In 1965, K. W. Thompson Tool was looking for a product to build and a gun designer, Warren Center, was looking for someone to build his Contender®pistol. It was a perfect match. The facilities at K. W. Thompson Tool were expanded and Thompson/Center Arms was formed. Two years later, the first Contender Pistol was shipped, starting a trend in high performance hunting handguns, which continues to grow every year. To date, over 400,000 Contender pistols have beenshipped and the pistol’s reputation for versatility, accuracy and dependability goes unchallenged among serious handgun shooters.

Since the production of the initial Contender Pistol, the company has expanded its facilities and product line numerous times. In 1970, Thompson/Center entered the Black Powder market with the introduction of their first muzzleloading rifle, the Hawken. Muzzleloading interest at the time was minimal and the market needed a quality rifle, which could not only be shot but couldbe purchased at a reasonable price. Original or antique rifles were selling for high prices and most collectors opted not to fire these pieces. The T/C Hawken™ was the first of many muzzleloader types for Thompson/Center.

Currently, Thompson/Center produces an extensive line of single shot pistols and rifles, plus a full line of muzzleloading rifles and “black powder” accessories.

G2 Contender

The old-style Contender Pistol has been redesigned. Now called the G2 Contender (2nd generation), it continues to be the most versatile hunting pistol on the market, with the capabilities of accepting both rimfire and centerfire barrels. In addition to the G2 Contender Pistol, T/C also produces a G2 Contender Rifle, again boasting readily interchangeable barrels. Sporting a 23” barrel and weighing only 5.4 pounds, there isn’t a handier, more versatile rifle anywhere.

The overall success of the Contender Pistol, and the reputation it established, led the company to bring out a slightly larger version, with a longer and thicker frame. Called the Encore®, this pistol/rifle accepts the larger, high-powered cartridges popular with hunters who want more power at extended ranges.

Over the last 15 years, the sport of “black powder” hunting has increased dramatically — as have hunters’ demands. Generally not interested in the nostalgia, which accompanies the guns of the 1800’s, these hunters want modern designs, better accuracy at extended ranges, and easier cleaning. Although Thompson/Center continues to offer our first muzzleloader, the Hawken, most of the muzzleloaders T/C offers today are modern in-line styles. These modern muzzleloaders are capable of accepting magnum charges of 150 grains of FFG Black Powder, or Pyrodex® equivalent (i.e.: three each of 50 grain [50 caliber]
Pyrodex pellets).

Gregg Ritz