the question : is the hand gun and rifle interchangeable . Can i remove the hand gun stock and put a rifle stock on it .thanks Bob

The BATF doesn't like it, but it can be very useful at times.

WAY back, many moons ago, T/C offered a kit for the Contender that contained a rifle barrel, a handgun barrel the "furniture" needed to interchange between rifle and handgun configurations. The BATFE didn't like it. There was a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court regarding this and the BATFE lost.

So, if you have a T/C Contender kit, you can legally interchange configurations. The BATFE maintains, however, that this ONLY applies to the kit and the Contender and thus says you can't do the same with an Encore. If it were taken to court again, I suspect the BATFE would lose but I personally don't wish to finance such a legal endeavor.

The Encore is easily changed from handgun to rifle configuration and, in fact, there is no prohibition from changing from the handgun to the rifle configuration BUT supposedly, once you do so, you can't change back to the handgun configuration. It is also illegal to mount a rifle barrel of less than 16 inches on an Encore or Contender frame if it's in the rifle configuration unless you complete the appropriate form and pay the fee ($200 I believe).

Also be aware that aside from the BATFE, in states with handgun registration, if you bought an Encore or Contender rifle and changed it to a handgun, you would be in violation of State law.

I would purchase a hand gun and it would be regestered as such . but like to also use as a rifle . can this be done? or they are not interchangeable and would it be legal? thanks Bob

Yes you can use a t/c encore or contender frame that was purchased as a handgun to make a rifle. You have to change both the stock and the barrel. If you put a rifle stock on with a sub 16" barrel you have manufactured a destructive device and will be in big trouble. Supposedly just owning a rifle stock and no rifle barrel is considered intent to make a short barreled rifle and will get you in trouble.

With that said I personally find the encore too bulky as a handgun and greatly prefer the contender platform.

thanks now i will have look into the laws of my fine state of n.j. to see if just owning the barrels and stocks would be illegal. Bob

Considering we are talking about NJ, I would make sure that just wanting to own a barrel wasn't against the law.