Author Topic: Encore is sick! (Read 2224 times)

DaddyPaul · « **on:** November 09, 2004, 06:58:27 AM »

My rifle is at the factory right now getting fixed. I went to check my zero the other day prior to leaving for Georgia and things went south on me. After 2 different barrels and 2 different scopes I determined something was bad wrong as I was getting 7-8 inch erratic patterns at 100 yards. Turns out the tech people think my firing pin bushing is too thin thus allowing lateral barrel movement? The sent me a thicker one but it didn't help a lick. Now the frame and two barrels are in New Hampshire getting looked at by the tech guys. Anybody ever had this problem with an Encore? The part that really sucks is that the rut is in full swing in South Georgia and I am having to hunt with a borrowed Sako rifle! It is a good gun but I miss my damn Encore. I reckon I will buy another frame just to have as a back up should I encounter a situation like this in the future.

Lone Star · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2004, 02:03:27 PM »

What, you call yourself a T/C fanatic yet you only own ONE frame? Shame on you, don't you know that you MUST own a minimum of two frames? The horror..... :twisted: :evil: :twisted:

Buford · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2004, 02:57:22 PM »

I have six of them and have never had a problem at all......I have even had great results from factory barrels. What am I doing wrong? Somehow, I feel strangely cheated..........

DaddyPaul · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2004, 01:06:18 AM »

LoneStar, I have vowed to buy another frame very soon, I never thought this would happen to me during the rut but I guess Mr. Murphy thought otherwise.

Buford, there is nothing wrong with the barrels. It is the bushing that holds the firing pin and spring in place that is not locking the barrel to the frame tight enough, or that is what the preliminary diagnosis was by the TC tech.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2004, 03:12:06 AM »

Paul, it's a natural law that if you had at least two frames a problem would never have occured on either. Single frames are vunerable.

And if by some chance it did, you would have had another to compare it to for diagnosis.

DaddyPaul · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2004, 01:11:06 AM »

.25-06 barrel was junk! Had to be re-crowned and re-blued. They also had to hand mill a new firing pin bushing for the frame to get it to lock up on their master barrel properly. I am now three days into my Florida firearms season with no gun, and have had to hunt sparingly in Georgia with borrowed rifles. Maybe, just maybe it will be here sometime today?

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2004, 03:30:37 AM »

Hope you have that loner for a while. I sent in a barrel back on 25 Oct and when I called last week they said it would take four to six weeks before I get it back. Don't ya think that during deer season they would be able to have a better turn around time.

I still don't understand it, I have sent them products in the past and have had great turn times?!? They must be having worker problems, I guess?!?

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

hh4064 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2004, 06:37:53 AM »

I have 4 actions 2 blued and 2 stainless. I have never had a problem.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:08:39 AM »

Well finally got back my barrel after five weeks. Way too long to wait.

Now I can't get the gun to shoot. I can't get a decent group to save my life. I have tried different bullets, both the 165 Hornaday SPBT and the 180 SP. I have also tried a multitude of powder recipes and the best I can do is maybe 2" or so. I can group two or three rounds together and then one or two will fly off to the side. It sure is acting like a bad barrel, but I am geting tired of sending back TC products to the shop for repair. Maybe Greybeard was right! :x

I am about to give up and get me a real rifle and sell this damn Encore! :cry:

MickinColo · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:47:05 AM »

I know how you feel Larry. I have the same trouble with a 25-06 barrel. I can get it to shot around 1 MOA one day and cant hit a pie plate the next day. It drives me nuts, because I have another frame and 3 other barrels (17 Rem, 243 Win, and 22-250) and all of them shot consistent with great accuracy. Im going to use the 25-06 as a tomato stack this spring and buy a No. 1 to replace it.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2004, 06:56:05 AM »

Quote from: MickinColo

I know how you feel Larry. I have the same trouble with a 25-06 barrel. I can get it to shot around 1 MOA one day and cant hit a pie plate the next day. It drives me nuts, because I have another frame and 3 other barrels (17 Rem, 243 Win, and 22-250) and all of them shot consistent with great accuracy. Im going to use the 25-06 as a tomato stack this spring and buy a No. 1 to replace it.

I know what ya mean. I am about to give up the Encore and go back to real rifles. I had a big problem with my BP barrel. that damn piece of metal is one lousy prima donna. It will only shoot the one and only just right recipe and nothing else. Paid $650 for the BP Encore! I bought a NEF for pocket change and it will shoot anything from 240 to 444 gr bullets and is a tack driver. I paid only $159.99 at Bass Pro. Ya scatchin' your head on that one? Go figure. :roll:

My Contenders shoot great. I don't get it. I will sell the Encore and two barrels and never look back. :wink:

Dave1 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2005, 01:24:33 AM »

As a prospective future purchaser of a new Encore rifle I sure don't like hearing about all of the problems with the Encore rifle that has been mentioned and discussed on this and other forums.

It seems you have only a 50/50 chance of getting a good piece. I like the rifle and want one, but sure don't like the odds of buying something that could be a real disappointment and a headache.

