Author Topic: Contender or Encore? (Read 1834 times)

Coveyrise64 · « **on:** September 03, 2007, 05:50:20 AM »

Have been thinking about purchasing a .22cal Contender but saw that they are making .22cal barrels for the Encore. What are the differences between the two and are they significant enough to spend the extra money on the Encore? Also I didn't see anything about the Encore having the rimfire/centerfire selector like the Contender, I assume the barrel is offset to compensate for the difference.

Thanks...

Coveyrise64

Lone Star · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:01:18 AM »

The Encore is larger and heavier than the Contender, so it depends on what you want from your .22LR. Accuracy will be the same, but the Encore gives you the ability in the future to go to a high pressure cartridge not suitable for the Contender, like the .30-06 or .454 Casull. Personally I prefer the smaller Contender and do not feel limited by the G2 chamberings. If I need more than a .223, .30-30 or .45-70 I have other handguns which are suitable.

.

irold · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2007, 09:44:23 AM »

I have both, though my 22 is in the Contender. I have to agree with Lone Star, the Contender is smaller and lighter, and with a 10" barrel a lot easier to carry. My Encore barrels are mostly 15" and more like a hand rifle! Trust me, most recoil like that too ! With a 10" 44 mag barrel in the Contender, your good for anything (almost). Remember, your already gaining the advantage of a "closed breach" over a revolver. In all honestly, I could easily do with out the Encore and do everything I need to with the Contender. Your decision may depend on your phyiscal size also....if you got big hands maybe the Encore is a better choice for you. Hope this helps.....Good Shooting, Mike

MS Hitman · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2007, 12:05:14 PM »

I'm so heavily invested in the Contender that when the Encore showed up, I just wasn't nor am I interested in it. So I guess you can put me over in the Contender column.

Keith L · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2007, 12:50:01 PM »

I have four frames and a couple dozen Contenders, so put me in the Contender column as well. I suppose if I got just the right deal on an Encore it would come home with me, but I have little need for the big boomers you need an Encore to use.

Coveyrise64 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2007, 04:52:46 PM »

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Coveyrise64

ourway77 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2007, 07:50:24 AM »

I have 12 Contenders, G-2, and Encores W/BbL's, I have 3 extra barrels. Eventually will have frames for these. Call it lazy LOL, don't like changing barrels. It is as broad as it is long. I am happy with them all. Lou

Ladobe · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2007, 05:50:19 AM »

Started shooting Contenders (and quickly became an addict) in 1969, and was one of the first to get a couple of Encore frames when they came out. While I also liked the Encore and had quite a few pistol barrels for it, I found the extra bulk and weight a con and so soon was not using the Encore anymore. It just didn't "hang" like a Contender for my uses, and back then there were no 3rd party grip options yet to help handle the recoil of the big boomers I shoot. Never did shoot the Encore as a rifle - already had too many custom carbine barrels for the Contenders. With the wildcats developed for the Contender I can do just about anything with it that I could have with an Encore (in all the types of shooting/hunting I do anyway), so all the Encore stuff went to live with somebody else.

However, if I was just starting out now with TC's (and did reload/wildcat)... for the pistol config I'd run down a good Contender easy open frame (not a G2), and for the carbine/rifle/shotgun/ml config I'd probably go with an Encore. Best of both worlds IMO.

YMMV

steveus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2007, 04:52:42 AM »

I much prefer the Contender overall, but I kind of look at it this way: Contender for handguns, Encore for rifles. Steve

muffindrvr · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2007, 06:37:59 AM »

i prefer the contender. with 4 stainless frames and one blued and 20 barrels later the contender fits me better plus the weight difference in the two .i shoot a 375 jdj off of my contender if that dont kill what iam hunting then i should not be hunting it. just my 2 cents worth.thanks dave..........

MePlat · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2007, 06:52:06 AM »

If one KNOWS FOR SURE with NO doubt they will never want a caliber a Contender (G2) etc. won't handle then fine that launch platform is ok. If there is any doubt then get the Encore.

Keith L · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2007, 11:25:38 AM »

It is a rare Contender shooter that only has one frame. I see nothing wrong with having at least one of each.

neald · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2007, 01:49:01 PM »

I have only one Encore frame and 5 contender frames.
I only have one pistol barrel for the Encore and a couple of rifle barrels for it. (the pistol barrel was to cheap to pass up, I do not have duplicates in calibers.
I am going to order a custom 6mm Dasher in a heavy tube for the encore.

For the contender I have about 35 barrels both pistol and carbine. I have carried the contender with both pistol and carbine barrels. I will probably never carry the Encore in the field. The Contender is just lighter. And , if I need more power than I can get out of my Contender I am at the point I am trying to use horsepower in place of bullet placement.
There is nothing wrong with having both either, lots of fun to be able to switch out barrels at the range and keep people wondering what you are using
My thoughts, that and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee in most places.
Neal

EdK · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2007, 04:26:09 PM »

1 Encore/4 Contenders here

Encore is good but... I think I see a trend here

BobT · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2007, 04:48:41 AM »

I have both as well, like Steve my Encores wear rifle length barrels and the Contenders are handguns. For any of the rimfires I would go with the Contender. BTW I prefer the old style Contender over the G2.

