Thompson Center Encore - is it a rifle or a pistol
Hello all.
While researching this firearm I came upon auctions for barrels that are both over and sub 16". Sub 16" barrels, judging from the descriptions, are intended for "Encore single shot pistol". The T/C web site describes Encore as "Rifle "System" delivers "minute of angle" accuracy right out of the box."
So, which is it, a rifle or a pistol?
While researching this firearm I came upon auctions for barrels that are both over and sub 16". Sub 16" barrels, judging from the descriptions, are intended for "Encore single shot pistol". The T/C web site describes Encore as "Rifle "System" delivers "minute of angle" accuracy right out of the box."
So, which is it, a rifle or a pistol?
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It's both, depending which stock you have on it.Familiar with the Thompson Contender ? It's like that only larger.
[8D]
ATF<P><br>0 -
Sir I don't mean to be facetious, but do to federal law defining the different types of firearms the Encore has to be a rifle if the barrel is over 16" long and it is sold with a shoulder stock and the overall length is at least 27 1/2".
It can't be LEGALLY converted to a pistol by substituting a barrel shorter then 16" and replacing the shoulder stock with a pistol grip.
If you want an Encore pistol, you have to buy one with a barrel less then 16" that comes with a pistol grip.
It'a all very confusing and very, very stupid!0 -
You can't convert a rifle to a pistol but you can convert a pistol to a rifle. I would suspect if you bought a Contender or an Encore as a rifle it would have to stay that way, however it is clear that the pistol can be converted back and forth. 0 -
ATF, as usual, is correct. Refer to www.stephenhalbrook.com/tc.html
On June 8, 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Contender pistol & carbine kit are not a short-barreled rifle under the National Firearms Act, 26 USC5845(a)(3). This means that a consumer may possess the pistol with its 10" barrel and may use the kit parts to make a rifle with the 21" barrel as long as the shoulder stock is not assembled onto the receiver at the same time as the 10" barrel.
TC makes no distinction between pistol and rifle receivers; therefore, it you bought a receiver only you can assemble it onto whichever barrel configuration you desire as long as you assemble it with the correct stock (buttstock with rifle barrel or pistol grips with pistol barrel).
Take the time to read the complete ruling by the court.0 -
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
Sir I don't mean to be facetious, but do to federal law defining the different types of firearms the Encore has to be a rifle if the barrel is over 16" long and it is sold with a shoulder stock and the overall length is at least 27 1/2".
It can't be LEGALLY converted to a pistol by substituting a barrel shorter then 16" and replacing the shoulder stock with a pistol grip.
If you want an Encore pistol, you have to buy one with a barrel less then 16" that comes with a pistol grip.
It'a all very confusing and very, very stupid!
I live in NYC so this is very important to me.0 -
Regarding the above posts by Ronald J. Snow and ATF, this is what I'm so confused about?
1, What is the status of a Encore that leaves the T / C factory in the rifle configuration, i.e. 20" barrel with Shoulder Stock.
A. Can it be converted to a pistol configuration LEGALLY?
2, What is YOUR status if you bought a Encore pistol "USED" that left the T / C factory in a rifle configuration?
A. Would you find yourself in legal trouble buy possessing it?0 -
I dug this up in rec.guns newsgroup:
"I wrote T/C a letter on this issue after hearing about a court ruling. According
to T/C, in letter dated 1 March 1999:
"Thompson/Center Arms Co. went all the way to the US Supreme Court to establish the
lawfulness of the Contender pistol and carbine (including the carbine kit) , and
won. The Supreme Court opinion also establishes the legality of the Encore system,
which has similar interchangeable parts."
" With these systems, a receive may be assembled either iwth a pistol grip and
pistol barrel, or with a should stock and rifle barrel (minimum length 16 inches).
A barrel under 16 inches in length must never be assembled onto the receive when
the shoulder stock is attached. Within that paramerter, the consumer may use the
parts to make a pistol or carbine, and may change the configuration at will."
"Thus, the sale, possession, and use of the Contender or Encore pistol and carbine
as described above are fully in accord with federal laws. The use of these
products in all of the States is likewise lawful, except that certain restrictions
may apply in California."
This is T/Cs explanation of the court ruling. Yes, you can use the receiver to
make either a pistol or rifle/carbine and switch between them."0 -
Common sense,except Calif. of course.
[:)]
ATF0 -
I am in NYC. Not sure if they will let me register it as a rifle. This is purely at their discretion and if they dont like it that this rifle can be converted into a pistol, then they will not register it.
But this is something I truely want. Muzzle loader, shotgun, and a centerfire all in one with a really good accuracy.0 -
I heard that you cannot use the T/C Encore for hunting in MA either. Is that correct?[?]
Ken0
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