Author Topic: old style, should I? (Read 1567 times)

huntinhick · « **on:** September 29, 2006, 03:24:14 PM »

Hello all,

I have been thinking of getting an old style contender frame in pistol format to go with my g2 carbine. what do you think is it worth it or should I go with another g2 in pistol format or maybe the encore? I really like the way the old style frames look with the Pachmayr grips and forearm.

Thanks
Huntinhick

camoman22 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:10:37 PM »

Hey Huntinhick,

New to this site but I''ll give you my two cents. Go with the encore first, you already have a g2 same as old style but for looks. Got my first encore a couple weeks ago AND BOY AM I HAPPY! Although it came to me in rifle form, I will now upgrade to pistol barrels. Have a great time dreaming on witch one you want.

Camo

Gregory · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:32:24 PM »

Quote from: camoman22 on September 29, 2006, 04:10:37 PM

Hey Huntinhick,

you already have a g2 same as old style but for looks.
Camo

I disagree. In my opinion the old Contender trigger is much superior to the Encore or G2.

camoman22 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2006, 05:01:19 PM »

Greg,

I will agree with you on that point, with a little work on my encore trigger it is better but not like my old contender.

Camo

Keith L · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2006, 03:04:29 AM »

I have old style and G2 frames. Unless you need a trigger less than a pound the G2s work out well. Neither of mine needed work, but even if they do there isn't much to it. And the G2s open much easier. The only two plusses I see in the old style Contenders is that you can "dry fire" them without cocking the hammer (open and close the frame and the trigger is set again) and you can get Pachmeyr grips for them that make it easier for me to hang on to the harder recoiling loads.

neald · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2006, 04:03:43 AM »

Something that has not been said.
It is nice to have several frames. Not to make things easier on you , but to have the different styles to see the changes first hand. I started to say improvements but, changed it because some changes are good but then there is always a down side.
And also, it is just nice to collect them
Just my two pennies worth.
Neal

EdK · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2006, 07:49:02 AM »

Quote from: camoman22 on September 29, 2006, 04:10:37 PM

Although it came to me in rifle form, I will now upgrade to pistol barrels.

T/C promotes Contenders and Encores as switch barrel rifles or pistols - not both. I'd be careful about converting a frame originally shipped in rifle configuration from the factory to a pistol.

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2006, 12:17:23 PM »

Quote from: neald on September 30, 2006, 04:03:43 AM

Something that has not been said.
It is nice to have several frames. Not to make things easier on you , but to have the different styles to see the changes first hand. I started to say improvements but, changed it because some changes are good but then there is always a down side.
And also, it is just nice to collect them
Just my two pennies worth.
Neal

Right on! You can never have to many.

Flash · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2006, 10:49:53 PM »

Quote from: huntinhick on September 29, 2006, 03:24:14 PM

Hello all,

I have been thinking of getting an old style contender frame in pistol format to go with my g2 carbine. what do you think is it worth it or should I go with another g2 in pistol format or maybe the encore? I really like the way the old style frames look with the Pachmayr grips and forearm.

Thanks
Huntinhick

Go with the old style for the trigger alone. If it breaks, T/C will fix it for free and when they can't, they'll send you a G2 as a replacement.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2006, 02:30:59 AM »

I would get an Encore frame because you will then have the option of higher power centerfire offerings. It is true that as they come from the factory, the Encore triggers can use some work but a good trigger job fixes this entirely. They are entirely shootable without the trigger job but the trigger job makes them a lot better.

If your Contender frame was sold as a rifle frame, you can't legally put a handgun length barrel on it.

It's not true you can't get too many Encore and Contender barrels. I have too many but since my wife doesn't know how many I have, I keep getting more.

ozarkie · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:02:25 AM »

Quote from: EdK on September 30, 2006, 07:49:02 AM

Quote from: camoman22 on September 29, 2006, 04:10:37 PM
Although it came to me in rifle form, I will now upgrade to pistol barrels.

T/C promotes Contenders and Encores as switch barrel rifles or pistols - not both. I'd be careful about converting a frame originally shipped in rifle configuration from the factory to a pistol.

Is it against ATF regulation to switch from rifle to pistol barrel on the same frame or vise versa? If so what about a frame that came orginally with a 12 gauge turkey barrel now being used as a rifle?

Flash · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2006, 10:16:43 AM »

Correction! T/C won the legal battle that allows a pistol to become a rifle with the required length barrel. The Carbine Kit for the original Contender is proof of this. T/C most likely doesn't want the legal fight again so they're not offering it any longer. To answer your question, there should be no problem with using a shotgun as a rifle configuration. The savage 219 was proof!

EdK · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2006, 01:07:10 PM »

Camo wants to make a pistol out of a rifle...

Everyone answers: sure, you can make a rifle out of a pistol...

So what about Camo's question?

springer222 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2006, 02:52:17 PM »

Not going to weigh in on the pistol / rifle switch as that horse is long dead, but the debate still rages. As for the "old style" Contender, G2 and Encore I will throw in my two pennies. I have all and think each have their on uses. I am, and unless something drastically changes, fond of the easy open "old style" Contender frames - blued, SS or AA. I agree that the trigger is far superior, both from the factory and after some stone work and possibly a new spring. I have also found that with some of the G2 frames I now have, there appears to be what I consider excessive head-space with some of my barrels (but not all) - I do not like to see much gap between the frame and barrel. These same barrels will lock-up very tight and shoot much more consistent from my "old style" Contender frames vs the G2. I'm not saying this is the norm, but it is the experience I have had. So for me, first choice is the pre-G2 Contender. If I need something with more power, then second choice would be the Encore, with the G2 coming in last of the three.

camoman22 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2006, 03:51:19 PM »

Well I found out today by law I won't be making my encore to a pistol.

camo

HL · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:56:44 AM »

You replied before I could. You are correct.

