Thompson/Center Arms Reintroduces G2 Contender Rifle & Pistol

April 15, 2015 By G&A Online Editors

Thompson_Center_G2_Contender_F Thompson/Center Arms is bringing back its popular and versatile G2 Contender platform, now in a complete rifle or complete pistol system.

The previous G2 Contender was well known for its incredible adaptability in a wide variety of shooting scenarios, and the new G2 Contender platforms offer similar versatility. The complete rifle system is initially chambered in .30-30 Win., and the complete pistol system is initially chambered in either .22LR or .357 Magnum. However, many different barrels are available for each system for easy caliber changes, making the new G2 Contender a suitable choice for applications ranging from plinking and hunting small game to taking down heavy big-game animals.

The new G2 Contender complete rifle and pistol systems come equipped with a barrel, stock and forend, but users can easily swap out barrels to meet their needs. For the complete rifle system, shooters can choose barrels chambered in seven different calibers ranging from .17 HMR to .30-30 Win., and the 11 additional calibers from .17 HMR to .45 Colt/.410 bore are available to complement the complete pistol system. Both platforms can utilize blued or stainless steel barrels.

"The versatility of the G2 Contender has always been at the heart of its popularity, and we have definitely preserved that for hunters and shooters who depend on these rifle and pistol platforms in a host of different hunting situations," said Thompson/Center Brand Manager Danielle Sanville. "But what the G2 Contender complete rifle and complete pistol systems do is make it easier for hunters and shooters who prefer something chambered in a proven, all-around caliber that is ready to go right out of the box while also having the option of further customization down the road."

All of the new G2 Contender's components also maintain their compatibility with previous G2 Contender models, affording the shooter even more versatility. The G2 Contender frame; all Contender barrels and forends, with the exception of the Herrett forend; and blued and stainless barrels are also interchangeable. As with earlier G2 Contender models, once sights and optics are mounted onto barrels, they stay sighted in when removed and returned to the firearm.

The Thompson/Center Arms G2 Contender complete rifle and pistol systems are manufactured in the U.S. from quality materials. Pricing and availability information on the new G2 Contender is not yet available.

Below are some more detailed specifications of the G2 Contender complete rifle and pistol systems.

T/C G2 Contender Complete Rifle:

Caliber: .30-30 Win.

Barrel Length: 23 inches

Overall Length: 36.75 inches

Eric Poole meets up with Adam Wainio, founder and president of Ballistic Advantage. His company is a premier barrel maker and provides top-quality pipes to both major gun manufacturers and small-shop gunsmiths. Ballistic Advantage has been a pioneer for profiled barrel blanks and experimenting with a barrel's mass and contours to wring out the best performance. Looking forward, Ballistic Advantage is working on its take on weight-saving carbon fiber barrels and is keeping ahead of new chamberings with interesting offerings like the 8.6 Blackout.

Rifles

Winchester Ranger Returns! Now In .22

Rifles

Winchester Ranger Returns! Now In .22

If Winchester is known for one thing in firearms, it's lever guns. Both the historic examples and modern renditions are held in high regard, and the centerfire models can command a premium price due to desirability. New for 2024, Winchester is lowering the barrier to entry and raising the fun factor with the return of the Ranger. Now, though, the iconic lever action is chambered for .22 Long Rifle. What's more fun than a rimfire rifle? Probably nothing, that's why Winchester has invested in the recent Wildcat semiauto, Xpert bolt action, and now the Range, all in .22. Eric Poole and Winchester's Rafe Neilson discuss the latest lever addition.

Rifles

Latest Name In Lever Guns: Aero Precision

Rifles

Latest Name In Lever Guns: Aero Precision

Aero Precision is a go-to source for rifle-building components including receivers, handguards, and all the necessaries. New this year is the M4E1 Pro kit, which offers ambidextrous controls: bolt catch/release, radial selector, and even the magazine release. Besides being lefty friendly, the M4E1 Pro also sports the new overbuilt Mod4 handguard designed specifically for professional users and shooters that are just plain hard on their gear. Stepping away from rifle parts, the company is also expanding its suppressor offerings with the new Tephra-22 rimfire can. Finally, the company is teasing the most talked about firearm at SHOT Show 2024: The Aero Precision Lever Action. Kirk Foreman of Aero Precision joins Eric Poole to talk shop from the show floor.

