Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots opinions on T/C Encores and Contendors.

What do you guys think of the T/C Encores and Contendors? How dependable are they? How accurate are they.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!

Okay, I think you can count that as a positive opinion of the T/Cs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Had an Encore, 26" heavy barrel, factory cut and muzzletamer installed, with a 3-9x40ish Leupold on it. Kicked a bit worse than a .30-30 (WAY louder though). Would put 3 shots of Federal 165 BTSPs into 1.25 to 1.5 all day, and 5 shots always stayed within about 1.5 @ 100 yards. Alas, rent took precedent over rifles and a couple of pistols a few years back. I WILL own another Encore though, and soon (stainless, methinks).

As for Contenders, well I just bought my second (see earlier post), and I wouldn't part with the frames for twice what I paid for them.

IMHO, T/C is one of the best firearms companies out there, and the Contender/Encore set-up has no peer when it comes to versatility; from .14 caliber wildcats, to 22LR, varmint loads, to the biggest game, shotguns, and muzzleloader capability, all on the same frame with a familiar and very good adjustable trigger - how can you go wrong?

They also fit me very, very well, whether in pistol or carbine/rifle configuration. Other than my Savage 99 and a Winchester 22 (oh, and my Marlin 60), I may not buy another rifle, just more barrels.

Another $0.02, if you want a rifle in a T/C, go with the Encore. If you want a pistol, get a Contender (old style or G2). The Encore rifle gives you everything and then some that the Contender does as a carbine/rifle, but it's advantage is with calibers that are poorly suited to short, pistol length barrels. There, the Contender shines, with it's slightly lower weight.

So, get one (or more) of each...you'll be very happy, and quickly hooked, because they are addictive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

what is the average price for extra barrels?

Good used shooter barrels will run you from $100 to $200, sometimes more, depending on make, length, finish, options, etc.

Factory new and factory "custom" barrels will run between $200 and about $275-$300, depending on length, caliber, finish, and where you buy 'em.

Custom barrels (buy SSK Industries, Bullberry, and others) start with re-chambers (around $100, on your barrel), and go as high as you want to pay for caliber, finish, length, options, etc.

Collectible barrels run the gamut of prices from reasonable to WHAT!!

I'll list the websites for the companies that I referenced above, and type out the site here, so you and others can look and see for yourself. You can also, of course, check the Free Classifieds here and got to Ebay to see what might be floating around there as well.

Thompson/Center Arms: http://www.tcarms.com
T/C's factory custom shop, Fox Ridge Outfitters: http://www.foxridgeoutfitters.com
Bullberry: http://www.bullbery.com
SSK Industries: http://www.sskindustries.com

Oh, almost forgot to mention - it can be relatively easy to swap barrels with another T/C addict if you've got one they want/need and vice versa. I just did that: swapped a 10" .44 Magnum bull barrel for a 10" octagon .221 Rem. Fireball.

I have owned TCs since 1979 in just about every configuration you can dream of. My current favorite is a nicely stocked Contender carbine in several different flavors......with a tight chambered Shilen barrel.
Just bought my son a new G2 carbine in .204 Ruger factory barrel that is extremely accurate as well. With the correct stock and hardware the Contender makes a great rifle..........I just try not to think about how much I have invested in them.

My first was a contender, now I own a Encore and too many barrels, I just had a barrel made by SSK in 50/70 and it is awsome. deadly accurate and a real power house. 525 gr bullits. you must try one..just think you can have a differant caliber in about 3 minutes just change the barrel, and it is a less costly way to go,,,IMHO.. Hubert <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />