TC choices

[wonderwolf]

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a TC pistol for a while now. And I would like to get one sometime this year but I'm confused as to the differances between the Contender and the Encore. I know they came out with a new contender as well that allows you to pull the hammer back again after the first time.

I would like to be able to shoot up to .500 S&W out of it and I'm not sure if both frames are capable of handaling that round or if barrels are made for the round for both frames. I know I'll be wildcating with it for sure. making my own barrels and such. Thank your for your help in advance.

[fourarmed]

The Encore is built to handle the big ones. The Contender is not.

[wonderwolf]

Is the encore the same design as a contender but just a bigger frame? Like a 1911 standard and 1911 officer?

[45nut]

the contender is a completely different animal from the G2 and the Encore. The G2 will accept "most" Contender barrels but there are some that will give you fits since these are machines with tolerances and not identical to a millionth of an inch.
The Encore and the G2 are kissing cousins basically, the G2 is merely downsized and the Encore will handle a lot more than the Contender was ever dreamed of.
I own 4 Encores and 4 Contender frames and a bunch of different barrels,from 17HMR to the 50AK in caliber and cartridge choices the TC's offer a lot.

[wonderwolf]

So for a guy that just wants 1 frame go with the Encore I take it

I don't plan on going frame and barrel crazy as I know some have. Just 1 frame with a handful of barrels will suffice. Are there any variations in the Encore line that I should stay away from or look for?

[45nut]

Make sure you buy a "pistol" frame, although I have never ever heard of anyone first hand getting grief using a "rifle" frame in pistol configuration there is the .0000000099 chance that you could be the example of the govt.

[wonderwolf]

Not to stir the waters at all but is the pistol frame the same as a rifle? Would they have dif serial number prefex?

[Scrounger]

Not to stir the waters at all but is the pistol frame the same as a rifle? Would they have dif serial number prefex?

No. Technically the first time it sells (new), it becomes a rifle or pistol action at that moment. That said, The only people I've heard voice opinions on it are a few nervous nellies on the Internet who probably don't even own one. None of the Law Enforcement people, ATF Agents, stores where I bought used Contenders, or shooters ever worried one second about that. They all have more important tasks to deal with. They all realize it takes about 5 seconds to change barrels, rifle to pistol or vice versa, and worrying about that is a lesson in futility.

Oops, didn't realize I was stepping on Ken's toes. He is technically correct, of course. If I remember correctly, California may even have a regulation that all frames are sold as pistols, And everyone I have ever bought came with a pistol barrel; up until the last 3 or 4 years, the carbine barrels were not near as popular.

[45nut]

Quite OK with more info adding to my own. As I said,,the real world scenario of getting in deep doo-doo with a so called "rifle" frame set up as a "pistol" concerns me not. It would merely be an add-on charge to an already ugly set of circumstances.
Most likely would be in a poaching or such set of mess, we lawful citizens are not likely to be pursued for a oversight.
The big thing is not to have a barrel on the frame of less than 16" in conjunction with a buttstock, that is a "short barreled rifle" and such is a revenue infraction. The feds want their $200.00 thank you to make one. Never mind how useful or not a SBR might or might not be,, they want their tax dammnit! Same set of taxes as for a quite useful accessory such as a suppressor. Now that would just be neighborly to use.

I am a big fan of the Thompson Center's and properly outfitted with a set of barrels you can hunt all manner of critters from mice to moose with one gun.

[lathesmith]

WW, looks like you have some good info here to aid in choosing, but I can add a few comments. IF you must use the 500 S&W, you only have one choice: the Encore, since the Contender is not rated for this high pressure cartridge.
Also, I see you have specified you want to use it as a handgun only. If possible, see if you can find one of your shooting buds that have both an Encore and a Contender decked out in the barrel length and sighting system of your choice, so you can handle the two and see which has the better "feel" to you. Sure, the Encore will handle any cartridge you will want to use, but there is a price to pay:weight. To me, the Encore is so darned heavy, even with a shorter barrel and open sights, I just don't care for it as a pistol. I love it as a rifle, though. The Contender, on the other hand, to me is better suited as a handgun. Also important: how recoil-tolerant are you? Maybe I am a wimp, but to me a Contender firing, say, a .375 JDJ is very unpleasant, especially off the bench. In other words, even though the Encore will handle hotter cartridges, the Contender is plenty "hot enough" for me as a handgun, and the cartridges it will handle are all I care to experience, if you get my drift.
One final note, both the Encore and the Contender make wonderful rifles and carbines, and for me this would be a much harder choice. Fortunately, I can have both! But as a handgun, after trying both, I personally prefer the Contender. Of course, your mileage may vary... but have fun deciding!
Lathesmith

[Doc Highwall]

I have only one encore frame for now. My biggest complant is changing it from a rifle to a handgun and back to a rifle. PITA. I am going to buy another frame and keep one as a rifle and one as a pistol. After all hobbies are to be relaxing. Doc Highwall.