It also seems that a quality oriented gun mfg. with an effective quality control program should NOT be having these problems with such a simple design single shot rifle.

TC obviously has a very loyal following. They should do whatever is necessary to eliminate all of the problems that have been experienced with these guns.

Just my opinion.

Dave1

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2005, 01:36:49 AM »

While I also am concerned about the number of people having concerns with their Encores it is still a small minority of owners. Of more concern to me is the change in customer support for TC owners. They still seem willing to take care of problems if you send your gun to them, which is good. But they used to support those of us who like doing some of the minor repairs ourselves. That seems to have ended.

I have a safe full of TC guns, and they have always taken care of me. I will go out on a limb and tell you that TC will take care of problems you may have, but you may have to send them the gun. Most tuning issues the folks here can help you with.

Good luck!

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2005, 04:15:05 AM »

Quote from: Keith L

I will go out on a limb and tell you that TC will take care of problems you may have, but you may have to send them the gun. Most tuning issues the folks here can help you with.

Good luck!

Now that is the problem, isn't it??? I am getting sick and tired of waisting my money paying to send in my guns or barrels to TC. Yes they will fix it, but we are saying that they should have fixed them before they sold them!!!!!!!!!!!!! You make it sound as if it ain't really a big problem, there is only a small number of complainers. I think the company needs to raise their quality control measures to stop this problem.

I also have a safe full of guns that have never been sent back to the factory and are still giving me great service for my bucks. Of all my guns I have only had to send back a Colt sixgun and Colt fixed the problem. Of the four contender and two Encore barrels, I have sent back four barrels and two frames. Not a great track record I would think. How about you??? :cry:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2005, 06:54:44 AM »

Lawful Larry, any gun maker you have to pay shipping to get the gun there. There is problems in most big companies that make guns, (Crap happens). I have 2 Contender frames and numerous barrels, I also have 4 Encore frames and numerous barrels. I sold 3 Encore frames and barrels to friends of mine and not one has had to go beck to the factory for anything. So all in all I have had 7 Encore frames and 20 to 30 barrels and not one problem, so in my book T/C is doing a great job.

Squeeze · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2005, 08:41:31 AM »

All,

Well after 3 different ammo configurations, and several range sessions, I am not impressed
with my T/C Encore. I purchased a SS Encore frame, in a composite pistol configuration,
along with a .308 Win(15") barrel. It is struggling to shoot anything that resembles
a group, I can live with. I reload, and let's say that the early stages of load development
have not gone well with this gun. I can clearly say this is the worst out of the box
gun I have ever purchased. Keeping in mind than I have purchased Mini-14s, and SKS
rifles, which define "Spray and Pray". Not pretty! If my next efforts to get this thing to
settle down, do not give me hope of a 1-2 MOA gun, I will be testing out that T/C customer
service. I really want this to work out, but to say the least I am VERY disappointed
with this first T/C experience.

Squeeze

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2005, 12:01:17 PM »

No No No NO
you have it all wrong, its not sick
its just lonly.... run out an get two more frames an some barrels with a six pack of rem oil
then it will be ok from ther on
lmmfao

Keith L · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2005, 01:28:48 PM »

Lawful Larry, I am sorry you are having problems. I can understand your frustration, but can't truly feel your pain. I had one problem with an old, worn out Contender that TC rebuilt and updated, at no cost, and got it back to me in 10 days. They also reblued a Scout pistol after it got spotted with something that removed a bunch of the bluing (before I bought it), replaced a Hawken stock that cracked, and sent me two loading rods for a Patriot pistol. All at no charge. So you can understand why I think highly of them.

Having been involved with customer service in several locations I know that it isn't possible to make everyone happy. Sometimes things start bad then get worse fast. I don't know what to tell you, but I can't support the attitude that no one should buy TC products. If all or most of the Encores made dissatisfied their owners they would be off the market now. I know that is not a comfort to you when you are having trouble. Sorry about that, but it is not likely to stop me recommending these products to my friends.

Dave1 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2005, 02:25:06 AM »

I would like to know that TC is paying attention to all of the problems their customers have experienced with Encore rifles and are making changes to prevent reoccurance of the same problems in new rifles.

It has been said the problems have been mainly confined to a minority of Encore guns and owners but it sure seems like many people are writing to say they too have experienced problems. Could it be the problem free guns and owners are really the minority?

TC has a unique product that has won favor in the ranks of shooters and hunters. Unfortunately it is three times the cost of similar guns. If they would just take the gun's quality control to the highest level they would deffinitely have a winner for everyone and it would be more worthy of the price.

Dave1

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2005, 03:29:54 AM »

Quote from: Dave1

I would like to know that TC is paying attention to all of the problems their customers have experienced with Encore rifles and are making changes to prevent reoccurance of the same problems in new rifles.

It has been said the problems have been mainly confined to a minority of Encore guns and owners but it sure seems like many people are writing to say they too have experienced problems. Could it be the problem free guns and owners are really the minority?

