Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this excellent break-action single-shot pistol today for a penny-start auction, this is the Thompson Center Contender!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Thompson Center
Model: Contender
Serial: 3830209
Caliber: .357 Remington Maximum
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 10"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Adjustable Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wood Grip with Finger Grooves and Thumb Rest
Action: Break-Action / Single-Shot
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Thompson/Center Contender, introduced in 1967 by Thompson/Center Arms, is a break-action, single-shot firearm designed to function as either a pistol or a rifle. Known for its exceptional versatility, it can be chambered in cartridges ranging from the small .22 Long Rifle to the powerful .45-70 Government. One of the Contender’s most innovative features is its interchangeable barrel system. By removing the fore-end, the hinge pin securing the barrel to the frame is exposed; once pushed out, the barrel can be detached. Because the sights and extractor remain mounted to the barrel itself, the frame carries no cartridge-specific components. This allows shooters to install a barrel of another caliber or length, reattach the fore-end, and have a firearm ready to fire—with properly aligned sights—using nothing more than a flat screwdriver. The frame also houses two firing pins with a hammer-mounted selector, enabling the shooter to choose between rimfire and centerfire operation, or to set the hammer in a safe position where neither firing pin can strike a primer. The earliest Contender design lacked this safety option, requiring a screwdriver to switch between rimfire and centerfire. Over time, three distinct variants of the original Contender were developed, each identifiable by the hammer design.
Model: Contender
Serial: 3830209
Caliber: .357 Remington Maximum
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 10"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Adjustable Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wood Grip with Finger Grooves and Thumb Rest
Action: Break-Action / Single-Shot
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Thompson/Center Contender, introduced in 1967 by Thompson/Center Arms, is a break-action, single-shot firearm designed to function as either a pistol or a rifle. Known for its exceptional versatility, it can be chambered in cartridges ranging from the small .22 Long Rifle to the powerful .45-70 Government. One of the Contender’s most innovative features is its interchangeable barrel system. By removing the fore-end, the hinge pin securing the barrel to the frame is exposed; once pushed out, the barrel can be detached. Because the sights and extractor remain mounted to the barrel itself, the frame carries no cartridge-specific components. This allows shooters to install a barrel of another caliber or length, reattach the fore-end, and have a firearm ready to fire—with properly aligned sights—using nothing more than a flat screwdriver. The frame also houses two firing pins with a hammer-mounted selector, enabling the shooter to choose between rimfire and centerfire operation, or to set the hammer in a safe position where neither firing pin can strike a primer. The earliest Contender design lacked this safety option, requiring a screwdriver to switch between rimfire and centerfire. Over time, three distinct variants of the original Contender were developed, each identifiable by the hammer design.
The first used a push-button selector for rimfire or centerfire; the second featured a left-center-right toggle switch for centerfire, safe, or rimfire; and the third employed a horizontal bolt selector for the same functions. All three variants were engraved with a cougar on the sides of the receiver—a hallmark distinguishing them from the later G2 Contender, which has smooth receiver sides without the cougar motif. A handful of the earliest screwdriver-selectable models also had smooth-sided receivers with no engraving. The original Contender further distinguished itself with an adjustable trigger system. Shooters could fine-tune both take-up and over-travel, allowing adjustment across a wide spectrum of trigger pulls—from a firm pull suitable for hunting conditions to a near “hair trigger” ideal for precision target shooting.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
