Contender Opens Prematurely

straightShot

New member
I have a single shot, 10" barrel AA-II Thompson Center Contender that opens at the breech when firing factory .44 mag ammo such as UMC. With factory .44 mag loads that seem a little hotter, it happens all the time. With factory ammo that doesn't have quite as much punch, it doesn't happen. I've had the gun 15 years and have only fired a few hundred rounds through it.

I've never been hurt, and accuracy appears ok, but it seems a little odd that the gun opens up upon firing. Any thoughts as to why this might be happening?

Thanks.

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NRA Life Member
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
 

George Stringer

Staff Alumnus
Straightshot, whatever TC calls their barrel catch needs to be deepened or replaced. This shouldn't be happening. Sounds like time for a visit to your local smith. If you don't have anyone near you feel free to e-mail me. George
 

straightShot

New member
George,

Thanks. I needed to know if it wasn't right, and I now know that it should be fixed. I'll send it to the manufacturer and let them fix it for me. I don't shoot it that often, so I won't miss it at the range.




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NRA Life Member
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
 

JoeHatley

New member
straightShot,

The older Contenders (pre easy opening modification) could be a real bear to open.

A couple of kitchen table gunsmith fixes were to shorten the bolt spring a couple of coils, and/or to file a slight bevel on the edge of the locking bolt.

T/C later came out with a free upgrade that corrected the hard opening models.

I'd make sure yours hasn't been worked over by someone who went a little too far.

Give T/C a call...

Joe


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