contender v. g2 v. encore
I'm kinda enjoyign the thought of the single shot TC pistol/rifle.
The "original" contender is no longer made - how do you tell the difference between an original and a G2 contender?
The contender has a switchable firing pin to allow for centerfire and rimfire... how does the Encore deal with this? Or is rimfire not an option w/ the Encore?
The ATF says that you can go from handgun configuration to rifle and back w/o violating the NFA. If I were to find something in a local shop, how can I determine if it left the factory as a rifle? If it left as a pistol, it can always be changed back... but if it left as a rifle, big no no...
Finally, I understand the "big" difference between Contender and Encore is the Encore can handle high pressure rounds like 308. What is the pressure cut off for the Contender chamberings? Or is it a combination of case head size and pressure? Are smaller case head rounds w/ higher pressures possible in the G2 Contender? If I had the $ (and I don't - yet) I think I'd really like to own one with barrels in 22lr, 5.7x28, 762x39, and 44mag... Will the g2 platform do or do I give up 22lr and go for an Encore?
The "original" contender is no longer made - how do you tell the difference between an original and a G2 contender?
The contender has a switchable firing pin to allow for centerfire and rimfire... how does the Encore deal with this? Or is rimfire not an option w/ the Encore?
The ATF says that you can go from handgun configuration to rifle and back w/o violating the NFA. If I were to find something in a local shop, how can I determine if it left the factory as a rifle? If it left as a pistol, it can always be changed back... but if it left as a rifle, big no no...
Finally, I understand the "big" difference between Contender and Encore is the Encore can handle high pressure rounds like 308. What is the pressure cut off for the Contender chamberings? Or is it a combination of case head size and pressure? Are smaller case head rounds w/ higher pressures possible in the G2 Contender? If I had the $ (and I don't - yet) I think I'd really like to own one with barrels in 22lr, 5.7x28, 762x39, and 44mag... Will the g2 platform do or do I give up 22lr and go for an Encore?
0
-
llama,
I can tell you they are a ton of fun.
First, the standard Contender and the G2 Contender are Contenders, and all Contender barrels fit them. What doesn't swap back and forth are the hand-grips/buttstocks. The fore grips interchange with the correct barrel for each. There is a difference between the 10", 14" standard and bull barrels.
The G2 was made to replace the original Contender, as it's stronger. It can take those 'tweener' high pressure but not really big cases better.
Which kind of brings us to your last question about the Encore. The Encore was made to take certain high pressure rounds that were too large for the Centender/G2 Contender Frames. So, it's a combination of size and pressure not just size.
As to how to find out about which your firearm is, I would call Thompson Center for that information.
Edit:
tsr1965 and dfletcher,
Great posts!
llama,
I forgot mention, as tsr1965 and dfletcher did mention, that the Encore will handle ALL rounds originally chambered in TC arms, not just the bigger ones. Sorry about that.
If there was a 'one option only' I would go with the Encore, specifically for that reason.0 -
llama,
There are a couple differences between the third generation G2 Contender's, and the first and second generation Contenders.
The G2 barrels might have to have the locking lugs dressed down a little to work properly on the older Contender frames.
The G2 also has a little reinforcement that kinda looks like the Encore frame. I am not sure what the intent was behind it, but the chamberings are still somewhat the same as the older Contender's...at least the chamberings from Thompson Center, and it's Custom Shop.
The G2's trigger system is like the Encore's also.
quote:how does the Encore deal with this? Or is rimfire not an option w/ the Encore?
They have rimfire barrels for the Encore too. They don't have dual firing pins, but what they do have I believe is an offset chamber. I wouldn't know for sure as I have not actually handled one.
I have not much other information for you, but there are a couple different manufactures that produce custom Contender and Encore barrels. Match Grade Machine is one of the better ones.
I have an Encore with a 45 caliber muzzleloading barrel, a 260 Remington and 308 Winchester pistol barrels. It is a phenominal set up, so say the least. I do have a Contender Carbine, in 22 Hornet too. It is extremely accurate, and a lot of fun to shoot.
Best0 -
quote:Originally posted by llama
I'm kinda enjoyign the thought of the single shot TC pistol/rifle.
The "original" contender is no longer made - how do you tell the difference between an original and a G2 contender?
The contender has a switchable firing pin to allow for centerfire and rimfire... how does the Encore deal with this? Or is rimfire not an option w/ the Encore?
The ATF says that you can go from handgun configuration to rifle and back w/o violating the NFA. If I were to find something in a local shop, how can I determine if it left the factory as a rifle? If it left as a pistol, it can always be changed back... but if it left as a rifle, big no no...
Finally, I understand the "big" difference between Contender and Encore is the Encore can handle high pressure rounds like 308. What is the pressure cut off for the Contender chamberings? Or is it a combination of case head size and pressure? Are smaller case head rounds w/ higher pressures possible in the G2 Contender? If I had the $ (and I don't - yet) I think I'd really like to own one with barrels in 22lr, 5.7x28, 762x39, and 44mag... Will the g2 platform do or do I give up 22lr and go for an Encore?
Were I to have one model I would go with the Encore because it can be had in every chambering the T/C line will handle.
I currently have 2 frames of each (long gun and handgun configuration for each) and find the Encore long gun is the one I use most often. You can go a touch off the deep end buying barrels, stocks and scopes from companies like T/C, MGM and Bullberry. By way of getting your feet wet if you want to stick with long gun buy either a complete rifle or a long gun frame then add a barrel. Bergara makes Shilen barrels for the Encore only and they run about $160.00. I've bought 4 or 5 and they work fine - just picked up a bull barrel, 26" stainless in 222 Remington and it's "one hole" all day long at 100 yds. Custom manufacturers generally do a great job offering quality work in whatever caliber and configuration you like. I have a MGM made 25.35 WCF that is pleasant and accurate.
If you have a liking for certain calibers and reload the T/C is a great set up.
Regarding pressure there's a combination of pressure and case head size to consider. The 223 develops a fair amount of pressure, but the case head is rather small. The 45/70 develops less pressure but has a large case head. The 7.62X39 is somewhere in between, I think it's an Encore only offering.
Regarding the legal aspect of configuration, it's been a long road with ATF. ATF now states a frame purchased as a handgun or 4473'd as "other" can go from handgun to long gun and back - a frame or firearm purchased as a long gun can not. So if you buy frame only and are going to do the switch buying as handgun is best; or buy a complete handgun. I have the 4 frame set up and could sell off two, but switching back & forth is for me kind of a PITA. I already paid for them, might as well keep them.
Keep SBR & NFA laws in mind, no shorter than 16" bbls on the shoulder stocked frame. Constructive possession applies to SBR law, so having an unassembled shoulder stocked frame with only a shorter than 16" barrel laying about is an SBR a violation. So long as you have the shoulder stock I would make it a point of always having a greater than 16" barrel around too.
EABCO sells a 22 lr conversion kit for the Encore:
http://www.eabco.com/barels01.html0 -
Not as much help as the others but I have a encore pistol and with the 17 hmr barrel it is offest. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
4 comments