Forearms fins and hinge pins

[1x2]

Hi group,
I'm "new" here and do NOT own a TC/Encore yet- I'm trying to figure out how cranky they are and the cost of the "fixes" and whose barrel and forearm to buy.  I could use someone's help with disabusing me of the following notion.
Setup:
Part of the deal with swapping out barrels is tapping out the barrel hinge pin; to do this I understand that the forearm needs to be removed to access the pin.
From my reading around, part of the standard accuracy tuning procedure is to float the forearm on steel washers or insert a bar in the forearm to accomplish the same end, a kind of a hanger bar (or does this bar actually attach to the receiver?).
Fix?
If the Encore Accuracy Locker Hinge Pin from, say, EABCO is used, it seems unnecessary to retain the fins on the sides of the forearm to hold the factory pin from walking out the side, since it's not installed anymore.  The Accuracy Locker Hinge Pin is held together with set screws.  Once this is installed, the fins on the forearm can be sanded/dremeled off so the hinge pin is always exposed.  Now, the forearm doesn't need to be removed and can be matched to one particular barrel and never removed again.  Of course, this means that each barrel now needs its own forearm.  If it's so easy to properly float the forearm, then I'm overthinking this thing; OTOH...

Yes?  No?

Thanks for your thoughts,
1x2

[KN]

First, The fore arm never really floats. You are just limiting the contact area to just around the screws. It's pretty easy to do in several ways. Some use a small washer between barrel and fore arm. Some use a piece of tape with a hole in it for the screw to poke through. Some use hanger bar systems that require special fore arms.  Personally I mill slight pockets fore and aft and in between the screw holes to accomplish the same thing. Changing barrels is no big deal and the fancy pins hold no intrest to me.   KN

[Keith L]

There are lots of folks who will try to convince you that the Encore is flawed and needs repair prior to your ever shooting it.  I don't agree.  I recommend a good cleaning and deburring, just like with any new gun, and then shoot it.  If it doesn't group well try things, but do dads like the oversize and locking pins are primarily unnecessary in my experience.  Some barrels work better with washers between the forearm and the barrel, but others don't seem to need them.  The best thing to do is use quality mounts and a good scope.  Mount it carefully.  Keep things clean and tight, and you won't have much trouble.

[1x2]

Points noted, thank you, both.
1x2

[poncaguy]

My Encore pistols and rifles shoot fine stock, so do my Contender pistols, one of which is over 35 years old.....................

[DDelle338]

  One other note I feel might be good to remember. It may take a while for the gun to "settle in". I bought a barrel for mine that didn't seem to want to group very well. (3" groups) I kept shooting it for the fun and building up my brass supply. Then one day the groups went down to 2", the next time I shot it I was shooting 1/2" groups with the same loads. I never had a gun act that way before but was told by others that they had.
  I think there may be alot of guns sold/traded before they are realy given the chance to perform.

[wJAKE19]

  One other note I feel might be good to remember. It may take a while for the gun to "settle in". I bought a barrel for mine that didn't seem to want to group very well. (3" groups) I kept shooting it for the fun and building up my brass supply. Then one day the groups went down to 2", the next time I shot it I was shooting 1/2" groups with the same loads. I never had a gun act that way before but was told by others that they had.
  I think there may be alot of guns sold/traded before they are realy given the chance to perform.

I agree..

[Ireload2]

  One other note I feel might be good to remember. It may take a while for the gun to "settle in". I bought a barrel for mine that didn't seem to want to group very well. (3" groups) I kept shooting it for the fun and building up my brass supply. Then one day the groups went down to 2", the next time I shot it I was shooting 1/2" groups with the same loads. I never had a gun act that way before but was told by others that they had.
  I think there may be alot of guns sold/traded before they are realy given the chance to perform.

I have noticed this when about half of the bluing is gone from the bore leaving only the bluing in the corners of the grooves. Takes about 75 to 150 rounds. I usually clean every 5 shots to 20 shots until then. By then most barrels seem to be shooting their best.