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Thompson Center Arms
#6230899
03/21/16 05:59 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 25
nhmikel
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 25 |
What your preference Contender or Encore and why?
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6231115
03/21/16 01:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174 |
Depends on caliber. If the encore frame isn't needed for the cartridge, I prefer the smaller, lighter contender.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: Tactical Cowboy]
#6231813
03/21/16 11:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564 |
Depends on caliber. If the encore frame isn't needed for the cartridge, I prefer the smaller, lighter contender. Same here. Just got a 35 Rem Super 14 Contender on a trade. I think I've owned about a half dozen Contender frames and two Encores. Can't go wrong with either. I've had everything from 22lr to 45-70. They're a lot of fun
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6231840
03/21/16 11:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503 |
I bought a Contender rather than an Encore because so many people made the same comments as above. Since I've never shot an Encore, I can't compare the two, myself. That said, I'm very happy with my Contender, my Triumph muzzle loader and my .30-06 Icon. All in all, they make pretty good products.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: syncerus]
#6232186
03/22/16 03:48 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 789
MClark
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 789 |
I have both, as stated above the cartridge is best to decide which action to go with. I only have original Contenders, no G2's, and like the trigger better than the Encore trigger. The Encore trigger pushes your finger forward after the hammer drops and I do not like that.
Mark
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6235776
03/25/16 12:02 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 25
nhmikel
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 25 |
I do like the Contender for pistol setups and Encore for larger caliber rifles. My Encore pistol is heavy
Seeking most anything Thompson Contender pls email nhmikel@yahoo.com
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6235840
03/25/16 12:51 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,560
Slow Drifter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,560 |
Encore, but I'm an engineer. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Depends on what the top end of your desired caliber is.
Last edited by Slow Drifter; 03/25/16 12:52 AM.
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6235852
03/25/16 01:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 897
TKM
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 897 |
Encore. I have two Pro Hunter frames and four barrels, 243, 270, 30-06, and 338 win mag. Most of the time during the fall I have both frames and all the barrels with me but there are times I may have the 243 and 338 barrels. With the 338 you need the Encore frame. Three of the barrels are standard Thompson 28", stainless, fluted. The 338 is a custom MGM, 27" with integrated muzzle brake. Currently the three other barrels are being cut down to 24". I've shot the 243 and 338 a lot and both are shooters. Have not shot the 270 and 06 much but they are just to picky on loads so we'll see if 24" is a little less picky.
I am like SD, an engineer and just prefer the Encore.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6235889
03/25/16 01:41 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,486
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,486 |
Like some of the others have said, depends on the caliber. Have both frames but have never used the Encore as a handgun. Before the Encore or G2 came out was hunting with a Contender in 7-30 Waters, if I need more reach than that gun provides I need rifle.
Handgun will stick with the Contender, I do have an Encore that I use sometimes rifle hunting but never have gotten a handgun barrel for it only rifle and muzzle loader.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236094
03/25/16 09:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 25
nhmikel
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 25 |
Got 6.5 Creedmore 15" Encore....it's quite a shooter
Seeking most anything Thompson Contender pls email nhmikel@yahoo.com
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236178
03/25/16 01:37 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
All shooters should be aware that if you buy a Contender or an Encore as a pistol, then it is illegal to convert it into a rifle.
By the same token, if you buy a Contender of an Encore as a rifle, then it is illegal to convert it into a pistol.
Either one can get you twenty years in a federal pen. The matter is judged by whether the firearm goes into the books as "rifle" or "pistol" when the original purchase is made.
One might think, "Well, who is going to know or care?"
Well, ATF agents are hot on this issue and when they see a Contender or Encore in either configuration, guess what they go out of their way to check up on, right off the effing bat?
There is no firearm sold that is legal to convert back and forth between rifle and pistol. With the right tax stamp you can convert one back and forth, just as it is with an AR, but otherwise no.
Some may see me as a party-pooper in bringing this point up - but I'd rather the readers here spend a few minutes thinking about it now - than spend twenty years considering it while residing in a federal penitentiary.
If you have one of these, in the books as rifle or pistol and want to have the other - go the inexpensive route and buy another frame to go with the other kind of stock and barrel.
Think about your family.
Last edited by charlesb; 03/25/16 01:39 PM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: charlesb]
#6236299
03/25/16 03:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974
rjd
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974 |
All shooters should be aware that if you buy a Contender or an Encore as a pistol, then it is illegal to convert it into a rifle.
By the same token, if you buy a Contender of an Encore as a rifle, then it is illegal to convert it into a pistol.
My understanding is that this is partially true. A pistol frame cannot be used for a rifle, but a rifle frame can be used for a pistol. Once converted, it cannot be used as a rifle anymore. There has been a lot of discussion on this, and the water is pretty muddy as to ATF enforcement. A lot of folks are using frames interchangeably, and while I can't say that that is fine, I have heard of noone being brought up on charges for doing so. That may well change after the next election.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: rjd]
#6236389
03/25/16 05:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
All shooters should be aware that if you buy a Contender or an Encore as a pistol, then it is illegal to convert it into a rifle.
By the same token, if you buy a Contender of an Encore as a rifle, then it is illegal to convert it into a pistol.
