TC Encore

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Dan Forrester

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Hi guys I have a few questions about the Encore rifles / pistols:

Is there any difference between the encore rifle and pistol receivers? If I purchased a rifle could I put a pistol grip it, or if a purchased a pistol could a rifle stock be attached?

I’ve heard that if you cock and then lower the hammer you must break the gun back open again in order to cock the hammer the second time. Is this true?

How is the barrel broken open? Is the trigger guard pushed forward? Does this work out ok? It seems kinda awkward.

Has anyone ever used one of the 12ga shotgun barrels with one. Are these approved by TC Arms or just something that is manufactured because they can be.

If I register this with the ATF as an NFA weapon, (which I plan to do) would it be a SBS or a SBR or would it even matter?

Thanks, Dan
 
from my understanding you can legally turn a pistol into a rifle but not the other way around. You pull back on the trigger guard to open the action, it feels pretty natural. You don't have to open the action to recock the hammer, that was on the original contenders.
 
1) Legally, a pistol can become a rifle but a rifle cannot become a pistol. Mechanically, both receivers are the same.
2) My FLG tells me that this was true for Contenders but is no longer the case not for G2s or Encores.
3) IIRC, the trigger guard pulls towards the pistol grip to open the action. I found it to be fairly intuitive.
4) Never tried it.
5) Dunno what you're asking.
 
I'm with Redhawk. Why would you want to register an Encore as an NFA weapon? I don't see the reason to go through that hassle for a single shot break action firearm ...

... although an Encore with a Choate folding stock and a 12" barrel would be "kinda cool."

Wasn't there a court case years ago in which the ATF argued that someone who owned a Contender frame, a carbine stock and barrel, and a pistol stock and barrel, possessed an unregistered SBR simply because he had the components to put one together if he wanted to (i.e., carbine stock and pistol barrel)?
 
The case you referred to was concerning TC selling a carbine kit to convert a Contender pistol to a rifle. TC won and the kit was deemed legal. Don't put a pistol barrel on a frame with a rifle stock. That is legally a SBR.

I could be wrong but I think you can have a rifle/shotgun barrel on with a pistol grip as long as the overall length requirement is met.

The trick to buying a Encore/Contender is to buy a pistol first. Then you have no problems going to a long gun. If you buy a bare frame, my inderstanding is that the ATF considers it to be whatever you first build it as. (How they know that for sure I'll never know and I doubt they will either). Again to be safe, make it a pistol first.

Oh, and TC sells 12 gauge barrels in slug and turkey barrel configurations (may a 20 gauge too). So, yes they do approve of it.
 
I recently purchased up an Encore frame. I am kicking myself for not getting one of these a long time ago. If you like single shot shooting and reloading they are a super value.

You ask:

Is there any difference between the encore rifle and pistol receivers? If I purchased a rifle could I put a pistol grip it, or if a purchased a pistol could a rifle stock be attached?

Only in the way they are originally defined by the factory to the BATFE. I have read that the use of either receiver in the other configuration is no big deal, and I have read that it is undefined, and I have read that it is a problem. I am not interested in the pistol so I got the receiver only but it is registered as a rifle. From a practical standpoint as long as you don't have a rifle stock on a short barrel or a pistol grip on a rifle barrel you are probably ok, however that is my totally uninformed opinion and don't call me from jail if I got it wrong. Like I said, I only intend to use rifle barrels with my receiver.

I’ve heard that if you cock and then lower the hammer you must break the gun back open again in order to cock the hammer the second time. Is this true?

That is not true with the iteration of the Encore that I have. I think this was an old Contender issue. With my Encore I can cock it, hold the hammer, pull the trigger and release the hammer and it will reset to a safe position, then I can cock it again. However - do not dry fire your encore without a snap cap. You can quickly ruin the firing pin retraction spring.

How is the barrel broken open? Is the trigger guard pushed forward? Does this work out ok? It seems kinda awkward.

If you imagine that you have your finger on the trigger of any rifle, you pull your finger out of the trigger guard, move it below the trigger and pull onto a tang on the trigger guard mechanism, the rifle breaks open. It is quick, handy and natural.

Has anyone ever used one of the 12ga shotgun barrels with one. Are these approved by TC Arms or just something that is manufactured because they can be.

I have not used the shotgun barrel yet. The black powder barrel for the Encore is the cadillac of muzzle loaders.

If I register this with the ATF as an NFA weapon, (which I plan to do) would it be a SBS or a SBR or would it even matter?

