Thompson Contender

[smokin54]

As many of you know you cannot walk into a gunstore and buy a new contender due to Kalifornias gunlaws ,You can purchase one private party though , As long as the person is a california resident , And you cannot buy it from out of state because in the private party transfer both parties must be present .
I just picked up a contender in .223 and am headed to the range soon.

[smokin54]

I went to range today with the contender and I was able to shoot 5 shots into 1 inch at 50 yards with blackhills ammo . I am sure I can do 5 shots into 1 inch at 100 yards with some practice and handloads . It did show the potential I just havent mastered the hold with it yet.

[coachdog]

Not to sound ignorant, but why are Contenders illegal here?

[JBarn3]

coachdog,

Effective January 1, 2001, no handgun may be manufactured within California, imported into California for sale, lent, given, kept for sale, or offered/exposed for sale unless that handgun model has passed firing, safety, and drop tests and is certified for sale in California by the Department of Justice. Private party transfers, curio/relic handguns, certain single-action revolvers, and pawn/consignment returns are exempt from this requirement.

I believe they are illegal because they are not on the DOJ approved handgun list. There are currently 725 models on the list, however this includes many variations of the same guns. Testing is required for each model number. This means seperate testing for a different finish. Certification on the list is good for 2 years, it must then be re tested.

[smokin54]

I am now hearing from a old freind that I ran into at the range that the encore pistol can be purchased in Calif as a curio if it is ordered in a caliber that is not offered as a factory loaded ammunition . His brother was there with him shooting his brand new .30 harreit encore pistol.
I guess its a matter of whats classed as a curio , I dont really know .

[Handcannon]

Hi Smokin,and welcome to the world of longrange handgunning. Don't know what barrel length ya got there but you'll soon find out that the 223 in a 14" barrel with a good 2x6 var power scope and slingin it will shoot that and better ###out to nearly 200 yds. Been shootin Contenders cals. .17 to 45-70 for awhile really like Joneses wildcats and the 444 Marlin myself. TIP when shooting longrange sling it or use sticks. ### Have fun you'll probably ###be collecting barrels before long!!!! ### ###Handcannon

[smokin54]

I did a quick search and found that there are contenders that can be purchased as a curio and the info can be found for those with intrest at ###www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/relics/index.htm#sec%zoi:
I hope thats right

[coachdog]

Well that's pretty strange that they'd be illegal. Who'd rob a bank with a single shot pistol? Anyway I'm glad I found out. My dad lives in the Adirondacks and isn't too far from the Vermont factory. He loves Thompsons and I was thinking about having him pick ###me up one at the next clearance sale. Guess I'll look ###into it more carefully.

Shaking my head in disbelief.