I have had many iterations of Thompson Center Contenders in both rifle and pistol format. I know I have owned at least one Encore, but only in rifle format.

There are a few cartridges I'd like to start shooting again, and I am thinking about doing them in an Encore, and maybe owning a Contender for the joy of packing and to help get my young daughters started down a path where they hear the hunting horn.

I have a mountain of 6mm BR brass and ammo, so that is one.

Same for 270 Win and 22 Hornet. That got me thinking the 30-30 is really a neat round in a single shot, and I have a ton of brass and ammo for it as well.

My primary current platform is a Blaser R8, and barrels are about $1200 each.

A Blaser stock/action is expensive enough that you don't want to saw it off to build a rifle for a kid, but I like the safety issue of it having a decocker.

I have an action from American Rifle Company in Washington that has a similar geometry to a 700 but built cleaner and with 3 lugs. It has a Savage small tenon and thread pitch and you can use Savage barrels on the system. It currently has a 6.5 CM on it in a Greybull Precision stock that I had planned on cutting down to 12 inches for the girls. As I have another stock for it from Manners. I don't think it kicks at all, but maybe a 80 pound 9 year old wouldn't agree.

So back to the TC's for a minute. My understanding is that the current production absolutely sucks for quality.

Are there serial numbers to stay away from?

I have researched Bellim and Match Grade machine and a few others. It is interesting all that is available.

Mike Bellm and MGM are good sources fo TC info and barrels. Contender trigger are excellent. They are very home-gunsmith friendly.

People exaggerate the problems with current TC production. I'm not sure why. You can buy the older stuff used if you prefer as there is a thriving second hand market. There are several good custom shops if the factory stuff or used is not what you want.

I own a couple of Encore frames that I've never had a problem with but they're older (1980s). the only problems I've had with T/C products is a 22-250 barrel and a poorly made wood buttstock. I don't know anything about the Pro-Hunter (Ecore) frames.

I recently bought a barrel from E Arthur Brown, a 26 inch, 223 Rem, blued barrel. Very nicely make, can't wait to take it to the range. They also have a pretty good selection of custom calibers they make. E. A. Brown is a good source for T/C related products, barrels, stocks, parts, etc.