Thompson Center G2/Encore dropped?

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grumpy7159

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A question came up on another forum about Thompson Center G2 and Encore availability. The general feeling was that S&W bought TC and dropped the G2 and Encore manufacturing. I checked several suppliers and found most to be zeroed out on frames and barrels. I know TC sez they still manufacture this product, but do they? Any discussion?:confused:
 
Contenders came on the market in August 1968. After 45 years I think the market is saturated. I have 2 actions and 8 barrels. Up until lately people wanted current retail on used barrels. It is sad to say, that a number of shooters are passing away and this type of firearm is being dumped. I never shot silhouette, but plinking or varmint hunting with a hand cannon is a lot of fun. Off the top of my head I have; 22 LR, 22 Hornet, 2- 221 Fireballs , 357 Mag (Sept 1968 Barrel), 44 Mag, 7 TCU, and a 375 Winchester Pro Hunter 12". A friend of mine and I shot 200 rounds of 22 Hornet one afternoon using trap targets at 350 yards, once you got your zero right, it was hard to miss. Ivan
 
There is still a good market for bbls and frames as witnessed on Gunbroker. I understand S&W wanted the bbl making capabilities and dropped the single shot lines.
 
I still see barrels at gun shows in the $150 to $175 range and they are selling at that. I did shoot Metallic Silhouette and put many rounds through a 7 TCU. I still have the 7X30 Waters barrel, .222 barrel, and 44 mag barrel. Unfortunately, I haven't shot any of them for several years.
 
I have the older model Super 14 Contender. I have barrels in .22LR,.223, 30-30,.44 Mag, and .45 colt/.410. I have shot 1/2" groups at 50 yds with the 30-30 using reloads.
 
It is a shame how the the little break actions have become so neglected by the shooting public.
I admire those that have gone before us and improved upon the basic concepts. Shooters like Bob Milek and Steve Herrett.
Real innovators like Vern Juenke and Lee Jurras who saw the real potential of TC's designs are gone now but we still have Reeder and Bellm trying to keep the interest alive.
Keep the faith and maintain the enthusiasm in the shooting sports.
444-X.jpg
 
gemihur said:
It is a shame how the the little break actions have become so neglected by the shooting public.
I admire those that have gone before us and improved upon the basic concepts. Shooters like Bob Milek and Steve Herrett.
Real innovators like Vern Juenke and Lee Jurras who saw the real potential of TC's designs are gone now but we still have Reeder and Bellm trying to keep the interest alive.
Keep the faith and maintain the enthusiasm in the shooting sports.
444-X.jpg
Click to expand...

Resurrected a thread from 2014 but Neglected? Have you seen the prices barrels are bringing? My Encore is my favorite hunting rifle, barrels are still be made and have gone up. Good luck finding any under $500 or sometimes more.
 
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I see they're still offered, at least on the website.
The pistol barrels are only in 12" or 14". The chamberings are mostly heavy (or really noisy) stuff, like .204 Ruger, .223, 6.8 Rem, 7-30 Waters, 30-30, 45-70. Oh, and 357 and 44 Magnum, and the 45/410.

No more 10" barrels, no more octagonal barrels.
The old model had more "Pistol friendly" cartridges like 22 Hornet, 256 Win Mag, 22 Jet, etc. In the old octagonal barrels, these offered a lot of long range performance out of a lightweight and easy to carry (and shoot!) package. Even the 30 Herrett and 7mm TC/U were relatively comfortable compared to the really heavy stuff.
Wildcats used to make up a significant portion of their chamberings.

Plus, as an aside to their muzzleloading production and woodmill, the Contender tended to come with really nice walnut grips and forends!

Maybe they just consider the newer Contender to be an afterthought or novelty you might buy to pair up with a hunting rifle??
 
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I just sold my Encore pistol frame with two MGM barrels for $1100 a month ago.
I can't part with my Contender with two 14" barrels in 6TCU and 7TCU. Too much fun and cheap to shoot.
 
S&W has been trying to unload TC for a while now. It wouldn't surprise me if they were cutting back on the offerings.
 
diyj98 said:
S&W has been trying to unload TC for a while now. It wouldn't surprise me if they were cutting back on the offerings.
Click to expand...

It bugs me how companies will buy out a smaller company, keep it a while, decide they don't want it then sell it. Just leave them alone. We lost H&R that way, Para-Ordnance and are about to lose TC.

Rosewood
 
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I could be wrong, but I think it's been a couple of years since S&W made any contender frames or barrels. I bought a new G2 carbine frame and stock a couple of years back but since then they dried up. Too bad, I have an original Contender carbine in .30-30 and bought .22 Hornet and 7 TCU barrels for it. They all shoot very well. I would like to find a .25-20 WCF or 256 Win Mag carbine barrel for playing with cast bullets but I find today's prices too high. Probably just my age.
 
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