Author Topic: Official Word (Read 803 times)

New Hampshire · « **on:** November 28, 2003, 08:42:15 AM »

Well I thought Id share this with everyone here. I am sure this has been tossed around a bunch of times, but I wrote T/C and this is the "offical" response I got in part (Im leaving out theother tid bit stuff and posting the important stuff):

Dear Mr. Miville:
The information below is in response to your letter checking on the legality of switching Encore components between rifle and pistol or vice versa.

Thompson/Center Arms co. went all the way to the U.S. Supreme court to establish the lawfulness of the contender pistol and carbine (including the carbine kit) and won. The Supreme court opinion also establishes the legality of the Enocre system, which has similar interchangeable parts.

With these systems, a reciever may be assembled with either a pistol grip and pistol barrel, or with shoulder stock and rifle barrel (minimum 16 inches). A barrel under 16 inches in length must never be assembled onto the reciver when the shoulder stock is attached. Within that parameter, the consumer may use the parts to make a pistol or carbine, and may change the configuration at will.

In 1988, Thompson/Center Arms filed suit against the United States alleging that the pistol carbine kit as used above do not constitute a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches in length, a weapon made from a rifle with overall length less than 26 inches, or a restricted "firearm" as otherwise defined in the National Firearms Act. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the US Supreme Court agreed with Thompson/Center Arms. Their opinions are cited as United States v. Thompson/Center Arms Co, 504 U.S. 505 (1992), affirming 924 F.2d 1041 (Fed. Cir 1991).

Thus, the sale, possesion, and use of the contender or Encore and carbine as described above are fully in accordance with Federal law. The use of these products in all of the United States is likewise lawful, except that certain restrictions may apply in California............

Very truly yours,
Tim Pancurak.

I am very inpressed. I sent my typed letter out Monday (11/24) and recieved a response back today, friday 11/28, despite there being a holliday. I know that T/C is located a bare 50 miles from me, but this proves they care. My letter was not recived and then kicked from person to person, it was answered promptly and curtly. I am truly looking forward to using this companys fine products. It makes me wish February was here already :grin: . I planned on getting just a blued Encore frame. But maybe in the near future I will purchase a Stainless frame while Im at it. There is even the Contenders to think about. This is what keeps customers coming back. Not a fad of the moment gun thats peeks someones interest, but a history of fine customer service and respect for said customer.
Thanks,
Brian M.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2003, 12:05:54 PM »

The problem is that is the standard TC response and it doesn't really address the real issue.

At the time of the lawsuit TC made no rifles. They made only the carbine kits where were long barrel, stock and fore end. All frames to that point were handguns.

Now they do make and sell rifles. I do believe they actually ship rifles as completed assemblies in boxes labeled rifles.

The original judgement in the case did not address this issue. What TC told you and tells others does not apply to the debate we've had on here so often.

GB

Buford · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2003, 03:18:02 PM »

Has anyone ever seen a T/C Encore or Contender rifle from the factory? I know they are listed, however every one I have seen ordered come as an action/stock assembly and a seperate barrel. I checked with the factory also and was advised there are NO markings or anything to make it possible to tell a pistol action/frame from a rifle action/frame. Maybe someone has seen a factory assembled rifle or carbine, I never have.

buckenbass · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2003, 07:13:33 PM »

That is the same letter they sent me back in 1997 when i bought my first encore ...And no it dosent realy help so what i do here in NJ is i buy one in a rifle and one in a pistol encore/contender/g2 l lost track what is what so if im ever checked it would be a fightable mistake..

I know here in NJ if you buy it as a rifle by law you not alowed to change it to a pistol but if buy as a pistol you can change to a rifle

The only rule that is clear DONT HAVE A RIFLE STOCK ON A FRAME WITH A BARREL UNDER 16"

But here is my question why would you want a rifle stock with a 8",10",12" barrel?

?
and if you want it with a 14" or 15" barrel what would be the problem with a 16" and being legal?

Flash · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2003, 02:33:14 AM »

I have just months ago, purchased a Contender RIFLE in 223. It is stainless steel, has a Rynite buttstock and forearm and is boxed and labeled as a Thompson Center Contender Carbine. It was complete and packaged in a manor that wouldn't allow it to fit in the box otherwise. I found it locally and it was placed on lay-away back in 1995 and never picked up so it went up for sale. So yes, they do sell Carbines in the Contender and have for at least 8 years. I purchased my Encore the same way, as a heavy barreled rifle in 22/250. This was broken down in pieces but the label still reads T/C Heavy Barreled Rifle.

flintlock54 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2003, 04:54:22 AM »

Just bought a contender G2 carbine kit. The serial number begins with a "C". Does anyone have a G2 that was bought as a pistol? What is the prefix on your frame?

buckenbass · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2003, 05:55:01 AM »

I have one of each and there both G i think if you look close you will see that yours is a G also I think its stands for g2 but "I could be wrong"

both my g2s came with out barrels the rifle came in a box with a foam molding that would fit a barrel if one was present