Thompson/Center Contender G1 .45 Colt/.410, 10 in Vent Rib Barrel, Blued, Factory Cougar Engraving, Single-Shot Pistol
This original G1 Thompson/Center Contender pairs a 10-inch .45 Colt/.410 "Vent Rib Model" barrel with factory cougar engraving and period-correct furniture. Built in the United States during the 1980s, it features the Contender’s interchangeable-barrel system and a hammer-mounted firing-pin selector that supports both rimfire and centerfire firing pins. The result is a versatile, collectible single-shot pistol with classic blued steel and clean lines.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Light handling marks are present on exterior surfaces. The bore is clean and shiny. Very small, infrequent pinpoints of pitting are visible under close inspection.
What's Included
- Rear sight assembly for Thompson/Center Contender
- Scope bases for Thompson/Center Contender barrel
- Assorted screws
This is an original G1 Contender single-shot pistol with the hallmark interchangeable-barrel system. It uses a break-open, single-action design with an external hammer and a hammer-mounted firing-pin selector for rimfire or centerfire use. The extractor and sights ride with the barrel to help retain zero when swapping barrels. Capacity is 1 round.
The included barrel is the 10-inch .45 Colt/.410 "Vent Rib Model" configuration. It features a ventilated rib and a bead front sight, along with a removable choke appropriate for the .410 setup. This combination offers the flexibility of .45 Colt with the utility of .410 shotshell capability in the same barrel.
Construction is all-steel with a blued finish on the frame, receiver, and barrel. Furniture includes a walnut finger-groove, target-style pistol grip and a black synthetic two-screw fore-end. This configuration reflects the Contender’s 1980s U.S. production era and robust build quality.
Factory engraving adds a distinctive touch: a cougar motif appears on the left frame panel with scroll accents. This factory-engraved detail contributes to the model’s appeal for Contender enthusiasts and complements the classic blued finish and clean lines of the G1.