector on safety position 2. Hold your thumb on the hammer and pull the trigger. DO NOT ALLOW THE HAMMER TO DROP FREELY OR YOU MAY DAMAGE THE FIREARM. Ease the hammer down slowly until it rests on the selector lever. Next pull up on the trigger guard spur until the action breaks open to reengage the internal hammer block safety.
Whenever the hammer is cocked and then returned to uncocked position it is necessary to first set the External Manual Firing Pin Selector on safety position 2 and then perform one of the above set of procedures. If this manual operation is not performed, the internal hammer block safety will not be engaged. If a loaded Contender with firing pins armed is dropped or struck a blow without the internal hammer block safety engaged, it may discharge causing injury or death. Also the striker and trigger will not engage and you will be unable to cock the hammer for the next firing. See photo 'C' plus line drawing and explanation on page 6.
Bear in mind that the trigger guard spur acts as a lever to lock and to unlock the action. Consequently it must be free. AT NO TIME SHOULD THE SHOOTER HAVE FINGERS AROUND THE
TRIGGER GUARD OR HAVE IT RESTING ON ANY SURFACE WHILE FIRING.
Do not 'dry fire' the Contender by pulling back the hammer and allowing it to drop. To do so will damage the hammer mechanism and/or the standing breech.
To safely 'dry fire' the Contender Pistol, you need not cock the hammer. With the chamber unloaded, simply open and close the action as explained previously. Leave the hammer in its uncocked position and squeeze the trigger. This will release the striker allowing you to experience the exact trigger pull that is present when firing. See 'Trigger Adjustment' on pages 11 and 12.
PRACTICE AND LEARN THE MECHANICS OF THIS FIREARM BEFORE YOU USE IT!
The previous text and illustrations are intended to instruct the shooter in the safe use of the Contender Pistol. We recommend that you reread this material. With the CHAMBER UNLOADED practice each step carefully until you have completely committed these procedures to memory. Then, and only then, can you safely load and fire this handgun.
Thompson Contender Serial Number Years
With the action closed, remove the forend screw and forend. Super '14' Models have two forend screws which must be removed. Open the action to relieve the tension on the hinge pin. Carefully tap out the hinge pin (in either direction). To niiAiinifcin rmnnri o replace the barrel, simply reverse the process. Be sure that the Contender is
CHANGING BARRELS unloaded before disassembling or changing barrels in order to prevent accidental discharge which may cause injury or death. Use barrels of Thompson/Center manufacture only which are marked with the cartridge designation and our company name.
As an aid to the maintenance of a high level of performance the Contender is equipped with two trigger adjustment screws. 1. TRIGGER ENGAGEMENT SCREW
The Contender trigger can be adjusted for let-off travel (movement backward and forward). This adjustment screw (#36-3) is located at the top forward section of the trigger. Turning the adjustment screw clockwise will decrease the engagement and shorten the let-off travel. Turning the screw counterclockwise will increase the engagement and lengthen the let-off travel. All triggers are factory TRIGGER adjusted before shipment. They are set to what we feel is an optimum safe let-off
Anil iPTmiriiT travel. If additional adjustment is required it should be made with discretion.
AUulIu I IYIlN I CAUTION: Too light of an adjustment can cause premature firing which may result in injury or death to the shooter or bystanders. In order to check the adjustment for let-off travel the following procedure should be used. Cock the Contender with the chamber unloaded and the action open. Close the action 'sharply'. Repeat the procedure several times. If the hammer falls at all when the action is closed 'sharply' the adjustment is too light. This condition must be corrected by turning the adjustment screw counterclockwise to increase the trigger engagement. This procedure should be performed after each and every adjustment of the trigger engagement.
