Thompson Center Contender questions

[scottk]

Hi, I am not new to firearms but new to the TC's.    I have the opportunity to purchase a used TC Contender, serial no. 292124.   It comes with Pachmayr fore arm and hand grips.   It has one 30-30 14 inch barrel with 1000 rounds thru it.   This caliber will be perfect for whitetail deer in PA.  It also has a Leupold M8 4x scope with Leupold mounts, a hammer extension, and a good trigger.   It also has a leather shoulder holster that is right handed but it wont do me any good as im left handed.    It does have a fair amount of holster wear on the end of the barrel and the trigger guard.  The barrel does not have have fouling or pitting.   He wants $540 shipped for it.    Does this seem like a good price?   Should I look around more or should I try to haggle?   Thanks in advance.

[Flash]

$540 shipped? You are buying it without seeing it? Someone's version of good condition might be your worst nightmare so be cautious. See if you can at least get pictures. I think that's too much personally. A frame will sell for around $175 to $200 with a grip installed. The barrel usually sells for another $175. Mounts and rings will be around $25 to $30. The scope should set you back between $125 and $150. This is a total of $555 on the high end and having a choice of calibers. I would pass on that deal and keep looking.

[RWD]

most definately........pass on it. Entirely too much.

[scottk]

Thanks  Flash.   Yes its $540 shipped.   He sent me pics and the barrel is worn pretty good by the muzzle and the more I looked at the pics the more I felt I was going to pass.    There are alot of gun shops around here so ill look around and besides deer season is a ways away.  Thanks again for your opinion.

[Redhawk1]

I would have to say it is on the high side. Closer to $450.00 sounds about right. JMHO :-)

[SLAVAGE]

sorry i dont see 1000 round of 30-30 in any thing being that good of condition but at that price nope spend about 150 more an you can get a deal on a hole new package with the scope

[hardertr]

If you're looking for a used Contender...check the pawn shops.  Most of the time, if they have one, it has been there for a while because they don't seem to move very fast.  You can probably talk them down to $300-$350 for any set-up in the case.  Then you can spend an extra $150 on your choice of an extra barrel or a new scope.

Definitely don't spend more than $350 on anything that even LOOKS like it might have been shot alot!  There are just too many other good deals out there this time of the year (WAY before deer season, but just long enough after the CHRISTmas rush to pawn guns for cash :wink:  )

[Catfish]

I bought an older Contender with 3 barrels and a T/C scope one 1 of the barrels for $450. Not cherry but a real good shooting .357 mag. as it was set up. Doubt that you`ll find one that cheap. I also have a 14 in .30-30 barrel I got in a trade. It was new when I got it and I think I shot it about 5 times. I would recomand you get an Encore frame if your going to go with a .30-30 or any round that has more recoil than a .357 mag. They have so much less felt recoil than the Contender.

[scottk]

Hey guys, thanks for all your help.  I did pass on this paritcular pistol and ill look around for something else.    I think ill stick with the Contender and not the Encore as I dont see myself needing anything bigger than a 30/30 for deer.   I hunt in north east PA and im lucky if im shooting 75 yards.

[rickyp]

with the encore you can get a factroy 209x50 barrel handgun barrel. with the contender you must go  totaly custom barrel.

[Bim]

Trust me! You'll end up with more than a Contender. I see lots of barrels and an Encore frame in your future. LOL

[Keith L]

I don't "need" an Encore either.  But that doesn't mean I don't want one.