The American Beagler Forum

anyone hunt with a tc 45/410 just woundering how you liked it thanks

I bought one last year and it is really fun to shoot but unless you are a good shot don't plan on hitting many rabbits.I don't kill many rabbits I go to run the dogs but have had dogs fight with groundhogs and other varmits so I got it to deal with any problems. I bought a shoulder holster and I really like carrying it. I used to set my gun aginst a tree and then go track it down with the contender it is always with me.

I have been hunting with T/C 410 for about four years,great fun. Also, in my case I hunt alone alot, and it for it makes handleing dogs much easier. Just put the gun in the shoulder holster, and you have both hands free to handle dogs.

I bought a Thompson Center Encore 410/45 about the middle of last year's season. I really like it. Both hands are free with the holster. Since i don't shoot till the dogs bring the rabbit around I can leave it in the holster and wait for them to get close before getting ready. i don't always hit them yet, but I'm getting better. Really it is a lot more fun than a regular shotgun if you aren't trying to kill everything out there. I laugh everytime I shoot at one. Dan

whats the ball park price for a TC 410?

400.00-450.00 bucks

I have been using the G2 Contender with the .410/.45 barrel in 16" for two years now and will not go back to a long gun. Before, when I shot a rabbit to smithereens with a 12 gouger, I lost my appetite for it when I field dressed it and ended up giving it away. Since I got the TC, I haven't given one away and I haven't had a bite of wasted meat. It is a blast to shoot, easy to carry (esp. when handling hounds) but takes some getting used to. You definitely need to practice on moving targets, as swinging with one hand is not a 33rd cousin to swinging a long gun. If I were in the market for a TC now I would buy a used action and order a barrel mail-order. Actions go for as low as $200 at times, with barrels around 200-250, depending on type. I messed up when I bought mine, as there was a used .44 mag in the showcase with a scope for $450. The dealer had been stuck with the 16" .410 barrel and offered it to me for an additional $100. I went back after checking around and it was LONG gone. Look around for used actions, barrels, etc. EBAY and flea markets in rural areas are good sources. I love my Contender and plan on buying different barrels for deer, etc. They are not for everyone (meat hunters) but for the hunter who loves the thrill of the chase and fair chase they are wonderful.

What is the difference between the Encore and the Contender?

When you say action, is it the same for a guns and you just add your barrel of choice?

What are your barrel length options for the .410?

Does it go in a shoulder holster or side holster?

Sorry so many questions, any information will help.

go to thompson fire arms web site, they have all the info for sure.

I'm not sure about the difference between the Encore and Contender, but I think that it has something to do with the Encore carrying certain heavier calibers in its rifle form. The action is the actual break down part of the gun with the trigger and hammer. You can either put a pistol grip (dozens of different ones) or rifle stock on the Contender. The G2 has a switch on the hammer that allows it to switch from centerfire to rimfire in 1 second. You can use dozens of different barrels of different calibers with the same action, from .17 up to the .400's. Barrel lengths are from 10" to 14", maybe 16, but I think you may have to find a used 16, because they may be discontinued. The gun goes into a shoulder holster that, because of weight, also has a belt loop to fasten it to your side to keep it from swinging. There's a company called EABCO that carries T/C and aftermarket barrels, scopes, forends (longer barrels use a different forend). They call it a forend, but its just a forearm like any single-shot breakdown. Look up EABCo online. Hope this helps, TN. The reason these guns are so popular with those who own them is because they are so versatile. When you have the action part, you can literally spend thousands on barrels and have dozens of different guns within a few minutes on hand. The only reason they aren't any more popular, I guess, is that they are single shot, which is perfect for the conscientious hunter, but for the hunter that relies on second and third shots, they aren't convenient.

the contender you can only use pistol barrels on them , the encore you can use rifle shotgun and muzzel loader barrels,,,,,the throat body is bigger on the encore,,,,,,i have a contender with a 44 mag i use to deer hunt but thought about using the 410 in the pistol but its not legal to use a handgun with smooth bore barrel,,,,i wont deer hunt with a shot gun ever again,,,,,,,,so guys lets see pics of your contenders and encores,,,,,,,

The T/C Contender can and does use both carbine and handgun barrels. Just be sure to not use the buttstock with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.

As noted earlier, the best place to find the differences between the Contender and the Encore, go to the TC website.

If you want to purchase complete guns or barrels, grips, forearms, and buttstocks go here;

http://www.edstc.com/edstc/index.html

I find it is best to call Ed on the telephone rather than email. He is a good guy and is very reasonable on shipping.

Tom aka rinkydink

correct,,,,,,,hangun barrels and rifle barrels will fit the contender,,,,,,and yes if you convert your pistol to a carbine it must have a 16'' barrel, but what i was saying was the contender and the encore is not the same because of the width on the barrel at the reciver a shotgun barrel or muzzel loader barrel will not fit a contender,,,

I have a snake charmer which I would compare to a contender it has a pistol grip with an 18 inch barrell I carry it in my case for my wildlife tracker/antenna system and have a hands free approach while handling dogs etc. I love it, the only problem is my accuracy is terrible I have made some incredible shots over the last few seasons and at the same time I have blown twice as many simple ones!! I will say that while these types of guns are alot of fun if you are the type of guy that is convinced that numbers translate into a successful hunt dont buy one! Kurt

My dad has an Encore he put the pistol grip and all the other stuff as well as the 410/45 barrel on it. He shot at a few rabbits never got any of them.


I shot a couple flying clay birds with it. Its a nice little gun.