Rifles

SAKO 90 Quest Lightweight Hunting Rifle

Rifles

SAKO 90 Quest Lightweight Hunting Rifle

SAKO's new 90-series bolt-action rifles have finally hit the U.S. market. Guns & Ammo's Joe Kurtenbach was one of the first American sportsmen to take these guns afield. In pursuit of Colorado elk and mule deer, Kurtenbach takes a break from climbing mountains to describe the SAKO 90 Quest, a lightweight hunter that benefits from modern construction and precision-inspired features.

Optics

Warne Scope Mounts New Red Dot Risers

Optics

Warne Scope Mounts New Red Dot Risers

Warne Scope Mounts has unveiled several new red-dot sight riser mounts at the 2024 SHOT Show. One of the challenges of mounting a red dot to a long gun is getting the optimal height setting. These mounts feature included spacers to adjust the height setting to fit individual preference. Warne has also introduced a universal rib mount to easily attach red dots to shotgun ribs. Many turkey shotguns don't have a Pic rail, so this mount gives you access to the entire rib on a shotgun to mount a red dot. If you've never turkey hunted with a red-dot sight, it's a game changer!

Accessories

New Warne Scope Mounts Skyline Lite Bipods

Accessories

New Warne Scope Mounts Skyline Lite Bipods

Warne Scope Mounts has upgraded its popular line of Skyline bipods to the new Skyline lite, with three different options for ARCA, Pic rail and QD pic rail mounting options. The Skyline Lite bipods feature 13 micro adjustments to fine-tune rifle height, 0-, 45-, and 90-degree leg positions, and the universal-style head accepts multiple mounting configurations. Built from premium aluminum and steel, the Skyline Lite bipods have all the modern features we expect while keeping weight low.

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Response PCC: Now Taking SIG Mags

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Response PCC: Now Taking SIG Mags

Smith & Wesson's John Myles has been a regular on the New Product Premier, and he joins Joe Kurtenbach to run it back again at SHOT Show 2024. Last year the company introduced the Response pistol caliber carbine (PCC), an AR-styled platform designed to run off commonly available semiautomatic pistol magazines. A direct-blowback action powers the Response, but what sets the gun apart is its interchangeable magazine well. Mag wells are easy to swap for owners, and the Response comes with both an M&P mag option, as well as a mag well for Glock-pattern 9mm magazines. New for 2024 is a magazine well for SIG Sauer P320 mags. No matter what pistol platform you choose to shoot, Smith & Wesson wants you to rely on the Response for your PCC needs.

Optics

Mark 4HD Riflescopes: The Latest Tactical Line From Leupold

Optics

Mark 4HD Riflescopes: The Latest Tactical Line From Leupold

John Snodgrass from Leupold joins Joe Kurtenbach to discuss the latest edition to the company's tactical line of magnified optics: The Mark 4HD riflescope family. The new series utilizes a 4X zoom ratio across five magnification ranges: 1-4.5X, 2.5-10X, 4.5-18X, 6-24X, and 8-32X. Each magnification will include multiple scope variants offering first- or second-focal-plane reticles, as well as different reticle designs and illumination options. Like the Mark 5HD series, there is a Mark 4HD riflescope for nearly any ballistic pursuit, all build to Leupold's rigorous standard for reliability, durability, and optical performance.

Rifles

Show Stopper: Smith & Wesson 1854 Lever-Action Rifle

Rifles

Show Stopper: Smith & Wesson 1854 Lever-Action Rifle

Live from the show floor, Joe Kurtenbach visits Grant Dubuc at the Smith & Wesson booth to talk lever guns. The new Model 1854 in .44 Rem. Mag. was an absolute stunner at SHOT Show 2024, and Guns & Ammo was on hand to get all the details. Drawing inspiration from Horace Smith and Dan Wesson's Volcanic lever-action firearms, the Model 1854 combines classic lines with modern materials and design. To maximize utility, the gun's polymer furniture and stainless finish offer all-weather durability while the optics rail and flat-faced trigger account for modern tastes. The new platform from Smith & Wesson is going to fun to watch this year!