My understanding is that this is partially true. A pistol frame cannot be used for a rifle, but a rifle frame can be used for a pistol. Once converted, it cannot be used as a rifle anymore. There has been a lot of discussion on this, and the water is pretty muddy as to ATF enforcement. A lot of folks are using frames interchangeably, and while I can't say that that is fine, I have heard of noone being brought up on charges for doing so. That may well change after the next election. Can you show evidence of a rifle action being converted from rifle to pistol legally, without buying the tax stamp? Has anybody else seen this? I've been around firearms for many years, and have yet to see anything even remotely like that, anywhere. Shooters being how they are, loving to experiment, if it were legal I think we would all have been seeing it on a regular basis. The criteria as I understand it, is how the receiver with serial number is designated by the manufacturer. (Pistol or rifle) Thus we have pistols with rifle receivers legally sold by manufacturers, like the Remington XP-100, AR pistols, and the Ruger Charger for example. An inverse example was when Thompson-Center started offering Contender rifles. I got my information from ATF agents who noticed a Contender in my shop, and other ATF agents at the ATF office when I called and asked about it by way of verification. There was no mud in the water, they made it very plain and were emphatic about it. Then I asked the county Sheriff and he had the same story. Federal law is not a casual thing to push the envelope on, as the push-back when you do so can be quite severe. If you cannot back up your claim with evidence, then what you are doing here is trying to talk fellow shooters into having their lives ruined, on the strength of your "opinion". Twenty years in a federal pen is no joke. Opinions mean nothing, compared to federal law. You have to be careful about giving out bogus information... If somebody wound up in trouble because they believed your "opinion", then later on they or some of their family might be looking you up. - Get the picture? Injured families are a lot like the feds, in that they will not accept ignorance as an excuse. Personally, I do not agree with this particular law... Whether you or I agree with the law or not will have no bearing though, when they drag you off to prison while your family wonders how they are going to get by without you for the next couple of decades or so. Then, when you do get out, you cannot legally own any kind of firearm at all. I have owned a number of Contenders over the years - but I've never been stupid enough to try to convert one from pistol to rifle, or visa versa. The fact that T/C does not encourage buyers to do home conversions is a significant clue. If it were legal, they'd be advertising and encouraging the practice as a special feature of the Encore and Contender. - But they don't, do they? There are circumstances where parts can legally be swapped out: With a rifle, you can take off the butt-stock and install a pistol grip instead - as long as the barrel is over 16 inches, and the overall length is 27 inches or better. (Same goes for shotguns like the Mossberg Cruiser, but with shotguns the minimum barrel length is 18".) With a pistol, you can have any length barrel you like - but you cannot put a rifle butt-stock on it.
Last edited by charlesb; 03/25/16 05:42 PM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236392
03/25/16 05:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564 |
TC used to sell a package with one receiver, a pistol barrel, a pistol grip, rifle barrel and a rifle stock. The ATF said it was selling SBRs illegally. TC won the Supreme Court case and it was ruled that they were not selling illegal SBRs due to the lack of intent as the kit had both the pistol grip and stock. IANAL YMMV https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Thompson-Center_Arms_Co.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236393
03/25/16 05:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,639
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,639 |
Didn't T/C sell a 16" barrel and rifle stock kit for the Contender at one time, so you could convert it back and forth?
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236395
03/25/16 05:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
A 16" barrel is legal for either rifle or pistol.
Last edited by charlesb; 03/25/16 05:39 PM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#6236397
03/25/16 05:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564 |
Didn't T/C sell a 16" barrel and rifle stock kit for the Contender at one time, so you could convert it back and forth? It was a 10" and 21".
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236400
03/25/16 05:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
Do they sell that kit today? - If not, then why not?
Think it through.
Last edited by charlesb; 03/25/16 05:43 PM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236401
03/25/16 05:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564 |
No need to SBR a Contender anyway. 16" is plenty short.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: charlesb]
#6236403
03/25/16 05:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564 |
Do they sell that kit today? - If not, then why not?
Think it through.
No sure why they don't. Must not have been any money in it. The SCOTUS ruled it was good so it wasn't for legal reasons.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236404
03/25/16 05:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
I have a friend who owns several 16" Encores, and very rarely hunts with anything else.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: TexFlip]
#6236406
03/25/16 05:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
Do they sell that kit today? - If not, then why not?
Think it through.
No sure why they don't. Must not have been any money in it. The SCOTUS ruled it was good so it wasn't for legal reasons. I'll make you a good deal on a bridge, if you really believe that. Just think... You could charge a toll and get rich overnight!
Last edited by charlesb; 03/25/16 05:50 PM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: charlesb]
#6236410
03/25/16 05:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564 |
Do they sell that kit today? - If not, then why not?
Think it through.
No sure why they don't. Must not have been any money in it. The SCOTUS ruled it was good so it wasn't for legal reasons. I'll make you a good deal on a bridge, if you really believe that. Just think... You could charge a toll and get rich overnight! Believe what? That they weren't making money on the kit or that the SCOTUS affirmed that it was legal to sell it?
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: nhmikel]
#6236472
03/25/16 07:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,639
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,639 |
The end of page 4 puts this to rest. ATF Ruling If it's the kit, you can change it back and forth, provided you do not use the short barrel with the rifle stock. If it began life as a pistol, you can change it back and forth, again no short barrel/rifle stock. However, if you bought a TC rifle, it is illegal without the stamp to alter it to a pistol, in the eyes of the ATF.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Thompson Center Arms
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#6236487
03/25/16 07:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174 |
The end of page 4 puts this to rest. ATF Ruling If it's the kit, you can change it back and forth, provided you do not use the short barrel with the rifle stock. If it began life as a pistol, you can change it back and forth, again no short barrel/rifle stock. However, if you bought a TC rifle, it is illegal without the stamp to alter it to a pistol, in the eyes of the ATF. That's what I was thinking.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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