Author Topic: Is the ability to switch barrels the only reason you buy Encores? (Read 1479 times)

buckslayer · « **on:** January 18, 2011, 11:53:30 AM »

If Encores could not switch barrels, meaning they were dedicated, one caliber rifles, would you still buy them and would you pay the same price?

yooper77 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2011, 12:25:52 PM »

Yes, I believe that is a whole reason for the T/C Encore and T/C G2 Contender. What other company offers a firearm that can support pistol to rifle switch ability, none.

My Encore is an awesome pistol, rifle and muzzleloader package which offers stellar accuracy. Others companies attempt to copy, but they are still only copies.

Every barrel I own can stand side by side to any other firearm configuration in that given cartridge. I don’t understand why others have so much trouble with their Encore as a rifle, I truly believe they are doing something wrong.

yooper77

Grumulkin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2011, 05:41:29 PM »

Quote from: buckslayer on January 18, 2011, 11:53:30 AM

If Encores could not switch barrels, meaning they were dedicated, one caliber rifles, would you still buy them and would you pay the same price?

No, I would buy a Blaser.

Oh... I forgot... I already have a Blaser.

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:54:13 AM »

Well, if you change the question to "Contenders", since I don't own any Encores:

No. I would not buy them if I couldn't change barrels so easily. That is why I buy them.

They sure are accurate, once you find "the load" for the barrel, but I still wouldn't buy them if the barrels were fixed.

Mike Scott · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:58:53 AM »

They would be cheaper to make if the barrels did not need to interchange but that is one of the things that define their appeal. Otherwise, I would be looking at more Ruger No 1s and 3s and High Wall clones.

Encore28 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2011, 07:01:53 AM »

YES------I would still buy them. So far every barrel I bought,I have bought a frame for. I just like the feel,weight,and accuracy!!

Encore28

Ranger413 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:48:03 AM »

I could go either way on this one. I think its obvious that the major selling point with both platforms is the barrel swappability. However, there's something really cool about opening the action and feeding a single round. Sort of like the Ruger No. 1s and other single shot rifles. Sure, they're not as fast, not as sexy, and sometimes not as accurate. But, for me, taking my time with one well placed shot is a big benefit.

My Encore set-up is rifle only with a .223 barrel and a ML barrel. If I were buying a ML again I'd probably stick with the Encore (if barrels were not swappable). But, I probably would go with a semi-auto or bolt gun for the .223. In the end, I bought the .223 barrel because it was a heckuva lot cheaper than a dedicated .223 rifle.

I'm currently assembling a G2 Contender set-up for my son. I think it will be just the ticket with a .22 l.r. barrel now and in a couple of years a barrel in a suitable deer caliber. He's also been begging for a 20 gauge so maybe that barrel will be added to the mix as well. Without barrel swapping, I probably would opt for another platform for a .22 and yet another for the deer caliber and yet another for the 20 gauge.

Like I said, it could go either way for me.

kynardsj · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2011, 11:12:14 AM »

The barrel switching thing is a big selling point to me but I would probably buy them anyway as I really like single shots. I've owned Ruger #1's and NEF's. But to take, for instance, a rifle cartridge like a 308. Put it in an accurate 15" pistol package and make it stainless to boot. That's a sweet toy. Besides, when I have a barrel, be it rifle or pistol length, that shoots extermely well on a certain frame I usually don't take it off. If I want another caliber or configuration I buy frame and all. It's the delimna I'm in right now. I have a 20" Katahdin rifle in 500 S&W mag and a 15" 308 pistol. Both are more accurate than I am. I want a 308 in a rifle length bull or pro hunter configuration but won't take either of my existing two apart. Just gotta buy the whole shooting match and hope it's as sweet as what I already have.

basdjs · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:22:46 PM »

The upfront answer to the question is yes when I first purchased and no now! Switchability and what I read about the accuracy of the Encores were the major factors in my first Encore purchase because I wanted a muzzleloader to hunt NY state as well as a centerfire rifle or pistol option for PA. But I fell in love with the handling of the gun and the challenge of only having 1 shot. My original Encore frame now has 2 siblings and I leave one set up with a .260 Rem barrel for dedicated deer hunting, one set up in .17 Fireball for varmints, and the third one I switch other barrels from ML to pistol to rifle and caliber as needed. The Encore is compact and great for tree stand or still hunting, has great balance, and every barrel I have ( 2 MGM's and the rest factory barrels) probably shoots more accurately than I can shoot, even with factory loads.

