Author Topic: H&R Rifle or Encore Rifle set up (Read 1257 times)

northkid · « **on:** February 15, 2012, 02:00:16 PM »

Which rifle do you like better the H&R or the Encore, both of them you can get different barrels for them. For the price of the Encore barrel you can get new H&R.

trotterlg · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:04:09 PM »

Just like you say, just depends on how much money you have. Larry

Jason F · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:07:36 PM »

exactly i could never afford 30 complete encore rifles but the handis are a different story

gendoc · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:16:40 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on February 15, 2012, 02:04:09 PM

Just like you say, just depends on how much money you have. Larry

not really, i've had them and also contenders. they had there place in my shop.....i did say had !!!
i don't own any now, because i can make'a handi out-shoot them with my eye's closed....
no brag, just fact

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:31:31 PM »

I had an Encore for a while, bought a pistol frame, added a Prohunter t-hole stock and 375H&H PH barrel, did a trigger job on the frame because it had a 7½lb trigger, it shot good with handloads made for the barrel's excess headspace, IE gap between barrel and frame, about .006" IIRC. Also had a 15" 7mm-08 barrel for it, but never shot it, mounted it on the frame and installed the grip, that's all I did with it. I just didn't care for the Encore, it just wasn't Handy! I traded the 375 barrel for a practically NIB 2006 35 Whelen Handi, sold the TC frame and pistol barrel and have never felt the need to even look back.

Tim

LedLobber · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:38:22 PM »

I would take 3 Handis over 1 TC anyday. Just my thoughts.

r29l20 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2012, 05:49:16 PM »

I've worked on the TC's and I would never own one. The design is chinsy at best, but that's just my opinion.

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2012, 12:58:34 AM »

I just don't like the looks or feel of the Encore, and as has been said, I can own a couple of Handis for the price of an Encore. I have zero interest in them. Patty has a T/C Seneca and I had Senecas and Cherokees in the past and liked them, but I don't care for any of their modern firearms, including the bolts.

Pete

northkid · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:21:43 AM »

The only reason I had pick an Encore up was I like the Muzzleloader barrel on it. But love the handis in the Big bores. Use folks use the H&R Muzzleloader at all?
Hey Pete long time no see.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:45:07 AM »

Based on price and performance the H&R wins hands down.

T/C dominates because the provide firearms to most all the shows thru sponcerships. It's gotten so you NEED a T/C if your gonna do a hunting tv show...

Like a number of guys I have had them and the Contenders too. I could not in good conscience say anything about quality compared to H&R. I liked my Contenders allot but I don't miss them.

I choose the H&R, they work for me!!
CW

jpshaw · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2012, 05:27:01 AM »

The only TC I ever handled was a .30-30 Contender. The first thing I did (after checking the chamber) was pull and hold the trigger and pull the hammer back for a clickless cock. Loud CLICK. Never did fiqure out its lockwork to cock silently.

dave29 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2012, 10:54:49 AM »

I have several of both.

I don't really prefer one over the other. They both have their places for what I use them for.

One thing I do like a lot better about the Encore is that you can buy just about any caliber barrel for them. I know you can have barrels stubbed for the Handi, which I have, but the stub job is pretty pricey.

I have not owned a Contender yet, and I plan on buying a new one in a 7-30 waters carbine configuration if i can ever find one in stock.

I just like single shot rifles in general.

jy951 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2012, 11:14:32 AM »

I like the Encore due to the fact that barrels and stocks are much easier to come by. You don't have to ship the frame for barrel and you can always purchase a new one at numerous outlets.

tacklebury · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2012, 11:23:07 AM »

Quote from: jy951 on February 16, 2012, 11:14:32 AM

I like the Encore due to the fact that barrels and stocks are much easier to come by. You don't have to ship the frame for barrel and you can always purchase a new one at numerous outlets.

For over 200 bucks usually!!! lol

VT30-30 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:11:38 PM »

I too have both Encores and Handis. I will not get rid of my Encores. I've gotten rid of a few Handi rifles because of a
few different problems. I had a 243 that would not eject a round, no matter what. I cleaned, polished, put a BB
in front of the spring. I probably should of sent that one back to H & R but the dealer took it back. Both rifles have
their good and bad points. Luckily we can choose whatever one we like.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:27:48 PM »

I have Handi's and don't want an encore. I had one years ago, they are ungainly things....<><....

geezerbiker · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:43:42 PM »

If they release a Handi handgun, I'd buy one until then, I have a contender on my get list. I figure one with a .22 Hornet barrel and a .44 mag or .45 Colt barrel would be just about perfect.

Tony

cjrjck · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2012, 03:49:31 PM »

Why choose? This is America!

LedLobber · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2012, 08:30:53 PM »

Quote from: jy951 on February 16, 2012, 11:14:32 AM

I like the Encore due to the fact that barrels and stocks are much easier to come by. You don't have to ship the frame for barrel and you can always purchase a new one at numerous outlets.

This would be a VERY COOL selling point. I HATE to imagine how many Handi's I'd have if I could get barrels at the local Cabela's though.

yooper77 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2012, 09:09:17 PM »

I bought my Thompson Center Encore as a blued 10" 44 Magnum pistol in 1997 and have had numerous rifle and pistol barrels on it and each worked flawlessly. I also never had to mess with its smooth and crisp trigger or any other after market gimmick adjustments.

I once bought a used NEF Handi in 243 Winchester with a Burris full field 3-9 scope for a steal, but quickly returned it since I never liked the case ejection, looks or feel.

