The last three times I've shot my Encore pistol (.270 Win), the bottom of the frame has caught the top of my right index finger. First time just scraped the skin off. Second time it did the same thing. Today it made a big blood blister in the same place.

I love the way the wood grips look, and I've got some beautiful wood on mine. But I can't take this abuse. I've got to get some synthetic grips before I shoot this thing again. I just can't hold onto the gun tight enough because of the size of the wood grip.

Anyone else have this problem?

T/C offers a Rubber pistol grip with finger grooves catlog no.7652. Twyman

I have the T/C Rubber grips on my Encore in 257 Roberts. Granted it doesn't have the recoil that a 270 would but they helped me alot. They fit well in my hand. Got them at the local outdoor warehouse here in Wa. I think I paid $35 for the pair. Slim

I concur with the above posts. I replaced my Encore grips with the factory rubber ones, they are smaller and fit my hand much better. I'm only shooting a 250 Savage, but I'm sure they would help for a heavier recoiling round.
Greg

Grinder, any more on heavy recoiling handguns I just wrap a bandaide around whatever digit that seems to be in the way.
When I first started shooting IHMSA I would end up with pretty sore knuckles an fingers, not good. I saw a lot of guys using bandaides on there fingers and finger tips I tried it and it works, I ALWAYS keep a few in my wallet.

On my Encore I have factory rubber grips, a few guys around here don't like them. I have no problem with mine as of yet, largest caliber I have shot was a .308 WW factory loads it is not uncomfortable.
Jeff

Get the synthetic grips. I have those on my .50 Alaskan and have never gotten bit by the trigger guard. Nice little recoil cushion built into the grip also.

I've always had trouble with high recoil calibers in Contenders bashing my knuckles.

For years I used a frame that I had taken the "smoke wrench" to. I heated the spur cherry red, put a "metric adjustable wrench" on it and simply bent the trigger guard spur forward.

That accomplished two things. It did stop the knuckle bashing, but it also gives a much more comfortable grip on the spur when opening the barrel. Ben forward like this, your fingers don't slide down. Instead, they have a nice crook to fit into.

I have not done this to the Encore yet, but there is no reason why it could not be done.

I did not refinish my Contender since it was just a working frame used only in the shop. But it would be simple enough to refinish.

A 3/4" half-round rasp used to rasp the finger grooves deeper in the front of the grip has the effect of moving fingers back and more out of harms way. A little sanding and a few shots of Min-Wax Spar urethane does wonders. The Encore grips are a bit too full to suit me also. Nor do I like the angled grip and the lobe on the back side at the bottom..... but that what you get from a heretic I guess.

Mike

Grinder,
My left index finger lost some hide just once. That was with my 30-06 and the encore rubber grips. I have learned to shoot with my left under the grip instead of around my right when at the bench. Now if I gould figure out how to attach a sling to these rubber grips,then I could use the left to steady the forend. I have just put a sling on my wood grip and forend for the 6.5X55 and it works great as the recoil is quite managable. The -06 is another story though....I don't like the wood grips for this round.
A point of interest is that when someone wants to try the -06 I don't always warn them to keep their fingers out of the injury prone area.
Rick

Mike
How far did you bend the release part of the finger gaurd.
90 degrees fom the barrel or so?
Seems like a good idea anyway fingers getting rapped on the shot or not!
LouisB

It isn't the trigger guard that catches my finger. What catches my finger is the bottom of the frame, almost directly above the overtravel screw.

I think what is happening is that due to the grip size, I have to cant my right hand just a hair to get a better grip on the pistol. This canting causes my index finger to be in the way of the frame as the it simultaneously moves backward and upward at approx. a 45* angle at the shot.

Wish I had bought that set of synthetic furniture for $30 at that gun show two weeks ago...