Thompson Center TCR, Aristocrat, 83 or 87??

[sestoppelman]

Anyone own or ever messed with these rifles before? Been vaguely aware of them of course, but have never owned one and only have seen a very few over the years.

I am sort of intrigued with them for some reason..

 

[Bullthrower338]

I have two, one in a 7-08 and one with magnum receiver in 7 RM. they are a sweet little rifle that unfortunately I don’t see them ever building again after the fire at TC.
I know where a sweet deal on an 87 is if you are interested PM me Scott!

 

[AZDAVE]

What cal? @Bullthrower338

 

[Chris6565]

I have a bunch of the rifles , they are a great well built dependable little rifle , I have collected 15 of these rifles and about 25 barrels the smallest is a 22 hornet and the largest is a 500 nitro express from SSK , , You do not want to shoot this one off the bench , No screw on brake or ports , 570 grain is brutal

 

[skydiver386]

I had several with various barrels just after they stopped building them. I really, really wanted to like this gun, but after trying to get the barrel's fitted, the safety to work properly, and the trigger down below 8 pounds, I just gave up. At the time, I wanted to buy a collection of both rifle and shotgun barrels, and use the TCR for every type of hunting on the planet, but it never came to pass.

The one I bought had bluing that would make a Colt Python jealous, and some of the nicest wood you could ask for on a factory rifle. It truly made me sad to give up on the project, but there were problems I was never able to overcome

The T/C's that everyone is familiar with like the Contender and Encore can swap barrels easily with no fitting or gunsmithing, not so with the TCR's. I had 5 barrels total, and none would close, lock up and fire on my receiver straight out of the box, all had to be sent with the the receiver back to T/C to be fitted. I asked if they could give the safety and trigger a little love, but was told no.

The TCR has a two part safety, with a small button at the front of the trigger guard that has to be pulled to the rear, then the cross bolt safety can be pushed. Mine was so difficult that I wore blisters on my thumbs trying to get the safety to work. Totally unworkable for a hunting rifle.

I know some places like SSK can bring out the best in these rifles, but just know what you are getting into.

 

[Chris6565]

Hello, It sounds like you may have got a bad receiver , I admit the safety is a little funky but out of all my rifles and barrels Ihave never had any of these troubles, I picked up another TCR 83 yesterday with a new in box x barrel without a mark , the bluing will rival any colt , these were made when Craftsmanship number one on the list , I wish they still made them , I bought one a few months ago from Kirby holt at classic doubles with a piece of feather crotch walnut and three barrels that will rival any Winchester I ever seen love them !!!

 

[skydiver386]

The first one I bought was a new in box 87 shotgun with flat finish on the metal, single trigger. The second was a double trigger 83, bright polish blue, mag stamped on the bottom of the receiver. As I understand it, the mag receiver was brought out late in production, but earlier guns could be retrofit. The third gun was a used 87 with single trigger, barrel already on the gun.

Maybe I had bad luck, but none of the barrels would fit or lock up on the other receivers. Lemons happen, even with the best of them.

Yours has some of the prettiest crotch walnut I've ever seen on a rifle.

 

[Chris6565]

The first one I bought was a new in box 87 shotgun with flat finish on the metal, single trigger. The second was a double trigger 83, bright polish blue, mag stamped on the bottom of the receiver. As I understand it, the mag receiver was brought out late in production, but earlier guns could be retrofit. The third gun was a used 87 with single trigger, barrel already on the gun.

Maybe I had bad luck, but none of the barrels would fit or lock up on the other receivers. Lemons happen, even with the best of them.

Yours has some of the prettiest crotch walnut I've ever seen on a rifle.

 

[Chris6565]

Thank you , This rifle may have a gun that Thompson center took to the shows , or a employee rifle from within the company , not sure but I wish their custom shop was still open all of my 83s and 87s would have upgraded wood on them !!!!!