Due to the changes in the trigger mechanism, and to differences in the angle of the grip relative to the boreline of the gun, the buttstocks and pistol grips are different between the G1 and G2 Contenders and will not interchange. The G2 Contender is essentially dimensionally the same as the original Contender, but uses an Encore style trigger group. The original Contender, now known as the generation one (G1) Contender, was replaced by the G2 Contender soon after the Encore came out. There are other slight differences among the rifles including the breech plug on muzzleloader versions.
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In 2007, Encore rimfire barrels became available in 22 LR and 17 HMR, featuring a unique monoblock design that required no alteration to the frame assembly.Īn upgraded Encore is called the Pro Hunter which generally includes stocks with rubber "Flex Tech" inserts and are stainless or carbon steel with weather shielding. 50 caliber, and 12 gauge using #209 shotgun primers. The Encore barrel list also includes shotgun barrels in 28, 20, and 12 gauge, and muzzleloading barrels in. There has even been one pistol-length stainless barrel made in. The Encore uses a considerably larger and stronger frame than the Contender, and accordingly, is found in over 86 cartridges - ranging from. The Encore uses a different trigger mechanism, designed to be stronger than the original Contender's and to make the break-action easier to open. This allowed for easy changes of calibers, sights, and barrel lengths, with only a flat screwdriver being required for change-out. A barrel of another caliber can be installed and pinned in place, the fore-end replaced, and the pistol is ready to shoot with a different barrel and pre-aligned sights. Since the sights and extractor remain attached to the barrel in the Contender design, the frame itself contains no cartridge-specific features. By removing the fore-end a large hinge pin is exposed, by pushing this hinge pin out, the barrel can be removed. The first unique feature is the way the barrel is attached to the frame. The Contender, first introduced in 1967, is a break-action, single-shot pistol or rifle with a number of unique features. Main article: Thompson/Center Contender Contender in 45 Colt/.410 with ventilated rib Opening and closing the break-open action is accomplished by squeezing the outside bottom of the trigger guard toward the grip/buttstock, at which time the action opens, and an extractor manually extracts the cartridge. 22 LR, subsequent handgun developments by Thompson/Center led to a wider range of interchangeable barrels for use with many more cartridges. Originally designed only for interchangeable barrels in. Their break-action, single-shot design brought rifle-like accuracy and power in a handgun, which was a new concept at the time. Thompson/Center's success came with the emergence of long range handgun hunting, target shooting, and, especially, metallic silhouette shooting. įollowing the closure of Thompson/Center arms in Rochester, New Hampshire, Thompson Investment Casting opened in the same town continuing production of metal products for various companies including Smith & Wesson. On December 8, 2010, Smith & Wesson announced that the original Rochester, New Hampshire, plant would be closed and manufacturing was transferred to Springfield, Massachusetts. On January 4, 2007, Thompson/Center was purchased by Smith & Wesson. Then, in 1970, Thompson/Center created the modern black powder industry, introducing Warren Center's Hawken-styled black powder muzzle-loader rifle. Thompson Tool began marketing Center's Contender pistol, the company name was changed to Thompson/Center Arms Company.
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Although it sold for more than comparable hunting revolvers, the flexibility of being able to shoot multiple calibers by simply changing out the barrel and sights and its higher accuracy soon made it popular with handgun hunters. Thompson Tool Company, and together, they announced Warren Center's Contender pistol in 1967. Thompson Tool Company had been searching for a product to manufacture year-round. In the 1960s, Warren Center developed an unusual break-action, single-shot pistol in his basement workshop that later became known as the Contender. Thompson/Center also manufactured muzzle-loading rifles and was credited with creating the resurgence of their use in the 1970s.
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The company was best known for its line of interchangeable-barrel, single-shot pistols and rifles. Thompson/Center Arms was an American firearms company based in Springfield, Massachusetts.