Help me decide the barrel length of 45colt encore !

[243dave]

I have been thinking of gett'n a encore pistol for a while and I've found a pistol frame at a good price I can put on lay-away. What I want is a classy encore pistol with a short octagon barrel chambered in 45 colt. Why a encore instead of a G2 in 45colt? Because I'll eventually have some centerfire rifle barrels for it too. A while back someone had a picture of one(might have been a contender)that really caught my fancy and I'd like to do something similiar. I'm thinking 8 inches. What do you think ? Shorter or longer ? If someone out there has some pics of something like this could you please post them. Also I'm looking at the custom barrels of different manufactures, I'd like to hear some recommendations. I've looked at MGM and for what I want its gonna be around $450(probably more with sights). I expect most others will be about the same price.   Thanks,  Dave 

[stubshaft]

I had a 12" .454 barrel for my Encore.  It balanced well and had a sight radius that made it easy to shoot soda cans at 100yds.  One of my 500 Smith barrels from MGM measure 13" w/Holland brake.  Still balances okay and has shot a few head of game but prefer 12" for general carry.

[bstewrat3]

I have my name in line at Bullberry for one of their barrel stubs to be done up in 45 Colt. I decided on 8" first because I was trying to keep the cost down and second I think 8" in the Encore will give me all I need out of the 45 Colt. I'm not sure if they do octagon or not, but if you are fairly patient you can't beat the price to start.

[doc-and]

Not an Encore but a G2, I like the 10inch factory barrel, but am considering an Encore "Shorty" project for my next project...Caliber...?? not sure yet.

Color Case Hard G2 frame, factory 10inch barrel in 45Colt, Wood by Otter




docand

[243dave]

Thanks for all the replies. Doc when I think of a classy TC pistol you have it. That is some beautiful wood. Bstewrat3 I'm gonna keep Bullberry in mind, I forgot about their barrel stubs. Stubshaft perhaps I should get the longer barrel for the longer sight radius. Lord knows I need all the help when it comes to shoot'n a pistol. Not sure how my pistol will turn out, price will be a consideration of course. Hard times makes projects like what I want take a long time.   Dave