what frame to keep

[b44mag]

ok i have 2 encore frames the one i bought new its a ss frame
the other is a blue one that was used but like new
ok the ? are.  the blue frame has a over travel screw in the trigger guard the ss one does not. what is the difference between the two if any. it does not matter to me about the ss or blue issue. but im pretty new to the t/c guns. just got my frames and brl in the last year year in 1/2. so i dont realy know much but was looking at the g2s cause of the easy switch from rimfire to center fire.  would like to get a 22mag brl for smallgame hunting 22lr for plinking and smallgame hunting also. i thought about just getting the brls for the encore but the weight of a 22 brl would be pretty hefty. i have a 223 and 243 in pistol . they are very front heavy compared to the 44 and 209x50 .so i would think the 22s would be the same as the 223 and for a squirrel gun i would like it to be lighter.  what do you guys think any info on the screw
          thanks for reading all this b44mag

[b44mag]

ok 50 some views no one can help me decide what frame to keep what the differance between the trigger stop screw frame opposed to the non trigger stop frame is 
and ifin a even trade is asking to much well off to the serch page to go through countless posts to find the answers just thought some of you guys would steer me in the right direction but i guess not thanks any way for atleast reading through the post
 b44mag

[Anonym]

I'm new to contenders myself... actually waiting to go pick up my first one.  The one I got was an older SS version w/ the rear stop screw.  I also have a SS Encore with the rear stop screw as well.  I'm partial to the SS versions because they have lower maintenance requirements and hide scuffs and dings better.

I'm assuming you're talking about the newer G2 frames on both?  My $0.02 is that if you're primarily hunting with it, go for the more weather resistant stainless frame.  But if you're doing more paper punching that won't be under the same field conditions as a hunting rig, and you prefer a finer trigger set-up, stick with the blued frame.

If I were you and could swing it, I'd just keep BOTH!   

[luckydawg13]

if one is a rifle frame and one is a pistol KEEP THE PISTOL FRAME YOU CAN PUT A RIFLE BARREL ON A PISTOL FRAME BUT YOU CANT PUT A PISTOL BARREL ON A RIFLE BY LAW THAT IS if you dont know what it was sold as you can call T/C and ask them
but i would keep them bolth

[Dezynco]

The only difference is that Thompson Center stopped putting the overtravel screws on the very newest frames.  I just drilled and tapped my frames, went to the hardware store and bought a #6 set screw and did it myself.

What most barrel manufacturers are doing now is boring the 22LR and 22 Mag a little "off center" so that you do not need a switch on the hammer.  The regular firing pin just hits the rim fire cartridge on the edge.  Works really well!

As far as getting rid of one or the other, why?     It has been mentioned to you about the legal issues around switching barrels from pistol to rifle and back again.  The parts will interchange easily enough though.  For sure don't put a pistol barrel on a frame with a rifle stock, that will get you busted in a hurry!

It's a dumb law and there's a good chance that you'd never get caught, but.......I have one of each just in case.

[b44mag]

ok i bought them both as pistol frames because of the brl switching from pistol to long brl so thats not a issue from what i read there is no differance in frames they are both encore frames im thinking of buying a g2 to replace one of the encore frames thought a even trade for frames with grip and forarm should be a even trade from what ive been reading so thanks for the answers and info
             b44mag

[luckydawg13]

if there pistol frames i would keep the SS frame butt i do like the blue frame too 

[Keith L]

Before you decide there is not an issue swapping between pistol and long barrels carefully read the information on this subject.  Switching back and forth is against the law, so be careful you know what you are getting into.

[b44mag]

ok this is what i found on the topic of switching from pistol to long gun with a pistol frame

The case was if T/c was selling a Stock for a pistol barrel. It was said that t/c provided a stock for the frame and that someone could put it on a pistol barrel. This would be a short barreled rifle. T/c's case was that they sold the barrel, stock, and forearm as a upgrade kit as a rifle. They also claimed the final assembly of the frame was done buy who was buying the gun. That if it was a short barreled rifle that t/c had nothing to do with it and that it was made that way by the owner of the gun. So if someone got arrested with a stock on a 10inch barrel then t/c would not be held liable and they couldn't get sued. It would be the owners fault. IF you buy it from t/c as a pistol it can be changed to a rifle with a 16inch or longer barrel. shotgun or muzzle loader and if you buy a Rifle from t/c it had to remain a rifle , shotgun, or muzzleloader.. no pistol. If you buy it as a muzzleloader from them it is a rifle because its parts are interchangeable. So it must be a pistol frame to be a pistol and a rifle frame to be rifle but pistol frames can be changed to a rifle or a shotgun or muzzle loader. I don't know what happens when you buy it as a frame and it not setup as anything. If you want to know what it left t/c as call their cs dept. I imagine as a frame its classified as a action and is like any other action and can be made as either but don't hold me to that. It may be sold as a rife frame or as a pistol frame just without barrels. To be on the safe side just get a pistol frame. The contenders were sold as pistols first them you could buy the upgrade kit. It was much simpler that way. Now they can leave as a pistol or rifle. Also a bare frame. Contact t/c and find out more on your local laws

[luckydawg13]

YES THAT IS RIGHT THAT IS WHAT THE A.T.F TOLD ME

[Keith L]

I won't get in this circular argument again, but a look at the posted letters from the ATF say that if you put a rifle barrel on a pistol frame it has to stay that way.  The only TC frames that can be both are those that were in the combo sets the suit was about.

You decide what you want to do, but should you wind up on the bad side of a LE or BATF agent and have have one configured wrong then you will be in for the hassle of your life.

[David D.]

Its not the length of the barrel decides this! Theirs no max length on a pistol barrel that I know of. Some states may have a legal lenght for hunting. Its the addition of the stock. A stock on a under 16" barrel is illegal.  Put a legal length rifle barrel and a stock on a pistol frame and its not suppose to go back as a pistol.

To my understanding this applies to all actions, not just the TC. I recently purchase a undesignated  Savage Target Action my FFL designated as a pistol. It will be built with pistol hardware sporting a 18" barrel. If I ever pit a rifle stock on it, it must stay a rifle!