My Encore can be used as a pistol which is something Handi's cannot do, so for me there is zero comparison.

yooper77

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2012, 01:46:48 AM »

I have never owned a Handi. Not because I don't like them. I just like the simple design of my encores. I have two encores. One as a designated pistol and one as a designated rife. However, given the right deal, I would purchase a handi in a second.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:37:14 AM »

I don't have an Encore but I do have a G2 Contender set up as a rifle. I like the looks of Handis better, especially with straight stocks and schnabel forends. I've never had any issues with Handi rifles, they always go bang for me.

I have had issues with my Contender. I've had to "fit" two different barrels by honing the locking lugs, the claim that all of the barrels are interchangeable is BS. I also had to replace a weak hammer spring, luckily this is an easy job on a G2.

That being said, my personal requirements for hunting guns is blued steel, wood stocks and light as possible due to a bad back. That's where the Contender carbine shines. I have a 24" 45 Colt barrel and walnut stocks on my G2 and it only weighs 5 3/4 lbs plus it balances perfectly. A similar Handi setup in the same caliber weighs 6 1/4 lbs. That 1/2 pound actually makes a difference to me over the course of a day hunting. My 16 gauge Topper also weighs 5 3/4 lbs with wood stocks so the G2 and Topper are my two favorite long guns and basically all that I use for hunting.

eskimo36 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2012, 07:55:53 AM »

I have both and enjoy both. They both have their merits, but you won't ever see an Encore owner whining over a barrel in a particular odd ball caliber that they can't get or wanting higher quality wood. Both are readily available for the encore. I like the trim receiver and barrels of the Toppers and wish they were still available. I wish someone would make nice grained trim stocks for H&R. The clunky wood and heavy barrels take a lot away from what could be a really nice carrying gun. Blued steel and nice walnut make pretty guns regardless of platform.

Sourdough · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2012, 08:06:08 AM »

I have 7 Handi's, 2 TCRs, 2 contenders, and one Encore. The Handi's are my go to guns, for every day use. Accurate and easy to carry. If I scratch one I don't feel bad either, so what I scratched the cheap one. The Contenders are great, shoot just as good as the Handi's. cost more, but I like to carry them when on trips to hunt with. The 2 TCRs are fantastic shooters, and I have many barrels. I use them almost as much as the Handi's, but I don't carry them on rough hunts. They cost too much, and are out of production. The only thing I don't like about them is that they are hammerless.

The Encore is a great muzzleloader, I can out shoot all my hunting partners with it. But as a hunting gun with centerfire ammo, it's a piece of crap. 30-06 barrel shoots fair, but the 22-250, 243, 7mm-08, and .338 barrels would not shoot or group. Got rid of all but the 30-06.

A Contender carbine in .223 is usually on the handlebars of my snow machine all winter. With a youth stock it fits behind the windshield where it is protected.

I don't do the multiple barrel thing any more with the Handi's, too much trouble changing barrels. I only have one a 30-06/20ga, that is used as spare gun for Moose camp. Furnishes camp meat, grouse, rabbits, geese, and ducks.

revbc · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2012, 09:04:07 AM »

I have had an Encore.........liked it, swapped it for a savage tactical 223. I own several Handi's, love my maxi and 454 and my 45/70 ultra and my........................ Just swapped some stuff for a stainless contender and got a 7-30 waters barrel on the way. I've had the dies for over 2 years.

The deal is................you can't use the Encore TC platform for Louisiana Primitive Weapon season. The Handi is the King down here. Now there are rumors in the wind that LA may follow MS which does allow any exposed hammer single shot. (of the correct caliber)

Bobby

knight0334 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2012, 05:07:52 AM »

H&R/NEF/W&H all the way baby!

I liked the Contender/Encore style when I was 12 years old. But when my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th guns were NEF's(1st was a Remington 77 Nylon from K-mart) when I was 16 or 17 years old - the T/C favoritism went away right quick like. I'm gonna be 40 in June, and I've been a Handiholic ever since.

Now, I don't buy or have my guns set up for additional barrels. I prefer complete firearms. With H&R's and NEF's being relatively cheap compared to a Encore/Contender barrel alone - well, it's easy for me to choose. ...I'm a cheap bastage. I like inexpensive stuff that I can tinker with.

I'm not knocking the T/C's though. They are fine guns in all respects, but they aren't for me.

Buckskin · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2012, 12:46:05 PM »

Now to be fair... This question should also be asked in the TC rifle forum.

Now I've never owned a Handy, I have shot a couple and they seemed to shoot well although poor trigger and felt kinda cheap compared to an Encore. Where I think TC has the big advantage is that there is soooo many options that are available for the Encore. You can reallyy get anything you want, but to each his own.

gendoc · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2012, 01:18:22 PM »

Quote from: Buckskin on February 19, 2012, 12:46:05 PM

Now to be fair... This question should also be asked in the TC rifle forum. Now I've never owned a Handy, I have shot a couple and they seemed to shoot well although poor trigger and felt kinda cheap compared to an Encore. Where I think TC has the big advantage is that there is soooo many options that are available for the Encore. You can reallyy get anything you want, but to each his own.

hey buckskin... your right, you can get anything you want fora TC... but tha fun here is, ya gotta make it yourself fora handi...........

Flynmoose · « **Reply #28 on:** February 19, 2012, 06:30:19 PM »

I have Encores, G2s and one Handi. I have had several other Handis but, for one reason or other, I'm down to one. The one Handi I kept is a 223 with a 16 1/2" barrel. I keep it packed in a tool box with a bunch of ammo, ready to leave quickly, if you know what I mean. Luckily, we are still able to have whatever we can afford and have an interest in. As a sidenote, I did buy the T/Cs before I got married.
FM