Cali problems with T/C contender?

[OPP4]

Thinking of picking up a Thompson Center Contender G2 Rifle, preferably in 17hmr to start. Then pick up an extra big bore barrel at some point down the road. Cali doesnt have any problems with this, as it is considered a carbine does it? I mean... its a freakin single shot....

Thinkin of getting one of these for the shear handiness of having multiple calibers at a relatively inexpensive price. Or im just gonna get the Taurus 17hmr revolver.

[Overkill]

nope- no problem

[22popnsplat]

I would suggest that you buy one in handgun , it is legal to convert it to a rifle and back to a pistol .It is not legal if you buy it as rifle and convert it to a pistol though .
Beware though , this tends to turn into a addiction . I started with a pistol in .223 that will out shoot many rifles , I now have 3 frames and about a dozen barrels and many are excellent shooters

[OPP4]

I would suggest that you buy one in handgun , it is legal to convert it to a rifle and back to a pistol .It is not legal if you buy it as rifle and convert it to a pistol though .
Beware though , this tends to turn into a addiction . I started with a pistol in .223 that will out shoot many rifles , I now have 3 frames and about a dozen barrels and many are excellent shooters

Hahaha.... thats pretty much what i was expecting to happen with me. From what i have seen so far a ready to fire unit will be around $500? Then additional barrels are from $200-300? Sound about right?

I am perfectly fine with not having a large mag at my disposal as i will be doing mostly target shooting. Just the thought of being able to backpack a 17hmr, any big bore i choose, and a 410 shotgun, if i were to ever go out in country, all with one gun is very appealing!

[22popnsplat]

Actually a complete contender pistol starts at about $375 used on the web , If you are intersted in the high pressure rounds you may consider a encore and they do start at about the $500 range .
The older contender has a better trigger setup than the newer G-2 or the encore . The contender and g-2 are pretty limited as to how much pressure they can handle but in pistol from they will do anything i want with the likes of 45-70 , 375jdj or a 7-08 witch are still decent rifle cartridges .The encore will handle alot more but its a combination of case head diamter and pressure and the encore is not recommended for some of the wsm cartridges but will handle this, watch the videos below, Actually in the first video I doubt that the brass was properly sized and thats why he is having a hard time closing the action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea_Q8C_67jY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-azBz0DGuu8&feature=related

[Quiet]

Only problem in CA...
No less than 18" .45LC/.410 barrels for the T/C Contender.

Under CA law, with a less than 18" .45LC/.410 barrel installed, the T/C Contender becomes a SBS.


CA Penal Code 12020(c)
(1) As used in this section, a "short-barreled shotgun" means any of the following:
(A) A firearm which is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell and having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(B) A firearm which has an overall length of less than 26 inches and which is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell.
(C) Any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(D) Any device which may be readily restored to fire a fixed shotgun shell which, when so restored, is a device defined in subparagraphs (A) to (C) inclusive.
(E) Any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended to convert a device into a device defined in subparagraphs (A) to (C) inclusive, or any combination of parts from which a device defined in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, can be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person.

[ojisan]

What about the .44Mag / .44 shotshell (on.44 mag case) barrels (w/ the add on choke) ?

[22popnsplat]

You are right about the short shotgun barrel , From what i have heard its not really very good as a shotgun at only 14 inches long and because the chamber is long it makes a pretty poor 45 colt barrel also . There has been a few people that have used it as a 450 mongo , pretty much a 444 case blown out to 45 caliber. they also have standard 45 colt barrel . the contender will handle the 44mag no problem , even the 445 supermag but I have never heard steller reports on shotshell barrels either

[OPP4]

Only problem in CA...
No less than 18" .45LC/.410 barrels for the T/C Contender.

Under CA law, with a less than 18" .45LC/.410 barrel installed, the T/C Contender becomes a SBS.

Good to know... Thought the 410 was a nice touch to add to the lineup but i, personally wasnt gonna go for one. Already have a Saiga 410. Which im sure i wont be able to shoot anywhere in cali soon enough.

I got my money together today. Gonna do some more research tonight then pick one up tomorrow or monday. Errr i mean order, then wait my 10 days. Starting off with the 17hmr. It comes in a 14" barrel for the pistol version. Add a thumbhole stock to it. Scope it up, and see how she runs.

[JTROKS]

So true what 22popnsplat posted. Contenders/G2 are great, unless you really want to have some fun with 450 Marlin loads, then get an Encore. I have an older TC Contender and the fun never stops. Something about it when i hunt with a single shot.

[OPP4]

So true what 22popnsplat posted. Contenders/G2 are great, unless you really want to have some fun with 450 Marlin loads, then get an Encore. I have an older TC Contender and the fun never stops. Something about it when i hunt with a single shot.

Thats what im sayin! If i ever do get out for a hunt, it just seems more sportsman like to do some stalkin and get in close, or close enough, and just have that one shot. Even for just target shooting. Not allowed to go rapid fire anyways. I have a winchester bolt action 22 that i love to peices. It gets me by just fine.

Thank you everyone for all the imput by the way...

[AraiGuma]

What about the .44Mag / .44 shotshell (on.44 mag case) barrels (w/ the add on choke) ?

Fine. They are not shotshells by their original design of cartridge.

[mattman]

I was told by a local gun shop that I could not only purchase the TC pistol frame. It must be purchased as a completed handgun with barrel. Does anyone know what law allows for this? I can't find anything so far.

[dfletcher]

After some initial confusion - I know for certain one person who bought a new from dealer stock Encore handgun frame only - the general consensus is you must buy it with a barrel. The law states the gun must be greater than 10" OAL (I think that's the length) when a barrel is attached. I read that to mean WHEN a barrel is attached not that one must be attached when sold - but I'm severely outvoted by smarter people.

Now whether that can be finessed, you "sell" your 223 Remington barrel to an FFL and he "sells" it back to you as part of a completed gun, who knows. Most likely I'd guess the FFL will require you to buy a barrel. What T/C owner doesn't need an additional barrel, right?

[OPP4]

I was told by a local gun shop that I could not only purchase the TC pistol frame. It must be purchased as a completed handgun with barrel. Does anyone know what law allows for this? I can't find anything so far.

I just purchased a frame only from Markleys in watsonville. Contender G2. Had a barrel on order along with it, but found a better pirce online and cancelled it. They had no problem.

However when i talked to another gun store in San Jose, they said that the reason for having both the frame and barrel is because legally they have to do a safety and function presentation with the weapon when they sell it, and it needs to be complete. Now he didnt say i HAVE to buy from them. Just that there needs to be a complete firearm for the presentation before i can leave the store with it.

So you can buy a barrel anywhere you want and just bring it in with you for the pickup. I saved $100 by finding one online! I can pick up my frame on Wednesday. Im gitty as a schoolgirl.