Make: Thompson Center Arms

Model: Contender Stainless

Serial Number: TCA 94 004

Year of Manufacture: Based on the serial number, we suspect this pistol was produced in 1994.

Caliber: Two barrels are included chambered for 7-30 Waters and .38 Special.

Action Type: Break-Action Single-Shot Pistol

Barrel Length: 10". The 7-30 Waters barrel is a tapered round profile, the .38 Special barrel is a tapered octagon profile.

Sights / Optics: The 7-30 Waters has a blade front sight pinned to a serrated, ramped base screwed to the front of the barrel and a fully adjustable square notch rear sight fixed to the barrel.

The .38 Special barrel has a blade front sight integral to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel and a fully adjustable square notch rear sight screwed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece wood with a smooth schnabel forend, checkered square-profile pistol grip with a thumb-shelf for a right-handed shooter and a silver plate on the butt. The stocks have a few light marks, most are concentrated on the bottom-rear edge of the grip. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The plate on the butt has some discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Stainless Steel, the .38 Special barrel is blued.

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the .38 Special barrel is an earlier production part.

Bore Condition: The 7-30 Waters bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

The .38 Special bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some tool chatter across the lands. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8-9/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not installed the .38 Special barrel. As it is an earlier part, it may require fitting to function properly with this frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a wood display case, with a TC logo on the interior of the lid.

Our Assessment: The Thompson Center Contender is a versatile and renowned single-shot firearm known for its unique design and modularity. Introduced in 1967 by Thompson/Center Arms, it has become a favorite among hunters, target shooters, and firearms enthusiasts for its ability to quickly and easily switch barrels, calibers, and even grip styles. Users can switch between a wide variety of different calibers, lengths, and profiles without the need for specialized tools. This allows the Contender to be configured as a handgun or a rifle, depending on the user’s preference and the specific application, from small rimfire rounds like .22 LR to powerful centerfire cartridges like .45-70 Government.

Overall, the Thompson Center Contender stands out as a unique and highly adaptable firearm. This example comes with two 10" barrels, one chambered for 7-30 Waters and the other for .38 Special. The 7-30 Waters is based on the .30-30 necked down to 7mm, making for a nice flat-shooting cartridge with a rim for positive extraction. Along with its attractive display case, this is a nice find for the Contender enthusiast. Please see our photos and good luck!