Just a quick Contender story...

[flyfisher]

My brother-in-law decided to go on a bear hunt in Maine.  He had never killed a bear and wanted to take one with a handgun.  He's a great shot with his .44 Mag wheelgun, but ran into some redtape when it came to transporting the gun (with 7 1/2" barrel).  He contacted the outfitter and found out that transporting my .375 Win with 14" barrel was much easier.  A few shots later, and he was convinced that he could handle what he referred to as "the beast".  To make a long story short, a 200 lb. bear was absolutely no problem for the .375.  One shot in the boiler room, and the bear never moved.  The Brother-in-law is extremely happy, as am I, since his next pistol is going to be a Contender or Encore.  He has now caught "the bug" and is convinced that the T/C pistols are all they are said to be.  

Isn't it wonderful to get someone interested in the T/C world, and isn't it wonderful to share such things as hunting and shooting with friends and family?  

Just wanted to share this with the T/C crowd, I knew that you guys would appreciate such a thing.

[Robert]

Once again...the Contender scared the crap out of me.  No-one was injured this time.  I was showing a freind how to shoot with my carbine.  She was starting to feel confident, opening the action and re-loading for herself.  Everything was going well, but she got mixed up, cocked the hammer before closing the action. I laid the hammer back down and told her she might have to open the action again before she could lock the hammer back.  Before I could stop her she pulled the hammer back and let it go.  KaBoom...luckily it was only a 357 Mag.....nobody would have gotten hurt too bad.  I will NEVER NEVER EVER AGAIN put an original CONTENDER in the hands of ANYONE that is not completely experienced with shooting and with this particular firearm and it's very deadly design flaw.  Get a G-2.  I am totally surprised that Thompson has not recalled EVERY CONTENDER and replaced them with G-2's.

[Gregory]

...luckily it was only a 357 Mag.....nobody would have gotten hurt too bad.

I can't believe what you just wrote :evil:

[poule d'eau]

I hate to rain on this fellows parade on the 375 post.
 But there is nothing wrong with a Contender. There are several different guns out there that suffer from similar situations. A lot of the hammer type guns and folks that are weak wristed and small hands don't get along very well. A lot of the single shot hammer shotguns could have the trigger pulled and thumb the hammer back and let it go, thinking it should stay back. More human error than gun in my book.

"   I laid the hammer back down and told her she might have to open the action again before she could lock the hammer back. Before I could stop her she pulled the hammer back and let it go. KaBoom...luckily it was only a 357 Mag.....nobody would have gotten hurt too bad. "

With that kind of statement and "knowing" the young lady was not familiar with the firearm at hand, you should have taken it and broken it open and started all over again. And as to a 357 mag and nobody would have gotten hurt too bad? I hope that was meant in a sarcastic way. Still not funny in my book. I don't mean to preach too you or any one else.
Saftey first. I don't know what type of frame you have, but most of them I believe did have a recall to install the hammer with the selector on the hammer, safe is in the middle, where it will not strike either firing pin.

If you should happen to turn her loose with a semi auto, make sure she is aware of how it works.
Jeff

[panman]

Robert,it seems like you need to learn about gun safty yourself.Giveing a loaded gun to someone that is not up yo date on how the gun works is careless,to the MAX.From what you wrote about the 357 you need to stop messin with guns ,peroid.Or learn from someone that KNOWS.pan

[Redhawk1]

Some times people just make me go hummmmmmmmm!  :eek:  I instructed my son about the contender and he was 100% confident and I was happy with his knowledge before I ever gave him a round to place in the chamber. If i did anything you described, I think it would be time for me to quit handling guns.  :roll:  JMHO

[fish]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Contenders. Everyone else can have the G2s and Encores but let me have your old Contenders. I have two Encores but they will NEVER replace my Contenders. While on this subject, Thompson Center Arms are the BEST firearms company -BAR NONE- in the good ole US of A. They stand behind and warranty everything they sell far better than any other U.S. manufacturer and who would buy any firearm made anywhere else? Thanks to Thompson Center for their great products, service and reliability.