Sourdough · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2011, 02:35:21 PM »

Back in the 70s I bought my first Contender. I then spent several years collecting the barrels I wanted. Then in the mid 80s i bought a TCR, then collected several barrels for it. Especially when the TCR went out of production. I love my Contenders and my TCR, they are all fine pieces of workmanship, and shoot great. Cannot beat fit and finish on them all. The Contender Carbine with a youth stock makes a great gun to carry on the handle bars of a Snow Machine. It does not hang out to the point that it is getting caught in brush, like other guns.

In the late 90s the wife bought me an Encore with a muzzleloader barrel. I love it and it can out shoot my buddies Knight all day long.

Now I am going negative. I bought a 30-06 barrel, a .338 Win Mag barrel, and a 22-250 barrel. My conclusion, the Encore is a piece of crap! Does not shoot worth beans. Never can seem to hit the same hole twice with any one of the barrels. I worked and worked with them and never could get them to shoot worth a darn. Then I talked to other people that was having the same problems. The only people I met that liked the Encore was the boys down south where they seldom shoot beyond 40 yards. I got rid of all three of those barrels, and will not ever again mess with the Encore as a rifle. The Encore makes a great Muzzleloader, but as a rifle it sucks.

As for barrel changeability the TCR has them all beat. I just pull out a small lever in the forearm and the forearm comes right off. Open the Breech and the barrel comes off. Lay the barrel down, pick up another barrel and lock it in place. Slip the forearm back on, then swing the lever closed and you are done. No messing with screws, and pins that have to be driven out. Only the shotgun barrel has a forearm that uses one screw.

Rog

Dalgo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2011, 08:02:25 PM »

Your answer, as you can see, is as simple as it appears, yet complicated deep down. For me it is simple. The answer is an emphatic yes! I may not buy as many barrels, because every one would come with a frame. However, I would buy whatever I needed to fit the hunting I planned to do with the gun in question. It's nice to have a familiar platform for all your hunting. So, my answer is a definite yes. For large, medium and small. And, why not? The barrel and scope is mainly one unit - and the most expensive one. And you can tune the system to the frame that comes with it. So definitely yes, I would buy them as individual rifles. I love single shots. and the TC is a quality product.

nomosendero · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:54:29 AM »

Maybe the Contender Super 14, but not my Encore rifle.

samh · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2011, 03:05:27 PM »

I've alway liked single shot rifles. Back in the 70's I owned a few Ruger #1's and always like hunting with them. But the #1's got to where they were worth more to others than I could turn down and I sold or traded them all. Stayed with bolt actions for years, but always kept looking at the single shots. Winchesters, Brownings and even #1's were a little pricey for me, I buy'em to hunt with, but I just never could warm up to the looks of an Encore. Then my son in law bought one and after handling and shooting it I bought my first Pro Hunter, muzzle loader, last year. Got to say I've changed my mind about Encore. Love the way they handle and shoot, just got to get me a couple more barrels, probably a 25/06 or .260 for deer and a .223 or 22/250 for varmints. I bought it for the way it handles and shoots, the barrel switching is just a very nice bonus to me.

David D. · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2011, 02:40:55 AM »

Yes I would still buy both Encores and Contenders. Combine the two and I have 17 frames each with a dedicated barrel. I like the way they look, feel, and function. I just like single shot rifles and pistols. I also like the MOA pistol that I have, so much I ordered another one. Really wish Rich still produced the MOA rifle.

martineta · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2011, 04:38:01 AM »

I am one of the knuckleheads that keeps buying frames for my barrels. They all shoot well once you figure out what load combination works for that barrel. I just picked up a 22 hornet so that makes five I have. Already longing for a 7mm Mauser and then I'm done.

Curtis · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:41:14 AM »

Quote

Already longing for a 7mm Mauser and then I'm done.

Heh, yeah I've been saying "......only one more and then I'm done." for about the last eight or so barrels. <grin>

Curtis

Encore28 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:24:01 AM »

Quote from: martineta on January 30, 2011, 04:38:01 AM

I am one of the knuckleheads that keeps buying frames for my barrels. They all shoot well once you figure out what load combination works for that barrel. I just picked up a 22 hornet so that makes five I have. Already longing for a 7mm Mauser and then I'm done.

That is laughable!!!!!!!!! You will never be DONE!!!!!!!

Encore28