Henry Rifle Forums

Although I shoot my TC Contenders every week, I promised to only post about them every now and then when I think it might be of interest to others. Here's an example.




This is a sweet Contender carbine in 223. The frame serial number dates it to 1989. Without an actual invoice, there's no way to say if the other parts came with the gun when it was sold, but the stock and barrel are vintage correct for 1989. The most impressive thing about the gun, other than its beautiful wood, is that it absolutely shows no sign of having been fired. Got it at an estate auction, a week or so, ago, for well under the going price and the carbine versions of the Contender are hard to find. They're far less common than the pistol versions. I added the Leupold VX-2, 2-7x and we took it to the range, today, for a quick sight in.

Did a quick rough in on the scope adjustment at 25 yards, then turned the Contender to 50 yards to continue. Shot a couple in the same hole, so figured, why not just keep on shooting? Keep in mind that this is no benchrest rifle. Even with the scope, these Contender carbines still don't break six pounds in weight. Note, too, that the ammo is no premium grade 223 varmint stuff. Nope just plain old AE FMJs which we buy in bulk for the sake of practice. For fancy groups, we shoot the more expensive varmint stuff.


Couple of clicks to the left and called it good. Will return another day to give this sweet Contender carbine more of a workout.


Light, compact, very little recoil, amazingly accurate and good looking to boot. Doesn't get any sweeter than that.

Looks like a very accurate carbine. And yes the wood is very nice indeed. You made short work of that target.

Wow, really nice .223..........

Nice find, and very nice target... excellent shooting.

I have looked for either a Contender or a Ruger Number One in 223... on the used racks. The only ones I have come across either look like they fell off a 4x4 going down the interstate; or have been priced like they are one of a kind... asking more than retail. Meh... I'm in no hurry.

Ruger No 1 prices have been going up ever since Ruger has gone to a limited production, only, schedule. The other thing I can tell you, from personal experience, is that accuracy with Number 1 rifles is unpredictable. There are some accuracy enhancements that can be done to get any No 1 to shoot, but if you're expecting to just grab any No 1 and start shooting excellent groups, you may be disappointed. We bought a used 1B in 223 and that was our experience. Just didn't have time for another project gun, so we quickly traded it off.

With the Contenders, on the other hand (and we have four barrels in 223), what you see in my post is pretty typical. My 14" 223 pistol barrel will shoot sub MOA at 100 yards with any varmint grade ammo. Be warned, though, with Contender pistols, there are techniques to learn to shoot them with such accuracy. The rifles and carbines, though, are pretty much standard fare as far as techniques. This also applies to Encore pistols and rifles, any the way.

The TC Contender 'whisperer' speaks again. Every time I see one of your reports I want to run out and buy one.

I'm a bad influence.

Thanks for the input. I noticed the reviews on the number 1 were varied on accuracy... sort of luck of the draw.

You're very welcome. They are beautiful guns, regardless.