If proper engagement cannot be obtained by using the adjustment screw, the Contender receiver should be returned to the factory for repair or replacement under our warranty program. | |
A trigger stop screw is located in the trigger guard directly behind the trigger. Extremely helpful for target shooting, this adjustment should be set on minimum. In other words, turn the adjustment until the trigger will not release, then gradually back off the adjustment until the trigger just releases. An extra quarter turn affords the proper setting and insures that the trigger will release every time. | |
(Continued) | CAUTION: Too Light A Trigger Pull. CONTENDER TRIGGERS ARE FACTORY SET TO WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE AN OPTIMUM SAFE PULL. ALTERATION OF THE TRIGGER SPRING OR USE OF A NON-FACTORY SPRING CAN CREATE A DANGEROUSLY LIGHT TRIGGER PULL. TOO LIGHT A TRIGGER PULL CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FIRING WHICH MAY INJURE THE SHOOTER OR A BYSTANDER. Altered parts may also produce an unsafe trigger pull. If trigger pull on a Contender is found to be too heavy (greater than 4 lbs. pull) or rough, the receiver should be returned to the factory for repair or replacement under our warranty program. In no event should parts be filed, ground, honed or replaced by non-factory parts. |
SIGHT | Your Contender has been targeted before shipment, however, some additional sight adjustment may be necessary to compensate for individual holding, etc. |
ADJUSTMENT | To guard against accidental discharge which may cause injury or death, be sure that the Contender is unloaded and that the action is open when performing this operation. |
SIGHT ADJUSTMENT (Continued) | ALL BARRELS WITH ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS: On these models all windage and elevation adjustments are made on the rear sight only. Elevate (turn counterclockwise) the top screw to compensate for a low group or reverse the procedure to compensate for a high group. Turning the windage screw counterclockwise moves the point of impact to the left. Turning the windage adjustment clockwise moves your group to the right. |
DETACHABLE CHOKE MODELS | Internal choke Contender Models were available in .357 or .44 Magnum (discontinued) for use with Hot Shot Cartridges. Current internal choke models are offered in .45 Colt/.410 ga. allowing the use of the standard .410 gauge 3' shotshell. IN ALL INSTANCES THE CHOKE MUST BE REMOVED WHEN STANDARD BALL AMMUNITION, RIFLED SLUGS OR BUCKSHOT OF THE APPROPRIATE CALIBER IS TO BE USED. After heavy use of shot cartridges, clean the barrel and choke with a tight fitting stiff wire brush to remove any accumulation of lead. To guard against accidental discharge which may cause injury or death, be sure that the Contender is unloaded and that the action is open when performing this operation. |
LUBRICATION | To guard against accidental discharge which may charge injury or death, be sure that the Contender is unloaded and that the action is open when performing this operation. Guard against malfunction and sludge build-up by using only dry lubricant such as graphite on the internal parts. Never use any oils or grease on any internal parts. Use gun oil or light machine oil to protect the outside surface. 13 |
BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS | Before loading the Contender check the bore to insure that it is free of obstructions (cleaning patches, excess oil, mud, snow or other foreign materials). If the firearm is dropped it should be unloaded and inspected to insure that the bore has not become clogged with dirt, snow, twigs or other foreign material. If, when firing (particularly reloads), the report is weak or peculiar, stop immediately. Inspect the barrel for a stuck bullet. If the bore is obstructed, return the barrel to the factory. Do not continue to fire the pistol. |
FAILURE TO FIRE | If the Contender fails to fire keep the gun pointed at the target or in a safe direction for at least 30 seconds. If the Contender does not fire after 30 seconds carefully open the action. Check the External Manual Firing Pin Selector to insure that it was in the proper position for firing. Extract and examine the cartridge. If primer on the cartridge is indented, it should be disposed of in accordance with ammunition manufacturer's instructions for faulty ammunition or in any other safe manner. If primer on the cartridge is not indented or only lightly indented then your Contender should be examined by a qualified gunsmith or returned to the factory for service under our warranty program. |
SERVICE Tel: 603-332-2441 14 | Should your handgun require adjustment, repair or refinishing, we strongly recommend that the pistol be returned to the factory. There is no other way to ensure that the work will be done by a competent staff or trained technicians. Pistols returned to the factory should be marked for the attention of the service department. A letter of instructions should be enclosed with the gun. Adherence to these suggestions will prevent loss of time and facilitate handling at the factory. Our service department will give your pistol a complete inspection. They will evaluate the problem or problems specified in your covering letter. If the work required is not covered by our 'Lifetime Warranty' (see Page 15) you will receive a quotation which must be authorized by you. No actual work will be done without your approval. Ship complete pistols or receivers U.P.S. Barrels only may be sent parcel post or U.P.S. |
STATEMENT OF LIABILITY
This gun is classified as a FIREARM OR DANGEROUS WEAPON and is surrendered by us with the express understanding that we assume no liability for its resale or safe handling under local laws and regulations. Thompson/Center Arms assumes no responsibility for physical injury or property damage resulting from either intentional or accidental discharge, or for the function of any gun subject to influences beyond its control, and will honor no claims which may result from careless handling, unauthorized adjustments, defective or improper ammunition, corrosion or neglect.