TC has a unique product that has won favor in the ranks of shooters and hunters. Unfortunately it is three times the cost of similar guns. If they would just take the gun's quality control to the highest level they would deffinitely have a winner for everyone and it would be more worthy of the price.

Dave1

The TC concept is fantastic. Don't get me wrong, I own a G2 contender and love my other barrels. I did have one problem with the .44 Mag barrels locking lugs, but they fixed it. All my contender barrels are tack drivers, but the Encore is driving me nuts. :cry:

Currently I am in the market for the new .325 WSM in a Winchester Model 70. This will be my birthday present this year. With that gun, I should be able to take on anything on the North American continent. :lol:

tjm58 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2005, 10:22:07 AM »

Don't give up on the Encore!! Mine was pissing me off big time when I got it! It would shoot 3 rounds I could cover with a dime while hot. Once the barrel cooled it would shoot 6" high. Took a piece of sandpaper, laid it between the barrel and the forearm and made short strokes until all points of the forearm were touching equally, then took off a hair from all points except the screw holes. Now it shoots great all the time, hot or cold! The Encore is a great rifle, but to me it looks like the T/C engineers failed to address the fine tuning of the rifle. Some take a bit of tweaking to get just right. But when everything is right, you have the greatest rifle around!

hyltoto · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2005, 04:18:32 PM »

I went through all of these gyrations with Encores in Michigan about 2 years back when my friend's gun shop had a brisk business in encores goin on. It slacked way off after people had so many issues, not being able to get your scope on paper, erratic groups, especially 3 pellets of pyrodex, and all of the other annoyances this forum sorts out.

I'm down working in Alabama and went to the local high end sporting goods store, he had several Encores on the shelf...None more than 460 bux. The guy has had 6 Encores returned for accuracy problems and wants to get rid of the inventory.

TC needs to hire a kick-a** quality manager before the loose their loyal following. Someone there need to monitor this forum and start engineering solutions, not retro-fits

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2005, 04:24:54 PM »

Quote from: hyltoto

I went through all of these gyrations with Encores in Michigan about 2 years back when my friend's gun shop had a brisk business in encores goin on. It slacked way off after people had so many issues, not being able to get your scope on paper, erratic groups, especially 3 pellets of pyrodex, and all of the other annoyances this forum sorts out.

I'm down working in Alabama and went to the local high end sporting goods store, he had several Encores on the shelf...None more than 460 bux. The guy has had 6 Encores returned for accuracy problems and wants to get rid of the inventory.

TC needs to hire a kick-a** quality manager before the loose their loyal following. Someone there need to monitor this forum and start engineering solutions, not retro-fits

In the gun shops here in Delaware, they can't keep them on the racks. They are a fast mover. The owner said it is his number 1 selling muzzleloader. I know the owner very well and he does not here of all the problems you listed. I have 4 Encore frames and numerous barrels and not one problem.

retrieverhunter · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2005, 12:45:13 PM »

I agree with all the replies on the need for multiple receivers. I have 5 and never change barrels. I think the concept of changing barrels is great but don't trust that in a crunch that it would be zeroed after every change. I have owned a 25-06 barrel and had the same accuracy problem. I have sold or set aside ALL my factory barrels for Custom Shop, Virgin Valley or Bullberry barrels. I am a real Encore fan but feel that the factory barrels don't offer the performance consistency that I require.

DaddyPaul · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2005, 01:40:06 PM »

My problem was definitely addressed and fixed by T/C in a timely fashion. The new firing pin bushing tightened everything up and my .270 factory barrel is shooting in the neighborhood of .5 MOA as is my Fox Ridge barrel. The .25-06 barrel I had problems with was trashed and will hopefully in the near future be replaced by a .223 Rem yote killer! I just had an unbelievable set of circumstances come together: bushing problem, bad barrel and a bad scope! I couldn't eliminate one for the other. No matter all is well now and the critters continue to fall.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #25 on:** January 29, 2005, 08:47:46 AM »

Quote from: Lawful Larry

Well finally got back my barrel after five weeks. Way too long to wait.

Now I can't get the gun to shoot. I can't get a decent group to save my life. I have tried different bullets, both the 165 Hornaday SPBT and the 180 SP. I have also tried a multitude of powder recipes and the best I can do is maybe 2" or so. I can group two or three rounds together and then one or two will fly off to the side. It sure is acting like a bad barrel, but I am geting tired of sending back TC products to the shop for repair. Maybe Greybeard was right! :x

I am about to give up and get me a real rifle and sell this damn Encore! :cry:

It still doesn't shoot any groups. Well I called up TC and they told me to send it back again. It would not group worth a $H^&. I am getting a little mad and frustrated. Sent it back. Didn't get it back til after christmas and guess what? IT STILL DOESN'T SHOOT!!!!!! :twisted:

They tell me it was grouping to within 1 and 1/2" at 100 yards. Well I sure want to know what ammo they used. I give up on this piece of S&*(!

Went out and bought myself a nice Win. Model 70 Shadow in .300 WSM. It is shooting less then .75" at 100 yards. Now that is what a good gun is supposed to do. :wink: