Hi all,

My kids are outgrowing the small 22's so some more guns are on the far horizon. I've been thinking about centerfires, but either way I am also realizing that a new gun is going to have to get restocked and I don't know what sort of caliber my kids are eventually want (one might not have a need for anything bigger than 22 mag, and I have a good hunch another will probably have acquired some big boomers before it's all over).

Anyway, it occurred to me that one of these TC's would be a good first gun. I can make up a some short stocks for the next couple of years, as well as small caliber barrels and then as individuals if they want to broaden their horizons it can be done.

Now, I don't know the pro's and cons of the different actions here. None of these guns needs to be a powerhouse so I think old contenders will be just as suitable as new Encores, but if I cold get some opinions from you guys who have actually used these guns and could compare them against each other I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Mark

I had the same idea as our kids were coming up. I bought a 16 inch 22 barrel and a youth stock for my Contender frame. The project became frustrating when we realized the earlier Contender was too hard for kids or my wife to open. I ran an Encore for a decade or so but never cared for the ergonomics myself and making a youth size stock from the factory club would have taken more woodworking than I cared to apply. Our kids grew up using boltguns, but your idea is sound. Check out the G2; maybe it's easier to work with...

Forget the old contender, go with either the G2 or the Encore. G2 is a small version of the Encore and barrels can be had form 22 lr to 30-30. Hammer has a small lever to change from rimfire to center fire.There are youth stocks. The Encore is larger and factory barrels upo to 50cal black powder and 300 win mag.They are making rimfire barrels now but it must be an off set bore. The calibers you want may dictate which frame would work best.

The Contender would suit your needs perfectly and allow an excellent platform for them to graduate up to larger calibers.

Not only is it lighter than the Encore, but there are tons of barrel possibilities from several makers along with plenty of stock options, too. As to someone mentioning being hard to open, that was the case with the very early models. Any frame with a serial # of 195,000 or higher is of the easy-open variety. And the older frames can be converted to easy-opn if you'd like.

I've used Contenders -- primarily in pistol format -- since the early 80s. While I do enjoy the Encore, for the past few years, the majority of my hunting has been with Contender rifles/carbines -- and I have never felt undergunned in the least bit. If there's a deer or hog inside of 300 yards that I can't kill with one of my Contender carbines, I wouldn't have been able to kill it with anything more potent, either.

From vermin and varmints to deer and hogs, the Contender is versatile enough to handle it all and do so with minimal recoil and muzzle blast.

Bobby looks like you have givin Fred and the Stratton boys a lot of business. Bullberry is 20 miles form my house and MGM is 5 miles away.
I still have one of the Contenders but like the G2 a little better.

Living that close to MGM would be really tough for me because they keep a pretty decent inventory of barrels that are ready to go. That would be like putting a kid next to a toy factory or ice cream or candy shop...

As to the Contender-G2-Encore preference: I did pick up a G2 but did not care for it and sold it within a couple weeks of buying it. Those old-style Contenders remain my top choice.

With that being said, I must admit that I do like the Encore and having the option of calibers unavailable in the Contender.

my go to survial carbine is the one contender I still have.stainless composite in 223 with 3x9 Leupode on top. Lost others in divorce and replaced them with G2s. I had Bullberry do 2# triggers.

Thanks everyone for all the replies and Bobby thanks for posting your pictures too!

Here is my encore with a stock done by High Plains. The fit is perfect and I'm very impressed with how comfortable the rifle feels when shouldered. Mouse over the photo for an enlarged view.

Cliff-

Thanks for the report. I nearly went with that style when I ordered from High Plains a while back. I am thrilled with the one I received as the fit and finish were perfect, but on the next go-round, I will have to try that version.

Thanks!
Bobby

Cliff, is that a wood upgrade? It is really nice

Robin,
It is a fancy grade. There is another grade above it.

It may have been written already in the posts above, but there is a short stock for the Encore for kids. It is called the Bantam and I think it is only available in black plastic. Don't quote me on that...

We will be making a youth stock for the TCs. PM me or call me @ 513 260-6200 for more details and order information.