TC Contender in California

[Mike A]

Can anyone tell me about the legal status of the TC Contender G2 CARBINE in California? (I have no interest in the handgun version).

1) I've been told that a dealer can't sell me just the action and stock and forend as they are commonly sold in other states? True? Why?

2) I've been told that the .410 shotgun version with 23" barrel is not legal in CA. True? Why? (Seems to me just like a regular .410 single, just better finished and more expensive....)

3) I've also been told that the 23" .410 barrel can't be "imported" into CA (TC sells these separately as an accessory to the carbine in every other state). True?

Is any of this true, or was the gunshop employee I was talking to confusing the .410/.45LC PISTOL barrel with the full-length SHOTGUN barrel?

When was the last time a Contender was used in a crime? Doesn't seem like it would be a weapon-of-choice for criminals....

Any FACTS you can share would be greatly appreciated. I left DOJ Firearms section an email asking these questions, but assume some of you might know and get back to me faster than they will.

[ke6guj]

1) Normally, people want the "pistol" version stripped, and those can't be sold unless complete, so it may be confusion that the rifle version is the same way. EVen though we can be stripped rifle receivers for just about anything else.

2) haven't heard about that.

3) Haven't heard about that either. ONe possible reason may be that overall length with the 23" barrel and a pistol grip may be close to the 26" minimum OAL, but I dunno.

[dfletcher]

The action & stock of a T/C handgun can't be sold without a barrel, the handgun has to be sold with a barrel to make the OAL requirement that exempts the T/C handgun from the safe gun roster. Really not aware of any restriction on the rifle, but have to admit I've never seen a rifle action only for sale in CA - always came with a barrel.

FWIW, I just did an "almost complete" order for the 410 barrel - got to the point where the little Midway "you can't buy this" pop up would appear - with no problem, I know of no restriction on a 23" shotgun barrel in CA. Perhaps someone has this T/C shotgun barrel confused with their short barreled 45 LC/410 barrel, which is banned in CA as a short barreled shotgun?

[BigBamBoo]

.............

[Mike A]

thanks for the inputs.

A 23" barrelled Contender with the handgun grip on it is WAY over 26" long, so that can't be it.....

Anyone actually bought a Contender CARBINE here recently? Experience? (I can fix the trigger.....but not if I can't buy the gun!).

[dfletcher]

I just bought a Encore frame and stock...no barrel.

Now I was told by ONE gun store that they can not sell CONTENDER's in CA. anymore...not sure if they are right or not.

I can tell you that the trigger on a stock Contender and Encore are terrible...the one on my Encore was almost 8 lbs.!

I sent it off to Jim Hendershot at SHOTS in OR. and it now has a 2 1/2 lb. trigger that has no creep and breaks like glass.

Take care,Stan

A Contender handgun would have the same "safe list" exemption as the Encore. I haven't seen any G2 Contender rifles for sale, I can only guess that most folks want the Encore. A Contender rifle would again be just a slightly smaller version of the Encore.

Jim Hendershot does great work - he's actually my friend's next door neighbor up in Grants Pass, great rep for quality work and honest as hell.

[CHS]

You can legally buy contender/encore pistols/rifles in CA.

In SoCal, Turners carries contender/encore pistols, and the Stockade carries all the pistols and rifles. If the Stockade carries them, then most likely Fowlers gun room has them also.

I know you've stated that you aren't interested in the pistols, but I would very much recommend that you buy a pistol contender/encore simply for the ability to switch it back and forth between rifle and pistol config. This gives you the most options with the firearm.

[CHS]

I can only guess that most folks want the Encore.

As a rifle, the Encore frame makes more sense since it's built to handle much bigger, higher-pressure loads than the Contender frame.

Plus, barrels pretty much cost the same.