Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Thompson Center Pistol, harsh recoil?

I'm thinking that my next purchase might be a Thompson Center Encore pistol, but I was wondering how bad is the recoil? The caliber that I'm interested in getting is the 6.5 Mini-Dreadnought.

I shoot a 15 inch encore pistol in 30-06. I don't find it harsh, however don't get one with the wood grips. They make it hard
to control the pistol if it has much recoil. tom

no hay problema, amigo.....

My scoped Encore 460 S&W Magnum is more comfortable to shoot than my 44 Magnum Ruger Redhawk with full house loads. Of course, the Encore is a bit heavier which helps.

Cool, because I think that I should get one. For pistols I do own a Ruger super redwawk .44 mag and that thing has a nasty kick to it, I'm glad to hear that the Thompson Center's are not to punishing to shoot.

I had an old-style Contender in .375 Winchester, and it was not bad at all (pretty damned accurate, too).

Now, the .45-70 barrels, can get you interesting, and fast.....

Had one in .444 marlin..........it was quite interesting to say the least but managable.

I have "several calibers in the standard Contender and the 16" 45-70 barrel with scope delivering 300 Hp bullet at 1564 is stiff bu easily fired over and over with little fatiguing. Those who push this caliber could cut into the fun.

Only thing I have shot out of an Encore was 7-08 and it was pleasant at about 2500 fps as I remember.

I have owned and shot extensively the following Encore chamberings in 15" barrel lengths:

270 Winchester
270 AI
280 JDJ
308 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
30-06 AI
300 Winchester Magnum
35-06 JDJ

All were fun. Some were less fun than others. I have learned over the years there are certain cartridges, pistol or rifle, that simply have more inherent recoil than others. Some roll into recoil, some snap bitterly, others surprisingly exhibit no adverse reaction at all.

The most fun to shoot in the Encore format was the 270's. They were pure delight with even the hottest loads. 130's did 2950 fps in the AI version.

Anyway, the single most effective tool for managing of the recoil effect, whether busted knuckles or holding it down, was a simple $14 leather Nike Batting Glove.

Many shooters new to the Encore in pistol format think they must arrest the recoil to manage it. This is not true. I learned to allow the gun to "roll up" on recoil. Let it move the way it wants to. But, you must still hold the gun in such a manner to hang onto it. I prefer the rolling recoil cartridges as opposed to the "snappers".

I don't own any of my pistol barrels now but I do intend to build either a 460 S & W or a 500 S & W.


I looked at the 6.5 Mini Dreadnaught and I think you should get one. Definitely get the T'Sob scope mount. It is the most troublefree scope mount I have ever owned on any firearm.

My brother has a T/C Contender with a 12" ported barrel, and it shoots real nice. I once shot two shots about 3" off hand at 100 yards with it. LOVE the triggers.

I've shot my friend's 338 JDJ. It isn't something you would want to shoot 2 or 3 boxes at a time. Otherwise it is quite pleasant to shoot.

I've got a 15" Encore that is chambered in 30/06 JDJ, I ordered it with the integral muzzle arrestor and it recoils like a lite 357 mag load. Downside is, the brake is very efficient and you pay for decreased recoil with increased muzzle blast, plugs and muffs are the norm when shooting this hand cannon.

The real painfull T/C guns are prettymuch out of the picture (such as the 10" octagon 30/30). The new guns changed the grip angle and added the beefed up the Encore for bigger chamberings, at the cost of a sweet trigger. I still shoot a Contender, old style in mild calibers, and have a fondness for 30/40 Krags...(14' +) Bill

I shoot a 30-30, 357 Herrett and a 45-70 Contenders, among others. While the recoil is manageable it can be harsh on the index finger when the wood stocks are used. The cocking spur hits mine with the bigger calibers hard enough to make me anticipate it.(Can cause flinch). Encore doesn't seem as bad.

I think the 6.5 mini dread would not be any trouble at all.I hunt/shoot exclusively with pistols,Contenders,Encores,A few custom Strikers.I shoot the following calibers
270WSM
309JDJ
375JDJ
7MM SAUM IMP
450 MARLIN
45-70 GOVT
270 WIN
308
7MM-08
300 WSM
30-30 WIN
7-30 WATERS
222 REM
I have taken many animals with my pistols,it is challenging and you get a little self satisfaction knowing you did it with a pistola.. JUST DO IT! You won't regret it.
Jim

I also use singleshot specialty handguns myself.
Your cartridge will be a good one of you go that way.
I have several 6.5-284's in handguns and have used them for big game and also use them for long-range pd's beyond 1K and have also used them @ several 1,000 yard rifle BR matches.
Specialty pistols chambered right with a good barrel and the right twist can be pretty amazing.
No fireforming required and great brass the 6.5-284 would also be a good choice.

I have a Encore Pistol in .450 Marlin with a 15" barrel. It is a beast!

A 15", .454 Casull, Encore has a pretty darn good snap to it with 300 grain XTP's & near max loads of N110. I really need to get a gel glove for that beast, as well as using some milder loads, so I will get out and practice with it more often.