ok...honest comparison

[mjbgalt]

the encore, g2, and original contender...

how much better is the new batch than the original? i know you dont have to crack the action to recock the new ones, and that high pressure rounds are ok now.

is that it for improvements? i mean, if i get a good deal on an older one, is it just as good? would i even notice a difference in quality or anything at all?

i really like the systems but i wanna know what to expect. i have an encore rifle but i am shopping for a pistol and i am really stuck here...i can buy an old style one cheaper but for a new one i would have to get a g2 for a rimfire barrel because the encore rimfire barrels cost more than a separate .22 rifle would.

-Matt

[WhelenMan]

What do you want to do with it?  That will determine if it's to be an Encore or a G2/Contender.  I've read, and concur, that the trigger on the G2 will not quite match a Contender.  The "old style" contenders are just fine,  I prefer the looks of them over the G2...but that is a personal matter.

[mjbgalt]

i plan to use it for targets, for fun, and to hunt.

what i have in mind is a .22 barrel for small game and plinking, a .22 hornet or .223 for varmints, and a .44 magnum barrel for deer, since i can use it in ohio gun season that way.

i dont think i will be using any other barrels since i have an encore rifle in 7-08 and .204.

i would like to have another encore frame but the .22 is pretty important and the custom ones are ridiculously expensive for the encore.

-Matt

[mjbgalt]

would it just be best to buy a new g2? i mean, will the old style die out eventually and not be able to be sent in for repairs or parts unavailable?

for a used one, i can get a frame and grips for $165 and then i have to pay $200 for a barrel. total cost $365.

for a new g2, i pay $479.

so roughly a hundred dollars's difference and i get a new gun. worth it?

-Matt

[WhelenMan]

Can't really say as if it's worth it, but if you've got the money and you'd prefer the new, that is the way I would go. I wouldn't worry about not being able to have it serviced for a long time to come, plus they are simple enough there isn't much fixing a decent smith couldn't do one way or the next. One plus for the older frames is that you can get a stainless if that is what you like, I don't think the G2 is available in stainless yet.

For a straight wall pistol cartridge for deer, I'd recommend a .357 Maximum if you handload.  If you don't mind the 14" barrel, you can really reach out with it.  Mine's an easy 200 yard shooter on varmints with the lighter pistol bullets also, makes a mess of them though.  I wouldn't hesitate to drop the hammer on a whitetail with it at that distance with proper bullets either. 180gr Hornady SSP works great in mine for accuracy and it's a pointed bullet.  Shoots gas checked lead very well also, but I shoot 200gr bullets to keep the velocity around 1800 fps.  A lot easier on the hands than a .44, at least the way the recoil feels to me, and it shoots flatter by a good margin.

[Keith L]

I've read, and concur, that the trigger on the G2 will not quite match a Contender.

I can't speak for all G2s, but both of mine have excellent triggers.  While not as adjustable as the original they break like glass and are about 2.5 pounds.  That is what I like for a field gun.  With a spring kit they can come down in weight.

One thing is for sure: G2s open lots easier than the originals.

I am down to one original because I can't get Pachy grips for a G2 and I like them for heavy recoiling barrels.  When(if) they come out I will change that frame in as well.  My guess is I will get nearly as much for that original as it costs me for a G2 frame because of the the preference some have for them.

[Redhawk1]

I think you will be able to get parts for the Contender for a long time coming. There were so many made, and I think T/C will have a good supply of parts. If you really want to know without any guessing, give T/C a call and find out from them.  

[mjbgalt]

if only about $50 more for a new g2 like it is most places...then what? is the original going to be a collectors item that i can shoot and maybe leter make money on?

what about longevity? how long do these things hold up? would i be better off with a new g2? i do like the originals looks more.

-Matt

[Keith L]

I wouldn't expect originals to rapidly become collectors items.  A bunch of the run of the mill Contenders have been made over the years.

As far as how long they last: forever.  TC customer service is superb and to date has been known overhauling guns as needed, normally at no cost.

What I suggest you do is to get what you want.  You really can't go wrong with either an original or a G2.