![tc contender barrels rifle .357 tc contender barrels rifle .357](https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/cordierantiques/74/705374/H4091-L260446339.jpg)
I did like the old frame's trigger pull much better than the G2 but the hard opening and having to unlock the frame to recock was kind of a pain. I recall the old octagon and 10" barrels for the Contender, haven't had any in a while but yes, they were much smaller diameter.Īctually, I'm guessing the OP wants the Contender because he's using a rimfire, the Encore doesn't typically do rimfire. I do have some heavier diameter barrels in some Encore handgun barrels - 375 H & H and a 405 Winchester. 810 diameter, about the same as the Encore 15" barrels. I use mostly Super 14 barrels and they are. It's a much stouter frame and a bigger diameter barrel.
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The Encore was designed to handle larger cartridges than the Contender was/is able to handle. I have both and like the older version much more. The G2 has a new firing mechanism and a different trigger. Also most prefer the previous version over the G2. Most people prefer the Contender for use as a pistol because it's lighter. In order to stay clear of ATF and comply with CA's roster regulations, it should come into the state as a complete single-shot pistol. A couple of CA FFLs have run afoul of ATF over that issue in the past. The issue with this is that if your local FFL receives a barrellless frame and installs a barrel before it is DROSed to you, ATF considers that to be a manufacturing act, and the FFL must be a licensed manufacturer. The rifle approach in CA is pretty straightforward - buy a frame with a stock & you're fine, you don't need a barrel. Since the T/C handguns were not allowed into CA for a while and an exemption later made - and when the exemption 1st kicked in CA FFLs skipped the "must buy a barrel" for a while when selling a handgun frame, there is some confusion. This is not an issue in CA with a rifle frame. If a handgun barrel is already in your possession, I know some FFLs will just have you bring in the barrel and use that as "the barrel" rather than making you buy one. There is no requirement that a barrel be attached when the handgun frame is imported, as in when you buy it online & have it sent to the FFL, but there must be a handgun barrel attached when you do the DROS & buy. You can import a T/C (Encore or Contender) handgun frame with no barrel but you can not not buy a T/C (Encore or Contender) handgun frame without a barrel. You can import & buy a T/C (Encore or Contender) rifle frame with no barrel. Midway, Natchez, T/C and my favorite, Match Grade Machine, will mail to CA with no problem. You can buy any handgun or rifle barrel you want except the "short barreled shotgun" 410/45 LC handgun barrel. A few months ago I bought an Encore handgun frame. I have 4 frames (Encore & Contender, one each for rifle & one for handgun) and about 30 barrels. Thanks for any help you can give I'd like to put together a three-barrel G2 Contender set (.357.
![tc contender barrels rifle .357 tc contender barrels rifle .357](https://www.offgridweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Thompson-Center-Contender-bug-out-gun-review-multi-caliber-ammunition-survival-1.jpg)
Is this something that I should get a written opinion from DOJ on? (I'm retired and have plenty of time to deal with them). Anybody got any actual experience to share? I've gotten all kinds of answers to these questions from FFL dealer's employees and gunsmiths. 410 barrel that is otherwise legal (shotgun length) without the frame? With the frame? My questions are these:ġ) Can I "import" from an out-of-state FFL a Contender frame without a barrel if I comply with the paperwork and waiting period, or does any frame coming in require a (of course legal) rifle barrel to verify caliber?Ģ) Can I "import" a TC factory or a custom. I'm NOT interested in a Contender handgun (have had them in different states not my cuppa). I can't get a clear answer about the status of the Thompson Center Contender in CA (I assume that anything that applies to the Contender also applies to its "big brother" the). Please excuse me if this is the wrong forum I'd be happy to move it to a more appropriate one if needed.