All actions made by TC are the same, but when they ship to dealers, they have to register that action as either a rifle or pistol, whichever it will be sold as.

If you buy a TC rifle in the store, you can not use that same action with a pistol length barrel, only with other rifle length barrels.

But, unless you commit a crime with it, no one would probably ever know. And by then you would have bigger problems than converting a firearm illegally.

This is why I buy all my actions as pistol, then I can use what ever I want and not have to remember which action is which when I decide to use a rifle barrel.

It's a little stupid to have to do this with the TC's, but we have to play by their rules.

camoman22 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2006, 10:06:08 AM »

I bought my encore used from a guy face to face. How can I find out what it was in the begining?

spinafish · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2006, 02:07:50 PM »

I wouldn't lose a whole lot of sleep over it..just don't rob a bank or shoot your neighbor with it!!

camoman22 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2006, 02:25:27 PM »

Spinafish, Does that mean I can't make moonshine either? Just kiddin' Being from KY just had to say it. Thanks

neald · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2006, 04:20:35 PM »

I just talked to Art (Pres. of TCA) about this very thing. You can change back and forth according to a AS Supreme Court ruling.
The replys are stating what use to be

Dont just take my word (or just anybody's).

Join the TCA and you can keep up with this and be able to ask things like this from a guy who knows what he is talking about
http://www.thompsoncenterassoc.org/
Neal

neald · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2006, 04:23:33 PM »

I goofed
That is US Supreme Court, AS supreme

Keith L · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2006, 12:29:55 AM »

The Supreme Court ruling covers conversion from pistol to rifle. There is no ruling for the conversion the other way. At some time there will be case law to decide that conversion. If you convert your rifle to a pistol you may get the chance to make that law.

All mine started life as pistols. You do what you want. I don't like the idea of prison.

EdK · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2006, 04:50:38 AM »

I go out of my way to buy only pistol frames knowing I have a Supreme Court ruling as precendent if I want to make rifles out of them.

As for the other way... (1) No, you will likely never even get caught (2) The court may even rule in your favor. Why, as Keith mentioned, would you want to even think about serving as the test case?

I've seen numerous references from individuals whether at T/C or in this instance a representative from TCA that say you can do it. I have also seen a letter from BATF that says you can't. So to me one thing is clear and that is what happened last time T/C said "you could" and the BATF said "you can't". That is before the Supreme court says you (anyone) can do this, you would have to be first charged with a crime and spend countless hours and dollars defending yourself all before you get the final word.

I don't think T/C itself is going to serve as the test case this time. You don't see them advertising switching rifle and pistol components. No - they advertise and sell switch barrel rifles and they advertise and sell switch barrel pistols and that's it. As was mentioned earlier in this thread they do not even any longer market the carbine kit that they won a Supreme Court decision over!

Me? I would rather not know if I can and keep going out of my way to obtain pistol frames - it's not that hard.

Pixsurguy · « **Reply #23 on:** December 13, 2006, 10:58:41 AM »

Quote from: camoman22 on October 05, 2006, 10:06:08 AM

I bought my encore used from a guy face to face. How can I find out what it was in the begining?

Nobody answered that question and I'm in the same boat with having bought two used frames. Does TC have records of the configuration in which the frames were shipped?

BobT · « **Reply #24 on:** December 14, 2006, 04:24:26 AM »

TC is required by law to keep records on the original configuration of the firearm when it was shipped. Whether or not they can find them is another question. I would give them a call and see if they can help you.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2006, 04:43:34 PM »

Wait a minute here. When the frame leaves the factory, it isn't registered as anything except a frame. It could be sold with a rifle barrel, or a pistol barrel, or both at the same time. Did ya ever buy a T\C at Cabelas? They will swap any barrel and stock they got to keep you happy and get your sale!!!

The frame isn't registered as anything until it's sold to the buyer.

So, when you buy a T\C you can register it as a handgun and a rifle at the time of purchase. The ATF forms are set up to do this. Change back and forth as you wish. Remember no rifle stock with a pistol barrel less than 16 1/4 inches.

You need to talk to a T\C dealer that sells a bunch of T\C's. Not the guy down the road who occasionally sells a used one that he got on a trade.

This isn't brain surgery and it's not as tough as it's made out to be.

Dave.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2006, 04:46:36 PM »

Quote from: Pixsurguy on December 13, 2006, 10:58:41 AM

Quote from: camoman22 on October 05, 2006, 10:06:08 AM
I bought my encore used from a guy face to face. How can I find out what it was in the begining?

Nobody answered that question and I'm in the same boat with having bought two used frames. Does TC have records of the configuration in which the frames were shipped?

I don't know what state your in, but in PA, if you buy one face-to-face, you need to go to an FFL and pay the FFL $20 to complete the transfer paperwork that re-registers the gun. I believe at that time, you can tell them the gun is a handgun, a rifle, or both.

Dave.