T/C Contender

[Valkman]

Lately I've decided that since I really am not going to shoot much rifle at the range because of my bad feet, that I need some long barreled handguns. First was a .454 Ruger, and now I'm looking at the T/C. What I need to know is what is the Encore, and is it better/worse than the Contender? Should I get a new G2 or an older one? A G2 in stainless sounds neat, but costly.

I really don't know much about these and appreciate any help.

 

[larryw]

As a general rule, Encore is for the big rifle cartridges and Contender for the smaller ones. Although there are 45/70 barrels for the Contender (go figure) and the Encore is available with all the Contender's chamberings plus the big boys. Encore's grip angle is a bit more laid back to help deal with recoil, new G2 mirrors this angle. Contender barrels interchange between models, but the grips and fore ends don't. Contender and Encore barrels aren't interchangable.

I have a Contender and 22LR, 7TCU (223 necked up to 284) and 44 Mag barrels. Thing is an absolute blast to shoot. 7TCU is most fun, being 1/2MOA accurate and hugely noisy (bigbore mag rifle shooters stop and watch) with garbage-can sized fireball when lighting off. Shooting monster 44 Mag or 7TCU loads is not a problem with recoil; the guns are heavy and have a wide backstrap. If you reload and like 'em hot, T/C is for you.

I checked out some of the G2s at the SHOT Show and was impressed. But am equally impressed with my old-model Contender.

Some links to help spend your money:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=24
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=70
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/2200/tccontend.htm
http://www.notpurfect.com/main/tcc.htm
http://www.tcarms.com/contpistol/index.html

 

[tc300mag1]

larryw pretty much hit it on the head if you want to buy used barrels contender is way to go.. I went with encore so i could fire the big boys since it is beefer than a contender . Havent seen or used a G2 which is the update of the contender so i cant say how it is

 

[Valkman]

Yep, reloading has a lot to do with this - I have all the time I need to reload anything and I really enjoy it so I like the idea of these with those 14" barrels.

Thanks guys, and Larry thanks for the links - I'll check 'em out. The wife better watch out - I got my C&R license yesterday and between that and my new T/C fetish this is gonna be expensive! hahahahahaha