Question for the TC guys

[rugerjunkie]

What is the current quality of the newer Encore frames? I read bad reports about the barrel quality since the S&W takeover but can't find anything on the frames...

 

[Rumrunner]

I have three encore frames. By the markings on my last one I believe it to be a newer one. No problems with it.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Good to hear. Thanks.

 

[mohavesam]

I've never read anything derogatory about any Encore frame or complete guns; pre- or post-buyout.
Honestly, from anyone who actually owns one/hunts live game with one, they are fail-safe and foolproof in the hands of a rifleman.

In ten years or more, I have only read grumblings from a couple of interweb posts about the muzzleloader, and those turned out to be guys who fired 5-6 loads on a sunny day, and went hunting in bad weather. Blamed the gun, not the gunner.
One other left his loaded Encore in a frozen garage after a wet evening, and had a misfire on game the next day. He eventually confessed he thought 209 primers were waterproof.
Not too credible in my book.

Still looking for a rifled 20-gauge barrel... :wink:

 

[rugerjunkie]

Thanks for the relpy. The only bad I've read about has been on barrel quality on the new ones but that was taken with a grain of salt too. After such a change to the company , it just made me curious if the quality was still there espacially after reading so many stories on the Marlin levers after their buyout.

I have wanted one for years and am finally about to get off my duff and get one...

 

[Rumrunner]

rugerjunkie,
Go for it, they are fun and accurate. I shoot a 50 cal black powder, 7mmRem Mag and 20 Gauge slug barrel. In handgun I have 223, 22-250, and 44 mag. Fortunately nothing like what Remington did with Marlins.

mohavesam,
I have the rifled 20 gauge and it is great. It really likes Winchester Dual Bond and Remington Accu-tips. I have a Nikon 2x7 and shoot it out to 150 yards. Took a doe last year at 95. Recoil not bad at all.

 

[rugerjunkie]

The main reason Im wanting one is for a couple
of handgun calibers in a carbine length barrel. For starters anyway! I have handled them before and I do find the rifle stocks to be very comfortable to shoulder.

 

[mohavesam]

rugerjunkie: In the classifieds - a 20" Encore Katahdin barrel Stainless - 500 S&W Magnum. Like new. $250. And a heckuva good guy to deal with

 

[steelshooterco]

TC barrel quality has fluctuated over the years, especially in some of the larger pistol calibers like 44 REM MAG.

Mike Bellum has a great site on TCs and you can learn far more than you ever wanted to know about them by going there.
http://www.bellmtcs.com

Good guy to deal with, there are several really great aftermarket barrel manufacturers out there too. Own several Bullberry barrels and happy with every single one of them.

 

[rugerjunkie]

rugerjunkie: In the classifieds - a 20" Encore Katahdin barrel Stainless - 500 S&W Magnum. Like new. $250. And a heckuva good guy to deal with

Hehe! Yeah but the 500 is a tad bigger than what im wanting! Im thinking a maxi for starters and probably a 221 fireball barrel.

Steelshooter...ive read up on belms website many times. Lots of good info from hom for sure! I havn't looked at Bullberry but will definately check into them.

 

[dfletcher]

What is the current quality of the newer Encore frames? I read bad reports about the barrel quality since the S&W takeover but can't find anything on the frames...

I have a few, no problems at all. Smith eliminated the over travel screw but other than that, no change in quality. Bergara barrels have worked well for me too. Grafs used to carry them for about $155.00 each. I like Match Grade Machine, have quite a few of their barrels and a 25.35 is one of my favorites now.