TC contender (original)

[Destry]

I have a Tc contender that I bought off gun broker and when I got it I was having light strike issues so I bought all new springs and replaced them all except for the hammer spring which I had a hard time getting in, so I took it to the only local gunsmith that would take it and try to work on it. I got the gun back and now it won't even fire. It's not even indenting the primer so something isn't right, does anybody know what it could be or even a good gunsmith that knows something about these guns? BTW this is an original contender handgun

[critter69]

They have a rim fire also. I know some of them had a lever and some were down inside the hammer. Hope that makes sence.

[Draco]

There is a little knob on the hammer that you turn one way for center fire and the other way for rim fire. It is probably just on the rim fire position.

[Destry]

Thanks for the input. I forgot to mention that I'm not new to these guns I have several center fire barrels and a 22

[Destry]

Mine has the selector on the face of the hammer

[cwill]

There is a little knob on the hammer that you turn one way for center fire and the other way for rim fire. It is probably just on the rim fire position.

Or in the center position which will not fire center or rimfire? Funny story about this. I loaned my 44 Mag contender pistol to a buddy to hopefully get his first pistol kill. A good buck walked out and CLICK! He opened and closed it so he could cock it again and CLICK! Deer walks off never to be seen again. After numerous dirty texts about how I loaned him a piece of junk I asked him about the selector switch. Sure enough he had messed with it and put it in the center position. LOL

[cwill]

I'd contact Bellm TC's and ask your question there. He's the guru.

[Destry]

Yea I'm going to call them tomorrow just wanted to see if anybody knew what it might be

[springer222]

Ensure barrel "locking lugs" are engaging the "safety interlock" on the frame releasing the "hammer block". From Bellm's site - a better explanation - http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=163

Also, page 6 has a diagram of the block - http://stevespages.com/pdf/thompsoncenter_contender.pdf

[mmoses]

Ditto on Bellm. He will point you in the right direction

[Destry]

Ok thanks

[Cajun Blake]

Mine has the selector on the face of the hammer

there are several versions (generations) of the original Contender frame

Gen 1 (not pictured) - firing pin selector is like a screw head in the face of the hammer, turned with a screwdriver.

Gen 2 - selector is an elongated pin running from right to left across the hammer. Push one way for rimfire, back the other way for centerfire. Sort of like the safety on a Rem 870. (top pic)

Gen 3 - built into safety selector on top of hammer for RF or CF (bottom pic)


I agree with others, send it to Bellm and have Mike work his magic. Trigger job and tuning with proper springs

[Destry]

I called mike and he isn't taking any guns at this time. I just got off the phone with SSK industries and I am going to send it to them

[jnors06]

i sent mine that was having similar issues back to thompson center and they did not charge anything to replace all the springs and get it working. been shooting great ever since.

My problems were with firing pin block no falling when the barrel was closed.

[RJH1]

Ensure barrel "locking lugs" are engaging the "safety interlock" on the frame releasing the "hammer block". From Bellm's site - a better explanation - http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=163

Also, page 6 has a diagram of the block - http://stevespages.com/pdf/thompsoncenter_contender.pdf

This is your problem. You can usually file a small amount on the top of your locking lugs so they will engage further. If you would rather have a pro look at it, you can send it to T/C they will fix it free because of warranty. Although the barrels are interchangeable, sometimes they are not. You said that you were not new to the guns, so if you have another frame/barrel try switching them, many times one frame/barrel combo will work where another will not.