I am not an expert on BATFE NFA registrations, however, I beleive you must define the configuration you wish to register and pay a tax for. I could be wrong because that is a complex and expensive side of this hobby that I have not ventured into.

Beyond your questions I put a .204 Ruger barrel on my receiver. In 15 shots I had it zeroed at 300 yards. I have hit shotgun shells at 300 yards with this rifle.

One tip that I picked up from an older wiser Encore shooter than I was to get some of the metalized duct tape, looks like a fairly stiff aluminum foil with an adhesive back. Put about a 3/4 inch square over the ends of the barrel pin. This eliminates any "walking" of the pin and may be one of the keys to my super accurate, stock, out of the box .204 barrel.
 
Coltdriver, the factory does not define the serial number to BATFE as a rifle or pistol. That determination is made at the time of the sale or, in the case of a bare frame, when it is first put together by the owner.
 
I got my frame at Sportsman's Warehouse and had them record the purchase as a .204 Ruger which is the barrel that I put on it.

So mine is a rifle receiver.

Although this brings up an interesting point. Is there a designation on the yellow for as to rifle or pistol??

You can sure get rifle cartridge barrels in pistol lengths for the receiver.
 
Is there a designation on the yellow for as to rifle or pistol??
Click to expand...

Yes. This is how ATF will know if the Contender/Encore was sold as a 'rifle' or 'pistol'.

Again though, the key is to never have a less than 16" barrel on a rifle-stocked frame.
 
Thanks very much to all for your responses.

I have two more questions for you guys:

Can a rifle stock be used with a pistol barrel or a rifle barrel used with a pistol stock?

Also is there an extractor or ejector on these things? If so how are rounds like the 9mm or other rimless rounds removed? Are they just dug out with your fingers?

The reason i want to register this in the NFA registry is because I’d like to make a compact suppressed carbine in either 9mm or .38spl. I already have the suppressor for the project. I figure a 6 inch barrel plus another 6 inches for the suppressor should be just fine. onto this I’d add a rifle stock.

The SBR vs. SBS question arises out of the fact that I’d also like to make a compact single shot shotgun pistol with maybe a 6 or 8 inch barrel with a pistol grip just for fun.

Dan
 
AFAIK, T/C does not offer a 9mm barrel. You'd have to contact the custom barrel maker that you're looking at for a 9mm barrel and ask 'em how they extract/eject.
 
Can a rifle stock be used with a pistol barrel or a rifle barrel used with a pistol stock?
Click to expand...
Physically, yes. Barrels and stocks/grips are interchangeable. Legally? If the combo doesn't meet minimum length rules (barrel, and OAL) you'll have to go the NFA route.
Also is there an extractor or ejector on these things? If so how are rounds like the 9mm or other rimless rounds removed? Are they just dug out with your fingers?
Click to expand...
No ejector, but there is an extractor that pulls the case out far enough to make it easy to grab with your fingers.
 
TC made a few 9mm barrels but this was years ago...you will see them pop up on Ebay from time to time, as well as auction arms, gun-broker, etc etc...


Go to Fox Ridge...thats TC's Custom Shop.

There is also Bullberry, mbmco.com, Mike Bellm, SKS industries, and a few others that feed the Contender/Encore addiction.

Just remember, most pistol calibers 'cept for the REAL biggies (454, 480, 460 and 500) are going to be in contenders more than encores, and encores will have the heavy rifle calibers...for the most part.
 
TC barrels are equipped with extractors as otheres have noted. You might want to consider the 38 sprcial solution as 357 mag barrels are plentiful. Also, the rimmed cases are a tad easier to remove and insert than the rimless cases.
 
*raises hand*

So you want to try and get the reciever sold as a pistol, right. Or doesn't it matter. :confused: Thinking about getting one for christmas.

/BTW can the TC recievers take the Ultra Mag calibers, 50 BMG? :cool:
 
To disassemble one you remove two slot head screws that secure the forearm to the barrel.

The forearm "captures" a pin that is about a 1/2 inch diameter pin.

With the forearm removed you press the pin out. Very easy to do with a wood dowel as the pin is not a press fit.

When the pin is out the barrel comes off.

Literally can be done in a minute easy.

Just reverse the process and you have a rebarreled action!
 
The Encore lists the 375 H&H mag. None of the newer thing like the Ulta mag or the WSMs are listed by TC.I don't know if any of the custom guys do those. Contenders can not handle any of these since the frame of smaller.

Best to buy it as pistol.
 
Heck, the Encore is a single shot! Buy whatever caliber you want and a case of ammo ... and then reload for it! Ought to last a lifetime!
 
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