Henry Rifle Forums

no experience with S&W repair service, didn't even know they would work on a TC Contender .... have you tried to contact them in an effort to lean the status of the repairs ..

I can't say. The only gun I've sent back was my 327. It's turn around time was just under two weeks. It went back to the Performance Center I think, so that may have helped.
I would think someone here will come by with the answer soon.

PJM wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2020 9:36 am

I contacted them earlier after 3 weeks they said it would be 5 weeks. It has been 6 so far.

with Christmas and New Years thrown in, I can see how it could slow things down a bit .... hopefully, the time is drawing short

PJM wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2020 9:36 am

TC was a great company to deal with. Their traditional muzzleloaders were the best!

I certainly agree about the quality of TC's muzzleloaders .... my 50 cal TC Hawkin rifle is going on 50 years old and (other than normal cleaning) has never required any type of service or repair

TC/S&W has openly stated that they can no longer guarantee service for original Contenders for lack of parts. I'm surprised they even took your gun to be serviced, so have to give them credit for that much. Most of us with that generation of Contenders with the safety in the hammer have had to go hunting for used parts or convert our guns to the later hammer with the selector on top, again resorting to used parts.

On the other hand, S&W does offer service and parts on the G2 (replaced the Contender) and Encore, since those are current models.

No, as far as S&W taking knowledgeable Contender techs with them when they closed down the Rochester plant. They shut down the plant and sent everyone home, taking the equipment, especially the barrel making equipment, with them. This is from a good friend and gunsmith who lives right in that area. He can personally attest to the rep those folks had for being so friendly and open. Nicest folks, ever. He stopped there many times. It was a real blow to the community, since the TC folks were much loved, there. Not the kind of buyout that we like to see in a gun company, but it's typical of the way business is done, these days.

I hope they fix it for you and return it. I might give them another week and then call them again. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Good Deal I hope you let us know.

Glad they fixed it. Now back to shooting

Glad to hear they took care of it for you however I do not understand how an 'Aftermarket hammer spur extension' will weaken the hammer spring but then I have no experience with Contenders so maybe there is something about them I am unaware of.

The handwritten note with the elementary school grammar on the scrap of paper isn't real confidence inspiring.

I'm glad they fixed it for you. Actually better than I thought they could do.

As for the hammer extensions. TC has never in all their years endorsed hammer extensions, but I'd venture to guess that most of us long time Contender shooters have used them with no ill effects, though there are some caveats. Do not use steel hammer extensions because of their weight. Use only the lightest aluminum.

On the original Contenders (not the G2s, they use modern coil springs), the hammer springs were not that great to begin with. They really should be changed out as needed, because they tend to weaken over time. They're not much more than a bent paper clip. I've bought used Contenders from original owners that never had a hammer extension on them and the spring was so weak as to cause light strikes and make the gun non-functional. I used to keep a supply of new hammer springs on hand and replace as needed. Easy fix.

I would still not use a hammer extension on those old style skeleton hammers with the safety switch, though. They are rather light and fragile, compared to later hammers and they can break with a heavy hammer extension. If you're having clearance issues between a scope and a hammer, a better solution is just to go with higher rings. Avoids the issue, altogether, and a higher mounted scope is actually easier to use if you shoot off a rest as many Contender shooters do.

Thank-you. If you ever do need a hammer spring, Bellms sells them.

PJM wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:26 pm

Thanks for the input. I am impressed with your knowledge!

You are not alone in that thought. Once again NCG, thank you for your boundless knowledge and wonderful delivery of it.

Thank-you, Dave. Much appreciated.