T/C Contender question

[Maquis]

I bought my Contender years ago as a handgun (I have a .22 Match & .357 barrel (both 10" octagon)~~can I legally make it into a rifle? Thinking about adding a rifle stock & getting .45/70 & .22 rifle barrels.

[normanvin]

I bought my Contender years ago as a handgun (I have a .22 Match & .357 barrel (both 10" octagon)~~can I legally make it into a rifle? Thinking about adding a rifle stock & getting .45/70 & .22 rifle barrels.

Good question. I think it would depend on the new configurations over all length.

[Maquis]

I thought I remembered if one bought a contender carbine it couldn't be used as a pistol but it was ok the other way around but deh rulz change...

[Pizza Bob]

I believe you are correct - sold as a handgun, can be used as either handgun or rifle. What you cannot do is use the 10" or 14" barrels with the shoulder stock - violates both barrel length (16") and overall length (26") laws for rifles. Barrel 16" or more + shoulder stock = OK

Adios,

Pizza Bob

[Bib]

I believe you are correct - sold as a handgun, can be used as either handgun or rifle. What you cannot do is use the 10" or 14" barrels with the shoulder stock - violates both barrel length (16") and overall length (26") laws for rifles. Barrel 16" or more + shoulder stock = OK

Adios,

Pizza Bob

That's what I always believed too. I have a Contender pistol and never had any intenton of making a carbine out of it so I never really researched it any farther.

[normanvin]

That's what I always believed too. I have a Contender pistol and never had any intenton of making a carbine out of it so I never really researched it any farther.

Same here.

[Maquis]

Looks like the Supreme Court dealt with this issue in 1992:
http://www.stephenhalbrook.com/tc.html

Analysis of the Supreme Court Opinion
in Thompson/Center Arms

by Stephen P. Halbrook, Counsel for Thompson/Center Arms

On June 8, 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Contender pistol and carbine kit are not a short-barreled rifle under the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. §5845(a)(3). This means that a consumer may possess the pistol with its 10" barrel and may use the kit parts to make a rifle with the 21" barrel, as long as the shoulder stock is not assembled onto the receiver at the same time as the 10" barrel.

[normanvin]

Looks like the Supreme Court dealt with this issue in 1992:
http://www.stephenhalbrook.com/tc.html

Interesting.

Thanks

[1911shooter]

you cannot put a stock on a 10" barreled contender, it will not meet overall length, and with a shoulder stock it will be a SBR.

[normanvin]

you cannot put a stock on a 10" barreled contender, it will not meet overall length, and with a shoulder stock it will be a SBR.

Agreed. He is saying that you must put a 21" barrel on the frame with the shoulder stock.