T/C barrels have gotten expensive

jwmorris · Mar 5, 2016

After looking for "uppers" for one of my TC contenders for my Daughter and not liking the prices (barrels alone are over $300 these days) I decided to build them.

Started with the .22 blank and turned it down and threaded it for a suppressor.

While I was at it, I went ahead and machined a thread protector if it ever didn't have one on or a QD adapter on the threads.

After a little searching, I couldn't find any weld on lugs (one source for threaded) and machined my own just averaging the measurements from the TC barrels I do have.

Welded the first one together yesterday, chamber reamer is on the way now and after that will have to machine the slot for the extractor, finish and test. If it is a "winner", will do the next one the same way.

jmc · Mar 5, 2016

Nice project.

For those of us not into Contenders, how nearly finished is a .22 blank barrel?

Forgot- What's an upper?

k0ua · Mar 5, 2016

Your looking at an "upper" or Upper barrel assembly. The lower is considered the firearm.

k0ua · Mar 5, 2016

I am interested to see how well this turn out after chambering. We will expect photos of targets.

nybirdman · Mar 5, 2016

You are totally right,TC has way over priced their Contender/Encore barrels.I owned a TC contender pistol(.223 and .444) and currently own two Encores,complete guns.A .50 MZ and 25/06;they are my favorite and most accurate guns.
For the cost of their replacement barrels you can almost purchase a new gun. Unfortunately most of us don't have the tools , machinery and skills that you do.

jwmorris · Mar 5, 2016

jmc said:
Nice project.

For those of us not into Contenders, how nearly finished is a .22 blank barrel?

A blank is just a 1" OD length of metal with a hole down the center with rifling. I turned it down to .805" diameter and threaded it now that I have it welded, I have to ream the breech end so the round can be chambered.

PR22M .22 Mag Cartridge Pistol Blank CLOSEOUT Sale, While Supplies Last - Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Co.

I'll post some target photos when done.

murphy1244 · Mar 5, 2016

I see the double posts are back.

jwmorris · Apr 4, 2016

Well I finally had some time to play with this project again and modified a G2 forearm to work with the original frame and mounted it an and optic banged away at some steel until I had it close enough to put a group on paper. Not the best shooting 22 I have or the easiest to bench for groups because of shot to shot movement but the first photo is a 20 shot group at 60 yards (odd distance but just how far it is from the back door to the bullet trap).

For the Kiddo I mounted an aimpoint comp3 I had and even with the suppressor it's shorter than the 510 she has been shooting.