Thomson/Center Contender

[xl_target]

Last weekend, I was at an open house at one of the clubs I belong to. They mostly shoot trap there but a bunch of us usually get together and shoot handguns by the river area on one side of the property.
One guy brought along a really interesting handgun. It was a Thomson/Center Contender, which is a single shot break-open design with an easily replaceable barrel. Barrels are made in a number of different calibers.
This one was chambered in 7.62 X 39.

I was apprehensive about firing the round in a handgun as the SKS and AK variants that I have fired do have some kick to them. Interestingly, the recoil was very moderate but there was a huge fireball out the muzzle when it was fired. Also it was very accurate when handheld from about 30 yards.
We didn't have the opportunity to try it at any further distances. It was also surprisingly easy to hold it steady using a two handed hold. The trigger was VERY crisp with no overtravel.

These guns can also be had in rifle form.
Here is their website: http://www.tcarms.com/

[Vikram]

XL,

Shooting that gun must have been great fun. The fireball must be all that unburnt powder from the short barrel.Did you try to take a photograph of it in the dusk?

Thanks for sharing.

Best-
Vikram

[xl_target]

XL,

Shooting that gun must have been great fun. The fireball must be all that unburnt powder from the short barrel.Did you try to take a photograph of it in the dusk?

Thanks for sharing.

Best-
Vikram

Vikram,
Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me.
However, even at 2 pm, the fireball was impressive and very visible. I can only imagine what it would have looked like after dark.
The gentleman who owned it said he was tired of the inaccuracy of the slugs that we are required to hunt whitetail deer with (in this part of the state).
He said he bought it especially for deer hunting.