Bob

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2007, 05:09:29 AM »

I'm always the guy bucking the trend, but not this time. 5 Contenders, I'm not about to count barrels( my wife might catch me with all of'm in one place) / 1 Encore. I did buy an Encore when they first came but, other than as a muzzleloader rifle, used it very little. That is finally beginning to change some. I now use a 12ga. Katahdin turkey barrel(awesome) and I'm also looking to get a 12ga. muzzleloader barrel for same purpose. I use a .375Win rifle barrel ( a little ) that hits deer like a Mack Twuck and just got a 18" 45/70 Katahdin barrel that I think is really going to be a hoot as a rifle OR pistol. Soooo.....the question is...if I was just starting out, would I skip the Contender and go straight to the Encore...

...Naw...I don't think so. Life was simpler back in the sixty's. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

MnMike · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2007, 06:50:03 PM »

If I was buying the system as a rifle, I would go with the Encore (instead, I went with the NEF Handi Rifle - more of a challenge to get accuracy, but cheap and fun). If I was buying it as a pistol, I would (and did) go with the Contender. I have multiple barrels for both.

JMHO

mike

Bullseye · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2007, 07:09:47 AM »

I prefer the Contender for pistol configuration. I have had some Encores in rifle configuration and had sold all but 1 frame. After having it laying around for 6 months when Bulberry was selling their grips and forarms cheap I bought a set just in case I ever wanted an Encore handgun. Now I just had an unexplained urge and bought a 30-06 pistol barrel for it. Even though I like to play and am trying the Encore as a handgun, I have no doubt I will prefer the Contender in pistol configuration because the Encore is just so big and heavy.

Coveyrise64 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2007, 03:58:53 PM »

Gosh, thanks for all of the feedback. Sounds like the Contender is the clear winner. You guys are awesome.

Coveyrise64

landrich · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:13:45 PM »

Add me to the Contender group. Lighter and MUCH better trigger. The choice of calibers is not a factor. Anything I intend to hunt with a single-shot can be handled by the Contender. If I need the really big rifle cartridges (375 H&H, 416 Rigby, etc), I'd prefer a couple of follow up shots just a bolt throw away.

kennisondan · « **Reply #20 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:31:09 PM »

I have used contender for many many years; it is the only gun I started with and still have, I think... if I had not wanted to shoot some 308 factory loads from a handgun, to share the ammo I have on hand, I would have stayed with the old contender and the barrels I have on hand for pistols from 22 mag through 44 and 35 remington..with the 223 also they did it all for me... I was just gnashing for a longer range possible pistol type gun .. of course once I got started a 358 and a 460SW barrel for the encore in pistol lengths also call lafayette home now.
if not for the wild hair to have a 308 I would have stayed happy and am still happy with my old model contender... and my old barrels..
I am just old, I guess.
I am anxious to try the encore stuff out but not sold on it yet...
the contender will do it all for you.
dk

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #21 on:** November 19, 2007, 09:36:09 AM »

I have had a Contender since '78. For deer I have had .44 mag., .45 Colt/.410, .35 Rem., and currently .30-30. I agree with Neald in that going above that is trying to use horsepower to replace accurate bullet placement. I had considered an Encore 20 ga. with rifled slug barrel, but the 870 with cantilever slug barrel and extra shot barrel won out over that. I did, however pick up a Contender carbine in .22 LR and .22 Hornet. I'll be getting a .30-30 barrel for it soon. I don't need more power than that, and if I do, there is always the.45-70.

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #22 on:** November 21, 2007, 08:08:01 AM »

Quote

I assume the barrel is offset to compensate for the difference.

The ones from T/C are IIRC, others use an offset firing pin that needs to replace the standard pin (easy swap).

FWIW, I shoot best offhand with my Encore. My barrels are 9 inches long (.357 Mag & .44 Rem Mag) and the feel and balance is just right.

With the extra mass of the Encore and the new Pachmayr grips, shooting hot magnum loads becomes a pleasure.

I used to get pains in my elbow from shooting .357 mag in a Contender.

I shoot .22lr, .22WMR and .22 Hornet with a G-2.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #23 on:** November 21, 2007, 09:18:15 AM »

I have always had trouble shooting my Contender offhand. So wouldn't you know that I once actually hit a crow at about 100 yds with an offhand shot. Go figure!

I hit a woodchuck at 100 yd. with a .45 Colt revolver once. I had to shoot 4 shots below it, then 1 over it and finally a hit.

GhosT · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2007, 07:52:02 PM »

This thread, putting a smile on my face. Contender fans!

I totally respect the ENCORE, but as live in Ohio, rifle rounds not a choice for big game.

I actually Rushed to buy a Contender,before replaced with a G2.
3 barrels, a 22 match grade, .223, and a 44 mag(all 14"barrels.)

Sweet trigger, and best example.......22 does 3/8" at 50 yards on a regular basis!

If lived in a state that accepted rifle round for big game, might own an ENCORE,....

But here, can easily live with a Contender.....

begeberg · « **Reply #25 on:** November 24, 2007, 12:19:46 PM »

Contender with 22 match chamber, 10 inch is a tack driver!