For your protection, examine your gun carefully at the time of purchase. Fill out and mail the registration card promptly. Be certain that it bears the gun's serial number which you will find on the receiver.
Contender Pistols and Contender accessory barrels which are subjected to custom alteration or conversion other than those performed by the Thompson/Center Custom Shop are not covered by our warranty. Thompson/Center does not endorse or recommend any type of custom alteration other than those performed by the Thompson/Center Custom Shop.
Responsibility for such conversions rests totally with the gunsmith performing the conversion. If the work is done improperly or without proper judgement the firearm can rupture or malfunction causing injury or death to the shooter or bystanders.
THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS provides a warranty for all factory finished firearms for the LIFETIME OF THE ORIGINAL CONSUMER PURCHASER. Any such firearm or part thereof returned, postage paid, to the factory at Rochester, New Hampshire 03867, will be repaired or replaced to our commercial standards free of charge, and returned to the consumer pur-I IMITCn chaser postage prepaid. This warranty is established by return of our authorized warranty
LIIYII I lU card which should be done within thirty (30) days of purchase. This warranty does not cover any damage caused by custom alteration of the firearm! Services performed by the Thompson/Center Custom Shop do not void the warranty. Thompson/Center Arms reserves the right to refuse to repair or replace firearms, or parts thereof, damaged by abuse or misuse. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.
Address all correspondence and inquiries to: THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS P.O. Box 5002, Farmington Road, Rochester, New Hampshire 03866 15
WARRANTY
STATEMENT ISSUED BY SPORTING ARMS & AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE (SAAMI)
UNSAFE ARMS AND AMMUNITION COMBINATIONS
Ammunition used in a firearm must be the same caliber or gauge as that marked on the firearm by its manufacturer. If the firearm is not marked as to caliber or gauge, or if it appears that the original marking has been overprinted or changed, it is the responsibility of the gun user to have a qualified person determine what cartridge or shell can safely be used in the firearm.
The firing of a cartridge or shell other than that for which the firearm is chambered can result in the cartridge or shell rupturing and releasing high pressure gas that can damage or destroy the firearm and kill or seriously injure the shooter and persons nearby.
There are countless combinations of specific cartridges and firearm chambers which are unsafe. Many of these unsafe combinations are recognizable because of significant dimension differences between the cartridge and the firearm chamber. Dangerous combinations may also have similar chamber and cartridge dimensions. It is not possible to list every unsafe combination; therefore, in the interest of safety, use only the cartridge (or shell) designated by the firearm or ammunition manufacturer for use in a specific firearm. The cartridge caliber or shotshell gauge must be marked on the firearm frame, receiver or barrel by its manufacturer.
The practice of rechambering firearms is not guided by industry standards. It is possible that a firearm which has been rechambered may not be rechambered properly or the rechambered caliber may not be marked on the firearm. The firearm user is responsible to find out from a qualified person the cartridge caliber or shell gauge for which the firearm has been rechambered.
PARTS LIST See Your Dealer For Current Prices
NUMBER | PART NAME | NUMBER | PART NAME | NUMBER |
36-2 | Trigger Stop Screw | 38-A | Trigger Guard Lock Screw | 112 |
23 | Two Piece Bolt | 24-6 | Guard Stop Spring 'See note below | 108-8 |
65-2 | Bolt Spring | 632 | Firing Pin Selector-Factory Installation Only | 3 |
099 | Bolt Stop Pin | 95 | Hammer Nose Pin (2)-Factory Installation Only | 9191-1 |
16 | Bushing Screw | 52 | Selector Detent Ball-Factory Installation Only | 9191-2 |
62 | Dovetail Lock | 51 | Selector Detent Spring Factory Installation | 9191-3 |
12 | Extractor (Specify Caliber) | Only | 9191-A | |
86 Discontinuation CFS Techonlogies (Speakonia's developer) has put a notice on their official website that 'developement of this program [Speakonia] has been discontinued.' Unfortunately we also won't be able to offer support for our software anymore. https://alexinis.tistory.com/7. In fact, the entire CFS Technologies itself is now defunct, displaying a notice saying: Dear Visitor, We are sorry to announce, that there will be no more updates of software by CFS-Technologies in the foreseeable future. However, the program has attracted a good amount of downloaders (according to CNET) over the years it has developed. | Extractor Spring 222 Rem, 221 Fireball, | 9186 | Hammer Assembly Complete-Factory | |
30 Carbine, 9mm, 6mm TCU. 35 Rem | Installation Only | 84-1 | ||
45 Win. Mag. 223 Rem. 6.5mm TCU. | 59 | Hammer Pin | 22-3 | |
7mm TCU | 66 | Hammer Spring | 85 | |
69 | Extractor Stop Pin | 18 | Hinge Pin | 120-5 |
14 | Firing Pin Bushing | 58 | Roller | 36-3 |
15A | Firing Pin, Center Fire | 8-1 | Safety | 70-1 |
15 | Firing Pin, Rim Fire | 48-0 | Safety Spring | 18-3 |
26 | Firing Pin Spring | 173 | Sear 'See note below | 18-5 |
7610 | Forend Complete (Octagon) | 20 | Sear Pin | 7-5 |
7612 | Forend Complete (Bull) | 25 Hansen summed up his review by declaring the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions 'junky, janky and inferior'. https://alexinis.tistory.com/5. | Sear Spring | 172-1 |
7614 | Forend Complete (Super 14) | 56 | Sear Plunger | 43-0 |
7616 | Forend Complete (Super 16) | 202 | Front Sight Ramp 10 & 14' Barrel | 88B |
96-2 | Forend Screw 10', Rear Super 14 | 202A | Front Sight Ramp 16'Barrel | 9184 |
& Rear Super 16 | 200 | Front Sight Blade (Specify Cal. and Bbl Length) | 89-1 | |
32-1A | Forend Screw Front Super 14 & Super 16 | 200A | Front Sight Blade 16' Specify Caliber | 73 |
33A | Forend Bushing 16' | 206 | Front Sight Blade Pin Live wallpaper and daydream displaying the latest and greatest imagery from 500px.com, highly configurable. Download super su zip for marshmallow. Download and Root with SuperSU Zip using Custom Recovery [v2.82 APK and Zip] By Abd Razaaq updated November 2, 2018 Updated on October 04, 2018: it's time to say GoodBye to the legend made SuperSU by Chainfire. Official SuperSU website, SuperSU - The World’s best root access management tools provider providing the most professional access management software for users around the world. | 10 |
33B | Forend Washer Contender | 201 | Front Sight Screw, Rear | 9175 |
7507 | Grip | 202-5 | Front Sight Screw, Front | 9181 |
60-2 | 200-5 | Frt. Sight Complete (Specify Cal. 10' & 14' Bbl) | 10 | |
42-5 | Grip Cap Srews (3) | 200-5A | Front Sight Complete 16' Bbl. (Secify Caliber) | |
35 | Grip Screw | 75-0 | Rear Sight Base | |
34 | Grip Screw Lock Washer | 41-A | Rear Sight Mounting Screw | |
38 | Trigger Guard Stop Screw | 91 | Rear Sight Spiral Pivot Pin |
SEE WARNING on Page 20
PART NAME
Rear Sight Elevation Spring Rear Sight Elevation Screw Rear Sight Detent Ball
Rear Sight Blade Sub Assy W/Low Blade 145' Rear Sight Blade Sub Assy W/Med Blade 230' Rear Sight Blade Sub Assy W/High Blade 330' Rear Sight Complete (Specify Cal. & Bbl Length) Striker
Sriker Pin 'See note below
Striker Spring
Trigger 'See note below
Trigger Tension Screw 'See note below
Trigger Guard 'See note below
Trigger Guard Pivot Pin 'See note below
Trigger Guard Pivot Pin Clip 'See note below
Trigger Pin 'See note below
Trigger Plunger 'See note below
Trigger Spring 'See note below
Interlock Screw
Trigger Guard Assembly 'See note below
Inter-Lock Safety
Inter-Lock Safety Spring
Barrel Assembly Complete See Catalog
Internal Choke Tube 45/410
Barrel Assy complete See Catalog
NOTE: Parts followed by an asterisk are for current production Contender Pistols only which incorporate the new 'Easy Open' design feature. These parts will lit Contender Pistols with serial numbers of 195,000 or higher. For early model Contender Pistols (serial numbers lower than 195.000) use the same part numbers but indicate 'Old Model' on your purchase order. Owners of early model Contenders which have been converted to 'Easy Open' design should order those parts designated with an asterisk,
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Serial Numbers For Thompson Contender Barrels
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