I think I'd prefer a G2 over the Encore. Whadjuthink?

[bwana]

I am considering getting into the whole T/C thing.  I've read lots and studied up on what's available for each.  But, I haven't read a real world comparison from guys who have used both.

So, I ask, G2 or Encore?

Make your case for your favorite.

Thanks,

bwana

p.s. I've already learned a lot just from reading.

[Redhawk1]

It will boil down to what you feel more comfortable with and what you intend to do with it, and the chambering you desire. I have a Contender and the Encore and like them both as well. But I can get a lot heaver and high pressure rounds in the Encore, but the G2 the new contender, is lighter than the Encore and you can use 22 rim fire cartridges. It is what you will like that matters most.  

[RupertBear]

I think it primarily depends on what caliber(s) you plan to shoot. Some can only be shot using the Encore (which is what I am buying).

You'll enjoy either one.

[pigboy]

I have both.  If I had to choose one to grab to carry in the field it would be the G2.  However, if I did not reload, the G2 would be much more limited.  To get the most out of the G2 you need to go to wildcats and reloading your own ammo is necessary, unless you are happy with the 30-30, 7-30 or the 375 jdj.  The Encore opens up almost unlimited possibilitys.  That is why I have one.  I know that if a certain type of hunt comes along, if I do not already have the barrel I need, one call to Ed and a few hundred dollars can take care of that.

If you catch me out hunting though, I will most likely have my G2 in hand.

[flatlander]

I shoot my contender in pistol only, and that is why I don't have an encore yet. I bought my contender when the encores weren't even being talked about yet, and have been very happy with it so far. I feel that my limitations for the range that I'm comfortable shooting at with a pistol (200 yards or less) and the game that I hunt (deer and occasionally hogs at the biggest) can be covered with my contender pistol quite easily. So there just hasn't been a reason to get an encore for me. If I ever get into a hunt where longer shots are required or I'm after something larger, I'll use one of my bolt rifles. I don't have anything against the encores at all, I just can't justify the money when what I have works perfectly.

[Riff]

Rupertbear has hit the key issue - what caliber? If you're looking at something like a 223, you'll probably prefer the carry weight of a G2. But, if you're needing a bigger caliber, like 30-06, 300 Win Mag, etc...   you'll have to go Encore. Because the Contender has been around for decades, there is robust used market for barrels, so if you're the type that accumulates them, the Contender will probably be a little cheaper overall...

I started with a Contender (44, 45, 223 & 30-30), and love it. I just added an Encore in 30-06 for my hunts that require a bigger gun.

Either way, you'll have fun.  

[Catfish]

I don`t have a G-2 frame yet, but I do have 3 Contender frames and 2 Encore frames. If I could only have 1 frame it would be an Encore frame. You can put any round on an Encore frame that you can put on a Contender frame, but there is a whole pile of round that you can shoot on an Encore that you can`t shoot on a G-2. I`ve shot some pretty big rounds in the Contender, up to .45-70 and I can tell you that they start hurting your hand long be for they get there. There is just not enough room between the grip and the trigger gaurd for heavy recoiling rounds. I have never got my fingure with and Encore. For off hand plinking the Contender with a 10 in. barrel with any round up to .357 max. is the best of all worlds. For long range shooting I like 15 + in. barrel with scopes and by-pods or sand bags. The exception to this rule is my 10 in. .222 Rem. barrel. I run a track hoe and often see things that should be dead while I`m working. I`ve carried several handguns from .22 rim fire up, but haveing seen coyotes at ranges that I could not hit them with my iron sighted revolvers I when to the 10 barrel on a Contender frame. Still small enough to carry and should be a 150 to 175 yrd. gun from the hoe.

[Somerled]

My G2 is nice and trim and enjoyable to tote around on the ATV or out walking the fencelines at our farm. I think the trigger is finer. If I hunted something larger than whitetail deer, I'd lean toward the Encore however.