I just acquired this Encore in 44 magnum but its too long thinking of having it cut down to 9" or trading. Any advice the barrel is 15".

Sell it and buy a revolver. Because revolvers are better.

Juuuuuust kidding everyone.

What would you trade it for? A shorter 44 barrel, or a different platform altogether?

Have it reamed out to 444 Marlin and use 44 magnum, 44 Special and 444 Marlin cases loaded to 44 magnum pressure levels.

What do you want to do with it? If you want a packing pistol, I'd say trade it for a Contender. That save about a pound in weight, right? A 10 inch barreled Contender is a dream to handle. Though, people complain about the 44 mag recoil being brutal in a 10 inch, so YMMV. I will agree a 15 inch Encore seems like a mighty big package for a 44 magnum. If you cut it down, maybe the 444 Marlin suggestion, or even a 445 Supermag, re-chamber would be nice.

Cut it down to 10" and enjoy it. In my opinion, anything less than 10" in the encore doesn't balance worth a damn.

If just looking for a shorter barrel in a standard length I would try to swap barrels. If wanting a customized length have it cut to your liking. I have a 9" MGM barrel in 357 that I really like.

I agree with JDK , a Contender in .44 mag. would be a much better balanced package IMHO. More compact and a 10" bull barrel would help tame the recoil also. The original light weight octagon barrel in .44 mag. was a BEAST !!!! 180 grain Super Vel and I think the snap on forend is still flying through the air somewhere!

That doesn't work. The .444 is a good bit larger at the base. Any .44Spl or Mag case will likely split if fired in a .444 chamber. Reaming it to .445 would work.

Hmmmm.... Well the devil is in the details is it not. Logic prevails and the lesser known 445 Super Magnum is the choice to ream it to if 44 magnum and 44 Special rounds are to be interchanged. Thanks for the lesson Craig.

Talk to a smith, and determine the cost including shipping both ways, versus trading/selling.
In the end, it is what you want that matters.

Shoot it first, and see how you like it. My longest 44 Mag is a Ruger SBH Silhouette with a 10.5" barrel, which shows a noticeable increase in velocity over the shorter tubes. You already have a very versatile combination.

Ream it out to 445 Supermagnum and leave the barrel full length. That will maximize the velocity attainable from the 445 Super Magnum and you can load it hotter than it is in a factory revolver. The softness of the brass case will be your limit and any other pressure signs. Keep a sharp look-out as you work-up your handloads.
And the 44 magnum can be shot in the 445 Supermagnum chamber so you lose nothing and gain more.

I shoot contenders exclusively.
I've got a 15" barrel in 45-70.
I've got a 16" 444 Marlin barrel.
I wouldn't alter either.
That 15" .44 magnum will serve you well once you shoot it enough to get used to it.
If any investment is to be made, get some comfortable furniture.
Pachmayr comes to mind.

My 14in 444 Marlin is one of my favorite guns to take out and shoot. I didnt even take out the rifle but a couple times last season.

Mike Bellm is the man if you want it rechambered. He did mine and I also had him cut in a brake. The thing is a dream to shoot...for what it is.