Been thinking of buying a Encore stainless frame and using it both for a rifle and pistol at some later date.
As it stands I know squat about the Encores. I was told to buy a "pistol" frame instead of the rifle frame and then it is legal to add any rifle barrel at a later date instead of buying a rifle frame first. T or F?

If this is true, would all the barrels made for the Encore rifle then fit the pistol frame?

Thank you

The frames are the same, the only differnce is how you fill out the background check form, Since they aren't supposed to keep records with those anyway is shouldn't matter. I have an encore and have used it as both a rifle and pistol and didn't have to worry about what it was originally sold as. I think if probably would matter in a state that was less free in its gun laws, like in a state that required registering the encore in a pistol configuration. Just get an encore action and do with it what you wish. just don't put a pistol barrel on it with a rifle stock, because that is shorter than the 16" barrel rule.

Thats why 16.5" barrals are nice, can use as either. I have a 16.5" 45/70 barrel that you can use as either.

One tip for best accuracy is to put a oring or washer between the forend and the barrel. Has really helped mine to be more consistant.

I have the contender model and 7 or 8 different
barrels for it. I used to shoot in a game Called silowett I have the 45/70 barrel, 22 rim fire 22 Mag,357 Mag,the 45 long colt or 410ga, 44 Mag.

ATF issued a ruling a few years ago, that a Contender/Encore pistol can be converted to a rifle. But once it is a rifle, it can't be converted back to a pistol.

I will find the ruling and post it.

I used to have an Encore with several rifle and pistol barrels. After the court ruling hoghunting mentions, T/C supposedly keeps records of whether an action is licensed as a rifle or a pistol when it's manufactured. Pistol to rifle is ok, but rifle to pistol is not.

Thnaks guys. I ordered the pistol frame just to be safe but doubt I'll ever meet an ATF agent in the woods who is carrying a sat. phone and wants to call in to see if I converted either a rifle or pistol into a pistol or rifle