Contemplating First T/C Encore - Good Deal?

[jakes10mm]

Went by my "favorite" local gun shop today and was looking at the shotguns and rifles.  He had a new H&R Handi in 500S&W.  Interesting and balanced well.  Looking in the pistol cabinets, I found a new Encore SS frame and new Custom Shop 460S&W blued pistol barrel with a recoil tamer.  His customer who ordered the components backed out after the wait and mistake in sending a blued barrel instead of a matching SS one. Anyhow, the owner let me assemble them to see the SS/Blue combination.  Thought it looked pretty unique.  He is asking $315 for the frame and $275 for the barrel.  Both are new.  Sound like a good deal.  It has the black rubber stock rather than walnut.  I'm a 45Colt fan, so the 460 would give me 3 cartridge options in one pistol.  Of course, my long range plan would include a Pro Hunter 30-06 rifle barrel....and probably a custom 260 rem rifle barrel.  Opinions?

[Grumulkin]

$315 for the frame is an average deal.  $275 for the barrel is quite a bit overpriced in my opinion; $225 for the new blue barrel would probably be fair but I, personally, wouldn't even pay that much.  For not that much more, you could probably get a Custom Shop stainless steel barrel.

If I were you, I would price these items with places like Fox Ridge Outfitters and some of the gun auction sites including eBay.  You won't get exceptional deals from Fox Ridge Outfitters but at least have some kind of starting point to compare.  Of course, you can only get barrels on eBay.

[Cowboybart]

I think you should buy the frame then my S/S 26" SSK barrel in 270 JDJ #2  :-)

[irold]

First off, I agree with the other post, doesn't sound like a "real good deal".  Second....I have an encore with a 12 inch 460 barrel, it was shortened and a tamer installed by Fox Ridge....nothing bad to say about Fox Ridge.  Even with the tamer, it is not "pleasant" to shoot.  After shooting a box (20), I'm ready to shoot my 45 or 9mm pistols for a break.  If I had it to do over, I'd probably get something with a little less recoil.......with a handgun, you gotta practice...can't practice if your afraid to pull the trigger !!  There's lots of good combos out there,  the 357 max (38, 357 mag and 357 max) is an outstanding barrel.  along with 7X 30 waters....the list goes on and on....good luck,  this only my opinion.

[irold]

Sorry, I forgot to add, with the 460.....the 45 colt and even the 454 they print 6-8 inches low when sighted in with using the 460 as your primary caliber.  Unless you want to move things, not easy to practice using the other calibers in the 460...........