this not my infio it was done by Charles Zimmennan The History of the TCR
Below is the best, and closest, I can get to the history of the TCR 83/87's. I am still trying to determine the most accurate way to distinguish an '83 barrel from an '87 barrel. Like with Ron's types of TC Contender barrels, some are different with a period in the NH--sometimes both periods, sometimes one after the N, and then sometimes after the H This does not work with the TCR's. So here we go with "The History of the TCR. "
--Charles Zimmennan, cz519a@ptd.net
The TCR ‘83 Aristocrat
In 1983, Thompson Center brought out a new firearm. The TCR 83 Aristocrat with double set triggers had a high luster finish on the receiver and a raised check piece on its walnut stock. Featuring a break open design, with a shotgun style spring tension forearm, it was available in 9 cataloged cartridges. All barrels were 23 inches long, came with an adjustable iron rear sight and brass bead front, and featured a high luster blue finish on the entire barrel. These high luster barrels were only produced in 1983 and 1984. The calibers available were as follows, and remained standard until 1987. All barrel forearm lugs were welded.
TCR '83 Aristocrat Barrels (1983-1984)--High Luster
.223 Remington, .22/250 Remington, .243 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30/06 Springfield
The TCR '83 Hunter
.
In 1985, Thompson Center Arms made an addition to the TCR 83 collection, with the introduction of the TCR 83 Hunter, a single trigger design of the Aristocrat model. Along with this firearm, a slight change was made to the finish of the barrels. The high luster finish was dropped, and replaced with the so-called "Blue" finish. The barrel was a dull blue, and the mono-block was made with a matte finish. Most barrels were produced with iron sights. Also, some barrel forearm lugs were welded, and. others were screwed down.
TCR '83 Barrels (1985-1986)--Dull Blue
.22 Hornet, .223 Remington, .22/250 Remington, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30/06 Springfield, .222 Remington (added in 1986) A 22 inch, 12 gauge smoothbore slug barrel with matte finish was added in 1985 or 1986 as a TCR 83 with 2-314" only chamber. These were continued into 1987, and starting in 1988 were chambered for 3" shells and continued until 1992. All slug barrels included adjustable iron sights. Also around 1985 or 1986 there were an unknown number of 7mm Brenneke barrels produced. There may have been other barrels produced, but details are difficult to obtain.
The TCR '87 Hunter
In 1987, a new model of the TCR was introduced: the TCR 87 Hunter. The receiver was a matte finish. Both the TCR 83's were dropped due to a few
design problems. Basically the TCR 87 is the same,
accepting the TCR 83 barrels, but improved in the
following areas:
1. A weak firing pin spring was improved to produce reliable firing. 2. Forearms were tightened by a screw making tighter barrel to forearm connecting. 3. Quick detachable studs became standard. 4. The barrel mono-block was made truer for better scope mount bases. The TCR 83 mono-blocks were slightly rounded at the front and rear edges, preventing the scope rings from mounting flat, therefore bending the scope. Iron sights were dropped, but the 23 inch light sporters were drilled and tapped for optional sights. The main locking lug system was improved with a tighter lock-up, as some TCR 83 frames would open under recoil. Below are the barrel configurations. These remained standard catalogued items from 1987 through 1992.
TCR '87 Light Sporter Barrels (1987-1992)
[23 inch length, supplied drilled and tapped for both scope mounts and iron sights]
.22 Hornet .222 Remington .223 Remington .221250 Remington .243 Winchester .270 Winchester 7mm-08 (added in 1988) .308 Winchester .30/06 Springfield 12 gauge smoothbore slug barrel, 22
inch, matte finish
.
TCR '87 Medium Sporter Barrels (1987-1992)
[25-718 inch length (initially known as heavy sporters), supplied drilled and tapped for scope mounts only, muzzle crowned and recessed.] /'
.
.223 Remington .22/250 Remington 7mm/08 Remington .308 Winchester .32/40 Winchester
The TCR '87 Hunter Shotgun
In 1988, a new addition was made to the TCR 87 line: a TCR 87 Hunter Shotgun model in 12 and 10 gauge field barrels with 3-1/2 inch chamber. This model receiver featured a ventilated recoil pad, no checkering, and an additional 7/16 inch drop at heel. The barrels came with a removable full choke, and had a matte finish. Also in 1988, I believe the 23 inch light sporter barrels were no longer drilled and tapped for iron sights. In 1990, an addition of a 22 inch, matte finish, 3 inch 12 gauge rifled bore slug barrel was made, and continued until 1992.
The TCR '87 Deluxe and Newer Barrel Variations
In 1992, barrels were added (see list below) and an improvement was made to TCR 87 receivers. The Aristocrat was also reintroduced, and now called the TCR87 Deluxe, featuring a high luster receiver, raised cheek piece, and double set triggers.
All receivers made in 1992 were improved with a new breech bolt, designed to handle the magnum calibers. The original bolt did not lock as tight as it should have, therefore making the heavier recoiling calibers cause the barrels to vibrate. This produced poor accuracy. The new breech bolt has a notch cut out of the middle, similar the to new Contender locking bolt, except that it is one piece, and produces a tighter barrel to receiver lock. The receivers are also stamped "MAG". This change allowed the introduction of some new barrels. The magnum barrels have a roll pin in the mono-block to help prevent them being placed on TCR83's and
non-magnum TCR87's. Here are the additions:
I
TCR '87 23" Light Sporter Barrels (1992 Additions)
7mm Remington Magnum .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Winchester Magnum
TCR '87 25-7/8" Medium Sporter Barrels (1992 Additions)
.220 Swift .375 H+H (Included the TC Muzzle Tamer) 416 Remington (Included the TC Muzzle Tamer)
From 1993 to 1997, TCR's were dropped from regular production, but still available from the Custom Shop until early 1997 when a fire destroyed parts of the plant After the fire, the Custom Shop decided to cease production of the custom shop barrels.
One other note: All TCR barrels were produced of 4140 chrome-moly steel and precision rifled.
Tentative Barrel Type List
T-1 TCR83, 23" high luster barrels with sights. Lug is welded. 1983-1984
T-2 TCR83, 23" blue barrels, matte mono-block, some supplied with sights, and others drilled and tapped for sights, some barrel lugs are now screwed fast Scope mount surface is still rounded at front and rear edges. 1985-1986
~
T-3 TCR87, Barrels are no longer supplied with sights, but drilled and tapped. Mono-block is now flatter for scope mounts. 25-7/8" barrels are now made and drilled and tapped for scope mounts only. 1986
#
T-4 TCR87, 23' barrels are no longer drilled and tapped for iron sights. 1987-1992
T -5 TCR87 Magnum barrels with roll pin in mono-block. 220 Swift also included, but not with roll pin. 1992
T -6 TC Custom Shop barrels. All stamped with custom shop markings.