[versifier]

Doc, I am coming to the same conclusion with my Contender. I need another frame. I hate switching them back and forth. I think I'll go for a G2 and get a m/l barrel and forend to go with it.
Wonderwolf, if you want to shoot the rifle cases with -06 head sizes and bigger, you need to go with the Encore. That said, I really like my Contender with both pistol and carbine barrels. It is my favorite all around gun. My .30-30 carbine barrel is quite accurate, light, fast, and handy, likewise the .223 carbine barrel. As a handgun, everything from .22lr to .44mag has worked fine. I like the balance of the 10" barrels best, even if it means sacrificing a little velocity.
But, if you want to shoot the big ones, the Encore is the way to go - I think it is too heavy and not as well balanced as a handgun compared to the Contender, but the extra weight with the larger rifle cases/rifle barrels is a definite plus. With the biggest as a rifle, it could use even more weight.

[Scrounger]

I agree about Contenders being great. I'm not sure their policies on what's safe and what isn't, makes any sense. The .44 Magnum, 40K pressure, is OK; .445 Supermag, longer case, same diameter, same pressure, OK; .444 Marlin, same diameter, same pressure, Oh, no, that's not safe; .444 Marlin case necked down to .375 (.375 JDJ), same pressure, now it's safe. ???? .45-70, OK; .444 Marlin, no. ???

[C A Plater]

Maybe one reason .444 Contenders aren't recommended.

[versifier]

Dare I ask the source of that photo?

[C A Plater]

Not sure exactly where it originated. One of the tcbunch list members originally posted it to the list. Not his gun either and IIRC it was a hand loaded .444 round pushed just a touch too much. Fortunately there were no serious injuries from the incident. He kept the photo as computer screen wallpaper to remind him of what can go wrong.

[dubber123]

I believe I saw this pic when origionally posted, and there was alot of speculation as to what went wrong, (whodathunkit). Some noticed a long string of additional holes drilled along the top of the barrel and blamed that. It is my understanding that this was a re-chamber from a .44 mag., and the quality of the re-chamber work would be my first thoughts. I believe they said it was a gun show purchase, and this was the 38th round fired at the range on their first trip. Whatever the reason, that couldn't have been much fun.

[TCFAN]

I think lathesmith is exactly right.The Contender is best in my opinion used as a handgun.The Encore just doesn't work for me as a handgun but is great as a rifle.I just bought a new Encore and set it up with a 24 inch 30-30 barrel to use for cast boolits.It handles great and shoots very well.


lathesmith..I see your from Springfield Mo......Are you a member of the Bench rest club that shoots in Billings MO. I was a member there for years before I retired and moved to Ozark county.

Anyway T/C is a great company and the Contender and Encore are great firearms..............Terry

[ebner glocken]

Hmnmmmm....I was at that club range yesterday. Didn't figure there was any other members here. Anyway I have a contender and love it. I can't tell you a thing about the encore though.

[lathesmith]

TCFan, I have not been able to do as much shooting the last several years as I would like, and currently I am not a member of any of the clubs or ranges around here. Family takes priority at this time in my life, if you know what I mean. But, I am getting to the point where I will be able to devote more time to shootin' irons and such.
I looked long and hard at a 30/30 barrel for the Encore, as I prefer rimmed cartridges in single shots. Midway currently carries those, if they had one in stainless I would probably get one. I did pick up a 375 Winchester barrel (blued) for the Encore, and I do really like it. I have a stainless 375 Win for the G2 Contender, a 24 incher. I also have a 7/30 Waters SS 24 incher, and I really hate to give these up, they shoot so well. DH has it right, a guy needs at least a couple of different frames for these things, switching from carbine to handgun is just too much trouble!
What I am now waiting for is an SS G2 frame. Have any of you guys seen one of these? I see T/C says they are now making them, and I would really like to find one.